All news related to Harmful Algal Blooms
Resources developed to improve management of benthic HABs
A statewide HABs (harmful algal blooms) monitoring workgroup co-led-by SCCWRP has developed a set of resources intended to help managers better protect humans and domestic animals from toxin-producing benthic blooms, ... More
Subcommittees launched to enhance freshwater HABs monitoring, assessment statewide
The California Cyanobacterial and Harmful Algal Bloom (CCHAB) Network is convening a trio of subcommittees to be co-led by SCCWRP that will work to improve how freshwater HABs (harmful algal ... More
Effort launched to expand, formalize HABs monitoring in coastal waters
SCCWRP and its partners are launching an effort to expand and formalize Southern California’s capacity to collect monitoring data on toxin-producing harmful algal blooms (HABs) in coastal waters – an ... More
Modeling runs probe relative influence of U.S. vs. Mexican nutrient discharges on coastal algal blooms, OAH
A research team that has been modeling how land-based nutrient discharges into Southern California Bight coastal waters influence algal blooms and ocean acidification and hypoxia (OAH) has completed a set ... More
Best practices developed to advance use of satellite imagery for inland HABs monitoring
SCCWRP and its partners have developed best-practices guidance for using satellite imagery data as a routine management tool to detect and monitor harmful algal blooms (HABs) in California’s large lakes ... More
National science strategy outlines next decade of HABs research priorities
A national group of scientific experts on harmful algal blooms (HABs) that includes SCCWRP has developed a 10-year strategy outlining how the U.S. should coordinate and prioritize the next decade ... More
Study investigates how to set site-specific eutrophication thresholds to protect health of California streams
SCCWRP and its partners have completed a study investigating the feasibility of developing site-specific targets to protect California’s wadeable streams from the ecological effects of eutrophication – an alternative to ... More
Tools developed to predict risk of mass marine mammal strandings caused by HAB toxin
SCCWRP and its partners have developed a set of tools for predicting the likelihood of marine mammals becoming stranded on Southern California beaches based on exposure to elevated levels of ... More
Bight ’23 shellfish study to benefit 4 study elements
The 2023 cycle of the Southern California Bight Regional Monitoring Program has launched a year-long investigation to comprehensively track the accumulation of multiple different types of contaminants in shellfish – ... More
Experts on HABs, kelp convened to support development of coastal ocean health report cards
SCCWRP has convened two groups of scientific experts to develop consensus on how to assess the state of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and kelp, respectively, in California and West Coast ... More
Experts convened to improve understanding of interactions between HABs, OAH
SCCWRP has convened a group of scientific experts on harmful algal blooms (HABs) and ocean acidification and hypoxia (OAH) to study the relationship between these two coastal stressors, especially how ... More
Statewide effort launched to update management guidance for benthic HABs
A statewide HABs monitoring workgroup has reconvened a subcommittee to be co-led by SCCWRP that will examine how to improve management options for protecting humans, dogs, and wildlife from toxin-producing ... More
Rapid-response HABs monitoring effort to help illuminate how toxin-producing blooms affect marine mammals
SCCWRP and its partners have helped mobilize and coordinate a rapid-response effort to collect offshore field sampling data on toxin-producing harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Southern California coastal waters, following ... More
Initial phase of ocean health report card developed for California managers
The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) has released the first phase of a multi-component ocean health report card designed to provide managers and policymakers with comprehensive annual snapshots about the ... More
Committee formed to advance use of satellite imaging for HABs monitoring
SCCWRP has convened a technical advisory committee to develop best-practices guidance for using satellite imaging data as a routine management tool to detect and monitor harmful algal blooms (HABs) in ... More
Study examines how marine mammals are affected by summer HABs toxin exposure
SCCWRP and its partners have launched a yearlong study to document the severity of a harmful algal blooms (HABs) event that sickened hundreds of sea lions and other marine mammals ... More
Study provides statewide picture of when, where HABs are occurring in lakes, reservoirs
SCCWRP and its partners have completed a year-long study that used satellite imaging data to build a comprehensive portrait of when and where ecologically disruptive harmful algal blooms (HABs) have ... More
Recommendations developed for how to build capacity to monitor HABs at land-sea interface
SCCWRP and its partners have developed a set of best-practices recommendations for building capacity in California to monitor toxins produced by freshwater harmful algal blooms (HABs) that travel through inland ... More
Draft science product released to support development of statewide stream policy
SCCWRP and its partners have released for public comment a draft science product that is expected to serve as the technical foundation for the State Water Board in developing a ... More
Study sheds light on causes of toxin-producing cyanobacterial blooms in California lake
SCCWRP and its partners have completed a two-year study that has identified genetic and environmental factors that appear to be triggering and exacerbating toxin-producing cyanobacterial blooms in California’s largest freshwater ... More
Study examines climate change’s influence on eutrophication in Santa Margarita watershed
SCCWRP and its partners have completed a three-year study examining how climate change is expected to influence eutrophication in the Santa Margarita River watershed – the final piece of a ... More
HABs modeling tool undergoing validation to predict when, where toxin-producing events will occur
SCCWRP and its partners have begun working to validate the outputs of a newly developed computer model that predicts when and where toxins produced by a common type of marine ... More
Study examines feasibility of using human cyanotoxin thresholds to protect aquatic life
SCCWRP and its partners have completed an initial investigation into whether existing cyanotoxin thresholds intended to protect the health of humans exposed to cyanotoxins in freshwater systems also could be ... More
Second sampling phase launched to study cyanotoxin-producing blooms in Northern California lake
SCCWRP and its partners have launched the second sampling phase of a two-year study investigating the environmental and genetic factors that are driving the proliferation of ecologically disruptive, toxin-producing cyanobacterial ... More
Three L.A.-area lakes the focus of intensive sampling to better understand bloom events
SCCWRP has selected three Los Angeles-area lakes that will be the focus of intensive sampling this summer to better understand the underlying factors that promote ecologically disruptive cyanobacterial bloom events ... More
National HABs symposium co-convened by SCCWRP attracts more than 300 participants
A special national scientific meeting on harmful algal blooms (HABs) that was co-convened and co-facilitated by SCCWRP attracted more than 300 researchers, students and managers over a three-day period in ... More
HABs image recognition software under development to support monitoring network
SCCWRP and its partners have begun working to develop image recognition software that can autonomously identify and count harmful algal bloom (HAB) species in marine waters, part of an ongoing ... More
Bight ’18 study documents domoic acid across coastal ocean seafloor
The Southern California Bight 2018 Regional Monitoring Program has completed a study examining how a toxin produced by a certain ubiquitous type of marine algae can settle and stick to ... More
SCCWRP asked to co-organize special, virtual HABs national meeting
SCCWRP has been asked to co-convene and co-facilitate a special national meeting on harmful algal blooms (HABs) this spring following a decision by the National HAB Committee to postpone its ... More
Study to probe role of channel modification, eutrophication in impacting Central Valley watershed health
SCCWRP and its partners have launched a three-year effort to determine the degree to which human modifications to Central Valley watersheds are triggering harmful algal blooms and other eutrophication issues ... More
Effort underway to develop a computer model for predicting toxin-producing marine algal blooms
Researchers have completed the first phase of development of a computer model that predicts when and where toxins produced by a common type of marine algal bloom can be expected ... More
HABs sampling effort targets Labor Day cyanotoxin levels in L.A.-area lakes
SCCWRP has completed the first phase of sampling for a three-year study examining algal toxin levels in Los Angeles-area lakes surrounding the Labor Day holiday, when recreational use of the ... More
Proposed statewide strategy developed to boost capacity for monitoring freshwater HABs
SCCWRP and the State Water Board have developed a proposed statewide strategy for boosting California’s capacity to monitor the growing threat posed by harmful algal blooms (HABs) in California freshwater ... More
New passive sampling approach developed to measure cyanotoxins in freshwater systems
SCCWRP and its partners have shown in a proof-of-concept study that a newer, more experimental form of passive sampling technology known as o-DGT can be used reliably to measure levels ... More
Statewide HABs early-warning system being developed
SCCWRP and its partners have launched a two-year pilot study to develop a statewide early-warning system for coastal harmful algal blooms (HABs) that relies on autonomous microscopes to alert water-quality ... More
Signs developed to warn visitors about harmful algae in recreational water bodies
SCCWRP and California’s Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program have developed a series of customized signs for water bodies vulnerable to toxin-producing algal blooms that are designed to raise awareness of ... More
DNA-based methods used to identify toxin-producing cyanobacteria in Northern California rivers
SCCWRP has completed a six-month pilot study with the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board examining how to use DNA-based methods to identify the types of bacteria responsible for ... More
Workgroup develops recommendations for statewide HABs monitoring strategy
A workgroup tasked with developing a statewide strategy for monitoring harmful algal blooms (HABs) in freshwater environments has reached consensus on how California should enhance existing its HABs monitoring infrastructure. ... More
Volunteer HABs monitoring program under development for California freshwater environments
SCCWRP and California’s Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) have launched an effort to develop a voluntary, citizen science-driven monitoring program to boost statewide capacity for monitoring harmful algal blooms ... More
Causes of cyanotoxin-producing blooms to be investigated in Northern California lake
SCCWRP and its partners have launched a two-year study to investigate the environmental factors that are driving the proliferation of ecologically disruptive, toxin-producing cyanobacterial blooms in Northern California’s Clear Lake. ... More
Study shows freshwater cyanotoxins spread to marine environments
SCCWRP and its partners have completed a three-year study showing that toxins produced by freshwater cyanobacterial blooms are spreading through waterways in California and mixing with marine toxins in downstream ... More
Study to evaluate performance of film-based passive samplers for measuring microcystins
SCCWRP and its partners have launched a two-year study to evaluate the performance of novel, film-based passive sampling technology for measuring a class of cyanotoxins known as microcystins. The passive ... More
Case study to develop eutrophication targets to better protect Elkhorn Slough estuary
SCCWRP and its partners have launched a three-year effort to develop nutrient loading and flow targets intended to reduce eutrophication in the Elkhorn Slough estuary that drains to Monterey Bay. ... More
Advisory group convened to consider developing cyanotoxin thresholds for aquatic life
SCCWRP has convened a technical advisory group to study whether the State Water Board should develop cyanotoxin monitoring thresholds that better protect vulnerable aquatic life from the impacts of ecologically ... More
Science products endorsed as foundation for crafting statewide stream policy
An expert scientific panel has endorsed a set of draft science products developed by SCCWRP as a strong technical foundation for crafting a State Water Board policy intended to better ... More
Workgroup to design statewide HABs monitoring program
California’s Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) has convened a workgroup to be facilitated by SCCWRP that will work toward developing a statewide strategy for monitoring harmful algal blooms (HABs) ... More
Film-based passive sampling for tracking cyanotoxins to be evaluated at L.A.-area lakes
SCCWRP and its partners have identified at least two Los Angeles-area lakes where a class of cyanotoxins known as microcystins appears to be present, paving the way for researchers to ... More
Bight ’18 HABs study preparing to track freshwater cyanotoxins in coastal zone
The Southern California Bight 2018 Regional Monitoring Program’s Harmful Algal Blooms element has tentatively greenlighted a study that will explore whether freshwater cyanotoxins are being transported in the coastal zone. ... More
Effort launched to develop statewide monitoring strategy for freshwater HABs
SCCWRP and its partners have kicked off an effort to develop a statewide strategy California’s water-quality management community could use to systematically assess water bodies’ susceptibility to HABs. The initiative, ... More
Expert panel reviewing science tools for proposed stream biointegrity-biostimulatory policy
A panel of scientific experts has launched a comprehensive review of a suite of technical products co-authored by SCCWRP that are intended to support the State Water Board in developing ... More
Science tools for proposed stream biointegrity-biostimulatory policy released in draft form
The State Water Board has published draft versions of a suite of technical reports, journal manuscripts and tools co-authored by SCCWRP that will serve as the technical foundation for the ... More
Santa Margarita River study examining how to develop ‘climate-ready’ eutrophication targets
SCCWRP and its partners have begun investigating how climate change could influence efforts to reduce eutrophication in the Santa Margarita River watershed, part of a five-year study exploring how to ... More
Acidification modeling effort being expanded to toxic marine algal blooms
Researchers working to develop a West Coast computer model that predicts how land-based nutrient sources influence coastal ocean acidification and hypoxia are expanding the effort to examine the potential role ... More
Study to explore potentially cheaper, more precise methods for quantifying cyanotoxins in lakes, streams
SCCWRP and its partners have launched a three-year study to evaluate potentially cheaper, more precise sampling and analysis methods for tracking cyanotoxin levels in streams and lakes in the Los ... More
Bight ’18 HABs element developing method to track impacts of cyanotoxins in coastal waters
The Harmful Algal Blooms element of the Southern California Bight 2018 Regional Monitoring Program has begun working to develop an assessment method for tracking the ecological impacts of freshwater cyanotoxins ... More
Set of models built for establishing nutrient loading targets for Santa Margarita River
SCCWRP and its partners have finished assembling an integrated toolkit of mechanistic computer models and empirical statistical models that water-quality managers can use to optimally protect biological integrity and human ... More
Study to explore optimal methods for monitoring cyanotoxins
SCCWRP and its partners will seek to develop more robust field methods for monitoring cyanotoxins in aquatic environments during a new study kicking off this summer in the Los Angeles ... More
Science tools for proposed biointegrity-biostimulatory policy to be released this summer
SCCWRP and its partners will begin soliciting public comments this summer on a series of new scientific tools and synthesis reports that will form the technical backbone for a proposed ... More
Algae-based stream scoring tool to be finalized this fall
An assessment tool that will score the ecological health of California wadeable streams by analyzing algal communities is scheduled to be finalized and published as early as this fall. The ... More
Models being built to establish nutrient loading targets for Santa Margarita River
SCCWRP and its partners have begun assembling a suite of models to support development of scientifically defensible nutrient loading targets for reducing eutrophication in the lower Santa Margarita River watershed. ... More
Study launched to document fate of algal toxin in sediment
SCCWRP and its partners have initiated a study examining whether an algal toxin known as domoic acid can linger in seafloor sediment following a harmful algal bloom (HAB) event. The ... More
Field data collection completed for Santa Margarita River nutrient management study
SCCWRP and its partners have completed field data collection for a three-year project seeking to establish scientifically defensible nutrient loading targets for reducing eutrophication and improving biological integrity in the ... More
Utah officials trained on HABs monitoring techniques at SCCWRP
SCCWRP in August trained representatives from the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food on techniques for monitoring harmful algal blooms (HABs) in irrigation systems in Utah, part of an effort ... More
Field testing underway to explore monitoring applications for recently acquired UAS
SCCWRP and its partners have initiated a series of field experiments examining how a pair of recently acquired unmanned aerial systems (UAS) could be used to improve the speed and ... More
EPA workshop focuses on science-informed solutions for managing HABs
About 150 water-quality managers from across the nation discussed the state of knowledge about harmful algal blooms (HABs) and best-practices solutions and strategies for combatting them during a management-focused workshop ... More
Pilot study shows potential of UAS for remote environmental monitoring applications
SCCWRP and its partners have demonstrated in a pilot study that traditional and multispectral cameras mounted to an unmanned aerial system (UAS) can be used to produce high-resolution, 3D mapping ... More
Macroalgal work being used to draft updated nutrient TMDL for Santa Margarita River Estuary
A SCCWRP-led investigation into how to set scientifically defensible macroalgal biomass and nutrient loading targets in the Santa Margarita River Estuary is serving as the basis of a proposed alternative ... More
Field sampling kicks off for linking freshwater HABs to marine impacts
SCCWRP and its partners have launched the field sampling for a study that will examine how freshwater toxins influence downstream waterbodies along the California coast. The goal is to understand ... More
Prototype image processing system could provide early warnings for HAB events
SCCWRP has partnered with Ohio’s NASA Glenn Research Center and Wright State University to build a prototype computer system that can autonomously analyze aerial photos of water bodies susceptible to ... More
SCCWRP assembles expert panel to help set eutrophication indicator ranges for California streams
SCCWRP has assembled a 16-member panel of experts to place stream sites across California into different classes based on the ecological health of their algae and bottom-dwelling macroinvertebrate communities, a ... More
Year 2 sampling of toxic algae wraps up for 2 recreational lakes
SCCWRP and its partners have finished the second year of sampling in two Riverside County lakes for a study chronicling the proliferation of toxic algae through the bloom season. During ... More
Prototype image processing system could provide early warnings for HAB events
SCCWRP has partnered with Ohio’s NASA Glenn Research Center and Wright State University to build a prototype computer system that can autonomously analyze aerial photos of water bodies susceptible to ... More
SCCWRP assembles expert panel to help set eutrophication indicator ranges for California streams
SCCWRP has assembled a 16-member panel of experts to place stream sites across California into different classes based on the ecological health of their algae and bottom-dwelling macroinvertebrate communities, a ... More
Santa Margarita River study offers insights on reducing nutrient loading to estuaries
SCCWRP and its partners have completed the first phase of a five-year study exploring how water-quality managers can set appropriate, scientifically defensible targets for reducing nutrient loading in the Santa ... More
SCCWRP, partners seeking comments on framework for assessing nutrient overenrichment in S.F. Bay
SCCWRP and its partners are seeking public comment on a draft of a scientific assessment framework that will be used for assessing the effects of nutrient overenrichment in San Francisco ... More
Likely causes of cyanobacterial blooms, nuisance vegetation in Bay Delta chronicled in new reports
SCCWRP and its partners have completed a comprehensive review of the likely causes of cyanobacterial blooms and nuisance vegetation in the San Francisco Bay Delta, concluding that nutrient loading likely ... More
HAB experts develop statewide strategy for responding to toxic cyanobacterial blooms
A group of scientific experts on harmful algal blooms in California has developed a statewide strategy for responding to HABs and mitigating their impacts in water bodies across California. The ... More
Harmful algae conference focuses on research, strategy
Researchers and environmental managers working to understand and address the threat of harmful algal blooms (HABs) across the nation coalesced in Long Beach in November for a five-day national scientific ... More