A Brown Tide Bloom Index based on the potential harmful effects of the brown tide alga, Aureococcus anophagefferens

• Published in: Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management
• Main Authors: Gastrich, Mary Downes, Wazniak, Catherine E.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Michigan State University Press 2002
• Subjects: Northeast Atlantic
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14634980290002011; https://scholarlypublishingcollective.org/msup/aehm/article-pdf/5/4/435/1445026/435gastrich.pdf

Harmful algal blooms are an increasing phenomenon in coastal areas of the world. Recurring harmful brown tides caused by the minute alga, Aureococcus anophagefferens, are a regional problem in the northeast Atlantic states of the United States. Brown tide blooms may cause significant ecological impacts on natural resources. A Brown Tide Bloom Index was developed based on published scientific studies and agency reports that relates concentrations of the brown tide organism to potential negative impacts on natural resources including shellfish, seagrasses and protozoa. For the first time, the index provides terminology that can be used to convey accurate information about impacts to natural resources resulting from concentrations of brown tide to scientists, environmental managers and the public. The purpose of the Brown Tide Bloom Index is to provide a metric, based on available scientific studies, which can be used by environmental managers to communicate the magnitude of brown tide blooms and impacts to natural resources. The Brown Tide Bloom Index includes three categories of brown tide blooms: Category 1 blooms (algal concentrations at <35,000 cells ml−1) have no reported impacts; Category 2 blooms (≥35,000 to <200,000 cells ml−1) have potential negative impacts on feeding and growth in shellfish; Category 3 blooms (≥200,000 cells ml−1), discolor the water a yellow-brown and may cause severe impacts and mortality on shellfish, reduction in seagrasses and planktonic organisms.