Join us for our first slow seminar of the spring quarter!
April 15, 2020
8-10am
Social Sciences 1, rm 261
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are recurring events mostly in the coastal environments, when floating photosynthesizing microbes reach very high numbers and produce toxins that can harm marine shellfish, mammals, birds, fish and humans. Their collapse could also result in dissolved oxygen consumption and eventually to hypoxia, usually causing fish kill events. Millions of dollars are lost due to the closure of fishing, gathering of shellfish, recall of contaminated fish and tourism. Most importantly, HABs are a constant threat to human health through the consumption of algal toxin-laden seafood that can be debilitating or fatal. Several HAB species of toxin-producing phytoplankton have been reported in various regions of Southeast Asia since 1983. With increasing eutrophication, coastal fish farming and changing climate, more and more HABs species are becoming a perpetual threat because of their increasing recurrence in many parts of Southeast Asia. In the first part of our discussion, we will be focusing on the HABs problem in the region, the potential causes and impacts on human health. We will then shift the talk on current HABs mitigation strategies employed by developed countries and how can these strategies be applied in the Southeast Asian region.
Coffee will be served!
