U.S. Geological Survey Science Opportunities Related to the Nationally Relevant Study of Harmful Algal Blooms and Algal Toxins
Harmful Algal Blooms and Potential Toxins May be Driven by Many Complex Factors
Cyanobacteria on rocks along the Lake Tahoe Shoreline
In 2024, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released a strategic vision document identifying harmful algal bloom (HAB) and algal toxin science gaps, while prioritizing research relevant to the mission, expertise, and capabilities of the USGS. The intention is for USGS and stakeholders to use this document as a starting point for planning, prioritizing, and designing future HAB and algal toxin research projects.
Exposure to algal toxins for humans and animals have propelled the study of algal blooms within the environment (water, soil, dust). Algal blooms naturally occur in all surface-water types and are important primary producers for aquatic ecosystems; however, it is important to understand when and why a bloom becomes toxic. The ease of conducting interdisciplinary science within the USGS allows research into the fundamental environmental causes and controls that lead to algal toxin production, environmental exposures, and adverse health outcome for humans and animals.
The “Interdisciplinary science approach for harmful algal blooms (HABs) and algal toxins – A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey” describes short-term (1–3 years) and long-term (3+ years) science opportunities related to the nationally relevant study of HABs. These opportunities were identified through literature gap analysis and alignment with USGS expertise and capabilities. This document was intentionally designed for flexible future implementation of science.
The strategic vision document identifies opportunities where USGS can address critical gaps and is based on the following questions that the USGS is poised to answer:
- What are the beneficial and detrimental functions associated with harmful algae or HABs?
- What are the natural and anthropogenic drivers of algal blooms and the degree of harm across various environmental gradients in surface waters?
- What are the fundamental processes that drive algal toxin production and release?
- How can the USGS provide the knowledge to support local, regional, and national early warning, prevention, and mitigation effects?
- What are the USGS capabilities and tools needed to characterize algal blooms, toxin production, and exposure?
Complex problems such as HABs and algal toxins require an integrated and interdisciplinary science approach in partnership with stakeholders, policymakers, and the public. The USGS is in a unique position with an interdisciplinary workforce that includes, but is not limited to, biologists, chemists, data scientists, ecologists, geographers, geologists, geochemists, hydrologists, numerical and process-based modelers, phycologists, physical scientists, social scientists, programmers, statisticians, and wildlife toxicologists. During the last two decades, USGS scientists have contributed substantially to HABs and algal toxin production research owing to their ability to conduct integrated science.
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Toxins and Harmful Algal Blooms Science Team
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In 2024, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) released a strategic vision document identifying harmful algal bloom (HAB) and algal toxin science gaps, while prioritizing research relevant to the mission, expertise, and capabilities of the USGS. The intention is for USGS and stakeholders to use this document as a starting point for planning, prioritizing, and designing future HAB and algal toxin research projects.
Exposure to algal toxins for humans and animals have propelled the study of algal blooms within the environment (water, soil, dust). Algal blooms naturally occur in all surface-water types and are important primary producers for aquatic ecosystems; however, it is important to understand when and why a bloom becomes toxic. The ease of conducting interdisciplinary science within the USGS allows research into the fundamental environmental causes and controls that lead to algal toxin production, environmental exposures, and adverse health outcome for humans and animals.
The “Interdisciplinary science approach for harmful algal blooms (HABs) and algal toxins – A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey” describes short-term (1–3 years) and long-term (3+ years) science opportunities related to the nationally relevant study of HABs. These opportunities were identified through literature gap analysis and alignment with USGS expertise and capabilities. This document was intentionally designed for flexible future implementation of science.
The strategic vision document identifies opportunities where USGS can address critical gaps and is based on the following questions that the USGS is poised to answer:
- What are the beneficial and detrimental functions associated with harmful algae or HABs?
- What are the natural and anthropogenic drivers of algal blooms and the degree of harm across various environmental gradients in surface waters?
- What are the fundamental processes that drive algal toxin production and release?
- How can the USGS provide the knowledge to support local, regional, and national early warning, prevention, and mitigation effects?
- What are the USGS capabilities and tools needed to characterize algal blooms, toxin production, and exposure?
Complex problems such as HABs and algal toxins require an integrated and interdisciplinary science approach in partnership with stakeholders, policymakers, and the public. The USGS is in a unique position with an interdisciplinary workforce that includes, but is not limited to, biologists, chemists, data scientists, ecologists, geographers, geologists, geochemists, hydrologists, numerical and process-based modelers, phycologists, physical scientists, social scientists, programmers, statisticians, and wildlife toxicologists. During the last two decades, USGS scientists have contributed substantially to HABs and algal toxin production research owing to their ability to conduct integrated science.