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Bechard A, Lang C. The human health effects of harmful algal blooms in Florida: The importance of high resolution data. HARMFUL ALGAE 2024; 132:102584. [PMID: 38331540 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2024.102584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have been found to cause increases in healthcare visits for a variety of illnesses to humans if exposure and contact is sufficient. We use a more comprehensive dataset than previously implemented in prior literature to better isolate visits by healthcare facility type and proximity to bloom. Using a difference-in-differences model, our results suggest HABs cause an increase of 23.67 healthcare admissions per zip code per month across four HAB-related diagnoses. This impact is a 3,000% increase over baseline non-bloom times and an increase in monthly healthcare costs of about $250,000 for the entire impacted area. Our data include inpatient non-emergency and outpatient healthcare visits, which account for over 60% of all HAB-related healthcare visits, meaning that prior literature that has not measured those facilities has greatly underestimated HAB health impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Corey Lang
- 1 Greenhouse Rd., University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI 02881, USA.
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2
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Muni-Morgan A, Lusk MG, Heil C, Goeckner AH, Chen H, McKenna AM, Holland PS. Molecular characterization of dissolved organic matter in urban stormwater pond and municipal wastewater discharges transformed by the Florida red tide dinoflagellate Karenia brevis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166291. [PMID: 37586508 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 08/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
Karenia brevis blooms occur almost annually in southwest Florida, imposing significant ecological and human health impacts. Currently, 13 nutrient sources have been identified supporting blooms, including nearshore anthropogenic inputs such as stormwater and wastewater outflows. A 21-day bioassay was performed, where K. brevis cultures were inoculated with water sourced from three stormwater ponds along an age gradient (14, 18, and 34 yrs.) and one municipal wastewater effluent sample, with the aim of identifying biomolecular classes and transformations of dissolved organic matter (DOM) compounds used by K. brevis. All sample types supported K. brevis growth and showed compositional changes in their respective DOM pools. Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) catalogued the molecular composition of DOM and identified specific compound classes that were biodegraded. Results showed that K. brevis utilized species across a wide range of compositions that correspond to amino sugars, humic, and lignin-like biomolecular classes. The municipal wastewater and the youngest stormwater pond (SWP 14) effluent contained the largest pools of labile DOM compounds which were bioavailable to K. brevis, which indicates younger stormwater pond effluents may be as ecologically important as wastewater effluents to blooms. Conversely, generation of DOM compounds of greater complexity and a wide range of aromaticity was observed with the older (SWP 18 and SWP 34) stormwater pond treatments. These data confirm the potential for stormwater ponds and/or wastewater to contribute nutrients which can potentially support K. brevis blooms, revealing the need for improved nutrient retention strategies to protect coastal waters from the potential ill effects of urban effluent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Muni-Morgan
- University of Florida, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, School of Natural Resources and Environment, Wimauma, FL 33598, USA; Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
| | - Mary G Lusk
- University of Florida, Gulf Coast Research and Education Center, Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department, Wimauma, FL 33598, USA.
| | | | - Audrey H Goeckner
- University of Florida, Soil, Water, and Ecosystem Sciences Department, 1692 McCarty Dr, Gainesville, FL 32603, USA
| | - Huan Chen
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA
| | - Amy M McKenna
- National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, Florida State University Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA; Department of Soil & Crop Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
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3
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Lim CC, Yoon J, Reynolds K, Gerald LB, Ault AP, Heo S, Bell ML. Harmful algal bloom aerosols and human health. EBioMedicine 2023; 93:104604. [PMID: 37164781 PMCID: PMC10363441 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are increasing across many locations globally. Toxins from HABs can be incorporated into aerosols and transported inland, where subsequent exposure and inhalation can induce adverse health effects. However, the relationship between HAB aerosols and health outcomes remains unclear despite the potential for population-level exposures. In this review, we synthesized the current state of knowledge and identified evidence gaps in the relationship between HAB aerosols and human health. Aerosols from Karenia brevis, Ostreopsis sp., and cyanobacteria were linked with respiratory outcomes. However, most works did not directly measure aerosol or toxin concentrations and instead relied on proxy metrics of exposure, such as cell concentrations in nearby waterbodies. Furthermore, the number of studies with epidemiological designs was limited. Significant uncertainties remain regarding the health effects of other HAB species; threshold dose and the dose-response relationship; effects of concurrent exposures to mixtures of toxins and other aerosol sources, such as microplastics and metals; the impact of long-term exposures; and disparities in exposures and associated health effects across potentially vulnerable subpopulations. Additional studies employing multifaceted exposure assessment methods and leveraging large health databases could address such gaps and improve our understanding of the public health burden of HABs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris C Lim
- Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA.
| | - Jeonggyo Yoon
- Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Kelly Reynolds
- Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Lynn B Gerald
- Population Health Sciences Program, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Andrew P Ault
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Seulkee Heo
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Michelle L Bell
- School of the Environment, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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4
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Bechard A, Lang C. Seafood consumption during harmful algal blooms: The impact of information regarding safety and health. HARMFUL ALGAE 2023; 123:102387. [PMID: 36894207 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2023.102387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 12/31/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) can cause massive fish kills all over the world. However, some commercially caught species are safe to eat. The fish safe for consumption are vastly different from the fish that wash up on shore. Prior research finds this difference in edibility is mostly unknown by consumers, and that the misperception of unhealthy and unsafe fish is the dominant paradigm. To date, there has been minimal research on the effect of disseminating this information regarding seafood health to consumers, and how consumption habits would change during a bloom. We implement a survey that presents respondents with information explaining the health and safety of certain commercially caught seafood during a HAB, specifically red grouper. It is a particularly popular, large, deep-sea fish. Our results suggest that respondents receiving this information are 34 percentage points more likely to say that they would be willing to consume red grouper during a bloom, relative to consumers who were not provided this added information. Prior knowledge of this information suggests long-term outreach programs may be more effective than last minute "point of sale" information campaigns. The results demonstrated the importance of correct knowledge and awareness regarding HABs, as it pertains to efforts to stabilize local economies dependent on seafood harvesting and consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Bechard
- 400 Northridge Road, Suite 400, Sandy Springs, GA 30350, USA.
| | - Corey Lang
- 400 Northridge Road, Suite 400, Sandy Springs, GA 30350, USA
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5
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Javaruski J, Adhikari PL, Muller J, Parsons ML. Preservation of brevetoxins in Southwest Florida coastal sediments. HARMFUL ALGAE 2022; 114:102222. [PMID: 35550300 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2022.102222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Florida red tide is a natural phenomenon caused by the dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis. Karenia brevis blooms produce potent toxins (brevetoxins) that can cause neurotoxic and respiratory illness in humans and marine life. Red tides were recorded by Spanish explorers as early as the 17th century, however published red tide studies before 1940 are unavailable. Recent studies have suggested that red tide events may be becoming more frequent, intense, and longer lasting, which may be linked to modern land development and changing water quality. While the scientific record of modern red tides is relatively short, the distributions and concentrations of chemical biomarkers (e.g., brevetoxins produced by K. brevis) in coastal-marine sediments can potentially be used to study historic red tides. This study aims to quantify the concentration and vertical distribution of brevetoxins in coastal Southwest Florida (SWFL) sediment cores in order to determine if downcore brevetoxins may potentially be used to reconstruct historic red tide events. Sediment samples were radiometrically dated using 210Pb and subsamples were analyzed utilizing liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for brevetoxin congeners, namely, PbTx-1, PbTx-2, PbTx-3, and PbTx-5. The 210Pb-dated sediment cores represent ∼60-80 years of brevetoxin accumulation and total brevetoxin (ΣPbTx) concentrations in sediment cores varied from below detection limits to 25.3 ng g - 1 of dry sediments. Highest concentrations were found in surficial sediments (top 0-3 cm) and may indicate brevetoxin preservation from the 2017-2019 red-tide event. The down-core preservation and variability of brevetoxin indicate its potential use as a chemical biomarker to assess long-term red tide intensities and frequencies. This research is a first step towards reconstructing historic red tide events from sedimentary chemical biomarkers and may allow for future assessment of the human impacts on red tide frequency, intensity and duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Javaruski
- The Water School, Department of Marine and Earth Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL 33965 United States
| | - Puspa L Adhikari
- The Water School, Department of Marine and Earth Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL 33965 United States.
| | - Joanne Muller
- The Water School, Department of Marine and Earth Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL 33965 United States
| | - Michael L Parsons
- The Water School, Department of Marine and Earth Sciences, Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers, FL 33965 United States
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6
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Quantifying Karenia brevis bloom severity and respiratory irritation impact along the shoreline of Southwest Florida. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0260755. [PMID: 34986155 PMCID: PMC8730426 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Nearly all annual blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis (K. brevis) pose a serious threat to coastal Southwest Florida. These blooms discolor water, kill fish and marine mammals, contaminate shellfish, cause mild to severe respiratory irritation, and discourage tourism and recreational activities, leading to significant health and economic impacts in affected communities. Despite these issues, we still lack standard measures suitable for assessing bloom severity or for evaluating the efficacy of modeling efforts simulating bloom initiation and intensity. In this study, historical cell count observations along the southwest Florida shoreline from 1953 to 2019 were used to develop monthly and annual bloom severity indices (BSI). Similarly, respiratory irritation observations routinely reported in Sarasota and Manatee Counties from 2006 to 2019 were used to construct a respiratory irritation index (RI). Both BSI and RI consider spatial extent and temporal evolution of the bloom, and can be updated routinely and used as objective criteria to aid future socioeconomic and scientific studies of K. brevis. These indices can also be used to help managers and decision makers both evaluate the risks along the coast during events and design systems to better respond to and mitigate bloom impacts. Before 1995, sampling was done largely in response to reports of discolored water, fish kills, or respiratory irritation. During this timeframe, lack of sampling during the fall, when blooms typically occur, generally coincided with periods of more frequent-than-usual offshore winds. Consequently, some blooms may have been undetected or under-sampled. As a result, the BSIs before 1995 were likely underestimated and cannot be viewed as accurately as those after 1995. Anomalies in the frequency of onshore wind can also largely account for the discrepancies between BSI and RI during the period from 2006 to 2019. These findings highlighted the importance of onshore wind anomalies when predicting respiratory irritation impacts along beaches.
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Ross SD, Fish J, Moeltner K, Bollt EM, Bilyeu L, Fanara T. Beach-level 24-hour forecasts of Florida red tide-induced respiratory irritation. HARMFUL ALGAE 2022; 111:102149. [PMID: 35016762 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2021.102149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
An accurate forecast of the red tide respiratory irritation level would improve the lives of many people living in areas affected by algal blooms. Using a decades-long database of daily beach conditions, two conceptually different models to forecast the respiratory irritation risk level one day ahead of time are trained. One model is wind-based, using the current days' respiratory level and the predicted wind direction of the following day. The other model is a probabilistic self-exciting Hawkes process model. Both models are trained on beaches in Florida during 2011--2017 and applied to the red tide bloom during 2018-2019. For beaches where there is enough historical data to develop a model, the model which performs best depends on the beach. The wind-based model is the most accurate at half the beaches, correctly predicting the respiratory risk level on average about 84% of the time. The Hawkes model is the most accurate (81% accuracy) at nearly all of the remaining beaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shane D Ross
- Aerospace and Ocean Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia.
| | - Jeremie Fish
- Electrical and Computer Engineering and CS the Clarkson Center for Complex Systems Science, Clarkson University, Clarkson, New York USA
| | - Klaus Moeltner
- Agricultural and Applied Economics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia USA
| | - Erik M Bollt
- Electrical and Computer Engineering and CS the Clarkson Center for Complex Systems Science, Clarkson University, Clarkson, New York USA
| | - Landon Bilyeu
- School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia USA
| | - Tracy Fanara
- Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Sarasota, Florida USA; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Washington, DC USA
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8
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Skripnikov A, Wagner N, Shafer J, Beck M, Sherwood E, Burke M. Using localized Twitter activity to assess harmful algal bloom impacts of Karenia brevis in Florida, USA. HARMFUL ALGAE 2021; 110:102118. [PMID: 34887016 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2021.102118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Red tide blooms of the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis (K. brevis) produce toxic coastal conditions that can impact marine organisms and human health, while also affecting local economies. During the extreme Florida red tide event of 2017-2019, residents and visitors turned to social media platforms to both receive disaster-related information and communicate their own sentiments and experiences. This was the first major red tide event since the ubiquitous use of social media, thus providing unique crowd-sourced reporting of red tide impacts. We evaluated the spatial and temporal accuracy of red tide topic activity on Twitter, taking tweet sentiments and user types (e.g. media, citizens) into consideration, and compared tweet activity with reported red tide conditions, such as K. brevis cell counts, levels of dead fish and respiratory irritation on local beaches. The analysis was done on multiple levels with respect to both locality (e.g., entire Gulf coast, county-level, city-level, zip code tabulation areas) and temporal frequencies (e.g. daily, every three days, weekly), resulting in strong correlations between local per-capita Twitter activity and the actual red tide conditions observed in the area. Moreover, an association was observed between proximity to the affected coastal areas and per-capita counts for relevant tweets. Results show that Twitter presents a trustworthy reflection of the red tide's local impacts and development over time, and can potentially augment the already existing tools for efficient assessment and a more coordinated response to the disaster.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Skripnikov
- New College of Florida, Heiser Natural Sciences Complex, Room E156, 500 College Dr, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA; New College of Florida, Division of Natural Sciences, 500 College Dr, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA.
| | - N Wagner
- New College of Florida, Division of Natural Sciences, 500 College Dr, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA
| | - J Shafer
- Science and Environment Council of Southwest Florida, 1530 Dolphin Street, Suite 4, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
| | - M Beck
- Tampa Bay Estuary Program, 263 13th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - E Sherwood
- Tampa Bay Estuary Program, 263 13th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
| | - M Burke
- Tampa Bay Estuary Program, 263 13th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA
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Rhoden K, Alonso J, Carmona M, Pham M, Barnes AN. Twenty years of waterborne and related disease reports in Florida, USA. One Health 2021; 13:100294. [PMID: 34368415 PMCID: PMC8326185 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2021] [Revised: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Florida represents a unique challenge for preventing and responding to infectious disease associated with water. This study cataloged the prevalence of reportable waterborne and water-related disease within Florida residents over the last twenty years and identified relationships between confirmed cases by location and additional risk factors. Data was collected through FLHealthCHARTS for confirmed cases between January 1, 1999 and December 31, 2019. Case records were compiled and analyzed by year, county, pathogen name and disease category, patient age, and where the infection was acquired. During this time, 218,707 cases of water-related disease were recorded with 214,745 due to waterborne disease, 3255 cases of water-related vector-borne disease, and 707 cases caused by a water-based toxin. Children aged 0–4 and the elderly demonstrated a higher proportion of waterborne disease while 45–49 year olds had increased rates of water-based toxins and water-related vector-borne disease. Most cases were reported in the southeast region. Across the state, opportunities for water contact have led to high rates of water-related infectious disease. Public health initiatives and response efforts should target the pathogens of greatest impact for each region, largely zoonotic waterborne diseases, using a One Health approach. Over 200,000 cases of water-related disease have been reported to the Florida Department of Health over the last 20 years Most reported disease is due to waterborne pathogens followed by water-related vector-borne disease and water-based toxins Salmonellosis makes up the largest reported water-related disease burden for Florida Children and seniors have higher risk for waterborne disease; adults have higher risk for toxins and vector-borne disease Water disease prevention and response must use a One Health model for collaboration with human and animal health providers
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Rhoden
- Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Jose Alonso
- Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Meg Carmona
- Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Michelle Pham
- Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
| | - Amber N Barnes
- Department of Public Health, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, USA
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Hofbauer WK. Toxic or Otherwise Harmful Algae and the Built Environment. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:465. [PMID: 34209446 PMCID: PMC8310063 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13070465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
This article gives a comprehensive overview on potentially harmful algae occurring in the built environment. Man-made structures provide diverse habitats where algae can grow, mainly aerophytic in nature. Literature reveals that algae that is potentially harmful to humans do occur in the anthropogenic environment in the air, on surfaces or in water bodies. Algae may negatively affect humans in different ways: they may be toxic, allergenic and pathogenic to humans or attack human structures. Toxin-producing alga are represented in the built environment mainly by blue green algae (Cyanoprokaryota). In special occasions, other toxic algae may also be involved. Green algae (Chlorophyta) found airborne or growing on manmade surfaces may be allergenic whereas Cyanoprokaryota and other forms may not only be toxic but also allergenic. Pathogenicity is found only in a special group of algae, especially in the genus Prototheca. In addition, rare cases with infections due to algae with green chloroplasts are reported. Algal action may be involved in the biodeterioration of buildings and works of art, which is still discussed controversially. Whereas in many cases the disfigurement of surfaces and even the corrosion of materials is encountered, in other cases a protective effect on the materials is reported. A comprehensive list of 79 taxa of potentially harmful, airborne algae supplemented with their counterparts occurring in the built environment, is given. Due to global climate change, it is not unlikely that the built environment will suffer from more and higher amounts of harmful algal species in the future. Therefore, intensified research in composition, ecophysiology and development of algal growth in the built environment is indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolfgang Karl Hofbauer
- Umwelt, Hygiene und Sensorik, Fraunhofer-Institut für Bauphysik, 83626 Valley, Bavaria, Germany
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A reusable QCR aptasensor for the detection of Brevetoxin-2 in shellfish. Talanta 2021; 233:122503. [PMID: 34215119 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2021] [Revised: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Brevetoxins (BTX) are pharmacologically active, lipid soluble cyclic polyether neurotoxins that are known to cause a wide range of neurological symptoms in humans.Harvesting and consumption of infected molluscs provide an entry point for BTXs into, the food chain, causing long-term health effects on accumulation for individuals, commonly in people with a compromised immune system and existing allergies. This study is an acoustic assay that has been constructed using a 9 MHz AT-cut quartz crystal resonator modified by attaching a specific single-stranded DNA aptamer. The DNA oligo modifies its conformation to attach itself to the binding site of the incoming BTX molecule resulting in a change in frequency on the QCR. A small Δf value was observed for lower concentrations of BTX indicating a small change in mass deposited on the crystal surface, while the opposite was true for higher concentrations. Cross-species behavior was evaluated using samples of similar origin, molecular weight and a combination of two toxins. The LOD of the fabricated QCR is 220 nM which is lower than the maximum recommended residue limit in food samples. Fresh mussel samples were spiked with known concentrations of BTX to evaluate its sensitivity in a food matrix. No interaction with other compounds was observed. Overall, this sensor finds potential application in the food sector (fishing units) where mussels are tested and graded for allergens and toxins before reaching the customer.
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Loeffler CR, Bodi D, Tartaglione L, Dell'Aversano C, Preiss-Weigert A. Improving in vitro ciguatoxin and brevetoxin detection: selecting neuroblastoma (Neuro-2a) cells with lower sensitivity to ouabain and veratridine (OV-LS). HARMFUL ALGAE 2021; 103:101994. [PMID: 33980434 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2021.101994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Marine biotoxins accumulating in seafood products pose a risk to human health. These toxins are often potent in minute amounts and contained within complex matrices; requiring sensitive, reliable, and robust methods for their detection. The mouse neuroblastoma (Neuro-2a) cytotoxicity assay (N2a-assay) is a sensitive, high-throughput, in vitro method effective for detecting sodium channel-specific marine biotoxins. The N2a-assay can be conducted to distinguish between specific effects on voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels, caused by toxins that activate (e.g., ciguatoxins (CTXs), brevetoxins (PbTxs)) or block (e.g., tetrodotoxins, saxitoxins) the target NaV. The sensitivity and specificity of the assay to compounds activating the NaV are achieved through the addition of the pharmaceuticals ouabain (O) and veratridine (V). However, these compounds can be toxic to Neuro-2a cells and their application at insufficient or excessive concentrations can reduce the effectiveness of this assay for marine toxin detection. Therefore, during growth incubation, Neuro-2a cells were exposed to O and V, and surviving cells exhibiting a lower sensitivity to O and V (OV-LS) were propagated. OV-LS Neuro-2a cells were selected for 60-80% survival when exposed to 0.22/0.022 mM O/V during the cytotoxicity assay. At these conditions, OV-LS N2a cells demonstrated a 3.5-fold higher survival rate 71% ± 7.9 SD (n = 232), and lower sensitivity to O/V, compared to the original Neuro-2a cells 20% ± 9.0 SD (n = 16). Additionally, OV-LS N2a cells were 1.3-2.6-fold more sensitive for detecting CTX3C 1.35 pg/ml, CTX1B 2.06 pg/ml, and PbTx-3 3.04 ng/ml compared to Neuro-2a cells using 0.1/0.01 mM O/V. Detection of CTX3C in a complex fish matrix using OV-LS cells was 0.0048 pg CTX3C/mg fish tissue equivalent. This work shows the potential for a significant improvement in sensitivity for CTX3C, CTX1B, and PbTx-3 using the OV-LS N2a-assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher R Loeffler
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department Safety in the Food Chain, National Reference Laboratory of Marine Biotoxins, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany - www.bfr.bund.de; Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy.
| | - Dorina Bodi
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department Safety in the Food Chain, National Reference Laboratory of Marine Biotoxins, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany - www.bfr.bund.de
| | - Luciana Tartaglione
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy; CoNISMa - Italian Interuniversity Consortium on Marine Sciences, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Rome, Italy
| | - Carmela Dell'Aversano
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Napoli Federico II, Via D. Montesano 49, 80131, Napoli, Italy; CoNISMa - Italian Interuniversity Consortium on Marine Sciences, Piazzale Flaminio 9, 00196 Rome, Italy
| | - Angelika Preiss-Weigert
- German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Department Safety in the Food Chain, National Reference Laboratory of Marine Biotoxins, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany - www.bfr.bund.de
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Cunningham BR, Coleman RM, Schaefer AM, Hamelin EI, Johnson RC. Detection of Brevetoxin in Human Plasma by ELISA. J Anal Toxicol 2021; 46:322-327. [PMID: 33515246 PMCID: PMC8679180 DOI: 10.1093/jat/bkab010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Florida red tides have become more common and persistent in and around the Gulf of Mexico. When in bloom, red tides can produce brevetoxins in high concentrations, leading to human exposures primarily through contaminated food and ocean spray. The research described here includes adapting and validating a commercial brevetoxin water test kit for human plasma testing. Pooled plasma was fortified with a model brevetoxin, brevetoxin 3, at concentrations from 0.00500 to 3.00 ng/mL to generate calibration curves and quality control samples. The quantitative detection range was determined to be 0.0400–2.00 ng/mL brevetoxin 3 equivalents with inter- and intraday accuracies ranging from 94.0% to 109% and relative standard deviations <20%, which is within the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines for receptor-binding assays. Additionally, cross-reactivity was tested using 4 of the 10 known brevetoxins and 12 paralytic shellfish toxins. The cross-reactivity varied from 0.173% to 144% for the commercially available brevetoxin standards and 0% for the commercially available paralytic shellfish toxin standards. Fifty individual unexposed human plasma samples were measured to determine the limit of detection and endogenous interferences to the test. The validated method was used to test 31 plasma samples collected from humans potentially exposed to brevetoxins, detecting 11 positives. This method has been proven useful to measure human exposure to brevetoxins and can be applied to future exposure events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brady R. Cunningham
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Rebecca M. Coleman
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
| | - Adam M. Schaefer
- Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, Ft. Pierce, FL 34946, USA
| | - Elizabeth I. Hamelin
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
- Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
| | - Rudolph C. Johnson
- Division of Laboratory Sciences, National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA
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Sampat AM, Hicks A, Ruiz-Mercado GJ, Zavala VM. Valuing economic impact reductions of nutrient pollution from livestock waste. RESOURCES, CONSERVATION, AND RECYCLING 2021; 164:10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105199. [PMID: 33746361 PMCID: PMC7970505 DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2020.105199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Nutrient pollution from livestock waste impacts both fresh and marine coastal waters. Harmful algae blooms (HABs) are a common ecosystem-level response to such pollution that is detrimental to both aquatic life and human health and that generates economic losses (e.g., property values and lost tourism). Waste treatment and management technologies are not well established practices due, in part, to the difficulty to attribute economic value to associated social and environmental impacts of nutrient pollution. In this work, we propose a computational framework to quantify the economic impacts of HABs. We demonstrate the advantage of quantifying these impacts through a case study on livestock waste management in the Upper Yahara watershed region (in the state of Wisconsin, USA). Our analysis reveals that every excess kilogram of phosphorus runoff from livestock waste results in total economic losses of 74.5 USD. Furthermore, we use a coordinated market analysis to demonstrate that this economic impact provides a strong enough incentive to activate a nutrient management and valorization market that can help balance phosphorus within the study area. The proposed framework can help state, tribes, and federal regulatory agencies develop regulatory and non-regulatory policies to mitigate the impacts of nutrient pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apoorva M. Sampat
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Andrea Hicks
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Gerardo J. Ruiz-Mercado
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268, USA
| | - Victor M. Zavala
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1415 Engineering Drive, Madison, WI 53706, USA
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Pierre O, Fouchard M, Buscaglia P, Le Goux N, Leschiera R, Mignen O, Fluhr JW, Misery L, Le Garrec R. Calcium Increase and Substance P Release Induced by the Neurotoxin Brevetoxin-1 in Sensory Neurons: Involvement of PAR2 Activation through Both Cathepsin S and Canonical Signaling. Cells 2020; 9:E2704. [PMID: 33348659 PMCID: PMC7767211 DOI: 10.3390/cells9122704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Red tides involving Karenia brevis expose humans to brevetoxins (PbTxs). Oral exposition triggers neurotoxic shellfish poisoning, whereas inhalation induces a respiratory syndrome and sensory disturbances. No curative treatment is available and the pathophysiology is not fully elucidated. Protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2), cathepsin S (Cat-S) and substance P (SP) release are crucial mediators of the sensory effects of ciguatoxins (CTXs) which are PbTx analogs. This work explored the role of PAR2 and Cat-S in PbTx-1-induced sensory effects and deciphered the signaling pathway involved. We performed calcium imaging, PAR2 immunolocalization and SP release experiments in monocultured sensory neurons or co-cultured with keratinocytes treated with PbTx-1 or P-CTX-2. We demonstrated that PbTx-1-induced calcium increase and SP release involved Cat-S, PAR2 and transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4). The PbTx-1-induced signaling pathway included protein kinase A (PKA) and TRPV4, which are compatible with the PAR2 biased signaling induced by Cat-S. Internalization of PAR2 and protein kinase C (PKC), inositol triphosphate receptor and TRPV4 activation evoked by PbTx-1 are compatible with the PAR2 canonical signaling. Our results suggest that PbTx-1-induced sensory disturbances involve the PAR2-TRPV4 pathway. We identified PAR2, Cat-S, PKA, and PKC that are involved in TRPV4 sensitization induced by PbTx-1 in sensory neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ophélie Pierre
- EA4685 Laboratory of Interactions Neurons-Keratinocytes (LIEN), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Brest, F-29200 Brest, France; (M.F.); (R.L.); (J.W.F.); (L.M.); (R.L.G.)
| | - Maxime Fouchard
- EA4685 Laboratory of Interactions Neurons-Keratinocytes (LIEN), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Brest, F-29200 Brest, France; (M.F.); (R.L.); (J.W.F.); (L.M.); (R.L.G.)
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Brest, F-29200 Brest, France
| | - Paul Buscaglia
- InsermUMR1227, Lymphocytes B et Autoimmunity, University Brest, F-29200 Brest, France; (P.B.); (N.L.G.); (O.M.)
| | - Nelig Le Goux
- InsermUMR1227, Lymphocytes B et Autoimmunity, University Brest, F-29200 Brest, France; (P.B.); (N.L.G.); (O.M.)
| | - Raphaël Leschiera
- EA4685 Laboratory of Interactions Neurons-Keratinocytes (LIEN), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Brest, F-29200 Brest, France; (M.F.); (R.L.); (J.W.F.); (L.M.); (R.L.G.)
| | - Olivier Mignen
- InsermUMR1227, Lymphocytes B et Autoimmunity, University Brest, F-29200 Brest, France; (P.B.); (N.L.G.); (O.M.)
| | - Joachim W. Fluhr
- EA4685 Laboratory of Interactions Neurons-Keratinocytes (LIEN), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Brest, F-29200 Brest, France; (M.F.); (R.L.); (J.W.F.); (L.M.); (R.L.G.)
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Brest, F-29200 Brest, France
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Universitaetsmedizin Charit Berlin, D-10117 Berlin, Germany
| | - Laurent Misery
- EA4685 Laboratory of Interactions Neurons-Keratinocytes (LIEN), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Brest, F-29200 Brest, France; (M.F.); (R.L.); (J.W.F.); (L.M.); (R.L.G.)
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Brest, F-29200 Brest, France
| | - Raphaële Le Garrec
- EA4685 Laboratory of Interactions Neurons-Keratinocytes (LIEN), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Brest, F-29200 Brest, France; (M.F.); (R.L.); (J.W.F.); (L.M.); (R.L.G.)
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Glibert PM. From hogs to HABs: impacts of industrial farming in the US on nitrogen and phosphorus and greenhouse gas pollution. BIOGEOCHEMISTRY 2020; 150:139-180. [PMID: 32836587 PMCID: PMC7416595 DOI: 10.1007/s10533-020-00691-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Nutrient pollution and greenhouse gas emissions related to crop agriculture and confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in the US have changed substantially in recent years, in amounts and forms. This review is intended to provide a broad view of how nutrient inputs-from fertilizer and CAFOs-as well as atmospheric NH3 and greenhouse gas emissions, are changing regionally within the US and how these changes compare with nutrient inputs from human wastewater. Use of commercial nitrogen (N) fertilizer in the US, which now exceeds 12,000,000 metric tonnes (MT) continues to increase, at a rate of 60,000 MT per year, while that of phosphorus (P) has remained nearly constant over the past decade at around 1,800,000 MT. The number of CAFOs in the US has increased nearly 10% since 2012, driven largely by a near 13% increase in hog production. The annualized inventory of cattle, dairy cows, hogs, broiler chickens and turkeys is approximately 8.7 billion, but CAFOs are highly regionally concentrated by animal sector. Country-wide, N applied by fertilizer is about threefold greater than manure N inputs, but for P these inputs are more comparable. Total manure inputs now exceed 4,000,000 MT as N and 1,400,000 MT as P. For both N and P, inputs and proportions vary widely by US region. The waste from hog and dairy operations is mainly held in open lagoons that contribute to NH3 and greenhouse gas (as CH4 and N2O) emissions. Emissions of NH3 from animal waste in 2019 were estimated at > 4,500,000 MT. Emissions of CH4 from manure management increased 66% from 1990 to 2017 (that from dairy increased 134%, cattle 9.6%, hogs 29% and poultry 3%), while those of N2O increased 34% over the same time period (dairy 15%, cattle 46%, hogs 58%, and poultry 14%). Waste from CAFOs contribute substantially to nutrient pollution when spread on fields, often at higher N and P application rates than those of commercial fertilizer. Managing the runoff associated with fertilizer use has improved with best management practices, but reducing the growing waste from CAFO operations is essential if eutrophication and its effects on fresh and marine waters-namely hypoxia and harmful algal blooms (HABs)-are to be reduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia M. Glibert
- Horn Point Laboratory, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, PO Box 775, Cambridge, MD 21613 USA
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Harris RJ, Arrington DA, Porter D, Lovko V. Documenting the duration and chlorophyll pigments of an allochthonous Karenia brevis bloom in the Loxahatchee River Estuary (LRE), Florida. HARMFUL ALGAE 2020; 97:101851. [PMID: 32732046 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2020.101851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In Fall 2017 a large bloom of the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis developed in the Gulf of Mexico. After persisting for months, in Fall 2018 wind and water circulation patterns drove K. brevis towards the east coast of Florida. On September 29, 2018 Palm Beach County, FL beaches were closed due to respiratory and gastrointestinal issues associated with brevotoxins, and effects of brevotoxins were reported from within estuarine segments of the Loxahatchee River Estuary (LRE). This was the first apparent report of a K. brevis bloom impacting inshore portions of the LRE prompting us to question the longevity of K. brevis within a relatively shallow, well-flushed coastal-estuarine system. Within 3 days (October 1, 2018) of the first reported effects of toxins, K. brevis reached over one million cells/L and chlorophyll-a concentrations peaked at 13 µg L-1. Within 11 days (October 9, 2018) both K. brevis and chlorophyll pigment concentrations significantly (p-perm ≤ 0.05) dropped to an average of ≤ 30,000 cells L-1 and < 4 µg L-1 chlorophyll-a, indicating that the bloom had diminished. Using distance-based linear modeling (DistLM) K. brevis abundance alone explained 66% of the variation in a multivariate measure of chlorophylls (driven by carotenoids and chlorophyll-c pigment concentrations), supporting a K. brevis dominated bloom. Following the K. brevis bloom, additional HAB species K. mikimotoi and Pseudo-nitzschia spp singularly explained 6% of the variations in the multivariate measure of chlorophylls. The low explanatory power of individual HAB species, including K. brevis (≤ 0%), signifies the recovery of the phytoplankton population, where non-HAB species likely contributed to the variability in the multivariate measure of chlorophylls and overall chlorophyll-a concentrations (average of 2 µg L-1 during non-bloom conditions). Finally, we evaluated ambient and historical water quality data to assess how these parameters changed before, during, and after the 2018 K. brevis bloom. Temperature, salinity, and nutrients in the LRE were comparable to reports of other K. brevis bloom events along the west coast of Florida. Reduced ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) concentrations and increased tidal amplitude coincided with the end of the bloom in 2018. More work is needed to understand the specific mechanisms constraining K. brevis blooms in tidal estuaries. We suggest that future research focus on water residence times along with nutrient availability in controlling allochthonous HABs in lotic and tidally flushed estuaries. Also, we anticipate this work may stimulate additional efforts to characterize HABs using in situ observations coupled with multivariate measures of chlorophylls, though we recognize much work remains to fully define the value of this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel J Harris
- Loxahatchee River District, 2500 Jupiter Park Drive, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States.
| | - D Albrey Arrington
- Loxahatchee River District, 2500 Jupiter Park Drive, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States
| | - David Porter
- Loxahatchee River District, 2500 Jupiter Park Drive, Jupiter, FL 33458, United States
| | - Vincent Lovko
- Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236, United States
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18
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Olson NE, Cooke ME, Shi JH, Birbeck JA, Westrick JA, Ault AP. Harmful Algal Bloom Toxins in Aerosol Generated from Inland Lake Water. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2020; 54:4769-4780. [PMID: 32186187 PMCID: PMC11406200 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b07727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by cyanobacteria in freshwater environments produce toxins (e.g., microcystin) that are harmful to human and animal health. HAB frequency and intensity are increasing with greater nutrient runoff and a warming climate. Lake spray aerosol (LSA) released from freshwater lakes has been identified on lakeshores and after transport inland, including from lakes with HABs, but little is known about the potential for HAB toxins to be incorporated into LSA. In this study, freshwater samples were collected from two lakes in Michigan: Mona Lake during a severe HAB with microcystin concentrations (>200 μg/L) well above the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended "do not drink" level (1.6 μg/L) and Muskegon Lake without a HAB (<1 μg/L microcystin). Microcystin toxins were identified in freshwater, as well as aerosol particles generated in the laboratory from Mona Lake water by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) at atmospheric concentrations up to 50 ± 20 ng/m3. Enrichment of hydrophobic microcystin congeners (e.g., microcystin-LR) was observed in aerosol particles relative to bulk freshwater, while enrichment of hydrophilic microcystin (e.g., microcystin-RR) was lower. As HABs increase in a warming climate, understanding and quantifying the emissions of toxins into the atmosphere is crucial for evaluating the health consequences of HABs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole E Olson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Madeline E Cooke
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Jia H Shi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Johnna A Birbeck
- Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
| | - Judy A Westrick
- Department of Chemistry, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202, United States
| | - Andrew P Ault
- Department of Chemistry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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Hardison DR, Holland WC, Currier RD, Kirkpatrick B, Stumpf R, Fanara T, Burris D, Reich A, Kirkpatrick GJ, Litaker RW. HABscope: A tool for use by citizen scientists to facilitate early warning of respiratory irritation caused by toxic blooms of Karenia brevis. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218489. [PMID: 31220134 PMCID: PMC6586399 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 06/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Blooms of the toxic microalga Karenia brevis occur seasonally in Florida, Texas and other portions of the Gulf of Mexico. Brevetoxins produced during Karenia blooms can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning in humans, massive fish kills, and the death of marine mammals and birds. Brevetoxin-containing aerosols are an additional problem, having a severe impact on beachgoers, triggering coughing, eye and throat irritation in healthy individuals, and more serious respiratory distress in those with asthma or other breathing disorders. The blooms and associated aerosol impacts are patchy in nature, often affecting one beach but having no impact on an adjacent beach. To provide timely information to visitors about which beaches are low-risk, we developed HABscope; a low cost (~$400) microscope system that can be used in the field by citizen scientists with cell phones to enumerate K. brevis cell concentrations in the water along each beach. The HABscope system operates by capturing short videos of collected water samples and uploading them to a central server for rapid enumeration of K. brevis cells using calibrated recognition software. The HABscope has a detection threshold of about 100,000 cells, which is the point when respiratory risk becomes evident. Higher concentrations are reliably estimated up to 10 million cells L-1. When deployed by volunteer citizen scientists, the HABscope consistently distinguished low, medium, and high concentrations of cells in the water. The volunteers were able to collect data on most days during a severe bloom. This indicates that the HABscope can provide an effective capability to significantly increase the sampling coverage during Karenia brevis blooms.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Ransom Hardison
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - William C. Holland
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Robert D. Currier
- Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System, Department of Oceanography, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Barbara Kirkpatrick
- Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System, Department of Oceanography, Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| | - Richard Stumpf
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Center for Coastal Management and Assessment, Silver Spring, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Tracy Fanara
- Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Sarasota, Florida, United States of America
| | - Devin Burris
- Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Sarasota, Florida, United States of America
| | - Andrew Reich
- Florida Department of Health, Public Health Toxicology Section, Tallahassee, Florida, United States of America
| | - Gary J. Kirkpatrick
- Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Sarasota, Florida, United States of America
| | - R. Wayne Litaker
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research, Beaufort, North Carolina, United States of America
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20
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Diaz RE, Friedman MA, Jin D, Beet A, Kirkpatrick B, Reich A, Kirkpatrick G, Ullmann SG, Fleming LE, Hoagland P. Neurological illnesses associated with Florida red tide (Karenia brevis) blooms. HARMFUL ALGAE 2019; 82:73-81. [PMID: 30928012 PMCID: PMC9933543 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2018.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2018] [Revised: 07/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/07/2018] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Human respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses can result from exposures to brevetoxins originating from coastal Florida red tide blooms, comprising the marine alga Karenia brevis (K. brevis). Only limited research on the extent of human health risks and illness costs due to K. brevis blooms has been undertaken to date. Because brevetoxins are known neurotoxins that are able to cross the blood-brain barrier, it is possible that exposure to brevetoxins may be associated with neurological illnesses. This study explored whether K. brevis blooms may be associated with increases in the numbers of emergency department visits for neurological illness. An exposure-response framework was applied to test the effects of K. brevis blooms on human health, using secondary data from diverse sources. After controlling for resident population, seasonal and annual effects, significant increases in emergency department visits were found specifically for headache (ICD-9 784.0) as a primary diagnosis during proximate coastal K. brevis blooms. In particular, an increased risk for older residents (≥55 years) was identified in the coastal communities of six southwest Florida counties during K. brevis bloom events. The incidence of headache associated with K. brevis blooms showed a small but increasing association with K. brevis cell densities. Rough estimates of the costs of this illness were developed for hypothetical bloom occurrences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Efrain Diaz
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA
| | | | - Di Jin
- Marine Policy Center, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Andrew Beet
- Marine Policy Center, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Barbara Kirkpatrick
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL, USA
| | - Andrew Reich
- Aquatic Toxins Program, Bureau of Epidemiology, Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | | | - Steven G Ullmann
- Department of Health Management and Policy, University of Miami, Coral Gables, FL, USA.
| | - Lora E Fleming
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, Cornwall, UK
| | - Porter Hoagland
- Marine Policy Center, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
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21
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Marine biogenics in sea spray aerosols interact with the mTOR signaling pathway. Sci Rep 2019; 9:675. [PMID: 30679557 PMCID: PMC6345880 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36866-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Sea spray aerosols (SSAs) have profound effects on our climate and ecosystems. They also contain microbiota and biogenic molecules which could affect human health. Yet the exposure and effects of SSAs on human health remain poorly studied. Here, we exposed human lung cancer cells to extracts of a natural sea spray aerosol collected at the seashore in Belgium, a laboratory-generated SSA, the marine algal toxin homoyessotoxin and a chemical inhibitor of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. We observed significant increased expression of genes related to the mTOR pathway and Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) after exposure to homoyessotoxin and the laboratory-generated SSA. In contrast, we observed a significant decrease in gene expression in the mTOR pathway and of PCSK9 after exposure to the natural SSA and the mTOR inhibitor, suggesting induction of apoptosis. Our results indicate that marine biogenics in SSAs interact with PCSK9 and the mTOR pathway and can be used in new potential pharmaceutical applications. Overall, our results provide a substantial molecular evidence base for potential beneficial health effects at environmentally relevant concentrations of natural SSAs.
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22
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Poulin RX, Hogan S, Poulson-Ellestad KL, Brown E, Fernández FM, Kubanek J. Karenia brevis allelopathy compromises the lipidome, membrane integrity, and photosynthesis of competitors. Sci Rep 2018; 8:9572. [PMID: 29934632 PMCID: PMC6015087 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-27845-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/12/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation, propagation, and maintenance of harmful algal blooms are of interest due to their negative effects on marine life and human health. Some bloom-forming algae utilize allelopathy, the release of compounds that inhibit competitors, to exclude other species dependent on a common pool of limiting resources. Allelopathy is hypothesized to affect bloom dynamics and is well established in the red tide dinoflagellate Karenia brevis. K. brevis typically suppresses competitor growth rather than being acutely toxic to other algae. When we investigated the effects of allelopathy on two competitors, Asterionellopsis glacialis and Thalassiosira pseudonana, using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry (MS)-based metabolomics, we found that the lipidomes of both species were significantly altered. However, A. glacialis maintained a more robust metabolism in response to K. brevis allelopathy whereas T. pseudonana exhibited significant alterations in lipid synthesis, cell membrane integrity, and photosynthesis. Membrane-associated lipids were significantly suppressed for T. pseudonana exposed to allelopathy such that membranes of living cells became permeable. K. brevis allelopathy appears to target lipid biosynthesis affecting multiple physiological pathways suggesting that exuded compounds have the ability to significantly alter competitor physiology, giving K. brevis an edge over sensitive species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Remington X Poulin
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 901 Atlantic Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Aquatic Chemical Ecology Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Scott Hogan
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 901 Atlantic Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Kelsey L Poulson-Ellestad
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 950 Atlantic Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Department of Biological, Chemical, and Physical Sciences, Roosevelt University, 430S Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60605, USA
| | - Emily Brown
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 950 Atlantic Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Aquatic Chemical Ecology Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Facundo M Fernández
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 901 Atlantic Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Aquatic Chemical Ecology Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Julia Kubanek
- School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, 901 Atlantic Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- School of Biological Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, 950 Atlantic Dr, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Aquatic Chemical Ecology Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
- Parker H. Petit Institute of Bioengineering and Bioscience, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA.
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Immune effects of the neurotoxins ciguatoxins and brevetoxins. Toxicon 2018; 149:6-19. [PMID: 29360534 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2018.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2017] [Revised: 12/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Ciguatoxins (CTXs) and brevetoxins (PbTxs) are phycotoxins that can accumulate along the marine food chain and thus cause seafood poisoning in humans, namely "ciguatera fish poisoning" (CFP) and "neurotoxic shellfish poisoning" (NSP), respectively. CFP is characterized by early gastrointestinal symptoms and typical sensory disorders (paraesthesia, pain, pruritus and cold dysaesthesia), which can persist several weeks and, in some cases, several months or years. NSP is considered a mild form of CFP with similar but less severe symptoms. After inhaled exposure, PbTxs can also cause respiratory tract irritation in healthy subjects and asthma exacerbations in predisposed subjects, whose respiratory functions may be disrupted for several days following PbTx inhalation. Mechanistically, it is well established that CTX- or PbTx-induced disturbances are primarily mainly due to voltage-gated sodium channel activation in sensory and motor peripheral nervous system. However, little is known about the pathophysiology or a potential individual susceptibility to long lasting effects of CFP/NSP. In addition to their action on the nervous system, PbTxs and CTXs were also shown to exert effects on the immune system. However, their role in the pathophysiology of syndromes induced by CTX or PbTx exposure is poorly documented. The aim of this review is to inventory the literature thus far on the inflammatory and immune effects of PbTxs and CTXs.
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Chen W, Colon R, Louda JW, Del Rey FR, Durham M, Rein KS. Brevetoxin (PbTx-2) influences the redox status and NPQ of Karenia brevis by way of thioredoxin reductase. HARMFUL ALGAE 2018; 71:29-39. [PMID: 29306394 PMCID: PMC5994908 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2017.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2017] [Revised: 11/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/18/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The Florida red tide dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, is the major harmful algal bloom dinoflagellate of the Gulf of Mexico and plays a destructive role in the region. Blooms of K. brevis can produce brevetoxins: ladder-shaped polyether (LSP) compounds, which can lead to adverse human health effects, such as reduced respiratory function through inhalation exposure, or neurotoxic shellfish poisoning through consumption of contaminated shellfish. The endogenous role of the brevetoxins remains uncertain. Recent work has shown that some forms of NADPH dependent thioredoxin reductase (NTR) are inhibited by brevetoxin-2 (PbTx-2). The study presented herein reveals that high toxin and low toxin K. brevis, which have a ten-fold difference in toxin content, also show a significant difference in their ability, not only to produce brevetoxin, but also in their cellular redox status and distribution of xanthophyll cycle pigments. These differences are likely due to the inhibition of NTR by brevetoxin. The work could shed light on the physiological role that brevetoxin fills for K. brevis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8thStreet, Miami, FL 33199, United States.
| | - Ricardo Colon
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8thStreet, Miami, FL 33199, United States.
| | - J William Louda
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431 United States.
| | - Freddy Rodriguez Del Rey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8thStreet, Miami, FL 33199, United States.
| | - Michaella Durham
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8thStreet, Miami, FL 33199, United States.
| | - Kathleen S Rein
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8thStreet, Miami, FL 33199, United States.
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Chen W, Tuladhar A, Rolle S, Lai Y, Rodriguez Del Rey F, Zavala CE, Liu Y, Rein KS. Brevetoxin-2, is a unique inhibitor of the C-terminal redox center of mammalian thioredoxin reductase-1. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2017; 329:58-66. [PMID: 28551108 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2017.05.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2017] [Revised: 05/15/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Karenia brevis, the Florida red tide dinoflagellate produces a suite of neurotoxins known as the brevetoxins. The most abundant of the brevetoxins PbTx-2, was found to inhibit the thioredoxin-thioredoxin reductase system, whereas the PbTx-3 has no effect on this system. On the other hand, PbTx-2 activates the reduction of small disulfides such as 5,5'-dithio-bis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) by thioredoxin reductase. PbTx-2 has an α, β-unsaturated aldehyde moiety which functions as an efficient electrophile and selenocysteine conjugates are readily formed. PbTx-2 blocks the inhibition of TrxR by the inhibitor curcumin, whereas curcumin blocks PbTx-2 activation of TrxR. It is proposed that the mechanism of inhibition of thioredoxin reduction is via the formation of a Michael adduct between selenocysteine and the α, β-unsaturated aldehyde moiety of PbTx-2. PbTx-2 had no effect on the rates of reactions catalyzed by related enzymes such as glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase or glutaredoxin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chen
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States
| | - Anupama Tuladhar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States
| | - Shantelle Rolle
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States
| | - Yanhao Lai
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States
| | - Freddy Rodriguez Del Rey
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States
| | - Cristian E Zavala
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States; Biomolecular Sciences Institute, School of Integrated Sciences and Humanity, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States
| | - Kathleen S Rein
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, Miami, FL 33199, United States.
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Axson JL, May NW, Colón-Bernal ID, Pratt KA, Ault AP. Lake Spray Aerosol: A Chemical Signature from Individual Ambient Particles. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2016; 50:9835-9845. [PMID: 27548099 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b01661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Aerosol production from wave breaking on freshwater lakes, including the Laurentian Great Lakes, is poorly understood in comparison to sea spray aerosol (SSA). Aerosols from freshwater have the potential to impact regional climate and public health. Herein, lake spray aerosol (LSA) is defined as aerosol generated from freshwater through bubble bursting, analogous to SSA from seawater. A chemical signature for LSA was determined from measurements of ambient particles collected on the southeastern shore of Lake Michigan during an event (July 6-8, 2015) with wave heights up to 3.1 m. For comparison, surface freshwater was collected, and LSA were generated in the laboratory. Single particle microscopy and mass spectrometry analysis of field and laboratory-generated samples show that LSA particles are primarily calcium (carbonate) with lower concentrations of other inorganic ions and organic material. Laboratory number size distributions show ultrafine and accumulation modes at 53 (±1) and 276 (±8) nm, respectively. This study provides the first chemical signature for LSA. LSA composition is shown to be coupled to Great Lakes water chemistry (Ca(2+) > Mg(2+) > Na(+) > K(+)) and distinct from SSA. Understanding LSA physicochemical properties will improve assessment of LSA impacts on regional air quality, climate, and health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Axson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, ‡Department of Chemistry, and §Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Nathaniel W May
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, ‡Department of Chemistry, and §Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Isabel D Colón-Bernal
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, ‡Department of Chemistry, and §Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Kerri A Pratt
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, ‡Department of Chemistry, and §Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Andrew P Ault
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, ‡Department of Chemistry, and §Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Michigan , Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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Rolton A, Vignier J, Volety AK, Pierce RH, Henry M, Shumway SE, Bricelj VM, Hégaret H, Soudant P. Effects of field and laboratory exposure to the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis on the reproduction of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, and subsequent development of offspring. HARMFUL ALGAE 2016; 57:13-26. [PMID: 30170718 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2016.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Revised: 04/25/2016] [Accepted: 04/26/2016] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Blooms of the brevetoxin-producing dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, are a recurrent and sometimes devastating phenomenon in the Gulf of Mexico. The eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, is exposed regularly to these blooms, yet little is known about the impacts of K. brevis upon this important species. The present study considered the effects of exposure to both a natural bloom and cultured K. brevis on the reproductive development of C. virginica. Oysters had been exposed to a bloom of K. brevis that occurred in Lee County, Florida, from September 2012 through May 2013, during a period of gametogenesis and gamete ripening. Ripe adult oysters were collected from this bloom-exposed site and from a site 200 miles north which was not exposed to any bloom. In addition, responses to two 10-day laboratory exposures of either unripe or ripe adult oysters to whole cells of K. brevis at high bloom concentrations (1000 and 5000cellsmL-1) were determined. Both field- and laboratory-exposed adult oysters accumulated PbTx (attaining ∼22×103ngg-1 and 922ngg-1 PbTx-3 equivalents in the laboratory and the field, respectively), and significant mucal, edematous, and inflammatory features, indicative of a defense response, were recorded in adult tissues in direct contact with K. brevis cells. Laboratory-exposed oysters also showed an increase in the total number of circulating hemocytes suggesting that: (1) new hemocytes may be moving to sites of tissue inflammation, or, (2) hemocytes are released into the circulatory system from inflamed tissues where they may be produced. The area of oyster tissue occupied by gonad (representative of reproductive effort) and reactive oxygen species production in the spermatozoa of oysters exposed to the natural bloom of K. brevis were significantly lower compared to oysters that were not exposed to K. brevis. Additionally, following 10-day exposure of ripe oysters, a significant, 46% reduction in the prevalence of individuals with ripe gametes was obtained in the 5000cellsmL-1K. brevis treatment. Brevetoxin (PbTx) was recorded within the spermatozoa and oocytes of naturally exposed oysters and was estimated to be 18 and 26% of the adult PbTx load, respectively. Larvae derived from gametes containing PbTx showed significantly higher mortalities and attained a smaller larval size for the first 6 days post-fertilization. These negative effects on larval development may be due to the presence of PbTx in the lipid droplets of the oocytes, which is mobilized by the larvae during embryonic and lecithotrophic larval development. Provision of a non-contaminated food source to larvae however, appeared to mitigate the early negative effects of this neonatal PbTx exposure. Results herein show that adult eastern oysters and their offspring are susceptible to exposure to K. brevis. Caution should therefore be exercised when identifying oyster reef restoration areas and in efforts to establish aquaculture in areas prone to red tides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Rolton
- Université de Bretagne Occidentale-IUEM, LEMAR CNRS UMR 6539, Place Nicolas Copernic, Technopôle Brest Iroise, 29280 Plouzané, France; Florida Gulf Coast University, College of Arts and Sciences, 10501 FGCU Blvd South, Fort Myers, FL 33965, United States
| | - Julien Vignier
- Université de Bretagne Occidentale-IUEM, LEMAR CNRS UMR 6539, Place Nicolas Copernic, Technopôle Brest Iroise, 29280 Plouzané, France; Florida Gulf Coast University, College of Arts and Sciences, 10501 FGCU Blvd South, Fort Myers, FL 33965, United States
| | - Aswani K Volety
- Florida Gulf Coast University, College of Arts and Sciences, 10501 FGCU Blvd South, Fort Myers, FL 33965, United States.
| | - Richard H Pierce
- The Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, United States
| | - Michael Henry
- The Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, United States
| | - Sandra E Shumway
- Department of Marine Sciences, University of Connecticut, 1080 Shennecossett Road, Groton, CT 06340, United States
| | - V Monica Bricelj
- Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences and Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, 6959 Miller Avenue, Port Norris, NJ 08349, United States
| | - Hélène Hégaret
- Université de Bretagne Occidentale-IUEM, LEMAR CNRS UMR 6539, Place Nicolas Copernic, Technopôle Brest Iroise, 29280 Plouzané, France
| | - Philippe Soudant
- Université de Bretagne Occidentale-IUEM, LEMAR CNRS UMR 6539, Place Nicolas Copernic, Technopôle Brest Iroise, 29280 Plouzané, France
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28
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Backer LC, Miller M. Sentinel Animals in a One Health Approach to Harmful Cyanobacterial and Algal Blooms. Vet Sci 2016; 3:E8. [PMID: 27152315 PMCID: PMC4852742 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci3020008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 04/08/2016] [Accepted: 04/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
People, domestic animals, and wildlife are all exposed to numerous environmental threats, including harmful algal blooms (HABs). However, because animals exhibit wide variations in diet, land use and biology, they are often more frequently or heavily exposed to HAB toxins than are people occupying the same habitat, making them sentinels for human exposures. Historically, we have taken advantage of unique physiological characteristics of animals, such as the sensitivity of canaries to carbon monoxide, to more quickly recognize threats and help protect human health. As HAB events become more severe and widespread worldwide, exposure and health outcome data for animals can be extremely helpful to predict, prevent, and evaluate human exposures and health outcomes. Applying a One Health approach to investigation of HABs means that lessons learned from animal sentinels can be applied to protect people, animals and our shared environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine C. Backer
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE, MS F-60, Chamblee, GA 30341, USA
| | - Melissa Miller
- Office of Spill Prevention and Response, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Marine Wildlife Veterinary Care and Research Center, 1451 Shaffer Rd, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, USA;
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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29
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Sun P, Leeson C, Zhi X, Leng F, Pierce RH, Henry MS, Rein KS. Characterization of an epoxide hydrolase from the Florida red tide dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2016; 122:11-21. [PMID: 26626160 PMCID: PMC4724521 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2015.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2015] [Revised: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 11/05/2015] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Epoxide hydrolases (EH, EC 3.3.2.3) have been proposed to be key enzymes in the biosynthesis of polyether (PE) ladder compounds such as the brevetoxins which are produced by the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis. These enzymes have the potential to catalyze kinetically disfavored endo-tet cyclization reactions. Data mining of K. brevis transcriptome libraries revealed two classes of epoxide hydrolases: microsomal and leukotriene A4 (LTA4) hydrolases. A microsomal EH was cloned and expressed for characterization. The enzyme is a monomeric protein with molecular weight 44kDa. Kinetic parameters were evaluated using a variety of epoxide substrates to assess substrate selectivity and enantioselectivity, as well as its potential to catalyze the critical endo-tet cyclization of epoxy alcohols. Monitoring of EH activity in high and low toxin producing cultures of K. brevis over a three week period showed consistently higher activity in the high toxin producing culture implicating the involvement of one or more EH in brevetoxin biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Sun
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
| | - Cristian Leeson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Xiaoduo Zhi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Fenfei Leng
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
| | - Richard H Pierce
- Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA.
| | - Michael S Henry
- Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA.
| | - Kathleen S Rein
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
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Berdalet E, Fleming LE, Gowen R, Davidson K, Hess P, Backer LC, Moore SK, Hoagland P, Enevoldsen H. Marine harmful algal blooms, human health and wellbeing: challenges and opportunities in the 21st century. JOURNAL OF THE MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM. MARINE BIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM 2015; 2015:10.1017/S0025315415001733. [PMID: 26692586 PMCID: PMC4676275 DOI: 10.1017/s0025315415001733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 183] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Microalgal blooms are a natural part of the seasonal cycle of photosynthetic organisms in marine ecosystems. They are key components of the structure and dynamics of the oceans and thus sustain the benefits that humans obtain from these aquatic environments. However, some microalgal blooms can cause harm to humans and other organisms. These harmful algal blooms (HABs) have direct impacts on human health and negative influences on human wellbeing, mainly through their consequences to coastal ecosystem services (fisheries, tourism and recreation) and other marine organisms and environments. HABs are natural phenomena, but these events can be favoured by anthropogenic pressures in coastal areas. Global warming and associated changes in the oceans could affect HAB occurrences and toxicity as well, although forecasting the possible trends is still speculative and requires intensive multidisciplinary research. At the beginning of the 21st century, with expanding human populations, particularly in coastal and developing countries, mitigating HABs impacts on human health and wellbeing is becoming a more pressing public health need. The available tools to address this global challenge include maintaining intensive, multidisciplinary and collaborative scientific research, and strengthening the coordination with stakeholders, policymakers and the general public. Here we provide an overview of different aspects of the HABs phenomena, an important element of the intrinsic links between oceans and human health and wellbeing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Berdalet
- Institut de Ciències del Mar (CSIC), Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, 37-49, 08003 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Lora E Fleming
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, Cornwall TR1 3HD, UK
| | - Richard Gowen
- Fisheries and Aquatic Ecosystems Branch, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, UK ; Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, PA37 1QA, UK
| | - Keith Davidson
- Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), Scottish Marine Institute, Oban, PA37 1QA, UK
| | - Philipp Hess
- Ifremer, Laboratoire Phycotoxines, BP21105, Rue de l'lle d'Yeu, 44311 Nantes Cedex 03, France
| | - Lorraine C Backer
- National Center for Environmental Health, 4770 Buford Highway NE, MS F-60, Chamblee, GA 30341
| | - Stephanie K Moore
- University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Joint Office for Science Support. Visiting Scientist at Northwest Fisheries Science Center, National Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, 2725 Montlake Blvd E, Seattle, WA 98112, USA
| | - Porter Hoagland
- Marine Policy Center, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA 02543, USA
| | - Henrik Enevoldsen
- Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, IOC Science and Communication Centre on Harmful Algae, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 4, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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Backer LC, Manassaram-Baptiste D, LePrell R, Bolton B. Cyanobacteria and algae blooms: Review of health and environmental data from the Harmful Algal Bloom-Related Illness Surveillance System (HABISS) 2007-2011. Toxins (Basel) 2015; 7:1048-64. [PMID: 25826054 PMCID: PMC4417954 DOI: 10.3390/toxins7041048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Revised: 03/18/2015] [Accepted: 03/20/2015] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Algae and cyanobacteria are present in all aquatic environments. We do not have a good sense of the extent of human and animal exposures to cyanobacteria or their toxins, nor do we understand the public health impacts from acute exposures associated with recreational activities or chronic exposures associated with drinking water. We describe the Harmful Algal Bloom-related Illness Surveillance System (HABISS) and summarize the collected reports describing bloom events and associated adverse human and animal health events. For the period of 2007-2011, Departments of Health and/or Environment from 11 states funded by the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention contributed reports for 4534 events. For 2007, states contributed 173 reports from historical data. The states participating in the HABISS program built response capacity through targeted public outreach and prevention activities, including supporting routine cyanobacteria monitoring for public recreation waters. During 2007-2010, states used monitoring data to support196 public health advisories or beach closures. The information recorded in HABISS and the application of these data to develop a wide range of public health prevention and response activities indicate that cyanobacteria and algae blooms are an environmental public health issue that needs continuing attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorraine C Backer
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Highway NE, Chamblee, GA 30341, USA.
| | | | - Rebecca LePrell
- Virginia Department of Health, 109 Governor Street, Richmond, VA 23219, USA.
| | - Birgit Bolton
- International Trachoma Initiative, the Task Force for Global Health, 325 Swanton Way, Decatur, GA 30030, USA.
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Turner AD, Higgins C, Davidson K, Veszelovszki A, Payne D, Hungerford J, Higman W. Potential threats posed by new or emerging marine biotoxins in UK waters and examination of detection methodology used in their control: brevetoxins. Mar Drugs 2015; 13:1224-54. [PMID: 25775421 PMCID: PMC4377981 DOI: 10.3390/md13031224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2014] [Revised: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Regular occurrence of brevetoxin-producing toxic phytoplankton in commercial shellfishery areas poses a significant risk to shellfish consumer health. Brevetoxins and their causative toxic phytoplankton are more limited in their global distribution than most marine toxins impacting commercial shellfisheries. On the other hand, trends in climate change could conceivably lead to increased risk posed by these toxins in UK waters. A request was made by UK food safety authorities to examine these toxins more closely to aid possible management strategies, should they pose a threat in the future. At the time of writing, brevetoxins have been detected in the Gulf of Mexico, the Southeast US coast and in New Zealand waters, where regulatory levels for brevetoxins in shellfish have existed for some time. This paper reviews evidence concerning the prevalence of brevetoxins and brevetoxin-producing phytoplankton in the UK, together with testing methodologies. Chemical, biological and biomolecular methods are reviewed, including recommendations for further work to enable effective testing. Although the focus here is on the UK, from a strategic standpoint many of the topics discussed will also be of interest in other parts of the world since new and emerging marine biotoxins are of global concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Turner
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Barrack Road, The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK.
| | - Cowan Higgins
- Agri-food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), Newforge Lane, Belfast BT9 5PX, UK.
| | - Keith Davidson
- Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS), Oban, Argyll PA37 1QA, UK.
| | | | - Daniel Payne
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Barrack Road, The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK.
- University of Surrey, School of Biosciences and Medicine, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7TE, UK.
| | - James Hungerford
- United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), 22201 23rd Dr, S.E., Bothell, WA 98021, USA.
| | - Wendy Higman
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Barrack Road, The Nothe, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UK.
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Hoagland P, Jin D, Beet A, Kirkpatrick B, Reich A, Ullmann S, Fleming LE, Kirkpatrick G. The human health effects of Florida red tide (FRT) blooms: an expanded analysis. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2014; 68:144-53. [PMID: 24727069 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2014.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2014] [Revised: 02/24/2014] [Accepted: 03/20/2014] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Human respiratory and digestive illnesses can be caused by exposures to brevetoxins from blooms of the marine alga Karenia brevis, also known as Florida red tide (FRT). K. brevis requires macro-nutrients to grow; although the sources of these nutrients have not been resolved completely, they are thought to originate both naturally and anthropogenically. The latter sources comprise atmospheric depositions, industrial effluents, land runoffs, or submerged groundwater discharges. To date, there has been only limited research on the extent of human health risks and economic impacts due to FRT. We hypothesized that FRT blooms were associated with increases in the numbers of emergency room visits and hospital inpatient admissions for both respiratory and digestive illnesses. We sought to estimate these relationships and to calculate the costs of associated adverse health impacts. We developed environmental exposure-response models to test the effects of FRT blooms on human health, using data from diverse sources. We estimated the FRT bloom-associated illness costs, using extant data and parameters from the literature. When controlling for resident population, a proxy for tourism, and seasonal and annual effects, we found that increases in respiratory and digestive illnesses can be explained by FRT blooms. Specifically, FRT blooms were associated with human health and economic effects in older cohorts (≥55 years of age) in six southwest Florida counties. Annual costs of illness ranged from $60,000 to $700,000 annually, but these costs could exceed $1.0 million per year for severe, long-lasting FRT blooms, such as the one that occurred during 2005. Assuming that the average annual illness costs of FRT blooms persist into the future, using a discount rate of 3%, the capitalized costs of future illnesses would range between $2 and 24 million.
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Affiliation(s)
- Porter Hoagland
- Marine Policy Center, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA.
| | - Di Jin
- Marine Policy Center, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Andrew Beet
- Marine Policy Center, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, USA
| | - Barbara Kirkpatrick
- Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Andrew Reich
- Aquatic Toxins Program, Bureau of Epidemiology, Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, FL, USA
| | - Steve Ullmann
- Programs and Center in Health Sector Management and Policy, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Lora E Fleming
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA; European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, Truro, Cornwall, UK
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Mostofa KMG, Liu CQ, Vione D, Gao K, Ogawa H. Sources, factors, mechanisms and possible solutions to pollutants in marine ecosystems. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2013; 182:461-478. [PMID: 23992682 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2013.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2013] [Revised: 06/10/2013] [Accepted: 08/02/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Algal toxins or red-tide toxins produced during algal blooms are naturally-derived toxic emerging contaminants (ECs) that may kill organisms, including humans, through contaminated fish or seafood. Other ECs produced either naturally or anthropogenically ultimately flow into marine waters. Pharmaceuticals are also an important pollution source, mostly due to overproduction and incorrect disposal. Ship breaking and recycle industries (SBRIs) can also release various pollutants and substantially deteriorate habitats and marine biodiversity. Overfishing is significantly increasing due to the global food crisis, caused by an increasing world population. Organic matter (OM) pollution and global warming (GW) are key factors that exacerbate these challenges (e.g. algal blooms), to which acidification in marine waters should be added as well. Sources, factors, mechanisms and possible remedial measures of these challenges to marine ecosystems are discussed, including their eventual impact on all forms of life including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khan M G Mostofa
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Geochemistry, Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 46 Guanshui Road, Guiyang 550002, China.
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Gold EP, Jacocks HM, Bourdelais AJ, Baden DG. Brevenal, a brevetoxin antagonist from Karenia brevis, binds to a previously unreported site on mammalian sodium channels. HARMFUL ALGAE 2013; 26:12-19. [PMID: 23789024 PMCID: PMC3684244 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2013.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Brevetoxins are a family of ladder-frame polyether toxins produced by the marine dinoflagellate Karenia brevis. During blooms of K. brevis, inhalation of brevetoxins aerosolized by wind and wave action can lead to asthma-like symptoms in persons at the beach. Consumption of either shellfish or finfish contaminated by K. brevis blooms can lead to the development of neurotoxic shellfish poisoning. The toxic effects of brevetoxins are due to binding at a defined site on, and subsequent activation of, voltage-sensitive sodium channels (VSSCs) in cell membranes (site 5). In addition to brevetoxins, K. brevis produces several other ladder-frame compounds. One of these compounds, brevenal, has been shown to antagonize the effects of brevetoxin. In an effort to further characterize to effects of brevenal, a radioactive analog ([3H]-brevenol) was produced by reducing the side-chain terminal aldehyde moiety of brevenal to an alcohol using tritiated sodium borohydride. A KD of 67 nM and Bmax of 7.1 pmol/mg protein were obtained for [3H]-brevenol in rat brain synaptosomes, suggesting a 1:1 matching with VSSCs. Brevenal and brevenol competed for [3H]-brevenol binding with Ki values of 75 nM and 56 nM, respectively. However, although both brevenal and brevenol can inhibit brevetoxin binding, brevetoxin was completely ineffective at competition for [3H]-brevenol binding. After examining other site-specific compounds, it was determined that [3H]-brevenol binds to a site that is distinct from the other known sites including the brevetoxin site (site 5) although some interaction with site 5 is apparent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena P. Gold
- Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane, Wilmington, North Carolina 28409
| | - Henry M. Jacocks
- Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane, Wilmington, North Carolina 28409
| | - Andrea J. Bourdelais
- Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane, Wilmington, North Carolina 28409
| | - Daniel G. Baden
- Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane, Wilmington, North Carolina 28409
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Hall ER, Nierenberg K, Boyes AJ, Heil CA, Flewelling LJ, Kirkpatrick B. The Art of Red Tide Science. HARMFUL ALGAE 2012; 17:1-5. [PMID: 22712002 PMCID: PMC3375821 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2012.02.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Over the years, numerous outreach strategies by the science community, such as FAQ cards and website information, have been used to explain blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis that occur annually off the west coast of Florida to the impacted communities. Many state and federal agencies have turned to funded research groups for assistance in the development and testing of environmental outreach products. In the case of Florida red tide, the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute/Mote Marine Laboratory (MML) Cooperative Red Tide Agreement allowed MML to initiate a project aimed at developing innovative outreach products about Florida red tide. This project, which we coined "The Art of Red Tide Science," consisted of a team effort between scientists from MML and students from Ringling College of Art and Design. This successful outreach project focused on Florida red tide can be used as a model to develop similar outreach projects for equally complex ecological issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R. Hall
- Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, Florida 34236, USA
- Ringling College of Art and Design, 2700 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida 34234, USA
| | - Kate Nierenberg
- Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, Florida 34236, USA
| | - Anamari J. Boyes
- Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, Florida 34236, USA
- Ringling College of Art and Design, 2700 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida 34234, USA
| | - Cynthia A. Heil
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 8th Avenue, SE St. Petersburg, Florida 33701, USA
| | - Leanne J. Flewelling
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 8th Avenue, SE St. Petersburg, Florida 33701, USA
| | - Barbara Kirkpatrick
- Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, Florida 34236, USA
- University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences and Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33149, USA
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Hitchcock GL, Fourqurean JW, Drake JL, Mead RN, Heil CA. Brevetoxin persistence in sediments and seagrass epiphytes of east Florida coastal waters. HARMFUL ALGAE 2012; 13:89-94. [PMID: 23762030 PMCID: PMC3677771 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2011.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
A bloom of Karenia brevis Davis developed in September 2007 near Jacksonville, Florida and subsequently progressed south through east Florida coastal waters and the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). Maximum cell abundances exceeded 106 cells L-1 through October in the northern ICW between Jacksonville and the Indian River Lagoon. The bloom progressed further south during November, and terminated in December 2007 at densities of 104 cells L-1 in the ICW south of Jupiter Inlet, Florida. Brevetoxins were subsequently sampled in sediments and seagrass epiphytes in July and August 2008 in the ICW. Sediment brevetoxins occurred at concentrations of 11-15 ng PbTx-3 equivalents (g dry wt sediment)-1 in three of five basins in the northern ICW during summer 2008. Seagrass beds occur south of the Mosquito Lagoon in the ICW. Brevetoxins were detected in six of the nine seagrass beds sampled between the Mosquito Lagoon and Jupiter Inlet at concentrations of 6-18 ng (g dry wt epiphytes)-1. The highest brevetoxins concentrations were found in sediments near Patrick Air Force Base at 89 ng (g dry wt sediment)-1. In general, brevetoxins occurred in either seagrass epiphytes or sediments. Blades of the resident seagrass species have a maximum life span of less than six months, so it is postulated that brevetoxins could be transferred between epibenthic communities of individual blades in seagrass beds. The occurrence of brevetoxins in east Florida coast sediments and seagrass epiphytes up to eight months after bloom termination supports observations from the Florida west coast that brevetoxins can persist in marine ecosystems in the absence of sustained blooms. Furthermore, our observations show that brevetoxins can persist in sediments where seagrass communities are absent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary L. Hitchcock
- Division of Marine Biology and Fisheries, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, 4600 Rickenbacker Cswy., Miami, FL 33149, United States
| | - James W. Fourqurean
- Department of Biology, Marine Science Program and Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st Street, North Miami, FL 33181, United States
| | - Jeana L. Drake
- Department of Biology, Marine Science Program and Southeast Environmental Research Center, Florida International University, 3000 NE 151st Street, North Miami, FL 33181, United States
| | - Ralph N. Mead
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of North Carolina Wilmington, 601 South College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403, United States
| | - Cynthia A. Heil
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 Eighth Ave. S.E., St. Petersburg, FL 33701, United States
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Bean JA, Fleming LE, Kirkpatrick B, Backer LC, Nierenberg K, Reich A, Cheng YS, Wanner A, Benson J, Naar J, Pierce R, Abraham WM, Kirkpatrick G, Hollenbeck J, Zaias J, Mendes E, Baden DG. Florida Red Tide Toxins (Brevetoxins) and Longitudinal Respiratory Effects in Asthmatics. HARMFUL ALGAE 2011; 10:744-748. [PMID: 22053149 PMCID: PMC3204579 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2011.06.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Having demonstrated significant and persistent adverse changes in pulmonary function for asthmatics after 1 hour exposure to brevetoxins in Florida red tide (Karenia brevis bloom) aerosols, we assessed the possible longer term health effects in asthmatics from intermittent environmental exposure to brevetoxins over 7 years. 125 asthmatic subjects were assessed for their pulmonary function and reported symptoms before and after 1 hour of environmental exposure to Florida red tide aerosols for upto 11 studies over seven years. As a group, the asthmatics came to the studies with normal standardized percent predicted pulmonary function values. The 38 asthmatics who participated in only one exposure study were more reactive compared to the 36 asthmatics who participated in ≥4 exposure studies. The 36 asthmatics participating in ≥4 exposure studies demonstrated no significant change in their standardized percent predicted pre-exposure pulmonary function over the 7 years of the study. These results indicate that stable asthmatics living in areas with intermittent Florida red tides do not exhibit chronic respiratory effects from intermittent environmental exposure to aerosolized brevetoxins over a 7 year period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy A Bean
- Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229
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Nierenberg K, Hollenbeck J, Fleming LE, Stephan W, Reich A, Backer LC, Currier R, Kirkpatrick B. Frontiers in Outreach and Education: The Florida Red Tide Experience. HARMFUL ALGAE 2011; 10:374-380. [PMID: 21532966 PMCID: PMC3082139 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2011.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
To enhance information sharing and garner increased support from the public for scientific research, funding agencies now typically require that research groups receiving support convey their work to stakeholders. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences-(NIEHS) funded Aerosolized Florida Red Tide P01 research group (Florida Red Tide Research Group) has employed a variety of outreach strategies to meet this requirement. Messages developed from this project began a decade ago and have evolved from basic print material (fliers and posters) to an interactive website, to the use of video and social networking technologies, such as Facebook and Twitter. The group was able to track dissemination of these information products; however, evaluation of their effectiveness presented much larger challenges. The primary lesson learned by the Florida Red Tide Research Group is that the best ways to reach specific stakeholders is to develop unique products or services to address specific stakeholders needs, such as the Beach Conditions Reporting System. Based on the experience of the Group, the most productive messaging products result when scientific community engages potential stakeholders and outreach experts during the very initial phases of a project.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Julie Hollenbeck
- NSF AND NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center and the NIEHS Marine and Freshwater Biomedical Sciences Center, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Miami, Florida, 33149
| | - Lora E. Fleming
- NSF AND NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center and the NIEHS Marine and Freshwater Biomedical Sciences Center, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Miami, Florida, 33149
| | - Wendy Stephan
- NSF AND NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center and the NIEHS Marine and Freshwater Biomedical Sciences Center, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Miami, Florida, 33149
| | - Andrew Reich
- Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, Florida 32399
| | - Lorraine C. Backer
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30329
| | | | - Barbara Kirkpatrick
- Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL 34236
- University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences and Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, 33149
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Zaias J, Fleming LE, Baden DG, Abraham WM. Repeated exposure to aerosolized brevetoxin-3 induces prolonged airway hyperresponsiveness and lung inflammation in sheep. Inhal Toxicol 2011; 23:205-11. [PMID: 21456953 DOI: 10.3109/08958378.2011.558936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT During a Florida red tide, brevetoxins (PbTxs) produced by Karenia brevis become aerosolized and can cause both immediate and prolonged airway symptoms in humans, especially in those with preexisting airway disease (e.g., asthma). Although environmental monitoring indicates that toxins remain airborne for up to 4 consecutive days, there is little information on airway responses after multiple-day exposures. OBJECTIVES To delineate putative mechanisms leading to pulmonary dysfunction after PbTx exposure, we studied airway responses before and after multiple exposures to aerosol PbTx-3, the most potent PbTx produced, in nonallergic (healthy) and in allergic sheep, which serve as a surrogate for patients with compromised airways. METHODS Both groups were exposed to 20 breaths of increasing concentrations of PbTx-3 (30-300 pg/mL) for 4 consecutive days. Airway responsiveness to carbachol (1 and 8 days after) and airway inflammation as assessed by bronchoalveolar lavage (0 and 7 days after) were measured. RESULTS Both groups developed airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) 1 day after challenge; the severity was concentration dependent and more severe in the allergic group. AHR remained after 8 days, but the difference in the severity between the groups was lost. Both groups developed an inflammatory response after exposure to 300 pg/mL PbTx-3. Immediately after exposure, lung neutrophilia was prominent. This neutrophilia persisted for 7 days in addition to increases in total cells and macrophages. CONCLUSION Repeated exposures to PbTx-3 result in prolonged AHR and lung inflammation. These pathophysiologic responses could be underlying contributors to the prolonged respiratory symptoms in humans after red tides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Zaias
- University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Division of Comparative Pathology, Miami, Florida, 33140 USA
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Pierce RH, Henry MS, Blum PC, Osborn SE, Cheng YS, Zhou Y, Irvin CM, Bourdelais AJ, Naar J, Baden DG. Compositional changes in neurotoxins and their oxidative derivatives from the dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, in seawater and marine aerosol. JOURNAL OF PLANKTON RESEARCH 2011; 33:343-348. [PMID: 21191552 PMCID: PMC3010174 DOI: 10.1093/plankt/fbq115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2010] [Accepted: 07/07/2010] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The harmful alga, Karenia brevis, produces a suite of polyether neurotoxins, brevetoxins or PbTx, that cause marine animal mortality and neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP). A characteristic of K. brevis blooms is associated airborne toxins that result in severe respiratory problems. This study was undertaken to determine the composition of aerosolized brevetoxins and oxidative derivatives to which beachgoers are exposed during a K. brevis bloom. The suite of brevetoxins and derivatives in seawater is comprised of intra-cellular (IC) and extra-cellular (EC) compounds. We hypothesized that aerosolized compounds are generated primarily from EC, hydrophobic compounds in seawater by bubble-mediated transport. Thus the composition of aerosolized brevetoxins and derivatives, to which beachgoers are exposed, would reflect the EC composition of the source matrix (the local surf zone). Brevetoxins were extracted from water collected along the shore and from marine aerosols along Siesta Beach and Lido Beach in Sarasota, FL, USA, during K. brevis blooms. Water samples were further processed into IC and EC components. The primary brevetoxins observed in water and air included PbTx-1, -2, -3, -PbTx-2-carboxylic acid, and brevenal. Oxidation and/or hydrolysis products of PbTx-1, -2, -3 and -7 were also found in EC water and in aerosol, but not IC.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yung-Sung Cheng
- Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | - Yue Zhou
- Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM, USA
| | | | | | - Jerome Naar
- Center for Marine Science-UNCW, Wilmington, NC, USA
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Kirkpatrick B, Fleming LE, Bean JA, Nierenberg K, Backer LC, Cheng YS, Pierce R, Reich A, Naar J, Wanner A, Abraham WM, Zhou Y, Hollenbeck J, Baden DG. Aerosolized Red Tide Toxins (Brevetoxins) and Asthma: Continued health effects after 1 hour beach exposure. HARMFUL ALGAE 2011; 10:138-143. [PMID: 21499552 PMCID: PMC3076944 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2010.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, produce potent neurotoxins in marine aerosols. Recent studies have demonstrated acute changes in both symptoms and pulmonary function in asthmatics after only 1 hour of beach exposure to these aerosols. This study investigated if there were latent and/or sustained effects in asthmatics in the days following the initial beach exposure during periods with and without an active Florida red tide.Symptom data and spirometry data were collected before and after 1 hour of beach exposure. Subjects kept daily symptom diaries and measured their peak flow each morning for 5 days following beach exposure. During non-exposure periods, there were no significant changes in symptoms or pulmonary function either acutely or over 5 days of follow-up. After the beach exposure during an active Florida red tide, subjects had elevated mean symptoms which did not return to the pre-exposure baseline for at least 4 days. The peak flow measurements decreased after the initial beach exposure, decreased further within 24 hours, and continued to be suppressed even after 5 days. Asthmatics may continue to have increased symptoms and delayed respiratory function suppression for several days after 1 hour of exposure to the Florida red tide toxin aerosols.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lora E Fleming
- NSF AND NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Miami, Florida, 33149
- University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, 33136
| | - Judy A Bean
- Children's Hospital Medical Center and University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, 04524
| | | | - Lorraine C Backer
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, 30341
| | - Yung Sung Cheng
- Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87108
| | | | - Andrew Reich
- Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399
| | - Jerome Naar
- Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, 28409
| | - Adam Wanner
- University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, 33136
| | | | - Yue Zhou
- Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87108
| | - Julie Hollenbeck
- NSF AND NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Miami, Florida, 33149
| | - Daniel G Baden
- Center for Marine Science, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, NC, 28409
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Fleming LE, Kirkpatrick B, Backer LC, Walsh CJ, Nierenberg K, Clark J, Reich A, Hollenbeck J, Benson J, Cheng YS, Naar J, Pierce R, Bourdelais AJ, Abraham WM, Kirkpatrick G, Zaias J, Wanner A, Mendes E, Shalat S, Hoagland P, Stephan W, Bean J, Watkins S, Clarke T, Byrne M, Baden DG. Review of Florida Red Tide and Human Health Effects. HARMFUL ALGAE 2011; 10:224-233. [PMID: 21218152 PMCID: PMC3014608 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2010.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
This paper reviews the literature describing research performed over the past decade on the known and possible exposures and human health effects associated with Florida red tides. These harmful algal blooms are caused by the dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, and similar organisms, all of which produce a suite of natural toxins known as brevetoxins. Florida red tide research has benefited from a consistently funded, long term research program, that has allowed an interdisciplinary team of researchers to focus their attention on this specific environmental issue-one that is critically important to Gulf of Mexico and other coastal communities. This long-term interdisciplinary approach has allowed the team to engage the local community, identify measures to protect public health, take emerging technologies into the field, forge advances in natural products chemistry, and develop a valuable pharmaceutical product. The Review includes a brief discussion of the Florida red tide organisms and their toxins, and then focuses on the effects of these toxins on animals and humans, including how these effects predict what we might expect to see in exposed people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lora E Fleming
- NSF NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center, University of Miami, 4600 Rickenbacker Causeway, Miami, FL, 33149
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Benson JM, Wolf ML, Kajon A, Tibbetts BM, Bourdelais AJ, Baden DG, March TH. Brevetoxin inhalation alters the pulmonary response to influenza A in the male F344 rat. JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. PART A 2011; 74:313-324. [PMID: 21240731 PMCID: PMC3444170 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2010.519316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological studies demonstrated that the number of emergency-room visits for respiratory indications increases during periods of Florida Red Tides. The purpose of this study was to examine whether or not repeated brevetoxin inhalation, as may occur during a Florida Red Tide, affects pulmonary responses to influenza A. Male F344 rats were divided into four groups: (1) sham aerosol/no influenza; (2) sham aerosol/influenza; (3) brevetoxin/no influenza; and (4) brevetoxin/influenza. Animals were exposed by nose-only inhalation to vehicle or 50 μg brevetoxin-3/m3, 2 h/d for 12 d. On d 6 of aerosol exposure, groups 2 and 4 were administered 10,000 plaque-forming units of influenza A, strain HKX-31 (H3N2), by intratracheal instillation. Subgroups were euthanized at 2, 4, and 7 d post influenza treatment. Lungs were evaluated for viral load, cytokine content, and histopathologic changes. Influenza virus was cleared from the lungs over the 7-d period; however, there was significantly more virus remaining in the group 4 lungs compared to group 2. Influenza virus significantly increased interleukins-1α and -6 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 in lung; brevetoxin exposure significantly enhanced the influenza-induced response. At 7 d, the severity of perivascular and peribronchiolar inflammatory cell infiltrates was greatest in group 4. Bronchiolitis persisted, with low incidence and severity, only in group 4 at d 7. These results suggest that repeated inhalation exposure to brevetoxin may delay virus particle clearance and recovery from influenza A infection in the rat lung.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet M. Benson
- Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Dr. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
| | - Molly L. Wolf
- Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Dr. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
| | - Adriana Kajon
- Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Dr. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
| | - Brad M. Tibbetts
- Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Dr. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
| | - Andrea J. Bourdelais
- Center for Marine Science Research, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane, Wilmington, NC 28409
| | - Daniel G. Baden
- Center for Marine Science Research, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, 5600 Marvin K. Moss Lane, Wilmington, NC 28409
| | - Thomas H. March
- Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, 2425 Ridgecrest Dr. SE, Albuquerque, NM 87108
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Brevetoxin-2 induces an inflammatory response in an alveolar macrophage cell line. Int J Hyg Environ Health 2010; 213:352-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2010.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2010] [Revised: 06/16/2010] [Accepted: 06/24/2010] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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Nierenberg K, Byrne M, Fleming LE, Stephan W, Reich A, Backer LC, Tanga E, Dalpra DR, Kirkpatrick B. Florida Red Tide Perception: Residents versus Tourists. HARMFUL ALGAE 2010; 9:600-606. [PMID: 20824108 PMCID: PMC2932630 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2010.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The west coast of Florida has annual blooms of the toxin-producing dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis with Sarasota, FL considered the epicenter for these blooms. Numerous outreach materials, including Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) cards, exhibits for local museums and aquaria, public beach signs, and numerous websites have been developed to disseminate information to the public about this natural hazard. In addition, during intense onshore blooms, a great deal of media attention, primarily via newspaper (print and web) and television, is focused on red tide. However to date, the only measure of effectiveness of these outreach methods has been counts of the number of people exposed to the information, e.g., visits to a website or number of FAQ cards distributed. No formal assessment has been conducted to determine if these materials meet their goal of informing the public about Florida red tide. Also, although local residents have the opinion that they are very knowledgeable about Florida red tide, this has not been verified empirically. This study addressed these issues by creating and administering an evaluation tool for the assessment of public knowledge about Florida red tide. A focus group of Florida red tide outreach developers assisted in the creation of the evaluation tool. The location of the evaluation was the west coast of Florida, in Sarasota County. The objective was to assess the knowledge of the general public about Florida red tide. This assessment identified gaps in public knowledge regarding Florida red tides and also identified what information sources people want to use to obtain information on Florida red tide. The results from this study can be used to develop more effective outreach materials on Florida red tide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Nierenberg
- Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, FL 34236
- Corresponding author: Kate Nierenberg, M.S., Environmental Health Program, Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, Fl, 34236, USA: . Telephone 941-388-4441-245, Fax 941-388-4312
| | - Margaret Byrne
- University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33136
| | - Lora E. Fleming
- NSF AND NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center and the NIEHS Marine and Freshwater Biomedical Sciences Center, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Miami, Florida, 33149
| | - Wendy Stephan
- NSF AND NIEHS Oceans and Human Health Center and the NIEHS Marine and Freshwater Biomedical Sciences Center, University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Miami, Florida, 33149
| | - Andrew Reich
- Florida Department of Health, Tallahassee, Florida 32399
| | - Lorraine C. Backer
- National Center for Environmental Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30329
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Hilderbrand SC, Murrell RN, Gibson JE, Brown JM. Marine brevetoxin induces IgE-independent mast cell activation. Arch Toxicol 2010; 85:135-41. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-010-0564-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2010] [Accepted: 05/31/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Cheng YS, Zhou Y, Naar J, Irvin CM, Su WC, Fleming LE, Kirkpatrick B, Pierce RH, Backer LC, Baden DG. Personal exposure to aerosolized red tide toxins (brevetoxins). JOURNAL OF OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE 2010; 7:326-31. [PMID: 20379895 DOI: 10.1080/15459621003724041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Florida red tides occur annually in the Gulf of Mexico from blooms of the marine dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, which produces highly potent natural polyether toxins, brevetoxins. Several epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that human exposure to red tide aerosol could result in increased respiratory symptoms. Environmental monitoring of aerosolized brevetoxins was performed using a high-volume sampler taken hourly at fixed locations on Siesta Beach, Florida. Personal exposure was monitored using personal air samplers and taking nasal swab samples from the subjects who were instructed to spend 1 hr on Sarasota Beach during two sampling periods of an active Florida red tide event in March 2005, and in May 2008 when there was no red tide. Results showed that the aerosolized brevetoxins from the personal sampler were in modest agreement with the environmental concentration taken from a high-volume sampler. Analysis of nasal swab samples for brevetoxins demonstrated 68% positive samples in the March 2005 sampling period when air concentrations of brevetoxins were between 50 to 120 ng/m(3) measured with the high-volume sampler. No swab samples showed detectable levels of brevetoxins in the May 2008 study, when all personal samples were below the limit of detection. However, there were no statistical correlations between the amounts of brevetoxins detected in the swab samples with either the environmental or personal concentration. Results showed that the personal sample might provide an estimate of individual exposure level. Nasal swab samples showed that brevetoxins indeed were inhaled and deposited in the nasal passage during the March 2005 red tide event.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung Sung Cheng
- Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87108, USA.
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Nierenberg K, Kirner K, Hoagland P, Ullmann S, LeBlanc WG, Kirkpatrick G, Fleming LE, Kirkpatrick B. Changes in Work Habits of Lifeguards in Relation to Florida Red Tide. HARMFUL ALGAE 2010; 9:419-425. [PMID: 20383268 PMCID: PMC2850072 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2010.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The marine dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, is responsible for Florida red tides. Brevetoxins, the neurotoxins produced by K. brevis blooms, can cause fish kills, contaminate shellfish, and lead to respiratory illness in humans. Although several studies have assessed different economic impacts from Florida red tide blooms, no studies to date have considered the impact on beach lifeguard work performance. Sarasota County experiences frequent Florida red tides and staffs lifeguards at its beaches 365 days a year. This study examined lifeguard attendance records during the time periods of March 1 to September 30 in 2004 (no bloom) and March 1 to September 30 in 2005 (bloom). The lifeguard attendance data demonstrated statistically significant absenteeism during a Florida red tide bloom. The potential economic costs resulting from red tide blooms were comprised of both lifeguard absenteeism and presenteeism. Our estimate of the costs of absenteeism due to the 2005 red tide in Sarasota County is about $3,000. On average, the capitalized costs of lifeguard absenteeism in Sarasota County may be on the order of $100,000 at Sarasota County beaches alone. When surveyed, lifeguards reported not only that they experienced adverse health effects of exposure to Florida red tide but also that their attentiveness and abilities to take preventative actions decrease when they worked during a bloom, implying presenteeism effects. The costs of presenteeism, which imply increased risks to beachgoers, arguably could exceed those of absenteeism by an order of magnitude. Due to the lack of data, however, we are unable to provide credible estimates of the costs of presenteeism or the potential increased risks to bathers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Nierenberg
- Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL, USA 34236
- Corresponding author: Kate Nierenberg, M.S., Environmental Health Program, Mote Marine, Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, Fl, 34236, USA: Telephone 941-388-4441-245, Fax 941-388-4312
| | - Karen Kirner
- Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL, USA 34236
| | - Porter Hoagland
- Marine Policy Center, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA USA 02543
| | - Steven Ullmann
- University of Miami School of Business Administration, Room 323C Jenkins Building, 5250 University Drive, Coral Gables, FL USA 33146
| | - William G LeBlanc
- University of Miami School of Medicine and Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric, Sciences, 1801 NW 9th Ave Suite 200 (R-669), Miami, FL USA 33136
| | - Gary Kirkpatrick
- Mote Marine Laboratory, 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL, USA 34236
| | - Lora E. Fleming
- University of Miami School of Medicine and Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric, Sciences, 1801 NW 9th Ave Suite 200 (R-669), Miami, FL USA 33136
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50
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Richards IS, Bourgeois M. Red tide toxin produces in vitro depolarization of human airway smooth muscle. Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2010; 48:121-3. [PMID: 20070177 DOI: 10.3109/15563650903476483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Brevetoxin (PbTx), taken from the earlier species name Ptychodiscus brevis, is a red algae toxin. It has been associated with clinically observed bronchoconstriction in nonasthmatics. In asthmatics, similar exposures may produce severe transient effects, sometimes requiring emergency treatment, thus suggesting that asthmatics are more sensitive to this toxin. As such, we have investigated potential mechanisms in vitro. METHODS Membrane potentials of in vitro airway smooth muscle (ASM) preparations were measured with a microelectrode before, during, and after the exposure to PbTx (0.01-1.2 microg/mL) in strip preparations (SPs) and cultured ASM reaggregate preparations. The latter preparation results in the disruption of normal peripheral nervous ASM associations through enzymatic dissociation of cells. RESULTS We observed an increased level of depolarization in asthmatic preparations at the same level of exposure. Exposure to PbTx produced concentration-dependent depolarization in both nonasthmatic and asthmatic in vitro SPs. In the former, responses did not occur in the presence of the blocking agents such as atropine or tetrodotoxin (TTX). In asthmatic SPs, atropine and TTX produced little effect, whereas verapamil blocked the PbTx-induced depolarization. The toxin was without effect in nonasthmatic cultured cells, whereas acetylcholine produced depolarization that was blocked in the presence of atropine, but not TTX or verapamil. In contrast, the toxin produced significant depolarization in cultured asthmatic ASM cells, which were unaffected by either atropine or TTX but were blocked by verapamil. CONCLUSIONS We propose that PbTx directly affects asthmatic ASM whereas the effect is neurally mediated in nonasthmatics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ira S Richards
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of South Florida College of Public Health, 13201 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612, USA.
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