WEBVTT 00:01.833 --> 00:04.700 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% They are always out there. 00:04.700 --> 00:06.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% At any one time, if you take a drop of water 00:06.966 --> 00:08.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% from anywhere in the oceans, 00:08.500 --> 00:12.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% you'll literally see hundreds of different species. 00:12.100 --> 00:16.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% But sometimes, algae grow out of control. 00:16.733 --> 00:18.266 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% What we're really concerned about 00:18.266 --> 00:22.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% is the frequency and the duration and the intensity 00:22.100 --> 00:23.700 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% of these blooms. 00:23.700 --> 00:25.733 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% Harmful algal blooms 00:25.733 --> 00:28.333 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% have dominated the headlines. 00:28.333 --> 00:30.133 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% What used to be isolated blooms 00:30.133 --> 00:34.433 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% are now becoming very, very common and widespread. 00:34.433 --> 00:37.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And they are affecting the ecosystem. 00:37.700 --> 00:40.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% I think even just looking at our historic numbers 00:40.066 --> 00:42.133 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% we saw higher numbers in our area of strandings 00:42.133 --> 00:47.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% this past year with both sea turtles and marine mammals. 00:48.333 --> 00:50.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% But how are they impacting human health? 00:50.966 --> 00:53.933 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% You can end up in the hospital for weeks. 00:53.933 --> 00:57.133 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And will they ever go away? 00:57.133 --> 00:58.700 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% One thing we do know 00:58.700 --> 01:02.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% is we seem to be seeing bigger and longer-lasting blooms. 01:04.400 --> 01:09.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% 23 00:01:26,400 --> 00:01:26,900 Major funding for this program 01:26.933 --> 01:29.333 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% was provided by the Bachelor Foundation, 01:29.333 --> 01:32.666 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% encouraging people to preserve and protect 01:32.666 --> 01:37.300 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% America's underwater resources, 01:37.300 --> 01:42.300 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and by the William J. & Tina Rosenberg Foundation, 01:43.200 --> 01:45.900 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% the Do Unto Others Trust, 01:45.900 --> 01:46.600 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% and by the following. 01:46.600 --> 01:51.366 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (tense music) 01:55.900 --> 01:58.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Algae are aquatic plant-like organisms 01:58.966 --> 02:01.233 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% that include a broad range of species 02:01.233 --> 02:05.433 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% from microscopic phytoplankton to large seaweeds. 02:05.433 --> 02:10.266 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% They are the energy producers of the sea. 02:10.266 --> 02:11.866 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% At these low levels, 02:11.866 --> 02:14.333 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% they're a food source for other organisms. 02:14.333 --> 02:17.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% It's just at the high levels, where we get blooms, 02:17.533 --> 02:21.766 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% where they become, if you will, killers. 02:21.766 --> 02:24.266 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% When algae grow out of control, 02:24.266 --> 02:27.766 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% they can cause harmful algal blooms. 02:27.766 --> 02:31.600 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So, harmful algal blooms are just occurrences of algae 02:31.600 --> 02:33.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% that have some kind of negative repercussion 02:33.866 --> 02:35.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% either to the environment or to humans, 02:35.866 --> 02:39.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% either human health, economy, tourism, things like that. 02:39.966 --> 02:42.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Harmful algal blooms have been reported 02:42.633 --> 02:46.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% in Florida since the time of the Spanish Conquistadors. 02:46.133 --> 02:49.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% What is changing now, these things occur naturally, 02:49.400 --> 02:51.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% these are algae that have existed in the oceans 02:51.100 --> 02:54.300 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% long before we even had societies as humans. 02:54.300 --> 02:56.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% They're starting to grow more frequently 02:56.866 --> 02:58.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% into these harmful algal blooms 02:58.500 --> 03:00.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and spreading out where we see them in our waters. 03:00.900 --> 03:02.500 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So, what used to be isolated blooms 03:02.500 --> 03:06.366 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% are now becoming very, very common and widespread. 03:06.366 --> 03:08.200 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% So, this is a problem. 03:08.200 --> 03:13.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% 57 00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:21,380 Florida Atlantic University's 03:21.400 --> 03:24.800 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Dr. Brian Lapointe is an algae specialist 03:24.800 --> 03:27.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% interested in how nutrient pollution 03:27.066 --> 03:30.166 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% affects algal blooms. 03:30.166 --> 03:34.600 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% To figure it out, he samples the macroalgae sargassum 03:34.600 --> 03:37.333 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% from his lab in the Florida Keys. 03:37.333 --> 03:38.666 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% We have many, many species, 03:38.666 --> 03:42.733 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% but Sargassum natans and Sargassum fluitans 03:42.733 --> 03:45.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% are the only species that have adapted 03:45.866 --> 03:49.833 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% to this floating life on the ocean surface. 03:49.833 --> 03:52.233 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% A common sight in the tropical 03:52.233 --> 03:53.633 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% and subtropical ocean, 03:53.633 --> 03:57.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% sargassum mats are important for the ecosystem. 03:58.433 --> 04:02.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Sargassum in its natural state is a very positive thing. 04:03.466 --> 04:05.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Sargassum that is floating on the ocean surface 04:05.833 --> 04:10.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% supports a diverse array of invertebrates and fishes 04:11.700 --> 04:13.166 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% that are associated with it. 04:13.166 --> 04:15.766 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Some of these are endemic, in fact, 04:15.766 --> 04:17.633 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% they don't grow anywhere else. 04:17.633 --> 04:19.500 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% But like any algae, 04:19.500 --> 04:22.566 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% sargassum can grow out of control, 04:22.566 --> 04:24.866 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% causing a harmful algal bloom. 04:24.866 --> 04:28.733 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% What we've seen happen, just since 2011, 04:28.733 --> 04:33.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% is what I call too much of a good thing. 04:33.700 --> 04:37.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% These dramatic increases in sargassum growth 04:37.666 --> 04:39.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% are thought to be caused by increases 04:39.166 --> 04:41.866 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% in nutrients in the water. 04:41.866 --> 04:43.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% We have some major river discharges, 04:43.866 --> 04:48.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% all carrying increasing nutrients to the coastal ocean, 04:48.633 --> 04:51.900 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% where they become available to sargassum. 04:51.900 --> 04:53.733 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% But other factors as well, 04:53.733 --> 04:55.433 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% such as atmospheric deposition, 04:55.433 --> 04:58.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% rainfall carrying increasing amounts of nitrate, 04:58.633 --> 05:03.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% for example, can be playing another major role 05:03.200 --> 05:06.833 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% in delivering more nitrogen to sargassum. 05:06.833 --> 05:08.166 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% And while sargassum 05:09.033 --> 05:11.066 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% is not a toxic marine algae, 05:11.066 --> 05:14.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% coastal communities feel the negative impacts. 05:14.866 --> 05:17.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% The infrastructure to deal 05:17.966 --> 05:22.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% with these excessive amounts of sargassum is just not there. 05:22.933 --> 05:24.833 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% We've never had to deal with this before. 05:24.833 --> 05:27.733 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I hear from resorts around the Caribbean 05:27.733 --> 05:30.533 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% that are literally ready to shut down. 05:30.533 --> 05:33.566 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% They are powerless to do anything 05:33.566 --> 05:34.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% to deal with this problem. 05:34.966 --> 05:36.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% They've tried a variety of things, 05:36.966 --> 05:38.500 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% they tried to haul it off the beach, 05:38.500 --> 05:42.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and that might work on certain days when the wind is low, 05:42.633 --> 05:43.866 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and the currents aren't strong. 05:43.866 --> 05:48.733 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% But ultimately, forces of nature overcome. 05:49.933 --> 05:52.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% One theory is that a sargassum bloom 05:52.200 --> 05:54.833 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% might trigger other kinds of algal blooms. 05:54.833 --> 05:57.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% As the sargassum decomposes, 05:57.966 --> 06:00.800 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% it releases chemical compounds, 06:00.800 --> 06:04.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% including nutrients that can become problematic. 06:04.700 --> 06:08.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Logically, anything that's gonna fertilize the oceans 06:08.066 --> 06:10.733 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and give a release of nutrients is a problem. 06:10.733 --> 06:15.733 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% (dramatic music) 06:24.100 --> 06:26.233 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% As part of his research, 06:26.233 --> 06:30.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Dr. Malcolm McFarland regularly takes water samples 06:30.166 --> 06:33.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% from Florida's Indian River Lagoon. 06:33.000 --> 06:36.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So, this is a device that takes a measurement 06:36.166 --> 06:38.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that is very similar to what a satellite might see 06:38.933 --> 06:40.800 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% orbiting the Earth. 06:40.800 --> 06:43.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% It basically measures the color of the light 06:43.033 --> 06:44.233 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% that is reflected 06:44.233 --> 06:45.833 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% from the surface of the water back upwards. 06:45.833 --> 06:50.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% We generally sample once a week or every other week, 06:52.000 --> 06:53.500 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% it depends on what time of year it is. 06:53.500 --> 06:56.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% We like to keep tabs on what's going on out there. 06:56.833 --> 06:59.000 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% These are basically plants, 06:59.000 --> 07:03.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% so they require fertilizer, just like land plants do. 07:03.000 --> 07:07.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% A lot of those nutrients come from agricultural runoff 07:07.766 --> 07:11.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% or sewage treatment plants, people's septic systems. 07:11.866 --> 07:14.800 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% All these sources are increasing the amount 07:14.800 --> 07:19.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% of nutrient pollution that is entering the lagoon 07:19.000 --> 07:21.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and other coastal waters. 07:21.966 --> 07:25.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% One species Dr. McFarland monitors for 07:25.133 --> 07:28.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% creates what is known as brown tide. 07:28.866 --> 07:31.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% The brown tide refers to a species 07:31.066 --> 07:33.933 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% called Aureoumbra lagunensis, 07:33.933 --> 07:35.433 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and this is especially abundant 07:35.433 --> 07:37.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% in the very northern parts of the Indian River Lagoon, 07:37.866 --> 07:39.900 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% near Cape Canaveral. 07:39.900 --> 07:42.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Brown tide makes the water 07:42.166 --> 07:44.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% look like chocolate milk. 07:44.966 --> 07:47.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% The water turns brown, dark, dark brown. 07:47.966 --> 07:50.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So, at nighttime, they're actually using oxygen 07:50.933 --> 07:52.866 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% just like we do, for respiration. 07:52.866 --> 07:54.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% They can draw down the oxygen in the water, 07:54.966 --> 07:56.866 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and they can cause a fish kill. 07:56.866 --> 07:59.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So, all the other organisms that are in the water 07:59.000 --> 08:01.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that need oxygen suddenly can't breathe, essentially. 08:01.966 --> 08:05.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% It's an unusual species that a number of years ago 08:05.333 --> 08:09.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% was associated with deep, open ocean environments, 08:09.133 --> 08:10.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% but it has found a niche within these 08:10.966 --> 08:12.933 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% coastal lagoons here in Florida, 08:12.933 --> 08:15.066 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% and also over in Texas. 08:15.066 --> 08:17.066 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% It is a very small cell. 08:17.066 --> 08:18.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So, it's only a little bit bigger than most bacteria, 08:18.900 --> 08:20.833 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% but it gets incredibly abundant. 08:22.000 --> 08:23.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% As far as we know, it is not toxic. 08:23.166 --> 08:25.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% It has not been terribly well-studied 08:25.033 --> 08:30.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% as some of the other organisms, like the red tide. 08:31.233 --> 08:33.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Red tide is another harmful algal bloom, 08:33.900 --> 08:37.100 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% one that does produce toxins. 08:37.100 --> 08:40.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Severe red tide outbreaks have made headlines as fish, 08:40.866 --> 08:42.766 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% some as large as whale sharks, 08:42.766 --> 08:46.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% as well as sick or dead sea turtles and marine mammals, 08:46.966 --> 08:48.900 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% have washed up onshore. 08:48.900 --> 08:51.233 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Red tide generally refers to 08:51.233 --> 08:53.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% a bloom of a species called Karenia brevis. 08:53.866 --> 08:55.933 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% It's a type of dinoflagellate, 08:55.933 --> 08:57.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% which is a type of phytoplankton that is common 08:57.833 --> 08:59.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% throughout the world's oceans. 08:59.966 --> 09:01.900 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And generally, when it gets very abundant, 09:01.900 --> 09:05.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% it can discolor the water red, hence the name red tide. 09:05.866 --> 09:07.900 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% It's a really interesting creature. 09:07.900 --> 09:11.933 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% It has animal-like characteristics 09:11.933 --> 09:14.933 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and it has plant-like characteristics. 09:14.933 --> 09:17.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% The animal-like characteristics 09:17.133 --> 09:19.200 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% is that it has a couple flagella, 09:19.200 --> 09:22.833 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and it can actually swim up to the surface. 09:22.833 --> 09:27.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% The plant-like characteristics are that it photosynthesizes. 09:27.800 --> 09:31.400 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So, it's in one of these unique categories 09:31.400 --> 09:33.933 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% that have a little mix of both. 09:33.933 --> 09:38.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Karenia brevis is particularly bad, um 09:38.066 --> 09:40.233 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% it produces a toxin called brevetoxin. 09:40.233 --> 09:43.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% That's where the Brevis name comes from. 09:43.166 --> 09:45.266 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% It is a neurotoxin. 09:45.266 --> 09:46.933 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Red tides are a regular occurrence 09:46.933 --> 09:48.933 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% off the Florida coast. 09:48.933 --> 09:52.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Florida gets them pretty close to annually. 09:52.800 --> 09:54.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Now people will kinda scratch their heads at that 09:54.933 --> 09:57.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and say, oh, I remember such and such a year there, 09:57.866 --> 10:01.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% we didn't have any dead fish on the beach. 10:01.166 --> 10:03.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Sometimes the way the physical oceanography works, 10:03.933 --> 10:07.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% there's a red tide perhaps sitting 10 miles offshore, 10:07.833 --> 10:09.033 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% but the currents are such 10:09.033 --> 10:13.133 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% that they don't get pushed onshore. 10:13.133 --> 10:16.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% In 2017, there was a severe red tide outbreak 10:16.933 --> 10:19.066 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% off the west coast of Florida. 10:19.066 --> 10:22.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% The extensive bloom lasted nearly a year and a half, 10:22.933 --> 10:26.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% even making its way to the east coast of Florida 10:26.033 --> 10:30.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% for a few months, which is a rare occurrence. 10:30.000 --> 10:31.266 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% It got advected over, 10:31.266 --> 10:33.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% most likely through the Florida Current 10:33.033 --> 10:34.233 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and up through the Gulf Stream, 10:34.233 --> 10:36.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% up into the east coast area of Florida. 10:36.066 --> 10:37.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% We hope that is not a harbinger 10:37.966 --> 10:39.900 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% of what may happen in the future, 10:39.900 --> 10:42.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% that the blooms on the west coast 10:42.000 --> 10:43.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% are getting bigger and more persistent, 10:43.966 --> 10:46.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and because of that, their chances of getting 10:46.966 --> 10:49.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% moved over to the east coast are now gonna go up. 10:49.233 --> 10:50.433 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And if the east coast may start seeing 10:50.433 --> 10:54.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% these same kind of effects year after year. 10:54.166 --> 10:56.900 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% During that same outbreak, 10:58.366 --> 10:59.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Dr. Monica Lara conducted regular reef monitoring 10:59.966 --> 11:02.500 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% with her students on the rocky reefs 11:02.500 --> 11:05.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% off the west coast of Florida. 11:05.133 --> 11:08.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% About a couple of weeks after we believe the red tide 11:08.066 --> 11:09.133 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% came through on some of those reefs, 11:09.133 --> 11:11.133 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% we did go out and dive, 11:11.133 --> 11:12.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and it was a dramatic difference. 11:12.966 --> 11:15.000 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% There were very few fish, 11:15.000 --> 11:16.200 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% the invertebrates were still there, 11:16.200 --> 11:18.566 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% but there were some bivalves that were dead 11:18.566 --> 11:20.000 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% all over the place. 11:20.000 --> 11:22.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% One of the theories, and that's all it is, is a theory, 11:22.866 --> 11:27.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% is that red tide released the toxin, 11:27.000 --> 11:28.933 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% the toxin gets in the water, 11:28.933 --> 11:31.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% goes across the gill slits of fish. 11:31.866 --> 11:34.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Again, it's a neurotoxin, 11:34.133 --> 11:36.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% so it affects the central nervous system, 11:36.000 --> 11:38.166 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and the fish quit breathing. 11:38.166 --> 11:40.066 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% Kills the fish. 11:40.066 --> 11:41.900 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% The reef was silent. 11:41.900 --> 11:45.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% It's like the sounds from the animals were completely gone. 11:45.066 --> 11:47.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So, it was like desert, a silent desert. 11:47.966 --> 11:49.900 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% It was really, really dramatic. 11:49.900 --> 11:53.300 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Once the dead fish begin to wash up on shore 11:53.300 --> 11:54.333 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% during a red tide event, 11:54.333 --> 11:57.100 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% many birds start to feed on them. 11:57.100 --> 12:01.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Early signs of a red tide in and the seabirds 12:01.033 --> 12:03.900 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% is kind of staggering, drunk behavior, 12:03.900 --> 12:06.933 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% or they won't be able to stand or walk. 12:06.933 --> 12:10.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Kind of be placed on the ground, just sitting there. 12:10.966 --> 12:13.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% It really affects their neurological system, 12:13.966 --> 12:16.000 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% so they just are kind of hopeless 12:16.000 --> 12:19.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% until somebody picks them up or they die. 12:19.966 --> 12:23.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Rescue groups say seabirds of all sizes 12:23.000 --> 12:26.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% were affected by the red tide outbreak. 12:26.033 --> 12:28.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% We actually see the smaller birds, 12:28.033 --> 12:29.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% like the ruddy turnstones and the sanderlings, first. 12:29.933 --> 12:32.900 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% They are kind of our canary in the coalmine. 12:32.900 --> 12:34.266 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% We'll see them immediately, 12:34.266 --> 12:36.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and then we start getting the bigger species, 12:36.033 --> 12:40.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% like the laughing gulls and the double-crested cormorants. 12:40.000 --> 12:42.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Seabirds are impacted not only 12:42.000 --> 12:44.066 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% from eating poisoned fish, 12:44.066 --> 12:47.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% but also from swimming through bloom-filled waters 12:47.766 --> 12:50.100 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and inhaling the brevetoxin. 12:50.100 --> 12:52.066 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% With fluid therapy, 12:52.066 --> 12:55.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% the stronger birds are able to expel the toxins and recover. 12:55.866 --> 12:59.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% We release about 3/4 of the sick birds, 12:59.066 --> 13:04.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% which for being such a bad red tide was really good. 13:05.033 --> 13:07.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% During this severe bloom, 13:07.166 --> 13:09.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% rescue missions were also underway 13:09.033 --> 13:13.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% at neighboring Mote Marine Laboratory. 13:13.000 --> 13:15.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% We had extremely elevated numbers of strandings. 13:15.933 --> 13:18.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% We've recovered over 300 sea turtles this year, 13:18.033 --> 13:20.033 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% over 30 dolphins, 13:20.033 --> 13:23.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% assisted with countless manatee recoveries and rescues. 13:23.866 --> 13:27.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Marine animals are affected by the brevetoxin 13:27.066 --> 13:29.100 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% in different ways. 13:29.100 --> 13:30.333 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% So, for our sea turtles, 13:30.333 --> 13:32.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% they generally get it through their food, 13:32.033 --> 13:36.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and it's a neurotoxin. They get really disoriented, 13:36.133 --> 13:38.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% they have a hard time surfacing and clearing to get air. 13:38.100 --> 13:40.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So, a lot of the carcasses we were recovering 13:40.966 --> 13:42.466 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% had you know indications of drowning. 13:42.466 --> 13:44.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% If we can get to the animals in time, we can get them help, 13:44.966 --> 13:48.933 align:left position:10% line:77% size:80% But, unfortunately, you know, there aren't people out there to see them. 13:48.933 --> 13:52.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Similarly, for the manatees, it's also a neurotoxin. 13:52.000 --> 13:55.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% They get that through their airways when they're breathing. 13:55.133 --> 13:56.600 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% And much like the turtles, 13:56.600 --> 13:59.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% if we can get to them in time, they can come out of it. 13:59.100 --> 14:01.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% We've had animals that we're holding their head 14:01.033 --> 14:03.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% because they won't even surface to breathe. 14:03.866 --> 14:05.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% As we hold their head and they're breathing 14:05.066 --> 14:08.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% a little bit fresher air that's not right at 14:08.066 --> 14:09.566 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% the air-water interface, they can come out of it. 14:09.566 --> 14:12.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And they can metabolize that toxin and actually like leave 14:12.033 --> 14:14.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% while we're waiting for the rescue trucks to get there. 14:14.066 --> 14:16.933 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% So, it's, um, that's, those are always sort of interesting cases. 14:16.933 --> 14:19.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And for the dolphins, we don't have a great handle. 14:19.833 --> 14:21.300 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% We know they get it through their food, 14:21.300 --> 14:25.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% but we haven't had any live dolphins to respond to. 14:25.133 --> 14:27.166 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% We know it kills them, 14:27.166 --> 14:28.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% because we've recovered many carcasses, 14:28.966 --> 14:31.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and most of the animals that we've tested from the summer 14:31.033 --> 14:33.800 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% had been positive for brevetoxin at high levels. 14:33.800 --> 14:36.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So, we know that's acute cause of stranding. 14:36.966 --> 14:41.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% But I don't know how it affects them when they're alive. 14:43.133 --> 14:45.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Humans are also vulnerable to red tide, 14:45.933 --> 14:47.333 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% since it can aerosolize, 14:47.333 --> 14:52.133 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and its toxic particles can be breathed in. 14:52.133 --> 14:55.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% A certain subgroup of humans are very susceptible 14:55.033 --> 14:58.166 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% to breathing the airborne toxins, 14:58.166 --> 15:03.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and in particular, asthmatics need to be very careful 15:03.133 --> 15:05.100 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% when there's a red tide in town 15:05.100 --> 15:08.066 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% to not be exposed to the toxins. 15:08.066 --> 15:12.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% The good news is, everybody reacts to the toxin, 15:12.133 --> 15:15.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and when you inhale it, you get a dry cough, 15:15.033 --> 15:18.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% you get nasal congestion, you get eye tearing. 15:18.033 --> 15:20.000 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% And why I say that's good 15:20.000 --> 15:22.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% is that you know you're getting exposed. 15:22.966 --> 15:25.933 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% It's not like something like radon, 15:25.933 --> 15:28.033 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% that you have no knowledge of. 15:28.033 --> 15:33.033 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So, the important message is, don't avoid the beach, 15:34.133 --> 15:36.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% but know what beaches are impacted 15:36.066 --> 15:38.900 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and what beaches are okay. 15:38.900 --> 15:41.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Brevetoxin likely becomes airborne 15:41.033 --> 15:42.333 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% through wave action. 15:42.333 --> 15:45.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Humans can also get sick from consuming fish 15:45.866 --> 15:49.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% or other seafood that have been exposed to red tide. 15:49.700 --> 15:51.200 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% Fish consume the toxin, 15:51.200 --> 15:54.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and the toxin accumulates in the guts of the fish. 15:54.866 --> 15:59.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% So, if we fish during a red tide, and you filet it, 16:01.066 --> 16:03.766 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% you won't get sick from any potential toxin, 16:03.766 --> 16:06.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% because the toxin's in the guts of the fish. 16:06.700 --> 16:08.533 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% We do need to educate people, 16:08.533 --> 16:12.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% there are some cultures who consume whole fish soup. 16:12.400 --> 16:15.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And so, they need to know that during red tides, 16:15.066 --> 16:17.233 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% you can't throw the whole fish in there. 16:17.233 --> 16:20.900 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Your family potentially can get sick. 16:20.900 --> 16:23.466 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% The causes of red tide blooms 16:23.466 --> 16:26.266 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% still aren't clear, although it is thought 16:26.266 --> 16:29.366 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that there has to be a perfect mix of temperature, 16:29.366 --> 16:32.933 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% oceanic conditions, and nutrients. 16:32.933 --> 16:35.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% During certain years, the conditions seemed right, 16:35.533 --> 16:37.300 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% that there's some kind of a nutrient 16:37.300 --> 16:39.100 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% that is added to the system. 16:40.533 --> 16:42.233 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And so, then they're able to increase in numbers. 16:42.233 --> 16:44.633 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% What that nutrient is, we're not sure. 16:44.633 --> 16:46.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Whatever that nutrient is, 16:46.500 --> 16:50.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% some experts say humans likely introduced it 16:50.166 --> 16:51.666 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% into the oceans. 16:51.666 --> 16:53.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Average abundance of red tide on the west coast now 16:53.500 --> 16:57.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% is about 15 times more than it was 50 years ago. 16:57.766 --> 17:00.200 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% To generate 15 times more red tide, 17:00.200 --> 17:01.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% you need 15 times more nutrients, 17:01.966 --> 17:04.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and I can't think of any natural sources of nutrients 17:04.566 --> 17:06.333 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% that have increased 15-fold. 17:06.333 --> 17:08.366 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% But of course what has increased dramatically 17:08.366 --> 17:09.933 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% here in South Florida over the last 50 years 17:11.400 --> 17:14.566 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% is number of people, agricultural interests, and so on. 17:16.566 --> 17:18.100 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% We're just driving along the northern side 17:18.100 --> 17:19.466 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% of the Caloosahatchee River 17:19.466 --> 17:21.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% sampling in various locations along there, right, 17:21.333 --> 17:25.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% we just finished sampling the Ortona Lock. 17:25.466 --> 17:27.300 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% It's one of three damns and locks 17:27.300 --> 17:29.266 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% on the Caloosahatchee River. 17:29.266 --> 17:31.900 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% And now we're heading over to the west coast. 17:31.900 --> 17:35.333 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Red tide isn't the only algal bloom 17:35.333 --> 17:38.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that's been wreaking serious havoc in Florida waterways 17:38.700 --> 17:40.233 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% in recent years. 17:41.666 --> 17:44.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Dr. Larry Brand has been sampling for cyanobacteria 17:44.500 --> 17:46.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% in the waters around Lake Okeechobee 17:46.866 --> 17:51.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and in the Caloosahatchee River for almost 20 years. 17:52.533 --> 17:54.033 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Well there's a lot of changes. 17:54.033 --> 17:56.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% I can't really say for sure there's been a longterm change 17:56.566 --> 17:58.300 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% over the past 20 years, but certainly, 17:58.300 --> 18:01.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% some years you have really bad blooms of cyanobacteria, 18:01.266 --> 18:04.033 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and some years you have less so. 18:04.766 --> 18:04.933 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% But it's very clear that 18:06.000 --> 18:06.133 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% these are very nutrient-rich waters, 18:07.533 --> 18:10.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and you often do get these large blooms of cyanobacteria. 18:10.966 --> 18:13.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% When water levels in Florida's 18:13.133 --> 18:16.433 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Lake Okeechobee get too high, flood managers, 18:16.433 --> 18:19.533 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% fearing a breach in the dike surrounding the lake, 18:20.700 --> 18:22.233 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% discharge billions of gallons of water 18:22.233 --> 18:25.366 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% through canals, rivers, and streams 18:25.366 --> 18:29.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% into the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. 18:29.700 --> 18:31.766 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% This can bring nutrients which have built up 18:31.766 --> 18:34.433 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% in Lake Okeechobee to the estuaries, 18:34.433 --> 18:37.133 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% causing these algal blooms. 18:37.133 --> 18:40.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% The cyanobacteria tend to do better in warmer weather, 18:40.333 --> 18:45.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% so we tend to get these blooms primarily in the summertime. 18:46.533 --> 18:47.766 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% 'Course it's also in the summertime 18:47.766 --> 18:49.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% because that's when you have more rainfall 18:49.033 --> 18:50.366 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% here in South Florida, that's the wet season, 18:50.366 --> 18:51.833 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% so you get a lot more land runoff, 18:51.833 --> 18:54.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and of course that's the source of most of the nutrients 18:54.566 --> 18:57.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% in Lake Okeechobee and the Caloosahatchee River. 18:57.266 --> 18:59.100 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% Various nutrient sources on land, 18:59.100 --> 19:00.500 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and then during the wet season, 19:00.500 --> 19:02.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% all that rain water flushing those nutrients 19:02.133 --> 19:04.833 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% into the water bodies. 19:04.833 --> 19:07.633 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Cyanobacteria are also known 19:07.633 --> 19:09.366 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% as blue-green algae. 19:09.366 --> 19:13.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% They were some of the first organisms on Earth. 19:13.933 --> 19:15.933 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% They're really tough, it's really hard to kill 'em. 19:17.366 --> 19:20.900 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And we now know they produce a lot of pretty nasty toxins. 19:20.900 --> 19:22.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% They also produce over 1,000 other compounds 19:22.966 --> 19:24.666 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% which simply have not been characterized yet, 19:24.666 --> 19:27.100 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% we have no idea what the health hazards may be 19:27.100 --> 19:29.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% when you're exposed to these blooms. 19:29.166 --> 19:32.466 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% But some of the best known ones are for microcystin. 19:32.466 --> 19:35.400 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% That can lead to longterm liver damage 19:35.400 --> 19:37.000 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% and even liver cancer, 19:37.000 --> 19:40.166 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% and more recently we've discovered a compound called BMAA, 19:40.166 --> 19:42.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and there's increasing evidence, pretty good evidence now, 19:42.700 --> 19:45.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% that it can lead to neurodegenerative diseases 19:45.133 --> 19:48.600 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and ALS. 19:48.600 --> 19:51.633 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% Blooms of cyanobacteria 19:51.633 --> 19:53.966 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% are characteristically bright green, 19:53.966 --> 19:57.733 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and can be as thick as guacamole. 19:57.733 --> 20:00.866 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Every time I travel along the Caloosahatchee River here 20:00.866 --> 20:02.433 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% or along the shores of Lake Okeechobee, 20:02.433 --> 20:04.100 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% I see people fishing. 20:04.100 --> 20:07.433 align:left position:20% line:77% size:70% I know there's high concentrations of BMAA in these fish 20:07.433 --> 20:09.333 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and probably also microcystin. 20:09.333 --> 20:12.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% I certainly would not eat the fish in this river. 20:12.633 --> 20:14.466 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% But I do see people doing so. 20:14.466 --> 20:16.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% And there's no signs along any of these water bodies 20:16.766 --> 20:19.700 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% warning people about the presence of these toxins. 20:19.700 --> 20:22.566 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Experts say the biggest question now 20:22.566 --> 20:25.800 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% is whether cyanobacteria pose an even bigger, 20:25.800 --> 20:30.800 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% more silent threat than we know. 20:31.933 --> 20:33.500 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Well right now what we're focusing on is the 20:33.500 --> 20:37.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% possibility of the toxins in these blooms of cyanobacteria 20:37.066 --> 20:38.366 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% getting into the air. 20:38.366 --> 20:40.366 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Now for the red tide offshore, 20:40.366 --> 20:41.766 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% it's been known for a long time that 20:41.766 --> 20:43.000 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% that toxin gets into the air, 20:43.000 --> 20:45.333 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% 'cause it has immediate effects on people's 20:45.333 --> 20:47.533 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% eyes, nose, throat. 20:47.533 --> 20:50.266 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% I call that a good toxin in that you know right away 20:50.266 --> 20:51.466 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% you're being exposed to it, 20:51.466 --> 20:52.933 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% so you can do something about it. 20:52.933 --> 20:55.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% But these toxins here in these blooms of cyanobacteria, 20:55.200 --> 20:57.700 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% like microcystin and BMAA, 20:58.933 --> 21:00.300 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% microcystin can have short-term effects, 21:00.300 --> 21:01.266 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% but the BMAA has no short-term effects, 21:01.266 --> 21:03.433 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% it only has longterm effects. 21:03.433 --> 21:06.500 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% If that toxin is getting into the air, 21:06.500 --> 21:07.766 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% if you live near this river 21:07.766 --> 21:08.933 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% or some of these other water bodies 21:08.933 --> 21:10.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% that get frequent blooms of cyanobacteria, 21:10.700 --> 21:14.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% you could be breathing in this BMAA, not know it, 21:14.333 --> 21:15.566 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and then 10 or 20 years from now 21:15.566 --> 21:17.200 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% you could come down with Alzheimer's. 21:17.200 --> 21:19.766 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So it's a much more insidious toxin. 21:23.266 --> 21:25.366 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% To determine if cyanobacteria 21:25.366 --> 21:27.066 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% can become airborne, 21:27.066 --> 21:30.500 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% a multidisciplinary team at the University of Miami 21:30.500 --> 21:33.866 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% is working with Dr. Brand's water samples. 21:33.866 --> 21:36.400 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% The team designed a wave tank 21:36.400 --> 21:41.400 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% to create conditions like those at Lake Okeechobee. 21:42.333 --> 21:44.200 align:left position:30% line:83% size:60% We have a wind wave tank set up 21:44.200 --> 21:49.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% in order to blow air and create more realistic conditions 21:50.066 --> 21:52.066 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% for the transfer of the aerosols 21:52.066 --> 21:53.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% across the air-sea interface. 21:53.966 --> 21:56.466 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So we're gonna create this condition 21:56.466 --> 21:58.300 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% where the wind's blowing over the water surface 21:58.300 --> 21:59.766 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% and see what's produced. 21:59.766 --> 22:03.433 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% My lab does realtime techniques to measure the size 22:03.433 --> 22:05.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% as well as the composition of these particles, 22:06.866 --> 22:08.366 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% but if we wanna quantify their toxins, 22:08.366 --> 22:11.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% what we do is we collect the particles on a filter, 22:11.066 --> 22:13.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and then Dr. Popendorf's lab extracts the material 22:13.766 --> 22:16.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% off of the filter and uses her mass spectrometer 22:16.966 --> 22:20.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% to quantify the toxins and also figure out which toxins 22:20.100 --> 22:21.633 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% are present in the samples. 22:21.633 --> 22:23.600 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So the two techniques are really complementary 22:23.600 --> 22:26.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% for understanding the impacts of these particles 22:26.333 --> 22:27.866 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% on human health. 22:27.866 --> 22:30.600 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% This project is in its early stages, 22:30.600 --> 22:33.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% so the results are still unknown. 22:33.700 --> 22:35.933 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% But one researcher from the medical school 22:35.933 --> 22:40.200 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% is already anticipating some interesting results. 22:40.200 --> 22:43.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% My lab studies neurological diseases, 22:43.166 --> 22:45.433 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% including neurodegenerative diseases, 22:46.300 --> 22:49.000 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% and we use fruit fly as a model. 22:49.000 --> 22:52.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% After exposing some flies to cyanobacteria 22:52.000 --> 22:55.600 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% from Lake Okeechobee blown through a bubbler for an hour, 22:55.600 --> 22:58.566 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Dr. Grace Zhai noticed some differences 22:58.566 --> 23:00.900 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% in the flies' behavior. 23:00.900 --> 23:04.033 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So, there're several behavior tests 23:04.033 --> 23:08.166 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% to look at their nervous system function, 23:08.166 --> 23:11.466 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and so, first one and most commonly used one 23:11.466 --> 23:13.466 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% is called a climbing behavior. 23:13.466 --> 23:15.400 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% So what you can see actually 23:15.400 --> 23:19.266 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% is normally flies would climb up if I flip this, 23:19.266 --> 23:22.333 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% all the flies started to climb upwards. 23:22.333 --> 23:25.100 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% This is the first time we're running this experiment. 23:25.100 --> 23:28.233 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So, we can already see an immediate difference 23:28.233 --> 23:29.666 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% between these two groups. 23:29.666 --> 23:31.666 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% So this one hasn't been exposed. 23:31.666 --> 23:35.133 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% This one has been exposed to the aerosolized particle 23:35.133 --> 23:36.333 align:left position:30% line:89% size:60% for one hour. 23:36.333 --> 23:39.766 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% So can you tell which one is faster? 23:42.033 --> 23:44.566 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% Not all toxins found in nature 23:44.566 --> 23:46.433 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% are necessarily bad. 23:46.433 --> 23:48.866 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% One of Dr. John Berry's missions 23:48.866 --> 23:52.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% is to identify new compounds in harmful algal blooms 23:52.766 --> 23:56.500 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% that may actually be beneficial to humans. 23:56.500 --> 24:00.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% In one experiment, he tests toxins he extracted 24:00.166 --> 24:04.000 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% from cyanobacteria on cancer cells. 24:04.000 --> 24:05.500 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% We pulled out compounds that people just, 24:05.500 --> 24:08.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% they're not on the radar yet, and that's the idea, 24:08.066 --> 24:11.633 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% is to get some of these new potential toxins on the radar 24:11.633 --> 24:13.100 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% so that we can start to understand 24:13.100 --> 24:14.700 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% if they're having an effect. 24:14.700 --> 24:16.966 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% They've been a real goldmine for people looking for 24:16.966 --> 24:19.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% biologically active natural products for drug leads, 24:19.666 --> 24:22.766 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% so, they're sort of these toxin slash drug producing 24:22.766 --> 24:27.466 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% little factories out there in nature. 24:27.466 --> 24:30.700 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Florida has been hit hard 24:30.700 --> 24:33.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% with multiple algal blooms negatively impacting 24:33.733 --> 24:37.533 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% the environment, human health, and the economy. 24:37.533 --> 24:41.733 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% The length and severity of these blooms is getting worse. 24:41.733 --> 24:44.666 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% People living along Florida's biggest waterways 24:44.666 --> 24:49.166 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% are clamoring for help in putting an end to the blooms. 24:49.166 --> 24:50.633 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% There are a number of people 24:50.633 --> 24:51.966 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% who are starting to hypothesize 24:51.966 --> 24:53.866 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% that we've hit a tipping point, 24:53.866 --> 24:57.600 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% that the combination of climate change 24:57.600 --> 25:01.000 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and the patterns of rainfall and warmer waters 25:01.000 --> 25:02.366 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% that we've gone through, 25:02.366 --> 25:04.733 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% combined with all the development 25:04.733 --> 25:06.333 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% and land use practices that we're doing 25:06.333 --> 25:08.833 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% around our coastlines and the nutrient pollution 25:08.833 --> 25:12.133 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% that we're putting into our waterways 25:12.133 --> 25:15.700 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% has put the systems into a very bad position, 25:15.700 --> 25:18.733 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% that they're irrevocably harmed, 25:18.733 --> 25:20.766 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% that we're not gonna get them back. 25:20.766 --> 25:22.633 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% I don't fundamentally believe that, 25:22.633 --> 25:27.066 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% I do believe if we can get a control on nutrient pollution 25:27.066 --> 25:29.700 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% nature will fix itself. 25:29.700 --> 25:34.333 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% Nature is very resilient, it just needs time to recover. 25:34.333 --> 25:37.466 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% If we keep on beating it and polluting it, 25:37.466 --> 25:39.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% it's never going to recover, and yes, 25:39.066 --> 25:44.066 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% we'll be living with this forever. 26:12.333 --> 26:14.900 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% Major funding for this program 26:14.900 --> 26:17.366 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% was provided by the Batchelor Foundation, 26:17.366 --> 26:20.266 align:left position:20% line:83% size:70% encouraging people to preserve and protect 26:20.266 --> 26:23.566 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% America's underwater resources, 26:23.566 --> 26:28.566 align:left position:10% line:83% size:80% and by the William J. & Tina Rosenberg Foundation, 26:29.466 --> 26:34.033 align:left position:10% line:89% size:80% the Do Unto Others Trust, 26:34.033 --> 26:36.300 align:left position:20% line:89% size:70% and by the following.