Don Anderson, senior scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Massachusetts, who recently addressed the South Australian government’s algal bloom taskforce. He provided valuable context on the toxic bloom that’s devastating Southwest Florida waters right now. His insights came during a meeting where he provided an overview of previous algal bloom incidents and potential mitigation strategies.
With a Karenia mikimotoi species algal bloom currently affecting the waters of Adelaide, Anderson had been invited to local waters to share his expertise on the topic. He highlighted that while the current bloom is “significant … I would not call it exceptional,” it poses serious environmental concerns. As the scientist presented these examples of toxic blooms off the coasts of Russia and Alaska, he noted how the bloom by Russia only lasted for a few months, though the one off Alaska lasted for as long as nine months. He warned that trying to predict how long South Australia’s bloom will last is all but impossible.
Understanding the Current Bloom
The joint taskforce meeting provided the important opportunity for Anderson to bring his expertise on the growing global problem of algal blooms. He emphasized the variability of bloom durations, stating, “The spectrum of durations for the bloom is months, six months, eight months, potentially longer.” This data is crucial for local jurisdictions as they develop responses to today’s realities.
Anderson noted that the Karenia mikimotoi species was only one of dozens responsible for toxic blooms around the globe. “I could have chosen 40 … of this species or group of species causing trouble,” he remarked. He stressed the need to understand how oceanographic and environmental conditions contribute to the onset of these blooms.
Unfortunately there are dozens, dozens! outbreaks, so everyday this is a big one — it’s not even the biggest, Anderson added, warning that though this bloom may be the largest currently reported in South Australia, it is not the first of its kind.
Mitigation Strategies Presented
During his presentation, Anderson suggested a number of steps to combat the harmful algal bloom. The most promising approach is the use of a modified clay that can bind to toxic algal cells in surface waters. This approach forces the cells to the bottom of the well. Once there, they can’t thrive and often times they die off.
Both cheap and green, Anderson’s clay solution works — but only on a small scale. And you don’t want to try and do 100 square kilometers of this stuff. No one would think that was a good idea,” he added. He suggested trialling it on a smaller scale of around 2,000m2 first. That way, we can collect the kind of real-world data we need to determine its operational feasibility and effectiveness.
Anderson’s recommendations provide short-term, must-implement help. At the same time, scientists are working to understand the larger impacts of algal blooms on ecosystems and human health.
The Road Ahead
Anderson’s perspectives offer a preview of both the promise and challenge of algae for future solutions. Doubt remains over how they will act in the future and their overall influence. He conceded the difficulty in forecasting just when the South Australian bloom will dissipate. “It’s an obvious question, and even the best experts in the world unfortunately can’t answer that,” he stated.
“That’s what I would like to see,” said Professor Steer, who contributed to the meeting, agreeing with Anderson’s call for more research. “The only way that we can keep on top of this is to understand the role of the oceanography, the role of the environment on the distribution and abundance of Karenia,” he said. He noted that there is “a fair bit of work to do there before we make any bold predictions.”
