The Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health: Focus and Findings
John Stegeman1, Donald M Anderson2, Dennis Joseph McGillicuddy Jr3, Mark E. Hahn2, Mindy Richlen4, Neel Aluru2, Michael Brosnahan5, Katherine Hubbard6, Jennifer M. Panlilio7 and David K Ralston8, (1)Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole, MA, United States, (2)Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Biology, Woods Hole, MA, United States, (3)Woods Hole Oeanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, United States, (4)Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and Center for Oceans and Human Health, Biology, Woods Hole, MA, United States, (5)Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, United States, (6)Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Saint Petersburg, United States, (7)Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, United States, (8)WHOI, Department of Applied Ocean Physics & Engineering, Woods Hole, United States
Abstract:
The Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health (WHCOHH) comprises an integrated set of research projects that address harmful algal bloom (HAB) dynamics, and mechanisms of HAB toxin effects. The mission of the WHCOHH is to protect the public health through enhanced understanding of how oceanic and environmental processes including climatic variation affect the population dynamics of toxin producing organisms, and the risks from exposure to their potent neurotoxins. Factors affecting the distribution, survival, proliferation, and toxicity of HAB species still are poorly known, despite their consequences for human health.
The Center focuses on Alexandrium catenellathat produces saxitoxins responsible for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP), and Pseudo-nitzschia spp.that produce domoic acid responsible for the amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) syndrome. Novel, targeted, efficient, and data-rich sampling approaches applied in situ have revealed that critical aspects of A. catenelladynamics in natural settings differ dramatically from those inferred from laboratory studies, indicating plasticity in response to climate. Hindcast simulations compared with climate data records in the Gulf of Maine will assess model performance and uncertainty, and forecasts incorporating a range of climate scenarios will be used to predict future public health risks. The Center also has identified specific cells in the developing brain that are targets of domoic acid, affecting the process of myelination, giving new mechanistic insights into developmental effects of this glutamate receptor agonist, potentially linking developmental exposures to adult consequences. The Center also includes a Community Engagement Core through which knowledge about HAB blooms and impacts is shared with resource managers and other stakeholders, including bi-directional dialogue with Center researchers. The efforts are local, regional, and national in scope. (NSF OCE-1314642 and NIH P01ES021923)
