Date

REMINDER: Call for Registration
Arctic Research Seminar Series

Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS)

Date/Time: Tuesday, 22 June 2021, 9:00 a.m. AKDT
Speaker: Don Anderson (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
Presentation Title: Evidence for Massive and Recurrent Toxic Blooms of Alexandrium catenella in the Alaskan Arctic

To register for the event, go to:
https://www.arcus.org/research-seminar-series


The Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS) invites registration for the next Arctic Research Seminar featuring Don Anderson, a Senior Scientist in the Biology Department at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Dr. Anderson’s presentation, titled Evidence for Massive and Recurrent Toxic Blooms of Alexandrium catenella in the Alaskan Arctic, will be held via Zoom on Tuesday, 22 June 2021 at 9:00 a.m. AKDT (1:00 p.m. EDT).

Seminar Abstract:

The Arctic Ocean is experiencing rapid and dramatic changes in response to climate-driven warming. Many organisms may spread northward as a result of rising temperatures and loss of sea ice, but few present such significant threats to human and ecosystem health as harmful algal bloom (HAB) species. Alexandrium catenella, a producer of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs), has a long history of causing toxicity in the Gulf of Alaska, yet there is little recognition of this organism as a human health concern north of Bering Strait. Dr. Anderson will describe an exceptionally large A. catenella benthic cyst bed and hydrographic conditions across the Chukchi Sea that support germination and development of recurrent, self-initiating, and self-seeding blooms. Two prominent cyst accumulation zones result from deposition promoted by weak circulation. Cyst concentrations are among the highest reported globally for this species and the cyst bed is 6X larger in area than any other recorded. These extraordinary accumulations are attributed to repeated inputs from advected southern blooms and to localized cyst formation and deposition. Over the last two decades, warming has likely increased the magnitude of the germination flux two-fold and advanced the inoculation of the euphotic zone, where conditions are now favorable for bloom development, by 20 days. The region is poised to support recurrent blooms that are unprecedented in scale, increasing exposure and health risks to Alaskan Arctic communities where economies are subsistence based. These observations also highlight how warming can facilitate HAB range expansions into waters where temperatures were formerly too cold.

Registration is required for this event. Instructions for accessing the webinar will be sent to registrants prior to the event.

To register for the event, go to:
https://www.arcus.org/research-seminar-series

For questions, contact:
Stacey Stoudt
Email: stacey [at] arcus.org