RAPID: Impact of Sargassum Decomposition on Air Quality in South Florida

在这个项目中，研究小组将收集新的含硫化合物和生物气溶胶的实验室和现场观察结果，这些化合物和生物气溶胶预计将在2023年6月或7月到达佛罗里达海岸线的特别大的马尾藻褐藻爆发中释放出来。预计今年的羽流将比往年更大，马尾藻在海岸线上的堆积，被称为搁浅，有可能对美国南部各州的沿海生态系统和社区产生负面影响。虽然马尾藻华以前也发生过，但预计2023年的异常大规模羽流代表了一个独特的机会，可以采集样本，测量马尾藻在海岸线上的积累及其随后的分解可能对大气、环境和生态产生的影响。为了评估马尾藻水华的影响，该项目团队将：(1)量化马尾藻分解过程中排放的硫化氢、二甲基硫化氢和二甲基二硫化物，这些硫化氢是在野外收集并在实验室室内观察的样品；(2)对搁浅地点的空气污染物和生物气溶胶进行量化；(3)通过rRNA测序评估空气、水、沙子和马尾藻生物量样本中细菌的浓度和多样性。总体目标是量化马尾藻搁浅对空气质量的短期和长期影响，并为研究人员和政策制定者提供新的见解。在这个项目中获得的知识将增加我们对马尾藻搁浅的潜在风险的了解，并使沿海社区能够更好地准备和预防不利的环境和健康影响。在项目过程中，将支持两名研究生，并通过与当地弗罗斯特科学博物馆合作，向当地受影响的社区进行推广。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

In this project the research team will gather new laboratory and field observations of sulfur-containing compounds and bioaerosols that are expected to be emitted from an exceptionally large Sargassum brown algae bloom that is anticipated to reach Florida coastlines in June or July of 2023. It is expected that this year’s plume will be larger than in previous years and the accumulation of Sargassum on coastlines, called strandings, has the potential to negatively impact southern U.S. states’ coastal ecosystems and communities. While Sargassum blooms have occurred previously, the exceptionally large size of the expected 2023 plume represents a unique opportunity to take samples and measure the likely atmospheric, environmental, and ecological impacts from the accumulation of Sargassum on coastlines and their subsequent decomposition.In order to assess the impact of the Sargassum bloom, this project team will: (1) quantify hydrogen sulfide, dimethyl sulfide, and dimethyl disulfide emitted during Sargassum decomposition from samples collected in the field and observed within a laboratory chamber; (2) quantify air pollutants and bioaerosols at the site of the stranding; and (3) assess the concentrations and diversity of bacteria within air, water, sand, and Sargassum biomass samples via rRNA sequencing. The overall objective is to quantify both the short-term and the long-term impacts of Sargassum strandings on air quality and to provide new insights for researchers and policymakers. The knowledge gained during this project will increase our understanding of potential risks associated with Sargassum strandings and enable coastal communities to better prepare for and prevent adverse environmental and health impacts. Two graduate students will be supported over the course of the project and outreach to local affected communities via collaboration with the local Frost Museum of Science will be conducted.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.