ECOHAB PNW: Ecology and Oceanography of Toxic Pseudo-nitzschia in the Pacific Northwest Coastal Ocean

该项目正在研究太平洋西北海岸外有毒伪尼齐亚（PN）物种的生理学、毒理学、生态学和海洋学，该地区的宏观营养供应和当前模式主要受季节性沿海上升流过程控制。该项目的长期目标是建立一个预测太平洋西北海岸和东部边界上升流系统中其他类似沿海地区有毒PN华发展的机制基础。每年进行两次为期21天的巡航，进行一套综合的实地和实验室研究，系泊生物/化学/物理传感器，以及在研究区域（包括涡流和典型的沿海上升流区域）进行循环和生物物理建模，以实现这些目标。目前正在通过甲板孵育研究和全面的现场测量，包括大量营养元素、微量营养元素（铁、铜）、细菌和食草动物丰度以及光合辐射、分层和速度剪切，来调查造成产毒PN植物高细胞密度和细胞毒性水平变化的关键因素。通过跟踪来自旋涡和近岸上升流地区的连续水体，研究了水华的老化。利用奥林匹克区有害藻华计划维持的海滩取样地点，正在确定沿海贝类的毒性。目前正在使用该地区的耦合生物物理模型来检查近海涡流和近岸上升流区域产生水华的可能性（例如，分层、营养来源、强度和时间），并评估在各种环境和生理条件下有毒PN向海岸的运输途径。

This project is studying the physiology, toxicology, ecology and oceanography of toxic Pseudo-nitzschia (PN) species off the Pacific Northwest coast, a region in which both macro-nutrient supply and current patterns are primarily controlled by seasonal coastal upwelling processes. The long term project goal is to develop a mechanistic basis for forecasting toxic PN bloom development along the Pacific Northwest coast and in other similar coastal regions in Eastern Boundary upwelling systems. The objectives are being met with an integrated suite of field and laboratory studies on two 21 day cruises per year, moored bio/chem/physical sensors as well as circulation and biophysical modeling in a study area that includes both the eddy and also a typical coastal upwelling region. The key factors responsible for high cell densities of toxigenic PN spp. and the variable levels of cell toxicity are being investigated with on-deck incubation studies and comprehensive in situ measurements including macronutrients, micronutrients (Fe, Cu), bacteria and grazer abundance as well as photosynthetic radiation, stratification and velocity shear. Aging of blooms are being studied by following drogued patches of water both from the eddy and from a nearshore upwelling region. Toxification of coastal shellfish are being determined using beach sampling sites maintained by the Olympic Region HAB program. A coupled biophysical model of the region is being used to examine the potential for bloom generation in offshore eddy and nearshore upwelling regions (e.g., stratification, nutrient sources, strength and timing) as well as to assess transport pathways of toxic PN to the coast under a variety of environmental and physiological conditions.