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Ira "Ike" Levine

This course is intended to provide information to the general public who may be curious after seeing a TV clip or read a news article about harmful algal bloom. It will cover 13 of the known toxins associated with harmful algae, their impacts on human and animal health, and how we detect those toxins and their associated algae.

Harmful and nuisance algae are a global phenomenon. They are found in marine and freshwater systems. They can impact human and animal health, the food supply, the water supply, and tourism.

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This course is intended to provide information to the general public who may be curious after seeing a TV clip or read a news article about harmful algal bloom. It will cover 13 of the known toxins associated with harmful algae, their impacts on human and animal health, and how we detect those toxins and their associated algae.

Harmful and nuisance algae are a global phenomenon. They are found in marine and freshwater systems. They can impact human and animal health, the food supply, the water supply, and tourism.

Lastly, this course will discuss the different techniques used for mitigating the presence of harmful algae, their impact on water bodies and recreation, as well as how they might be in your food. It is intended to follow up our first three courses: Introduction to algae, Algal biotechnology, and Introduction to seaweeds.

This course was produced by the Algae Technology Educational Consortium and UC San Diego with funding from the Algae Foundation, the National Renewable Energy Lab, and the U.S. Department of Energy.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Intro to Algal Bloom
Toxins and the Algae that produce them
Algae are extremely diverse, and in this section you will learn about the three distinct seaweed taxa.
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Monitoring and Mitigation
Seaweeds are found almost everywhere and have complex ecologies. This section covers the basics of seaweed ecology including some of the organisms they interact with in nature and in industrial settings.
Expanded Impacts of harmful algae
This week includes techniques for the cultivation and marine agronomy of seaweeds including open water and tank cultivation.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Engages with current trends in algae research
Provides foundational knowledge of algal toxins and their impacts
Covers the methods used to detect toxins and their associated algae
Explains the different techniques for mitigating the presence of harmful algae
Discusses the expanded impacts of harmful algae
Requires extensive background knowledge in algae

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Harmful Algal Blooms with these activities:
Volunteer at a local water treatment facility
A practical understanding of water treatment and mitigation techniques for harmful algae will be invaluable for your learning.
Browse courses on Water Treatment
Show steps
  • Contact local water treatment facilities to inquire about volunteer opportunities
  • Attend training sessions provided by the facility
  • Assist with monitoring and mitigation efforts
Mentor younger students or those new to the field
Teaching others will greatly enhance your own knowledge and understanding of harmful algae.
Show steps
  • Identify opportunities for mentoring through programs or organizations
  • Share your knowledge and expertise with those you mentor
  • Provide guidance and support to help them develop their understanding
Start a project to develop a new or improved method for detecting harmful algae
This will challenge and expand your understanding of harmful algae detection, a key aspect of the course.
Browse courses on Environmental Analysis
Show steps
  • Identify a specific problem or gap in current detection methods
  • Research existing technologies and scientific literature
  • Develop a prototype or design for your improved method
  • Test and evaluate your method
  • Publish your findings or present them at a scientific conference
One other activity
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all four activities
Contribute to an open-source project related to harmful algae research
Working with an open-source project will give you hands-on experience and contribute to the field.
Browse courses on Open Source
Show steps
  • Identify an open-source project related to harmful algae research
  • Review the project's documentation and codebase
  • Identify areas where you can contribute
  • Submit a pull request with your contributions

Career center

Learners who complete Harmful Algal Blooms will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Marine Biologist
A Marine Biologist studies marine organisms and their interactions with the environment. To become a Marine Biologist, you will need to obtain a bachelor's degree in marine biology, biology, or a related field. This course covers a variety of topics relevant to marine biology, including harmful algal blooms and their impacts on marine ecosystems. Taking this course may help you build a foundation for a career in marine biology.
Toxicologist
A Toxicologist studies the effects of toxic substances on humans and the environment. To become a Toxicologist, you will need to obtain a bachelor's degree in toxicology, chemistry, or a related field. This course covers a variety of topics relevant to toxicology, including harmful algal blooms and their toxins. Taking this course may help you build a foundation for a career as a Toxicologist.
Water Quality Scientist
A Water Quality Scientist monitors and assesses water quality to ensure that it is safe for human use. To become a Water Quality Scientist, you will need to obtain a bachelor's degree in environmental science, chemistry, or a related field. This course covers a variety of topics relevant to water quality, including harmful algal blooms and their impacts on water quality. Taking this course may help you build a foundation for a career as a Water Quality Scientist.
Science Writer
A Science Writer writes about scientific topics for a variety of audiences. To become a Science Writer, you will need to obtain a bachelor's degree in science, journalism, or a related field. This course covers a variety of topics relevant to science writing, including harmful algal blooms and their impacts on the environment. Taking this course may help you build a foundation for a career as a Science Writer.
Science Educator
A Science Educator teaches science to students of all ages. To become a Science Educator, you will need to obtain a bachelor's degree in science education or a related field. This course covers a variety of topics relevant to science education, including harmful algal blooms and their impacts on the environment. Taking this course may help you build a foundation for a career as a Science Educator.
Research Scientist
A Research Scientist conducts scientific research to advance knowledge in a particular field. To become a Research Scientist, you will need to obtain a bachelor's degree in a scientific field, such as biology, chemistry, or environmental science. This course covers a variety of topics relevant to scientific research, including harmful algal blooms and their impacts on the environment. Taking this course may help you build a foundation for a career as a Research Scientist.
Environmental Consultant
An Environmental Consultant provides consulting services to businesses and organizations on environmental issues. To become an Environmental Consultant, you will need to obtain a bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental studies, or a related field. This course covers a variety of topics relevant to environmental consulting, including harmful algal blooms and their impacts on the environment. Taking this course may help you build a foundation for a career as an Environmental Consultant.
Environmental Lawyer
An Environmental Lawyer represents clients in cases involving environmental law. To become an Environmental Lawyer, you will need to obtain a bachelor's degree in environmental science, law, or a related field. This course covers a variety of topics relevant to environmental law, including harmful algal blooms and their impacts on the environment. Taking this course may help you build a foundation for a career as an Environmental Lawyer.
Natural Resources Manager
A Natural Resources Manager manages natural resources, such as forests, water, and minerals. To become a Natural Resources Manager, you will need to obtain a bachelor's degree in natural resources management, environmental science, or a related field. This course covers a variety of topics relevant to natural resources management, including harmful algal blooms and their impacts on natural resources. Taking this course may help you build a foundation for a career as a Natural Resources Manager.
Public Policy Analyst
A Public Policy Analyst analyzes public policy issues and makes recommendations for policy changes. To become a Public Policy Analyst, you will need to obtain a bachelor's degree in public policy, public administration, or a related field. This course covers a variety of topics relevant to public policy analysis, including harmful algal blooms and their impacts on the environment. Taking this course may help you build a foundation for a career as a Public Policy Analyst.
Environmental Planner
An Environmental Planner plans for the use of land and other natural resources. To become an Environmental Planner, you will need to obtain a bachelor's degree in environmental planning, urban planning, or a related field. This course covers a variety of topics relevant to environmental planning, including harmful algal blooms and their impacts on the environment. Taking this course may help you build a foundation for a career as an Environmental Planner.
Environmental Compliance Officer
An Environmental Compliance Officer ensures that businesses and organizations comply with environmental regulations. To become an Environmental Compliance Officer, you will need to obtain a bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental management, or a related field. This course covers a variety of topics relevant to environmental compliance, including harmful algal blooms and their impacts on the environment. Taking this course may help you build a foundation for a career as an Environmental Compliance Officer.
Environmental Scientist
An Environmental Scientist studies the environment and how human activities affect the environment. To become an Environmental Scientist, you will need to obtain a bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental studies, or a related field. This course may be useful in helping you continue your education in the field of environmental science, building a foundation to potentially pursue a graduate-level degree in the same field.
Public Health Microbiologist
A Public Health Microbiologist is responsible for the advancement of public health by studying microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. The first step to becoming a Public Health Microbiologist is to obtain a bachelor's degree in microbiology, biological sciences, or a related field. This course may be useful in helping you continue your education in the field of microbiology, building a foundation to potentially pursue a graduate-level degree in public health.
Environmental Engineer
An Environmental Engineer designs and implements solutions to environmental problems. To become an Environmental Engineer, you will need to obtain a bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, civil engineering, or a related field. This course may be useful in helping you continue your education in the field of environmental engineering, building a foundation to potentially pursue a graduate-level degree in the same field.

Reading list

We've selected 11 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Harmful Algal Blooms.
Covers the latest research on harmful algal blooms, their toxins, and their impacts on marine life and human health.
Provides a detailed overview of the ecology of harmful algae, including their physiology, growth, and interactions with other organisms. It valuable resource for researchers and students interested in understanding the fundamental processes that drive HABs.
This textbook covers the biology and ecology of algae, including harmful species.
This textbook covers the microbiology of marine environments, including harmful algal blooms.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the cultivation of microalgae, including methods for strain selection, growth optimization, and harvesting. It valuable resource for researchers and companies interested in the commercial production of microalgae.
Provides a comprehensive overview of algae, including their biology, ecology, and importance to the environment. It valuable resource for students and researchers interested in understanding the fundamental principles of phycology.
Provides a practical guide to the cultivation of algae, including methods for media preparation, growth optimization, and scale-up. It valuable resource for researchers and companies interested in the commercial production of algae.
Provides a comprehensive overview of algae, their biology, ecology, and uses. It valuable resource for students and researchers interested in understanding the diverse world of algae.
Covers the chemistry and biochemistry of phycotoxins, the toxins produced by harmful algae.
Provides a comprehensive guide to the identification and use of algal cultures, including methods for culturing, isolation, and identification. It valuable resource for researchers and companies interested in the commercial production of algae.

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