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Biotoxins |
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Some marine microalgae produce potent secondary metabolites that can be
transferred through the food web killing aquatic animals or poisoning
humans. Harmful algal blooms cause huge economic losses for aquaculture
and capture fisheries annually. We are interested in the biology and
ecology of marine phytoplankton, particularly toxic species and the trophic
transfer of toxins. A sensitive liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer
method has been developed to detect low concentrations of these toxins and to
study their accumulation in tropical shell fish and finfish. The translocation of toxic dinoflagellate cysts and other potentially harmful organisms in ship ballast water are major threats to marine ecosystems and the economic viability of aquaculture industries. In collaboration with the Environmental Technology Institute we are developing culture technologies to assess the effectiveness of treatments to kill dinoflagellate cysts in ship ballast water. |