Amgen Summer Science Institute – 2004
Environmental Science
Dana Grooms, Sue Ann Bryant, Carl Reichenberger
Case Studies of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
Harmful algae are microscopic, single celled plants that live in the sea. Most
species of algae or phytoplankton are not harmful and serve as the energy producers at
the base of the food web. Occasionally, the algae grow very fast or “bloom” and
accumulate into dense, visible patches near the surface of the water.
A small number of species produce potent neurotoxins that can be transferred
through the food web where they affect and even kill the higher forms of life such as
zooplankton, shellfish, fish, birds, marine mammals and even humans that feed either
directly or indirectly on them. Scientists now prefer the term, HAB, to refer to a bloom
phenomenon that contain toxins or that cause negative impacts.
The case studies attached focus on the following: 1) What HAB’s are 2) How HABs
develop and 3) Scenarios in which HABs may affect global warming, human pregnancy
and fish kills. Students will gain a better understanding of HABs by role playing, lab
activities and research.
Amgen Summer Science Institute
Environmental Science
Dana Grooms, Sue Ann Bryant, Carl Reichenberger
CASE STUDIES
http://www.bigelow.org/edhab/
Helps students gain a better understanding of toxic and harmful algal blooms.
1) Community in Crisis –Scenario
Introduction and role playing activity.
2) Building a Bloom
What is an algal bloom? What causes algal blooms?
3) Making an Algal Bloom
Lab Activity
4) Phosphates in Detergents
Discussion. Investigates detergent phosphate regulations in states and report findings.
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/iron_case/geritol.html
As a way to find a cheap way to decrease global warming, scientists from Moss Landing Marine
Laboratory found that repeated iron infusions over time boosted phytoplankton photosynthesis thus
decreasing carbon dioxide levels. What types of algal blooms are produced? Effect on coral reefs and
food chains.
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/pcb/pcb.html
Eating Lake Ontario fish is linked to shorter menstrual cycles and may delay pregnancy. Among the
first studies to assess the dietary effect of low-level environmental exposure to organochlorines.
http://www.sciencecases.org/fishkill/fishkill.asp
Case study assessing the relationship between temperature, dissolved oxygen levels, nutrient influx,
toxins, and fish kills. Nutrient influx can cause certain species of phytoplankton to photosynthesize
more actively, thus producing more phytoplankton. This could lead to decreased oxygen levels and
increase in toxins produced by Pfiesteria. Human health issues are also addressed.
LIST OF LINKS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE FROM AMGEN / CLU
WORKSHOP—AUGUST, 2004
Sue Ann Bryant, Dana Grooms, Carl Reichenberger from Thousand Oaks High School
SPECIFIC WEB SITES FOR OUR PROJECT
http://www.bigelow.org/edhab/
Toxic & Harmful Algal Blooms: a case study and lab
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/iron_case/geritol.html
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/iron_case/geritol_notes.html
Iron Fertilization of water project and teachers’ materials
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/iron_case/geritol.html
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/iron_case/geritol_notes.html
Effects of Eating PCBs from Lake Ontario case study & teachers’ materials
http://www.sciencecases.org/badfish/badfish_genbio1.asp
http://www.sciencecases.org/badfish/badfish_anatphys1.asp
http://www.sciencecases.org/badfish/badfish_cellbio1.asp
http://www.sciencecases.org/badfish/badfish_notes.asp
Case studies on Fish Kill (general biology, anatomy & physiology, and cellular biology versions) and teachers’
materials
GENERAL WEB SITES FOR PROBLEM- & INQUIRY-BASED CASE STUDIES
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/ubcase.htm
Giant list of problem based scenarios in all science topics. The National Center for Case Study Teaching in
Science Case Collection
http://www.whoi.edu/redtide/rtphotos/rtphotos.html
great photo page of phytoplankton, red tides, etc, harmful algae, satellite photos
http://www.whoi.edu/redtide/
more on harmful algae
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/interactives/dna.html
DNA site, with recording
http://www.parentsplace.com/first9months/main.html
human fetal development
http://www.udel.edu/pbl/problems/
University of Delaware. Some case studies in Biology, Chemistry, & Physics
http://www.wef.org/Education/Connection/classmaterials.jhtml#Grade9
water projects
http://www.globe.gov/globe_flash.html
Global Educational Projects in Science
http://oceanservice.noaa.gov/websites/retiredsites/supp_sotc_retired.html
Topics from State of the Coast Project
http://www.sciencecases.org/fishkill/fishkill.asp
Fish Kill Mystery Case Study
http://www.k12science.org/currichome.html
Classroom Collaboratives in Science
http://www.enc.org/?ls=bc
http://www.enc.org/weblinks/science/?ls=ho
http://www.enc.org/weblinks/science/0,1578,1%2DEnvironment,00.shtm
ENC Online is a K-12 math and science teacher center. Follow the path to science, then environmental
project topics.
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/galapagos1.html
http://ublib.buffalo.edu/libraries/projects/cases/galapagos_notes.html
Galapagos project and teachers’ materials
http://www.iearn.org/projects/waterinourlives.html
water projects in Spanish & English
http://www.socalsetac.org/
Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry
SPECIFIC WEB SITES FOR GRANTS
http://www.eelink.net
Toyota Tapestry link & others
http://www.nsta.org
http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/
http://www.Lamotte.com
http://www.grants.gov
WEB SITE FOR DATA BASES
http://www.csulb.edu/~acolburn
email: alcolburn@csulb.edu