Stony Brook University Marine Science Research

Alexandrium and Dinophysis

Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) and diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) causing dinoflagellates, Alexandrium and Dinophysis, found in Northport Harbor and Bay are common to coastal regions around the world. The associated algal blooms can be harmful because these dinoflagellates produce saxitoxins, the suite of toxins that cause the potentially fatal human health syndrome.

Both of these dinoflagellates have been known to be present in Long Island waters dating back to the 1970s, but were never known to cause shellfish to become toxic.  Since 2006, however, Northport Bay has hosted chronic Alexandrium fundyense blooms with shellfish bed closures occurring for six out of the last eight years. Dinophysis has also formed dense blooms in Northport Harbor since 2008.   

Professor Christopher Gobler, Stony Brook University marine scientist, began investigating the dynamics and causes of algal blooms in 2006, identifying excessive nitrogen loading as a prime promoter of these events. He and his colleagues have collaborated on several scientific papers that explore the subject of harmful algal blooms and their impact on the ecology of Northport Harbor/Bay complex.

Scientific Publication Links¹

Theresa K. Hattenrath-Lehmann, Maria A. Marcoval, Dianna L. Berry, Spencer Fire, Zhihong Wang, Steve L. Morton, Christopher J. Gobler, "Harmful Algae," Elsevier 26 (2013): 33–44​.

Theresa K. Hattenrath-Lehmann, Juliette L. Smith, Ryan B. Wallace, Lucas R. Merlo, Florian Koch, Heidi Mittelsdorf, Jennifer A. Goleski, Donald M. Anderson, Christopher J. Gobler, "The effects of elevated CO2 on the growth and toxicity of field populations and cultures of the saxitoxin-producing dinoflagellate, Alexandrium fundyense," Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (2015): 1–28.

¹Provided for non-commercial and educational use only. Not for reproduction, distribution or commercial use.