Workshop on Real-time Coastal Observing Systems for Ecosystem Dynamics and Harmful Algal Blooms. Villafranche-sur mer, France. 11-21 June 2003.

Jason W. Kempton¹, Patrick Williams², Susan B. Wilde², and Alan J. Lewitus^{1, 2}

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resources Research Institute, 217 Ft. Johnson Road, Charleston, SC 29412, USA; Belle W. Baruch Institute for Coastal Research, University of South Carolina, P.O. Box 1630, Georgetown, SC 29442, USA

In 2001, the South Carolina Harmful Algal Bloom Program (SCHABP) extended its surveillance efforts to include brackish lagoonal retention ponds associated with housing developments and golf courses. These ponds are numerous along the South Carolina (SC), USA coast (> 1500 ponds over 1 acre) and are routinely used for recreational activities (fishing, crabbing, swimming, skiing). They are also hypereutrophic, and our results suggest that they are “natural incubators” for HABs. From 2001-2002, 107 blooms from 9 different HAB species (Chattonella subsalsa, Chattonella verruculosa, Fibrocapsa japonica, Heterosigma akashiwo, Karlodinium micrum, Kryptoperidinium foliaceum, Pfiesteria piscicida, Pfiesteria shumwayae, and Prymnesium parvum) were documented in SC brackish ponds. With the exception of K. foliaceum, none of these were known to form blooms in SC. Several of these blooms were associated with fish kills and/or measurable toxic activity.  Rapid quantitative detection of these HAB species is of central importance to facilitate understanding bloom ecology and direct proper response. Here, we describe the application of real-time PCR assays for the detection of several HAB species recently observed in SC waters. Real-time PCR offers a rapid, sensitive means of detecting HAB species, and can provide quantitative information with appropriate “ground-truthing”. Real-time PCR has been incorporated into SCHABP routine monitoring and fish kill response protocols, and integrated with microscopic and HPLC pigment analyses to provide accurate assessment of HAB species identity.