This project will assess the physicochemical and biological conditions associated with harmful algal blooms (HABs) of the toxic marine planktonic diatom genus Pseudo-nitzschia recurring annually in coastal waters adjacent to Acadia National Park (ACAD).

Very little is known about the specific physicochemical and biological conditions that lead to toxic Pseudo-nitzschia blooms, in part because toxic and nontoxic species commonly co-occur and cannot be readily discriminated via light microscopy screening. Therefore, baseline information documenting the environmental conditions that promote Pseudo-nitzschia blooms and toxicity is urgently needed to support decision-making by resource managers and to mitigate conditions that may be favoring toxic species.