Pfiesteria Report

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PFESTERING PFIESTERIA

Is the problem with pfiesteria [a type of toxic algae] overstated?

PART I

PROBLEM- Is the problem with pfiesteria [a type of toxic algae] overstated?

PFIESTERIA- Pfiesteria [fee-STEER-ee-uh] is also known as Pfiesteria piscicida [pis-kuh-SEED-uh]. Pfiesteria is a type of phytoplankton known as dinoflagellate, which means they have a whip-like tail (called a flagella) that can propel them. Pfiesteria is different from the other algae because pfiesteria can propel themselves; whereas other types of algae can only float. Pfiesteria can exist up to 24 life stages; four of them could be toxic. Pfiesteria has been in North Carolina’s estuary system for many years killing many fishes and spreading a deadly disease. However, thousands of years ago pfiesteria was not so harmless. The algae used to be non-toxic. Pfiesteria was also different from the other types of algae because it does not perform photosynthesis; instead these algae feed off of other algae. Scientists have proven that as the years went by, human activity, such as putting nutrients (containing phosphorus and nitrogen) in the badly drained Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine system slowly made the harmless algae to start the “fish-killing business.” When the water becomes full of nutrients and schools of fishes are around, pfiesteria will start to grow and populate. This is called a “bloom”, when pfiesterias are in “bloom” they make toxins that numb fish, which lets the microbe, feed on them. Pfiesteria’s blooming can stay up to a few hour tops. Blooms do not always end up with pfiesteria producing toxins however; pfiesteria may spend its whole life span feeding on algae and bacteria. Scientists have not yet figured out the environmental factors that cause pfiesteria to act in such a way. Fish are not the only ones that this “festering pfiesteria” can harm; the algae can also cause humans to have health problems, seafood safety, and water quality. In 1993, some researchers became sick from working in a closed, badly ventilated office. These people noticed that they had started to have a lot of problems and had a hard time concentrating. Duke University also found that rats exposed to pfiesteria had impaired hearing. A new problem arose, would these pesky little algae affect bodies of water where aquatic recreation is commonly known?

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ISSUE- Until recently, it was unclear whether people outside of the laboratory exposed to Pfiesteria in the water could be similarly affected. But, there is now medical evidence saying that Pfiesteria, or one of its cousins, has sickened some people researching on the Pocomoke River in Maryland. Researchers with Johns Hopkins University and the University of Maryland found five people who had worked on the Pocomoke River before/during a Pfiesteria-related fish kill had signs of abnormal brain function. The health complaints also include reports of burning skin and respiratory irritation, followed by hard time to concentrate. Suddenly, the problem ...

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