12th International Conference on Harmful Algae

INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR THE STUDY OF HARMFUL ALGAE12 th <strong>International</strong> <strong>Conference</strong> on Harmful Algae, Copenhagen, Denmark, 4-8 September 2006by producing false negativereactions. Here, we report on anew DNA extraction method forharmful microalgae that ispotentially applicable for remote insitu applications using theEnvironmental Sample Processor(ESP). A QPCR assay forHeterosigma. (Raphidophyceae)was developed using speciesspecificprimers and probe thattarget large-subunit rDNA. Filtrationtreatment with Supor (PALL, 0.22µm) or Durapore (Millipore, 0.22µm)after addition of a CH3COOKsolution post-lysis was highlyeffective at removing compoundsthat inhibit PCR. A GF/F filter wasused for the solid phase extractionof DNA after that treatment. DNAwas recovered with efficienciessimilar to that obtained using theDNeasy Plant Mini Kit (Qiagen). Astandard curve that has highlinearity was constructed withgenomic DNA extracted fromcultured Heterosigma (1cell-10,000cells) using the filter–based DNAextraction protocol. Results of thiswork suggest that this method ispotentially applicable to in situ DNAextraction and amplification systemsplaned for future developments ofthe ESP.PO.03-02The economic consequences ofred tide events on the Gulf Coastof Florida, USASession: PO.03 - Public healthCM Adams, S Larkin, R Degner, KMorganUniversity of Florida, GAINESVILLE, FL,United States of AmericaRed tide blooms (Karenia brevis)are naturally occurring events thatfrequent the Gulf of Mexico coast ofFlorida, USA. The exact causes ofsuch events, including their durationand bloom intensity, are unknown.Studies directed towardunderstanding the economic impactred tides have on coastalcommunities have only recentlybeen attempted. Two economicstudies have been completedconcerning red tide events alongthe Gulf of Mexico coast of Florida.One study attempted to assess theimpact to local business activitiesalong the southwest Florida coast.This study not only attempted tomeasure the changes in businessactivity within the region where thered tides occurred, but alsoattempted to assess the level ofawareness that local residents hadconcerning red tide events. Anotherstudy attempted to measure thechanges in business activity alongthe northern Gulf of Mexico coast ofFlorida. These studies representthe only empirical analysesaddressing the economicconsequences of red tide events inFlorida, the state which has thegreatest number of red tide eventsin the USA. Finally, an on-goingstudy is currently measuring theeconomic impact of more recent redtide events within a larger region ofthe Gulf of Mexico coast of Florida.PO.05-23A Microcystis aeruginosa bloomand the occurrence ofmicrocystins from a eutrophicfreshwater lake in Comilla,BangladeshSession: PO.05 - Toxin analysisSagir MD Ahmed 1 , Bernd Luckas 2 ,Susan Hiller 21 University of Dhaka, DHAKA, Bangladesh2 University of Jena, JENA, GermanyBangladesh is a tropical country oflarge alluvial plains with 1.3 millionfreshwater ponds and lakes. It has a120