Reviewer Comments - EERE

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2011 Algae Platform Review – Reviewer Comments Reviewer Comments are direct transcripts of commentary and material provided by the Platform’s Review Panel. They have not been edited or altered by the Biomass Program. this source of samples. We are also in the process of acquiring samples from closed photobioreactors and recycled ponds. We are in the process of developing collaborations with industrial partners that operate production systems. Project: 9.6.1.5 SRNL Title: Human Health Risk Assessment of Algal Production Systems: Toxins and Toxic Components, Harmful VOCs, Metal Speciation/Bioconcentration, and Pathogenic Microorganisms Associated with Large-Scale Algae Cultivation Systems Presenter: Chris Yeager Presentation Date: Friday, April 08, 2011 Criteria Avg Score Std Deviation Count Approach 3.14 0.64 7 Progress 3.43 1.05 7 Relevance 3.71 0.70 7 Critical Success Factors 3.14 0.64 7 1. Project Approach The project performers have implemented technically sound research, development, and deployment approaches and demonstrated necessary results to meet their targets The project performers have identified a project management plan that includes well-defined milestones and adequate methods for addressing potential risks. Reviewer Comments Reviewer: 1 Criteria Score: 3 The Approach lacks enough definition to support the importance of this program. If the issues are fully encompassing, how does the plan address them? What are the measures that should be employed, and how does the experimental plan address them? I see Phase 1 , but how do we decide Phase 2 and especially 3? The importance of the topic demands the best in terms of justification and explanation. Reviewer: 2 Criteria Score: 2 This project includes collaboration between SRNL and TAMU-CC with the goal of examining toxins and toxic algae that develop in algal biofuels' raceways and ponds. The potential for algae causing these problems to be introduced regularly with commercial-scale culture of defined feedstocks appears unrealistic. Appropriate background experience in this area and strong knowledge of the rich literature on HABs was not evident from the presentation. Reviewer: 3 Criteria Score: 4 Multi-dimensional; complementary aspects of lab and field work would combine geochemistry and biology. Overall objective is to provide experimental data for use in a comprehensive risk assessment of algae-based biofuel production systems on human health Reviewer: 4 Criteria Score: 3 See other comments Reviewer: 5 Criteria Score: 3 The goal of the research is to assess health risk associated with large scale algal cultivation and the focus Page 158 of 223
2011 Algae Platform Review – Reviewer Comments Reviewer Comments are direct transcripts of commentary and material provided by the Platform’s Review Panel. They have not been edited or altered by the Biomass Program. is on toxin production, VOC production, and human pathogens. The approach is sound but the toxin portion appears to have broad overlap with an existing knowledge base and research conducted at CDC and Woods Hole. Reviewer: 6 Criteria Score: 3 One should start with a broad knowledge of pre-existing information. The CDC and the Centers for Oceans and Human Health have a lot of data already on this subject. This project should be linked with those groups. Reviewer: 7 Criteria Score: 4 Because the geography, production system, strain, and mode of operation are not identified for commerical production, it appears that field measurements are pre-mature. Presenter Response While the structure of experiments can be outlined in advance (e.g. generalized cultivation processes, analytical screening methods) the full extent of experimentation will not be clear until Phase I, is at least, underway. It is our contention that these threats do exist – as per our preliminary findings. We believe that field sampling at active sites is the best way to perform the initial scoping studies required to evaluate if toxic metals, toxins, VOC’s and pathogens are of concern in these systems, and to best design the experiments to address the objectives of Phase II and Phase III. We will develop several risk scenarios that will outline how potential toxic exposures may occur to workers or consumers. A framework for a formal risk assessment will be developed and recommendations for further work will be made. The is a four-way collaboration: SRNL, PI Chris Yeager (project management, algae growth for Phase II, pathogen and toxin gene detection), NOAA, PI Peter Moeller (toxicity testing and toxin identification), Texas A&M, PI Paul Zimba (VOC analysis and outdoor growth experiments for Phase III), LANL, PI Jeri Sullivan (metal accumulation/cycling, toxicity) and Babetta Marrone (human cell toxicity). Dr. Yeager has 15+ years of experience using molecular techniques to detect microorganisms, including pathogens, in environmental samples. The number and type of pathogens that we will target obviously depends on the sample source (marine salt water, brackish inland water, wastewater, etc.) and location. We have spent considerable time determining which pathogens may be prevalent in different water sources and in different parts of the country. The list shown at the program review was simply a “working list”; different species/genes will be targeted depending on the sample source. The pairing of biology and water chemistry is one of the underlying strengths of this project. In terms of algae production systems for biofuels, very large scale, open air culturing will enable a number of environmental factors to act as modifiers (temperature flux, sunlight, airborne particulates, bacteria, fungal contamination, etc.) of water chemistry, and thus toxin production or the survivability of pathogens. Peter Moeller is the PI for the toxin work and is a PI at one of NOAA's Centers of Excellence in Oceans and Human Health (http://oceansandhumanhealth.noaa.gov/centers/). He was NOAA's scientist of the year in 2009 with a long history of work on algal toxins. Paul Zimba, Director of the Center for Coastal Studies at Texas A&M, is the lead for VOC characterization and has studied volatile metabolites produced by algae, fungi, and bacteria in aquaculture systems (http://ddr.nal.usda.gov/bitstream/10113/17447/1/IND44081503.pdf), has extensive experience with algal toxins. See comments above for Yeager’s credentials. This is a TEAM effort and the SRNL/NOAA/Texas A&M team formed (and was pursuing funding) before the call for this DOE program was released. Yeager is the lead-PI for this particular project because it was funded through a DOE National Lab call; however, all PIs are actively involved in the project. LANL was added to the mix because of their expertise with metals and human toxicity and their involvement with the National Alliance for Advanced Biofuels and Bioproducts (NAABB). Risk identification and avoidance is best and most economically performed at the beginning of a process, rather than after the fact. Analysis of field measurements is an essential element of our proposal. It is the variable geography, production Page 159 of 223
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Reviewer Comments - EERE

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