CV16029 AZBO (THE BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY OF AZADINIUM) Survey

AZBO (THE BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY OF AZADINIUM) Survey conducted by the Marine Institute on board the R.V. Celtic Voyager in August 2016. The survey took place in along the west, south west and south coast of Ireland. To deliver data to the Irish Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) modelling effort as part of a Cullen Fellowship study. Cruise objectives were to: (a) Map the extent of known Azaspiracid (AZA) biotoxins producers in Irish waters (b) Map the biological and physical characteristics of Killary and surrounding waters. (c) Collect and investigate the distribution and concentrations of late summer blooms of Azadinium species using its toxin fingerprint, DNA signature and microscopy. (d) Collect strains of the species for further DNA profiling Scientific objectives were to: (a) Assess the vertical (microscale - anything <1 metre) and horizontal (mesoscale - 100 metre to 10 Km) distributional patterns of Azadinium species in relation to density stratification in the water column inshore and offshore. (b) Investigate the geographic distribution of Azadinium spinosum and other Azadinium species in Irish coastal and shelf waters. (c) Investigate the fine scale structure (temperature, salinity, oxygen and fluorescence) of Killary Harbour and outer shelf. How does phytoplankton patchiness relate to physical structures? Field work was to be carried out with sample stations along a number of transects perpendicular to the coast in the South, South West and West. A study, carried out at stations outside and inside Killary Harbour, where samples of phytoplankton would be collected and sorting attempted on board to establish cultures while at sea and incubated pending further analyses carried out during the later stages of the project. Cultures established would be analysed to identify Azadinium, Amphidoma or similar species of interest. Basic oceanographic profiling of the water column would also be carried out including ADCP transects in Bantry and Killary to validate flux models off; ADCP deployment off Gerahies (pier - N51.64493, W9.58641). Cross collaborative work with Benthos team to investigate Shot Head fish farm site benthos and Recovery of Killary post-2005 Karenia bloom.