P hytoplankton

1. Promoting a better understanding of Harmful Algal Blooms by way of volunteer monitoring. Phytoplankton Program Introduction Monitoring Network NOAA Marine Biotoxins Program Dr. Steve Morton, Principal Investigator http://www.chbr.noaa.gov/pmn/

2. Marine Biotoxins Program PMN Mission PMN Progress Volunteer Responsibilities Volunteer Equipment Monitoring Importance How to Join Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (PMN) Part of NOAA’s Marine Biotoxins Program Marine Biotoxins Program: targets research and services at issues related to algal toxins and the organisms responsible for their production located at the Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research lab in Charleston, SC Credit: NOAA

3. Marine Biotoxins Program PMN Mission PMN Progress Volunteer Responsibilities Volunteer Equipment Monitoring Importance How to Join Phytoplankton Monitoring Network PMN Mission ~ “Informing the public about harmful algal blooms (HABs) and local phytoplankton communities through research-based monitoring.” Credit: Gary Freitag and Barbara Morgan

4. Marine Biotoxins Program PMN Mission PMN Progress Volunteer Responsibilities Volunteer Equipment Monitoring Importance How to Join South Carolina Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (SCPMN) 2001 + South Carolina Southeast Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (SEPMN) 2003 + Georgia 2004 + North Carolina 2005 + Washington, New York, Connecticut 2009 PMN Expansion Timeline + Florida, US Virgin Islands, Hawaii 2006 Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (PMN) 2007 + Massachusetts, Texas, Alabama + Virginia, Alaska, Mississippi, Maryland, Rhode Island 2008 2010 + Minnesota, Wisconsin, St. Johns River Basin

5. Marine Biotoxins Program PMN Mission PMN Progress Volunteer Responsibilities Volunteer Equipment Monitoring Importance How to Join Volunteer Responsibilities • Attend a PMN Training • Submit data to PMN via secure on-line entry tool • Choose a convenient sampling • site • Sample weekly or biweekly • Perform preliminary • phytoplankton identification • Preserve species or unknowns • in high abundance • Ship samples to PMN offices

6. Marine Biotoxins Program PMN Mission PMN Progress Volunteer Responsibilities Volunteer Equipment Monitoring Importance How to Join Volunteer Equipment Volunteers are loaned all sampling equipment except light microscopes for monitoring! • SaltRefractometer • Plankton net • Thermometer • 5 gridded slides • Cover slips • 8oz Sea Gear bottles (2) • 1L sample bottles • 4oz sample bottles • Lugol’s solution for preservation • *Region specific volunteer manual • *The PMN Manual has data sheets, phytoplankton ID sheets, and HAB information specific to your local coastal waters. Photo credit: Elizabeth Zerai

7. Marine Biotoxins Program PMN Mission PMN Progress Volunteer Responsibilities Volunteer Equipment Monitoring Importance How to Join Importance of Phytoplankton Monitoring • Monitoring • Developing a long-term data collection • Harmful Algal Bloom monitoring and awareness • Linking scientists and volunteers to monitor • harmful algae • Education • Education through hands-on • field and lab science • Exposure to important • federally-funded research • America’s eyes on the coast • Research • Culturing of potentially toxic species • Identification of new and unique • phytoplankton species

8. Marine Biotoxins Program PMN Mission PMN Progress Volunteer Responsibilities Volunteer Equipment Monitoring Importance How to Join How do I join NOAA PMN? Signup at the NOAA PMN Website! http://chbr.noaa.gov/pmn/form_newsitenewvol.aspx Contact your regional coordinator with questions! Atlantic Region Matt Brim matt.brim@noaa.gov 843-762-8656 Gulf Of Mexico, Pacific, and Great Lakes Regions Jeff Paternoster jeff.paternoster@noaa.gov 843-762-8657