Harmful Algal Blooms

York River Bloom An algal bloom colors the waters of the York River near Sarah's Creek in lower Chesapeake Bay. Aerial photograph taken on August 22, 2013. Photo by Dr. Wolfgang Vogelbein

Bloom in Sarah's Creek The discolored water of a 'red tide' in Sarah's Creek near the mouth of the York River during August 2012. Samples taken nearby exhibited extremely high cell counts of the dinoflagellate {em}Alexandrium monilatum{/em}, up tp ~100,000 cells per milliliter. Photo by VIMS professor Wolf Vogelbein.

Bird's Eye View Large blooms of the algae {em}Cochlodinium polykrikoides{/em} in Chesapeake Bay with Glouceser Point and the mouth of the York River in the background. Photo by Kim Reece/VIMS.

Armored Dinoflagellate A microphotograph of a chain of {em}Alexandrium monilatum{/em} cells from a Chesapeake Bay water sample. This alga has bloomed the last two summers around Labor Day, although it was not found blooming in previous years and was last reported from a Chesapeake Bay sample in the 1940s. Photo courtesy of Bill Jones.

Diatoms Diatoms are some of most varied, beautiful and geometrically intricate of all phytoplankton. They have a rigid silica shell composed of two interlocking parts. Diatoms and other algae are normal components of all aquatic environments. However, when they bloom in significant numbers and produce biotoxins, they can produce harmful algal blooms or HABs. Photo courtesy of Bill Jones.

HAB Cells A filtered water sample from the harmful algal bloom (HAB) that struck the York River during summer 2005. The bloom was caused by dense aggregations of {em}Cochlodinium polykrikoides{/em}. Photo courtesy of Lynn Killberg.

by Dr. Kimberly Reece

Algal blooms, or "red tides," are caused by aggregations of tiny marine plants called algae that contain reddish pigment. Some algal species also produce chemicals that generate light—one source of the "bioluminescence" sometimes observed in marine waters.

Algae are normal components of all aquatic environments, but can produce what is known as a “harmful algal bloom” or “HAB” when they bloom in significant numbers and generate toxic byproducts. HABs can harm both marine organisms and human health.

Algal blooms are common in lower Chesapeake Bay during spring and summer. Algae respond to the same conditions that encourage plant growth on land, and thus are most likely to form blooms when waters are sunlit, warm, and nutrient rich. Excess nutrients from human activities are one of the biggest challenges facing the Bay.

Virginia's HAB Task Force

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) is part of Virginia's Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force, which also includes representatives from the Marine Resources Commission, the Department of Environmental Quality, Old Dominion University, and the Virginia Department of Health and its Division of Shellfish Sanitation. VIMS collaborates with these agencies to regularly monitor the Commonwealth's waters and shellfish-growing areas for the presence of HABs. VIMS scientists also conduct basic research to more accurately and rapidly identify harmful algal species, and to better understand the biological and environmental factors that cause algae to produce toxins.

Reporting

The Virginia Department of Health is responsible for questions related to the possible effects of HABs on human health, and will notify the public if a HAB that could affect human health is identified.

To obtain information about possible human-health effects, call Virginia's toll-free Harmful Algal Bloom hotline at 888-238-6154. The line is available 24-7.

To report a fish kill or water that has an odd color or odor, you may use our online reporting form, or during business hours call: 

A. The nearest regional office of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality:

Virginia Beach: (757) 518-2000
Richmond: (804) 527-5020
Woodbridge: (703) 583-3800

B. The Virginia Institute of Marine Science:

Advisory Services Office: 804-684-7108
Dr. Kim Reece: 804-684-7407
Dr. Wolfgang Vogelbein: 804-684-7261

If you need to call outside of business hours or for an emergency, dial the Department of Emergency Services  at 800-468-8892 (calls will be forwarded to a DEQ responder).

What if I feel I have been exposed to a HAB?

If you are concerned that you have been exposed to a HAB, see your doctor or call your local health department. Telling your doctor about contact with water may help proper treatment. You can also call the  Virginia Department of Health's toll-free HABs Hotline at (888) 238-6154. The line is available 24-7.