Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/E008186/1
Relating harmful phytoplankton to shellfish toxicity and human health
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor K Davidson, Marine Scotland Science, Marine Laboratory
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr E Bresnan, Marine Scotland Science, Marine Laboratory
- Grant held at:
- Marine Scotland Science, Marine Laboratory
- Science Area:
- Marine
- Overall Classification:
- Marine
- ENRIs:
- Natural Resource Management
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Environment & Health
- Abstract:
- Phytoplankton form the base of the marine food chain. Most phytoplankton are benign and indeed positively benefitial to the health of the environment. However, a minority of phytoplantkon are harmful to humans, the environment or the economy as a result of their prouction of toxic substances. These phytoplankton are often called harmful algal blooms or HABs. Toxic phytoplankton may be ingested by filter feeding shellfish that are not themselves harmed but which accumulate and concentrate the toxin in their tissue. If the shellfish are them eaten by humans potentially serious illness may occur. Monitoring programs of phytoplankton and shellfish flesh act as a means of minimising the heath risk to humans of shellfish consumption. Hwever, through factors that are not fully understood harmful phytoplankton and their toxins are perceived to be on the increase in UK waters. Hence, it is necessary to better understand to factors that influence toxin production its vectoring by shellfish and the public health implications of shellfish toxicity. Research in this field in the UK is relatively underdeveloped and fragmented with little or no colllaboration between environmental and biomedical scientists. In this proposal we intend to hold a research workshop to integrate scientists, regulators, monitoring agencies and industry representatives with expertise in hamful phytoplankton and their effects. The worshop will allow the interdisciplinary sharing of knowledge and ideas and allow the hypothesis to be formulated for future environmental/biomedical colloborative projects. The production of a report will allow us to disseminate more widely the knowledge gained during the project.
- Period of Award:
- 28 May 2007 - 27 May 2008
- Value:
- £6,604 Split Award
Authorised funds only
- NERC Reference:
- NE/E008186/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Directed (Research Programmes)
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- EHH
This grant award has a total value of £6,604
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Indirect - Indirect Costs | DA - Investigators | DA - Estate Costs | DI - T&S |
|---|---|---|---|
| £3,083 | £2,864 | £411 | £247 |
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