Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/E009328/1
Strategies to manage toxic cyanobacetrial blooms in lakes: remote sensing, modelling and cost benefit analysis
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor AN Tyler, University of Stirling, Biological and Environmental Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor N Hanley, University of Glasgow, College of Medical, Veterinary, Life Sci
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr M Wyman, University of Stirling, Biological and Environmental Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Prof. G Codd, University of Dundee, School of Life Sciences
- Co-Investigator:
- Professor L Carvalho, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Water Resources (Penicuik)
- Co-Investigator:
- Dr KJ Mearns, University of Aberdeen, Psychology
- Grant held at:
- University of Stirling, Biological and Environmental Sciences
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Freshwater
- Overall Classification:
- Freshwater
- ENRIs:
- Pollution and Waste
- Natural Resource Management
- Global Change
- Environmental Risks and Hazards
- Biodiversity
- Science Topics:
- Environmental Microbiology
- Water Quality
- Environment & Health
- Survey & Monitoring
- Abstract:
- Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) commonly produce mass populations in UK still- and slow-moving freshwaters. They may generate toxins which present health risks to humans and animals via ingestion and skin contact. Not all cyanobacterial blooms produce toxins, and the presence of toxins can only be confirmed by collecting samples and taking them to the laboratory. From a public health perspective monitoring has been largely reactionary and not proactive and little early warning capability exists However, recent developments in remote sensing techniques have shown promise in the rapid (and reliable) detection of blooms. This proposal is designed to develop and evaluate an approach based on remote sensing (RS) to providing early warning of toxic cyanobacterial development to protect health within a risk assessment framework. Calibration of the (RS) procedure would be carried out using actual cyanotoxin analysis at 2 high-resource UK freshwaters with a history of annual bloom production. The proposal builds on existing modelling work to develop a hazard assessment tool to identify likely water bodies that may pose a hazard from the production toxic cyanobacteria and model the influence of climate change on potentially toxic cyanobacteria production in lakes. A critical question relates to understanding the environmental factors leading to cyanotoxin production and this is addressed within the proposal. The human health risk from direct and indirect exposure to the toxins is addressed along with cost-benefit analysis of monitoring for toxic blooms.
- Period of Award:
- 1 Apr 2007 - 31 Mar 2009
- Value:
- £89,101 Lead Split Award
Authorised funds only
- NERC Reference:
- NE/E009328/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Directed (Research Programmes)
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- EHH
This grant award has a total value of £89,101
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| DI - Other Costs | Indirect - Indirect Costs | DA - Investigators | DA - Estate Costs | DI - Staff | DA - Other Directly Allocated | DI - T&S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £8,204 | £31,217 | £14,112 | £9,440 | £19,229 | £2,713 | £4,184 |
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