What we do...
Harmful algal blooms (HABs), in natural and man-made water bodies, can have significant impacts on fisheries, agriculture, recreation, human health, and the ecology of many types of adjoining wetlands and waterways. Evidence suggests that the global frequency and distribution of HABs is increasing, and there is a critical need for comprehensive study of the factors leading to HAB formation.
SCAEL
The South Carolina Algal Ecology Laboratory (SCAEL) was formed out of a unique partnership between the University of South Carolina's Belle Baruch Institute, and the Marine Resources Division of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). The laboratory is devoted to understanding the ecology of phytoplankton, specifically HABs. The SCAEL's mission is to advance understanding of the natural and anthropogenic factors controlling the development of HABs, and the impacts of HABs on ecosystems, natural resources, and human health. Ultimately, the SCAEL seeks to arm management agencies with the tools needed to monitor, mitigate or prevent HAB outbreaks.
