Research Objects
- Coastal water samples, phytoplankton communities, and verifiable environmental-context records
- Field observations of unusual water colour, algal blooms, or red-tide events; event characterization must be evidence-based
RESEARCH FEATURE · NOT A FORMAL DEPARTMENT
Coastal Algal Blooms and Red-Tide Monitoring
This research feature describes coastal phytoplankton observations, sampling records, and research questions. It does not establish a new formal department or provide real-time monitoring or warning services.
01 / BACKGROUND
Distinguishing algal blooms, red tides, and harmful algal blooms
Coastal phytoplankton communities vary with hydrography, nutrients, weather, and biological processes. Unusual proliferation or water-colour change requires interpretation using field records, sample evidence, and follow-up analysis.
An algal bloom is a broad community-proliferation phenomenon. Red tide commonly describes particular marine bloom or water-discolouration events. A harmful algal bloom is defined by potential or observed ecological, aquaculture, or health harm. These terms are not interchangeable, and event type cannot be determined from water colour alone.
RESEARCH SCOPE
Coastal Algal-Bloom Research Scope
Questions of Interest and Typical Research Questions
- How do phytoplankton communities vary across locations, time, and environmental contexts?
- Which field records and sample evidence support later interpretation of unusual water colour or bloom observations?
- How can field context, microscopy observations, and community records be organized into an auditable time series?
Methods and Measurements
- Study design, location and time records, sample identification, and chain-of-custody information management
- Microscopy and higher-level taxonomic records when sample quality and identification conditions permit
- Integrated organization and exploratory analysis of field-environment records and phytoplankton community data
Resources and Conditions to Discuss
- A shared framework for field records, sample identification, and data organization can support study-design discussions
- Vessels, stations, permits, field instruments, sample acceptance, and analytical conditions require confirmation by all parties
Potential Collaboration AreasView the related collaboration scope
- Content status
- Draft
- Last updated
- 2026-07-12
- Laboratory review
- Laboratory review not yet completed
- Version
- 0.1
03 / SAMPLING & RESEARCH WORKFLOW
Sampling and Research Workflow: From Study Design to Auditable Records
This workflow shows how research information connects; it is not a directly executable sampling or preservation protocol.
- 01
Study Design
Define the research question, observation scope, timing, sample destination, and compliance requirements.
- 02
Station and Time Records
Record auditable location, date, time, and environmental context; publication of sensitive stations requires separate agreement.
- 03
Water and Phytoplankton Sampling
Collect and document sample types under an approved project plan; this public page does not provide fixed quantities or operating parameters.
- 04
Field Environmental Context
Record water colour, weather, hydrographic context, and available basic environmental information according to the task, equipment, and field conditions.
- 05
Sample Identification and Handover
Maintain consistent links among sample identifiers, field records, handover personnel, timing, and storage condition.
- 06
Microscopy and Group Records
Record morphology, dominant groups, and subjects requiring verification within the limits of sample quality and taxonomic evidence.
- 07
Environmental and Community Data Analysis
Check record completeness before exploring relationships among environmental context, community composition, and temporal change.
04 / RECORDS & ANALYSIS
Connecting field context with sample evidence
Field Information to Record
- Task name, sampling purpose, date, time, and recorder
- Station identifier, publishable spatial information, and water-depth context
- Weather, tidal or hydrodynamic context, and observations of unusual water colour, foam, or floating material
- Temperature, salinity, pH, dissolved oxygen, transparency, or turbidity when supported by equipment and the approved plan
- Sample identifier, sample type, handover time, storage condition, and intended follow-up
- Whether stations, images, data, and unpublished information may be made public
Samples and Laboratory Analysis
- Verify sample identifiers, field records, handover information, and sample condition
- Conduct microscopic morphology observations, higher-group records, and flags for verification when taxonomic evidence permits
- Organize phytoplankton abundance, dominant-group, or community-composition records when supported by sampling and counting methods
- Perform quality checks, visualization, and exploratory analysis for comparable environmental and community records
- Culture or follow-up experiments with existing samples require prior assessment of identification, biosafety, sample integrity, and experimental conditions
Method boundary
Preservation, analytical scope, and follow-up culture must be defined by the project plan and laboratory review. This page does not publish fixative concentrations, sampling quantities, preservative recipes, or hazardous procedures.
05 / CONNECTIONS
Connecting the atlas, research records, and potential collaboration
Connection with the Algae Atlas
The atlas can introduce higher taxonomic groups and morphology observations, but it cannot replace expert sample identification, quantitative analysis, or conclusions from competent authorities.
View the Algae AtlasPotential Collaboration Areas
- Early discussion of coastal sampling tasks, stations, and time-series design
- Joint development of field-record, sample-identification, and handover structures
- Phytoplankton microscopy, basic group records, and environmental-data organization
- Feasibility assessment for follow-up research on existing bloom samples, subject to samples, available conditions, and compliance requirements
06 / PROJECTS & OUTPUTS
Only confirmed public information is shown
Red-tide project information pending disclosure review
Sampling projects, stations, and results will be displayed after their approved public scope has been confirmed.