Episode 8: Harmful Algae Blooms and Pets

01/07/20 • 11 min

Hanna Atsma spent her summer internship at ORCA studying all different facets of the Indian River Lagoon. One of her passions is OneHealth, a research focus that is concerned with the interconnections between environmental, human, and animal health. Hence, she was alarmed to have heard of the multiple cases of animals being exposed to microcystin released by harmful algae blooms.
In this episode we take a closer look at what happens when dogs, horses, and cattle are exposed to environmental toxins and warning signs you can look for to keep them safe.

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Episode 7: One Fish, Two Fish, Environmental Justice

While in grad school, April Richards discovered that she wanted to study both fish and environmental justice. Her advisor wasn't really sure how to direct her.
A year and a half later, she sat in the ORCA Podcast hot seat explaining just how she's combining those interests as a Research Associate for the organization.
Using both qualitative and quantitative research methods, Richards spent an entire summer investigating the habits of local subsistence fishing populations and testing fish parts for the presence of microcystin—a toxin released from toxic algae blooms. This tendril project sprouted from the overarching One Health research program at ORCA (check out Episode 2).
Now, she is continuing her work with these communities as well as the local health care system in Fort Pierce by conducting physician surveys. If you receive health care in Martin, Okechobee, Indian River, and/or St. Lucie County, Florida, you can join our citizen science efforts to collect the same qualitative data that was so insightful to ORCA's original research championed by Richards. To learn more, email [email protected]

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