Jeremy's research is an investigation of HAB toxin exposure in bottlenose dolphins inhabiting Florida's Indian River Lagoon (IRL) estuary system. The IRL is home to two toxin-producing HAB species that have been associated with marine mammal mass mortality events, but the impacts of these toxins on IRL dolphins are not well studied. This project seeks to establish baseline values for toxin accumulation in tissues of IRL dolphins during toxic blooms as well as during non-bloom conditions. Results from this work will aid resource managers by providing a point of reference with which to assess the severity of HAB events as a possible health stressor in IRL dolphins.
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