Grantee Research Project Results
2020 Progress Report: Exploring the links between harmful algal blooms and human well-being: how and why communities take action
EPA Grant Number: R836939Title: Exploring the links between harmful algal blooms and human well-being: how and why communities take action
Investigators: Gould, Rachelle , Stockwell, Jason
Current Investigators: Gould, Rachelle , Stockwell, Jason , Stommel, Elijah , Fisher, Brendan , Kraft, Jana , Miller, Todd
Institution: University of Vermont
EPA Project Officer: Hahn, Intaek
Project Period: August 1, 2017 through July 31, 2019 (Extended to July 31, 2022)
Project Period Covered by this Report: August 1, 2019 through July 31,2020
Project Amount: $598,321
RFA: Integrating Human Health and Well-Being with Ecosystem Services (2016) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Human Health
Objective:
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) impede ecosystem services and enhance ecosystem dis-services. Our study elucidates the links between HABs and human well-being, and investigates how and why a community takes action based on data about those links.
We have six objectives: (1) determine relationships between HABs and nutritional value of fish species; (2) understand the impact of aerosolized neurotoxins from HABs on human health; (3) explore impacts of nonmaterial connections between HABs and human well-being, specifically by exploring whether the blooms cause stress as measured by salivary cortisol; (4) determine factors that have impeded water quality improvement in St. Albans Bay; (5) evaluate the effectiveness of informational framings to motivate action to reduce HABs; and (6) develop nuanced understanding of how communities accept, process, and understand scientific information related to HABs, and how they feel empowered or disempowered to affect change. These objectives have not changed from the original application.
Progress Summary:
The third year of this grant has been busy and eventful, especially given COVID-19. We have progressed substantially on data analysis and are in the process of collecting our final data. We continue to work closely with partners and nurture solid relationships with them. COVID-19 introduced difficulties unforeseen difficulties with the project, as with most other activities this year, but we are modifying our plans for final project steps based on what is now possible given COVID-19. We are monitoring expenses, and with the no-cost extension under which we are currently operating, we will be able to complete the work by Summer 2021. We are attending to our quality assurance statement in all aspects of the project, indicated by the specific details below.
Fish nutrition and Aerosol studies (Objectives 1 and 2):
In the past year, we have:
• Continued with aerosol sample processing, but also had delays: In addition to delays due to COVID-19 and ability to be in the laboratory, we have had delays due to technical difficulties with the fluorescent microscope and software needed for processing. We are in the process of fixing the issue. We will resume aerosol sample processing as soon as possible
• Continued with fish tissue toxin testing; results are pending
• Analyzed chromatograms for fish fatty acids
• Processed seston samples; partially completed chromatogram analysis.
Salivary cortisol study (Objective 3):
In the past year, we have:
• Worked to revise previously made plans to allow this component of the project to continue despite COVID-19 (collecting biological samples has suddenly become much more complicated).
• Designed the treatments for this study (i.e., collected scores of photographs of polluted and unpolluted water, and worked to select an appropriate set of photographs and then digitally alter them to create standardized treatment materials).
Integrated community-based social science studies (Objectives 4, 5, and 6):
In the past year, we have:
• Completed mental models interviews and begun analysis
o Conducted five additional (and final) interviews
o Transcribed additional interviews
o Finished initial coding
Implemented the survey (framing study)
o Finalized survey design and item content
o Created a pre-analysis plan
o Worked with SAAWA to finalize message text, survey questions, and list of community boards for advertising the survey
o Collaborated with MBA student to finalize videos
o Collaborated with Northern Vermont Aerial to provide imagery
o Switched from LimeSurvey to Qualtrics for survey implementation
o Gathered information for advertising survey through Front Porch Forum and St. Albans Messenger
• Continued progress on media analysis
o Created timeline of major events for analysis
o Gathered additional articles from Seven Days
o Finished initial coding
• Community discussion sessions
o Discussed session design, including framing and potential outcomes with the new reality of COVID-19
o Researched using ArcGIS storymaps as an online platform for engagement
o Worked with partners to discuss timing and recruitment given COVID-19
• Continued attendance at meetings of partners and local water-quality community. Meetings attended include:
o Meetings with low-income services partner (CAPS)
o Meetings with grassroots environmental group partner (SAAWA)
o Franklin County Farm Day
oIoT Conduit (local innovators)
Future Activities:
Our plans for future activities include:
• For biophysical studies, complete all analyses and draft and submit papers. In the coming months, we will:
o Complete fish toxin testing
o Conduct statistical analyses
o Prepare manuscripts for publication
• For our social science studies, we have finalized most details and are in the final stages of analysis and/or data collection for most components of the project. In the coming months, we will:
Complete analysis of mental models interviews and submit paper for publication (Objective 6).
o Conduct the salivary cortisol study (Objective 3).
o Complete analysis of past media coverage of cyanobacteria in St. Albans Bay (Objective 4).
o Complete data collection and then analyze results from our survey (“framing study”, Objective 5).
o Share our results with community members in the final few months of the grant. We will do this in an online format given COVID-19.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 7 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Additional keywords for this work include: low-income, toxins, ALS, mental models, cortisolRelevant Websites:
St. Albans Area Watershed Association Exit
Franklin/Grand Isle Community Action Exit
Rubenstein Ecosystem Science Laboratory Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.