Grantee Research Project Results
2019 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, 2018 through July 31,2019
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 will elucidate the links between HABs and human well-being, and investigate how and why a community takes action based on data about those links. This project has 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:
We have made substantial progress during our second year. Multiple project components have completed data collection, and plans for final data collection are nearly complete. We continue to nurture relationships with our
community partners, who are committed to and excited about the project. We have not met with any unexpected difficulties, and work is proceeding on schedule. We have monitored expenses both within UVM and with subaward recipients. Expenditures have been as expected and our budget looks to be sufficient to complete the proposed work, though we have submitted a no-cost extension request to be able to use funds in a fourth year. We are attending to our quality assurance statement in all aspects of the project, indicated by the specific details below.
Each component of the study has multiple outputs. A few core outputs from each component are listed below.Fish nutrition and Aerosol studies (Objectives 1 and 2):
- Completed data collection.
- Made progress on all aspects of lab work; completed toxin testing of water sample and extraction and derivatization of fish tissue fatty acids.
Salivary cortisol study (Objective 3):
- Brought a faculty member affiliated with the Medical School, and with experience conducting salivary cortisol studies, to the team.
- Designed all study details, including selecting images for treatment and control conditions
Integrated community-based social science studies (Objectives 4, 5, and 6):
- Completed mental models interviews and transcription and refined codebook; analysis underway.
- Completed cleaning of media analysis dataset and refined of codebook; analysis underway.
- Designed survey (framing study); data collection will begin soon.
Community service and education:
- Three members of the project team (PI, co-PI, and one PhD student) presented at a meeting of the Lewis Creek Association (a water-quality organization outside the study area). Fall 2019.
Future Activities:
Our plans for future activities include:
- For the fish and aerosol studies: complete all lab analyses, conduct statistical analyses, and draft and submit ppapers.
- For our social science studies: complete analysis and submit paper for mental models study; conduct salivary cortisol study; complete analysis of past media coverage; implement our survey.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 7 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
policy, cultural ecosystem services, mental health, values, valuationRelevant Websites:
- St. Albans Area Watershed Association Exit
- Franklin/Grand Isle Community Action Exit
- UVM 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.