Mini-School explores Bay and human health

(September 24, 2004) Researchers from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science will explore the links between Chesapeake Bay’s environmental health and the health of humans and marine organisms during a Mini-School of Marine Science at the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond. The mini-school, In Sickness and Health: Chesapeake Bay and You will feature lectures on four consecutive Wednesday evenings from 7-8:30 pm between October 20th and November 10th.

Click here to register.

October 20: Flame retardants: New pollutants in Chesapeake Bay and your home. Chemicals added to furniture, TVs, and computers to reduce their flammability may jeopardize human health, as well as that of marine life and birds of prey. Join Dr. Rob Hale as he describes his efforts to track the source, fate, and environmental effects of these flame-retardant chemicals.

October 27:  Is Pfiesteria really the “cell from hell”? Pfiesteria is a genus of single-celled algae with two species (Pfiesteria piscicida and P. shumwayae) that reportedly kill fish and impact human health in East Coast estuaries. Join Dr. Wolfgang Vogelbein as he describes efforts by VIMS scientists to understand the relationships among Pfiesteria, menhaden, Aphanomyces (a water mold), and the environmental conditions that contribute to fish-lesion and fish-kill events in East Coast estuaries.

November 3: Mycobacteriosis in striped bass: should anglers beware? VIMS scientists have discovered that a new species of bacteria is largely responsible for a disease outbreak among Chesapeake Bay striped bass. The new species is closely related to Mycobacterium marinum, a species known to infect both fish and humans. Dr. Steve Kaataari will describe on-going research to understand the extent and severity of mycobacteriosis in Chesapeake Bay striped bass, the environmental conditions that influence development of the disease, and potential impacts on striped bass stocks and people.

November 10: TBT or not TBT: Collaborators search for a solution to pollution. Tributyltin, or TBT, is used in boat paint to prevent fouling by marine organisms. It enters seawater through leaching and when a ship’s hull is washed or its paint removed. The compound remains toxic to marine organisms even at concentrations as low as 1 part per trillion. Join VIMS researcher Dr. Mike Unger as he describes his collaborative effort (pdf file)to help lessen TBT’s environmental impacts by developing a mobile treatment plant to keep the compound from entering seawater.