Mote Marine Laboratory

Phytoplankton Ecology Program:

The Phytoplankton Ecology Program at Mote Marine Laboratory is quite diverse.  It is comprised of two groups, the biology group and the technology group.  The biology group focuses on phytoplankton ecology at the cellular, community and ecosystem levels. Areas of particular interest are photo-physiology and bloom dynamics. A current objective of the biology group is to establish how the harmful alga, Karenia brevis, fits into the succession of micro-algal species along the west coast of Florida.  The technology group focuses on developing better equipment to support the study of phytoplankton.  They are heavily involved in the engineering, deployment, operation and maintenance of the Optical Phytoplankton Discriminator (OPD), an instrument developed at Mote Marine Laboratory that can, in near-real-time, determine the taxonomic composition of the in situ phytoplankton community.  This device has been deployed to detect K. brevis, among other species. The OPD has been installed on boats, buoys, pilings, piers and autonomous underwater vehicles that comprise a harmful algal bloom observation network in Southwest Florida.

PhD, Marine Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh,NC

M.S. Marine Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

B.S.E.E. Electrical Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables,FL 

Published peer reviewed

1. Kamykowski, D., R.E. Reed and G.J. Kirkpatrick, 1992. A comparison of sinking velocity, rotation, swimming velocity and path characteristics among six marine dinoflagellate species. Mar. Biol., 113: 319-328.

2. Millie, D. F., G. J. Kirkpatrick and B. T. Vinyard. 1995. Relating photosynthetic pigments and in vivo optical density spectra to irradiance for the Florida red-tide dinoflagellate, Gymnodinium breve Davis. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 120: 65-75.

3. Kirkpatrick, G. J., D. Kamykowski and R. E. Reed. 1997. Phytoplankton quantum yield measured on minute time scales in situ. In Steven G. Ackleson and Robert Frouin, [eds.] Ocean Optics XIII. Proc. SPIE 2963, 868-873.

4. Millie, D. F., O. M. Schofield, G. J. Kirkpatrick, G. Johnsen, P. A. Tester and B. T. Vinyard. 1997. Detection of harmful algal blooms using photopigments and absorption signatures: a case study of the Florida red-tide, Gymnodinium breve. Limnol. Oceanogr. 42: 1240-1251.

5. Kamykowski, D., H. Yamazaki, A. K. Yamazaki and G. J. Kirkpatrick. 1998. A comparison of how different orientation behaviors influence dinoflagellate trajectories and photoresponses in turbulent water columns.In D. M. Anderson, A. D. Cembella and G. M. Hallegraeff, [eds.],Physiological Ecology of Harmful Algal Bloom. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, pp. 581-599.

6. Millie, D. F., C. P. Dionigi, O. Schofield, G. J. Kirkpatrick and P. A. Tester.1999.The importance of understanding the molecular, cellular, and ecophysiological bases of harmful algal blooms.J. Phycol.35: 1353-1355.

7. Schofield, O. M., J. Grzymski, W. P. Bisset, G. J. Kirkpatrick, D. F. Millie, M. Moline and C. S. Roesler. 1999. Optical monitoring and forecasting systems for harmful algal blooms: possibility or pipe dream? J. Phycol. 35(6): 1476-1496.

8. Lohrenz, S. E., G. L. Fahnenstiel, G. J. Kirkpatrick, C. L. Carroll and K. A. Kelly. 1999. Microphotometric assessment of spectral absorption and its potential application for characterization of harmful algal species. J. Phycol. 35(6): 1438-1446.

9. Kirkpatrick, G. J., D. F. Millie, M. A. Moline, and O. Schofield. 2000. Optical discrimination of a phytoplankton species in natural mixed populations. Limnol. Oceanogr. 45(2): 467-471.

10. Pierce, R.H. and G.J. Kirkpatrick.2001.Innovative techniques for harmful algal toxin analysis.Environ. Tox. Chem. 20(1):107-114.

11. Evens, T. J., G. J. Kirkpatrick, D. F. Millie, D. J. Chapman and O. M. E. Schofield. 2001. Photophysiological response of the toxic red-tide dinoflagellate Gymnodinium breve (Dinophyceae) under natural sunlight. J. Plankton Res. 23(11): 1177-1193.

12. Hu, C., Muller-Karger, F.E., Lee, Z., Carder, K.L., Roberts, B., Walsh, J.J., Heil, C., Coble, P.G., Steidinger, K.A., McRae, G., Weisberg, R.H., He, R., Johns,  E., Lee, T., Keller, B., Kuring, N., Cannizzaro, J., Ivey, J., Vargo, G.A., Zepp, R.G., Boyer, J., Jones, R., Kirkpatrick, G., Stumpf, R.P., Mueller, E., Bartels, E., Pierce, R., Culter, J., and Hunt, J. (2002) Satellite images track “black water” event off Florida coast. Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union 83(26):281, 285.

13. Millie, D. F., O. M. E. Schofield, G. J. Kirkpatrick, G. Johnsen, T. J. Evens. 2002. Using absorbance and fluorescence spectra to discriminate microalgae. Euro. J. Phycol. 37(3): 313-322

14. Stumpf, R. P., M. E. Culver, P. A. Tester, M. Tomlinson, G. J. Kirkpatrick, B. A. Pederson, E. Truby, V. Ransibrahmanakul and M. Soracco. 2003. Monitoring Karenia brevis blooms in the Gulf of Mexico using satellite ocean color imagery and other data. Harmful Algae 2(2): 147-160.

15. Sellner, K. G., G. J. Doucette and G. J. Kirkpatrick. 2003. Harmful algal blooms: causes, impacts and detection. J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol 30: 383–406

16. Kirkpatrick, G. J., C. Orrico, M. A. Moline, M. Oliver and O. M. Schofield. 2003. Continuous hyperspectral absorption measurements of colored dissolved organic material in aquatic systems. App Optics 42(33): 6564-6568.

17. Walsh, J. J., R. H. Weisberg, D. A. Dieterle, R. He, B. P. Darrow, J. K. Jolliff, K. M. Lester, G. A. Vargo, G. J. Kirkpatrick, K. A. Fanning, T. T. Sutton, A. E. Jochens, D. C. Biggs, B. Nababan, C. Hu and F.E. Muller-Karger. 2003. Phytoplankton response to intrusions of slope water on the West Florida Shelf: Models and observations, J. Geophys. Res., 108(C6), 3190, doi:10.1029/2002JC001406.

18. Schofield, O., Bosch, J., Glenn, S. M., Kirkpatrick, G., Kerfoot, J., Moline, M., Oliver, M., Bissett, W. P. Harmful algal blooms in a dynamic environment: How can optics help the field‑going and sample poor biologist? In Real Time Coastal Observing systems for ecosystems dynamics and harmful algal blooms.Babin, M. And Cullen, J. J. (Eds) UNESCO, Paris. (in press).

19. Robbins, I.C., G.J. Kirkpatrick, S.M. Blackwell, J. Hillier, C.A. Knight, M.A. Moline. 2006. Improved monitoring of HABs using autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV). Harmful Algae.doi:10.1016/j.hal.2006.03.005.

20. Tomlinson, M.C., R.P. Stumpf, V. Ransibrahmanakul, E.W. Truby, G.J. Kirkpatrick, B.A. Pederson, G.A. Vargo and C.A. Heil. 2004. Evaluation of the use of SeaWiFS imagery for detecting Karenia brevis harmful algal blooms in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Remote Sens. Envir. 91: 293‑303.

21. Schofield, O., J. Kerfoot, K. Mahoney, M. Moline, M. Oliver, S. Lohrenz, and G. Kirkpatrick. 2006. Vertical migration of the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis and the impact on ocean optical properties, J. Geophys. Res., 111, C06009, doi:10.1029/2005JC003115.

22. Lanerolle, L.W.J., M.C. Tomlinson, T.F. Gross, F. Aikman III., R.P. Stumpf,G.J. Kirkpatrick and B.A. Pederson. 2006. Numerical investigation of the effects of upwelling on harmful algal blooms off the west Florida coast. Estuar, Coast. Shelf Sci. 70, 599-612.

23. Berg, B.A., B.A. Pederson, G.J. Kirkpatrick, C.J. Higham and D.F. Millie. 2004. Utility of the algal photopigment gyroxanthin‑diester in studies pertaining to the red tide dinoflagellate Karenia brevis (Davis) G. Hansen and Moestrup. In: Steidinger, K.A., J.H. Landsberg, C.R. Tomas and G.A. Vargo, (eds.). Harmful Algae 2002. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Institute of Oceanography, and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO. 276-278

24. Weisberg, R.H., R. He, G. Kirkpatrick, F. Muller‑Karger, and J.J. Walsh. 2004. Coastal ocean circulation influences on remotely sensed optical properties: A west Florida shelf case study, Oceanogr. 17: 68‑75.

25. Craig, S. E., S. E. Lohrenz, Z. Lee, K. L. Mahoney, G. J. Kirkpatrick, O. M. Schofield, and R. G. Steward, 2006. Use of hyperspectral remote sensing reflectance for detection and assessment of the harmful alga, Karenia brevis, Appl. Opt. 45, 5414-5425.

26. Bissett, W.P., R. Arnone, S. DeBra, D.A. Dieterle, D. Dye, G.J. Kirkpatrick, O.M. Schofield, and G.A. Vargo.2004.Predicting the optical properties of the West Florida Shelf: resolving the potential impacts of a terrestrial boundary condition on the distribution of colored dissolved and particulate matter.Mar. Chem. 9(3-4), 199-233

27. Pederson, B.A., G.J. Kirkpatrick, A.J. Haywood, B.A. Berg and C.J. Higham. 2004. Differentiating two Florida harmful algal bloom species using HPLC pigment characterization. In: Steidinger, K.A., J.H. Landsberg, C.R. Tomas and G.A. Vargo, (eds.). Harmful Algae 2002. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Institute of Oceanography, and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, pp. 449-451.

28. Walsh, J. J., J. K. Jolliff, B. P. Darrow, J. M. Lenes, S. P. Milroy, A. Remsen, D. A. Dieterle, K. L. Carder, F. R. Chen, G. A. Vargo, R. H. Weisberg, K. A. Fanning, F. E. Muller-Karger, E. Shinn, K. A. Steidinger, C. A. Heil, C. R. Tomas, J. S. Prospero, T. N. Lee, G. J. Kirkpatrick, T. E. Whitledge, D. A. Stockwell, T. A. Villareal, A. E. Jochens, and P. S. Bontempi. 2006, Red tides in the Gulf of Mexico: Where, when, and why?, J. Geophys. Res., 111, C11003, doi:10.1029/2004JC002813.

29. Higham, C.J., G.J. Kirkpatrick, B.A. Pederson and B.A. Berg. 2004. Photopigment content of three Karenia brevis clones in response to varying light levels. In: Steidinger, K.A., J.H. Landsberg, C.R. Tomas and G.A. Vargo, (eds.). Harmful Algae 2002. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Institute of Oceanography, and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, pp. 417-419.

30. Kerfoot, J M., G J. Kirkpatrick, S.E. Lohrenz, K.L. Mahoney, M.A. Moline and O.M. Schofield. Vertical Migration of a Karenia brevis blooms: Implications for Remote Sensing of harmful algal blooms. In: Steidinger, K.A., J.H. Landsberg, C.R. Tomas and G.A. Vargo, (eds.). Harmful Algae 2002. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Institute of Oceanography, and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, pp. 279-281.

31. Kirkpatrick, G.J. 2004. Recent Advances and State of the Technology for HAB Species Detection. In: Steidinger, K.A., J.H. Landsberg, C.R. Tomas and G.A. Vargo, (eds.). Harmful Algae 2002. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Institute of Oceanography, and Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, pp. 552-554.

32. Kirkpatrick, B, Fleming, LE,Backer, LC, Bean, JA, Tamer, R, Kirkpatrick, G, Kane, T, Wanner, A, Dalpra, D Reich, A, Baden, DG2006, Environmental exposures to Florida Red Tides: Effects on Emergency Room Respiratory Diagnoses Admissions. Harmful Algae(5) 526-533.

33. Kirkpatrick, B, Currier, R, Nierenberg, K, Reich, A, Backer, L, Stumpf, R, Fleming, L, Kirkpatrick, G. 2008. Florida Red Tides and Human Health: A Pilot Beach Conditions Reporting System to Minimize Human Exposure.Science of the Total Environment, Vol 402:1, 1-8.

Published abstracts

1. Kirkpatrick, G. J. and D. Kamykowski. 1996. Measuring in vivo light absorption of phytoplankton cultures under full spectrum light exposure in situ. Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union 76(3) Abstract OS21C-12

2. Millie, D. F., O. M. Schofield, G. J. Kirkpatrick, P. A. Tester and G. Johnsen. 1996. Using bio-optical characteristics as biomarkers for harmful algal blooms: A case study of the Florida red-tide dinoflagellate, Gymnodinium breve Davis. Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union 76(3) Abstract OS12G-06

3. Reed, R.E., DKamykowski, G J Kirkpatrick and E Milligan. 1998. Hydrographic Structure Associated With Persistent Gymnodinium breve Subsurface Accumulations. Eos Trans. AGU, Ocean Sci. Meet. Suppl., AbstractOS11F-10.

4. Schofield, O.M.,M A Moline, G A Vargo, R Steward, G Kirkpatrick. 1998. Spectral Inherent Optical and Fluorescence Properties of Natural Populations of the Toxic Dinoflagellate, Gymnodinium breve, in the Gulf of Mexico. Eos Trans. AGU, Ocean Sci. Meet. Suppl., Abstract OS42L-13

5. Pederson, B.A., G.J. Kirkpatrick and D.F. Millie. 2000. Frontal Accumulation of the Red Tide Organism Gymnodinium breve (Davis). Eos Trans. AGU, Ocean Sci. Meet. Suppl., Abstract OS41D-04.

6. Thomas, D G., Arnone, R A., Stumpf, R P., Steidinger, K. and Pederson, B. 2000. Tracing Florida's Harmful Algal Blooms Using SeaWiFS Bio-Optical Properties. Eos Trans. AGU, Ocean Sci. Meet. Suppl., Abstract OS22E-08.

7. Kerfoot, J M., Mahoney, K L., Kirkpatrick, G J., Lohrenz, S E., Schofield, O M. 2002. Vertical Migration of a Toxic Karena brevis Red-Tide and the Impact on Ocean Color Remote Sensing Reflectance. Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union 83(26) OS21C-49

8. Berg, B.A., B.A. Pederson, G.J. Kirkpatrick, C.J. Higham and D.F. Millie. 2002. Utility of the algal photopigment gyroxanthin‑diester in studies pertaining to the red tide dinoflagellate Karenia brevis (Davis) G. Hansen and Moestrup. Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union 83(26) OS12F-183

9. Bissett, W., Jolliff, J J, Walsh, J J, Dieterle, D., Schofield, O., Kirkpatrick, G J., Coble, P G., Arnone, R.A. 2002. Forecasting the Colored Dissolved Organic Matter Dynamics on the West Florida Shelf. Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union 83(26) OS22J-02

10. Kirkpatrick, G J., Oliver, M., Berg, B A., Orrico, C ., Moline, M A., Lohrenz, S E., Schofield, O M. 2002. Continuous, real-time determination of hyperspectral absorption of colored dissolved organic material. Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union 83(26) OS12A-122

11. Bai, X., Lohrenz, S., Redalje, D., Kirkpatrick, G., Kamykowski, D. 2003. Linkage Between Biochemical Carbon Flux and Diel Vertical Migration Behavior in Populations of the red Tide Dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis. Eos Trans. AGU, 84(52), Ocean Sci. Meet. Suppl., Abstract OS21C-05.

12. Bai, X., S.E. Lohrenz, D.G. Redalje, G.J. Kirkpatrick, D. Kamykowski.2004.Probing the linkage between diel vertical migration behavior and carbon biosynthetic pattern of the red tide dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis [abstract].Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on Harmful Marine Algae in the U.S.Harmful Algae. 3(3):190.

13.Kirkpatrick, G., D. Millie, M. Moline, S. Lohrenz, O. Schofield.2004.Mapping Karenia brevis blooms utilizing automated optical discrimination. [abstract]Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on Harmful Marine Algae in the U.S.Harmful Algae. 3(3):220.

14.Evens, T.J. R.E. Reed, D.G. Redalje, S.E. Lohrenz, D.F. Millie,O. Schofield, G.J. Kirkpatrick. 2004.Primary productivity by the toxic Florida red-tide dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis: evaluation of a biooptical model with laboratory and field data.[abstract]Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on Harmful Marine Algae in the U.S.Harmful Algae. 3(3):204.

15.Kirkpatrick, G J., Millie, D F., Lohrenz, S E., Moline, M A. Robbins, I. and Schofield, O M. 2006. An In Situ Sensor of Phytoplankton Community Structure Based on Light Absorption. Eos Trans. AGU, 87(36), Ocean Sci. Meet. Suppl., Abstract OS52B-03

16.Heil, C., Steidinger, K ., Haywood, A., Pigg, R., Weisberg, R., Kirkpatrick, G. and Scholin, C. 2006. Development and Implementation of New Technology for Monitoring of Harmful Algal Blooms in Florida. Eos Trans. AGU, 87(36), Ocean Sci. Meet. Suppl., Abstract OS11C-01

Published reports

1.HARRNESS, 2005. Harmful Algal Research and Response: A National Environmental Science Strategy 2005-2015. Ramsdell, J.S. D.M. Anderson and P.M. Glibert (Eds.), Ecological Society of America, Washington, DC, 96 pp.

Department: Directorate of Environmental Health & Ocean Technology