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National Agricultural Library
U.S. Department of Agriculture
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Correlation Between Algal Presence in Water and Toxin Presence in Shellfish

Objective

This study aims to examine the correlation between environmental phytoplankton and toxin levels in shellfish.

<p>The project will survey three UK sites for both phytoplankton and shellfish toxicity.

Phytoplankton samples will be taken for genetic analysis to determine if any differences exist between the molecular makeup of these toxin-producing cells from the three UK regions.

More information

Phytoplankton are single celled microscopic algae. Shellfish that feed on some of these algae, which produce toxins, can be rendered toxic and pose a health risk to people that eat them.

<p>This project aims to examine the relationship between phytoplankton cell numbers in the environment and toxin levels in shellfish by establishing a high frequency sampling programme for both shellfish flesh and toxic phytoplankton.
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Find more about this project and other FSA food safety-related projects at the <a href="http://www.food.gov.uk/science/research/&quot; target="_blank">Food Standards Agency Research webpage</a>.

Institution
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Sciences (CEFAS)
FRS Marine Laboratory
Start date
2002
End date
2003
Funding Source
Food Standards Agency
Project number
B04005
Categories
Natural Toxins