Environmental crises exist on a continuum varying on the size of the affected area, severity and longevity of effects, level mitigation required, and socioeconomic impacts, all influencing the level of public involvement. Despite the need for immediate action, it is the role of the scientist to ensure adherence to the scientific method. The “Brown Tide” off of Long Island, Lyngbya algal blooms off the coast of Australia, and the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil spill exemplify the unique concerns experienced by scientists facing environmental crises.

First reported in 1985, an Aureococcus anophagefferens microalgal bloom or “Brown Tide” occurred in the bays around Long Island, NY 1. Local fishermen were dismissive of the impending problem, blaming the turbid water on the wind or tide. Soon, it devastated the mollusk populations and decimated scallop harvests 2. Once the algal bloom was recognized as the cause, an emergency conference was organized to trace the source of the algal blooms, and the public noticed. Scientists worked feverishly to identify the causative species and design preventative and/or control measures for mitigation. Although small in scale and with no adverse human health effects, the brown tide presented an opportunity for scientists to influence existing monitoring procedures for harmful algal blooms (HAB).

The bloom of Lyngbya majuscula off the coast of Australia grew from an isolated nuisance to a widespread crisis with blooms appearing in geographically isolated sites 3. Lyngbya is a toxic, filamentous, marine cyanobacterium capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen and is commonly epiphytic on seagrass, coral, and macroalgae. Blooms of Lyngbya can uproot whole seagrass beds and create hypoxic zones beneath the floating mats. It also causes painful dermatitis and asthma-like respiratory problems 4. Fishermen initially thought the dermatitis was a social disease, failing to link its prevalence in the groin with the handling of the cyanobacteria. The added threat to human health required immediate action to identify the reasons for the HAB and prepare for public involvement. With growing pressure from the media, help such as free aerial surveys via helicopter and GPS mapping by fishermen became necessary to acquire answers promptly and make decisions. Through coastal runoff and anthropogenic activities analyses, scientists determined that increased iron concentrations from clear-cut pine forests and seabird guano associated with a floating tourist helicopter pad were the cause. Scientists then needed to communicate with the public and increase the scientific literacy surrounding this sensationalized issue to avoid finger pointing. Australia, being cognizant of cyanobacteria, recognized Lyngbya as a national threat. Because scientists remained cool under the pressure of this environmental crisis, Australia now has an integrated science program with management agencies that requires reforesting, moving of the helicopter pad, and banning of clear cutting.

The oil spill associated with the DWH oil well blowout is a prime example of a national environmental crisis requiring immediate action and strict adherence to the scientific method to avoid controversy. Scientists found themselves in a national media spotlight as an unknown quantity of crude oil spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, where it devastated fisheries, marine mammal and seabird populations, beaches, and wetlands, repercussions that would last for years. Environmental crises of this magnitude, while providing more than adequate funding, open the floor for finger-pointing and biased science by colleagues who wish to personally profit5, 6, 7. Several scientists held press conferences despite a lack of concrete analysis. More careful scientists published their results first in peer-reviewed journals before discussing with the media.

Science in environmental crises remains the same regardless of an event’s magnitude. Critical is the unbiased approach and very basic scientific rigor. Prioritization and adaption are a must in forming an adaptive approach. Documenting the process is also crucial in crises that may require legal action. When communicating with the public and media, it is important to remain honest about the extent or lack of understanding concerning the crisis. Communication in general is also important in fortifying the investigation team and developing relationships with reporters. Recognizing environmental crises as long-lasting issues with enduring implications should help drive the process.

Environmental crises, while devastating, present an opportunity for scientists to directly influence the public and initiate policy changes. However, biased scientists can murky the already turbid waters of public opinion. Scientific heroes will distinguish themselves by using the right tools to answer the overall question instead of using attention as an opportunity to gain publicity for a pet project. They can communicate with the media but substantiate claims with scientific rigor. Where others may use hot language, scientific heroes remain cool under pressure. They know that leveraging resources is important but do not chase the money. Above all, they progress without losing sight of the goal and are open-minded.

References

1. Brown Tide Research Initiative
2. Gutis, Philip, “The Region: Algae Blooms Hit L.I. Sound; Brown Tide Blues,” The New York Times, August 2, 1987.
3. Albert, S. et al. 2005. Blooms of the cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula in coastal Queensland, Australia: disparate sites, common factors. Marine Pollution Bulletin, Vol. 51, 428-437.
4. Watkinson, A.J., O’Neil, J.M., Dennison, W.C. 2005. Ecophysiology of the marine cyanobacterium, Lyngbya majuscula (Oscillatoriaceae) in Moreton Bay, Australia. Harmful Algae. Vol. 4, 697-715.
5. Peterson, C.H. et al. 2012. A Tale of Two Spills: Novel Science and Policy Implications of an Emerging New Oil Spill Model. Bioscience, Vol. 62, 461-469.
6. Stokstad, Erik. 2010. Hunting for Plumes, Learning to Live in a Media Spotlight. Science, Vol. 329, 22-23.
7. Schrope, Mark. 2010. Deepwater Horizon: A scientist at the centre of the spill. Nature, Vol. 466, 680-684.
8. Women in Science. 2013. Nature, Vol. 495, 21.

Authors

Katie Lecorchick, Vanessa Vargas, and Yuanchao Zhan.