AMS scientists have coauthored several recent publications in the field of pathogens research. The most recent, Evidence for a Novel Marine Harmful Algal Bloom: Cyanotoxin (Microcystin) Transfer from Land to Sea Otters, describes the pathways and effects of the freshwater biotoxin microcystin, which has caused the death of 21 sea otters. This publication received wide press coverage, including recent articles in the San Jose Mercury News and San Francisco Chronicle.
Another recent publication coauthored by Applied Marine Sciences scientists and published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology has evaluated the use of Bacteroidales as a predictor of fecal pathogens in coastal waters.
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On July 27, 2010, AMS President Robert Spies testified at the US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife hearing entitled, "Assessing Natural Resource Damages Resulting from the BP Deepwater Horizon Disaster."