The FWRI HAB culture collection contains algal species grown and
maintained in the HAB laboratory. These single-species cultures are
used for research by FWRI and other scientists in the United States
and around the world.
Research on HAB species often requires the
use of phytoplankton cultures grown in the laboratory to study a
single species. Most of the phytoplankton species in the
HAB culture collection originate from water samples
collected in Florida. The water samples are examined under a light
microscope, and when
a desired species is identified, single cells are removed and
placed into individual containers. The cells are fed a mixture of
nutrients, and after numerous cell divisions, a single-species
culture is established. The cultures are transferred to large
storage containers called carboys, where they are maintained and
made available for use by FWRI researchers and other scientists in
the United States and around the world. The HAB culture collection
contains cultures of various dinoflagellate and diatom species,
many of which are toxic. Numerous different cultures of Karenia
brevis, the Florida red tide organism, are maintained as part
of the collection.
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