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Enlarge ImageFigure 1. Research framework for the GOMTOX program. The general categories of research are broken out under broad themes that incorporate all GOMTOX objectives. (D. Anderson/WHOI)
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Enlarge ImageFigure 2. Timeline for the GOMTOX program. (D. Anderson/WHOI)
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Enlarge ImageGOMTOX 2007 Field Season
Cruise schedule & Field work
(J. Kleindinst/WHOI)
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| GOMTOX is a five year project with multiple subprojects, outlined in figure 1 (right). Large-scale field surveys of A. fundyense abundance and distribution will be conducted in Years 1,2, and 4, emphasizing not only the surface manifestation of blooms, but their vertical structure and the transport of toxins to bottom waters. Autonomous gliders will extend the range of these surveys and provide high-resolution detail as well. Satellite-tracked drifters will be deployed and, along with satellite imagery, will be used to track blooms, water masses, and validate model simulations. Time-series sediment traps and samplers will be deployed in Years 1-4 at a key location where time series of shellfish toxicity and vertical cell and toxin distribution will also be obtained. Shellfish toxin time-series will also be obtained at three other offshore beds. GOMTOX will benefit from NMFS regional surfclam sampling in Years 2 and 5 and scallop sampling in Years 1-4. These collections will be supplemented by targeted sampling by collaborating fishermen in Years 1-4. A regional cyst-mapping survey will take place in Year 3. All moorings will be recovered in Year 5, leaving the remainder of that year for synthesis activities, workshops, and outreach and transitioning efforts.
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