On Wednesday, Sept. 3 Dr. Pat Gilbert will offer two seminars on algae blooms at the New College Sudakoff Center in Sarasota, Florida. Gilbert is an oceanographer and professor at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Horn Point Laboratory.

At 2 p.m., Dr. Glibert will present the seminar titled “Complexity in the relationship between eutrophication and harmful algal blooms.” Later, at 7 p.m. she will give a second seminar called “Global nutrient over-enrichment – what’s the relevance for Florida’s coast?”

Her current work is focused on the linkages between nutrient over-enrichment and harmful algal blooms (HABs), and how the amount and type of nutrients may be related to bloom proliferation.

HABs are often called red tides, but scientists prefer the term harmful algal blooms because “red tide” incorrectly includes many blooms that discolor the water but cause no harm, says the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coastal Ocean Research Program. Oppositely, highly toxic blooms occur at nearly invisible cell concentrations.

Gilbert’s research into nutrient runoff, algal blooms and red tide encompasses coastal zones and oceans worldwide, including Chesapeake Bay, Kuwait, Australia, China and Florida. She will present her findings regarding a recent project focused on the coast of Florida.