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Understanding and Better Management of "Green Tide" in Narragansett Bay, RI

Develop a deeper understanding of green tides in Narragansett Bay so that these events can be better managed.

Collaborators

• Dr. Carol Thornber, University of Rhode Island
• Dr. Brian Wysor, Roger Williams University

Summary

In Rhode Island fishermen, boaters and beachgoers are accustomed to the state’s so-called “green tide,” a virtual anomaly that appears as large expanses of floating seaweed in Narragansett Bay.

Despite their prevalence, relatively little is known about the particular species of algae that form green tides, especially in Narragansett Bay and the northeastern United States. Narragansett Bay alone is home to some 200 to 300 different species of macroalgae, according to Dr. Carol Thornber of the University of Rhode Island, who, along with Dr. Brian Wysor of Roger Williams University and their research teams, is making the first attempt to identify the green algae species in the region through a combination of morphological and molecular techniques.

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