Harmful algal blooms, or HABs, occur when a population of algae grows out of control and produces toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals and birds. The human illnesses caused by HABs, though rare, can be debilitating or even fatal.
NCEI archives a comprehensive range of environmental data, including critical information on harmful algal blooms (HABs). For current algal bloom mapping please see the NCEI Harmful Algal Bloom Observing System (HABSOS).
For a broader search, we recommend using the NCEI Geoportal to explore additional data that may be relevant to your specific interests.
Archived HAB Data Description
These datasets include physical and biological water quality observation data, forecast products, and associated satellite imagery from the Gulf of America and Great Lakes Region.
The datasets below focus specifically on HAB-related variables such as:
- HAB organism densities
- Toxin concentrations
- Remote monitoring of HABs
- HAB forecast data
Gulf of America
- Harmful Algal Blooms Observing System (HABSOS) 1953-present
- Harmful Algal Bloom - Operational Forecasting System (HABOFS): Gulf of America 2004-present
- NCCOS Harmful Algal Bloom Outputs
- Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (PMN) 2001-2013
- HAB data from Mote Monthly Transect Cruises 1998-1999
- Lake Pontchartrain HAB Monitoring 2019
- Lake Pontchartrain HAB Monitoring 2020
Great Lakes
- Harmful Algal Bloom - Operational Forecasting System (HABOFS): Lake Erie 2017-present
- NCCOS Harmful Algal Bloom Outputs
- Hypoxia 2017–present
- Western Lake Erie HAB Detection Stations Collection 2012–present
- Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron HAB Detection Stations Collection 2012–present
- Lake Erie HAB Toxin and Water Quality 2013–2022
- Hyperspectral Imagery Monitoring of Great Lakes HABs