Harmful brown tide blooms, caused by the organism aureoumbra lagunensis, negatively affect vital coastal ecosystems in texas and florida

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded a Cooperative Agreement totaling $621,392 to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi on July 1, 2026, under the Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research Coastal Ocean Program (CFDA 11.478) to investigate the formation, maintenance, and dissipation of brown tide blooms caused by Aureoumbra lagunensis in the Baffin Bay–Laguna Madre estuarine complex of Texas.

The recipient will conduct regular field sampling and experiments to generate data for building predictive models forecasting how future temperature and water flow changes might increase bloom risks across Texas coastal estuaries. These harmful brown tides reduce light availability needed for seagrass growth and harm fish and invertebrate populations in vital coastal ecosystems. The research outcomes will provide coastal resource managers and stakeholders with tools and information to mitigate bloom impacts, support local water quality improvements, and help communities anticipate and manage environmental risks associated with changing coastal conditions.

Work is performed in Corpus Christi, Texas, with a period of performance from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029. The Cooperative Agreement is assistance type funding awarded through NOAA's Competitive Research Program within the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, which funds peer-reviewed, collaborative research producing actionable science to support management and policy decisions protecting coastal ecosystems and community economic vitality.

These blooms thrive in warmer, saltier, and nutrient-enriched waters, causing significant ecological damage by reducing light needed for seagrass growth and harming populations of fishes and invertebrates. Because critical gaps remain in our understanding of what triggers and sustains these blooms, managers currently struggle to develop effective solutions. This project will investigate the key factors driving the formation, maintenance, and dissipation of the persistent texas brown tides that plague the baffin BAY-laguna madre complex. This estuarine complex forms the jewel of the texas coast with the highest landings of recreational and commercially important fisheries species in texas. The team will conduct regular field sampling and experiments, generating data to build predictive models that forecast how future changes in temperature and water flow might increase bloom risks across texas coastal estuaries. This research will directly benefit coastal resource managers and stakeholders by providing the tools and information necessary to mitigate bloom impacts. The project outcomes include tangible local water quality improvements and a model that will help communities better anticipate and manage environmental risks associated with changing coastal conditions, supporting more resilient and sustainable coastal ecosystems.