The Indian River Lagoon (IRL) is a large and complex barrier island estuary on Florida’s East coast. The system is also one of the nation’s most biologically diverse, a major spawning and nursery ground for numerous species of fish and shellfish, and home to significant populations of dolphins and manatees. Ocean observing systems can play an integral role in evaluating the effects of both natural (e.g. climate change) and anthropogenic impacts (e.g. nutrient pollution) on such a complex system. In this paper we present an integrated multidisciplinary approach to studying the recurrent large-scale harmful algal bloom (HAB) events that have threatened both the ecological and economic stability of the IRL and represent a significant public health hazard. Due to the complex biological, chemical and physical interactions associated with IRL HABs, the integration of classical observing methodology, such as phytoplankton surveys, with real-time water quality monitoring, innovative technology, and biological sentinels, is essential. The open sharing of data for research, education and public engagement is another key component of our approach. There are multiple stakeholders and end users that rely on these efforts to understand HAB dynamics in a unique marine system.

印度河泻湖（IRL）是佛罗里达东海岸的一个大型而复杂的屏障岛河口。该系统也是美国生物多样性最丰富的系统之一，是许多鱼类和贝类的主要产卵场和育苗场，并拥有大量的海豚和海牛。海洋观测系统可以在评估这种复杂系统的自然（例如气候变化）和人为影响（例如营养污染）的影响中发挥不可或缺的作用。在本文中，我们提出了一种综合的多学科方法来研究经常性的大规模有害藻华（HAB）事件，这些事件既威胁了IRL的生态和经济稳定性，又构成了重大的公共健康危害。由于与IRL HAB相关的复杂的生物，化学和物理相互作用，必须将浮游植物调查等经典观测方法与实时水质监测，创新技术和生物标记相结合。为研究，教育和公众参与而公开共享数据是我们方法的另一个关键组成部分。有许多利益相关者和最终用户依靠这些努力来了解独特海洋系统中的HAB动态。