Photo Story on Research on Toxic Algal Blooms in Eastern North Carolina
The Albemarle-Pamlico Sound region of eastern North Carolina has a bad history with algal blooms. Decades ago, toxic cyanobacterial blooms, fed by nutrient-rich pollution and warm weather, painted the waters a sickly blue-green every summer. After large-scale environmental efforts reduced water pollution, the blooms went away -- until they suddenly reappeared five years ago. Now researchers at the UNC Institute of Marine Science (IMS) race to figure out what is causing the resurgence in blooms before their toxins seriously harm the environment, or even local residents.
Manu Suarez, a volunteer with the Chowan-Edenton Environmental Group (CEEG), carries supplies from a research station near Edenton, N.C., June 11, 2020. While masks were required due to the coronavirus pandemic, volunteers studying cyanobacteria have been wearing masks for years to avoid inhaling toxins in the air.
Volunteers from the CEEG help IMS researchers install a water monitoring device near Edenton, N.C., June 11, 2020. The device is set up on the dock of a local volunteer who loans the space to researchers every summer.
Karsten Baumann, a researcher at the IMS, installs a meteorological station in Edenton, N.C., June 11, 2020. The device monitors for cyanobacterial toxins that are released into the air, which can cause severe complications for people who inhale them.
A large cyanobacterial bloom covers hundreds of square yards of the Chowan River near Edenton, N.C., July 7, 2020. While blooms of this size used to be quite rare, they are now common in summertime.
Ryan Paerl, a researcher at the IMS, holds a filter sample in Edenton, N.C., July 7, 2020. The filter used to collect sediment from a sample of river water is stained green from cyanobacteria.
Filter samples are packed and labeled in Edenton, N.C., July 7, 2020.
Ph.D. candidate Haley Plaas carefully folds a filter sample inside of a windproof box in Edenton, N.C., July 7, 2020. Her research focuses on cyanobacterial toxins present in the air.
A water sample collection device sits on a dock near Edenton, N.C., July 7, 2020.
Paerl collects water samples off of a dock while green streaks of cyanobacteria float beneath him near Edenton, N.C., July 7, 2020. Toxic cyanobacteria blooms regularly come into contact with humans who live and recreate on the water – a severe health issue in the area.
Photo Package on the Opening of UNC's Vaccine Clinic
Just over a year after UNC shut down its campus when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the University began vaccinating students on campus. On March 31, 2021, UNC opened a clinic in the bottom of the Student Union where students can receive the Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine. It was an exciting event for students and staff eager to return to an in-person experience on campus.
A UNC pharmacist prepares a vaccine dose in the kitchen of the former Wendy’s in the Student Union at UNC in Chapel Hill, N.C., March 31, 2021. Old unused fry containers still remain from the Wendy’s that closed at the beginning of the pandemic.
A vaccine dose lies ready to be administered along with a CDC vaccination card. The University has received 2,000 doses in its initial shipment of vaccines for students.
The first vaccine dose given at UNC’s vaccination clinic is administered.
Vaccine boxes lie in the walk-in refrigerator of the former Wendy’s in the bottom of the Student Union. The vaccines must be kept refrigerated until they are ready to be administered.
Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz and Provost Bob Blouin tour through the vaccination clinic.
Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz gives an interview about the opening of the vaccination clinic and the impact it will have on UNC over the coming months, including a likely return to in-person learning in the Fall semester.
Forms and hand sanitizer lie at the entrance of the vaccination clinic.
A vaccine administrator reads an information packet about the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
UNC pharmacists fill syringes with vaccine doses in the former Wendy’s in the bottom of the Student Union. The prepared syringes are placed on steel countertops under shelves where burgers and fries had been kept just a year prior.
Workers wait to check in patients at the vaccination clinic.
Supplies for administering the coronavirus vaccine lie ready at a station at the vaccination clinic. Among the supplies is a pom-pom for celebrating the vaccinations.
Provost Bob Blouin gives an interview about the opening of the vaccination clinic and the impact it will have on UNC over the coming months. “Today is the first day that we can probably really say that we see the end of the tunnel,” Provost Bob Blouin said as he predicted a return to normalcy at UNC in the Fall semester.
Singles
UNC basketball head coach Roy Williams talks to reporters in an emotional press conference announcing his retirement in the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., April 1, 2021. The legendary coach led UNC to three national championship titles and nine ACC regular season title over 18 seasons. He reached 903 wins over his 33-year career, making him the third-winningest coach in NCAA basketball history.
Students celebrate on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, N.C., Nov. 11, 2020 after Joe Biden beat President Donald Trump to become the next president of the United States.
Former UNC men’s basketball coach Roy Williams sheds a tear as new head coach Hubert Davis recalls a story at a press conference in the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., April 6, 2021. Davis spent many years under Williams as both a player and an assistant coach.
"We Will Be Back." After Carnival Australia cancelled all cruises through mid-May, the Carnival Spirit lies docked in Circular Quay in Sydney, March 21, 2020. Despite a nationwide ban on international air travel due to the coronavirus pandemic, cruise ships with sick passengers have been allowed to dock. Sydneysiders were outraged after the Ruby Princess disembarked 2,700 passengers in Circular Quay without health screening on March 19. Nine days later, 299 of her passengers had tested positive for COVID-19.
UNC hosts a press conference to announce the retirement of basketball head coach Roy Williams in the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., April 1, 2021. The legendary coach led UNC to three national championship titles and nine ACC regular season title over 18 seasons. He reached 903 wins over his 33-year career, making him the third-winningest coach in NCAA basketball history.
Kyle McClintock, a junior chemical engineering major at NC State, poses for a portrait at a desk in a house in Chapel Hill, N.C., March 8, 2021. All of her classes have been online since lockdowns began a year prior in March of 2020.
Fans look on as UNC plays Wake Forest in the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Jan. 20, 2021. Only a few family members were allowed to attend the game and had to wear masks and socially distance.
Reflection in a bass drum of a member of UNC’s drum line during a football game in Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C., Oct. 24, 2020. A limited number of band members were allowed to play at football games as coronavirus lockdowns began to be relaxed in North Carolina.
Students celebrate on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill, N.C., Nov. 11, 2020 after Joe Biden beat President Donald Trump to become the next president of the United States.
UNC hosts a press conference to announce the retirement of basketball head coach Roy Williams in the Dean Smith Center on April 1, 2021. The public was not allowed to attend because of coronavirus restrictions, and reporters were required to wear masks and socially distance.
A fan holds a sign up to former UNC men’s basketball coach Roy Williams after a press conference announcing Hubert Davis as his replacement in the Dean Dome on April 6, 2021.
Hubert Davis talks to reporters at a press conference announcing that he will be the next head coach of the UNC men’s basketball team in the Dean Smith Center on April 1, 2021. Davis replaces legendary Tar Heel coach Roy Williams, who retired just a week earlier.
