The Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology has awarded $270,274 to two researchers to develop a tool for improved detection of microalgae. Hugh MacIntyre, senior marine scientist at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab in Dauphin Island, Ala., and colleague Richard Cox of Kaitech Inc. in Columbia, Md., received the grant. They plan to develop a field stage prototype of a laser fluorometer that detects multiple target pigments and that can differentiate among various algae. Blooms of microalgae lead to low oxygen levels in the water and to fish kills. The blooms also can impair human health.