Cyanobacteria: Harmful Algae Blooms
Cyanobacteria (a.k.a. blue-green algae) are photosynthetic bacteria that occur in a wide array of terrestrial and aquatic habitats. In freshwaters, cyanobacteria sometimes form extremely dense populations that are termed blooms or harmful algal blooms (HABs). When forming blooms, cyanobacteria cause a variety of environmental issues, but one of the most important is the production of compounds (i.e., cyanotoxins) that are toxic to mammals, fish, pets, wildlife, and many other species. The environmental conditions that cause cyanobacteria to produce toxins are poorly understood. Cyanobacterial HABs are caused in part by excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) that wash into rivers and lakes from agricultural and urban landscapes. Currently, scientists are focused on the movement of these nutrients through rivers and lakes, as well as identifying environmental conditions that influence cyanotoxin production.
Nutrient Dynamics in Great Lake Tributaries
Principal Investigator – James Larson
Harmful algal blooms can produce cyanotoxins that are harmful to humans, pets, livestock, and ecosystem health. Harmful algae blooms are a frequent occurrence in the Great Lakes, particularly in Lake Erie and Lake Michigan at the mouths of the Maumee and Fox Rivers and are partially caused by an excess of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous in the water column.
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Using Water Level Management to Reduce Cyanobacterial Bloom Toxicity
Principal Investigator – James Larson
Cyanobacteria (a.k.a. blue-green algae) are photosynthetic bacteria that occur in a wide array of terrestrial and aquatic habitats. In freshwaters, cyanobacteria sometimes form extremely dense populations that are termed blooms or harmful algal blooms (HABs). When forming blooms, cyanobacteria cause a variety of environmental issues, but one of the most important is the production of compounds (i.e., cyanotoxins) that are toxic to mammals, fish, pets, wildlife, and many other species. The environmental conditions that cause cyanobacteria to produce toxins are poorly understood. Cyanobacterial HABs are caused in part by excess nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) that wash into rivers and lakes from agricultural and urban landscapes. Currently, scientists are focused on the movement of these nutrients through rivers and lakes, as well as identifying environmental conditions that influence cyanotoxin production.
Nutrient Dynamics in Great Lake Tributaries
Principal Investigator – James Larson
Harmful algal blooms can produce cyanotoxins that are harmful to humans, pets, livestock, and ecosystem health. Harmful algae blooms are a frequent occurrence in the Great Lakes, particularly in Lake Erie and Lake Michigan at the mouths of the Maumee and Fox Rivers and are partially caused by an excess of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorous in the water column.
__________________________________________________________________________
Using Water Level Management to Reduce Cyanobacterial Bloom Toxicity
Principal Investigator – James Larson