Article
Biodiversity Conservation
C. E. Binding, L. Pizzolato, C. Zeng
Summary: Early detection and comprehensive monitoring of inland water algal blooms are crucial for effective management and mitigation of potential impacts. Satellite Earth Observation technology has greatly enhanced algal bloom monitoring capabilities. Studies on three Canadian lakes have shown widespread blooms with varying intensity and duration, emphasizing the importance of utilizing multiple bloom indices for accurate assessment.
ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Rabia Munsaf Khan, Bahram Salehi, Masoud Mahdianpari, Fariba Mohammadimanesh, Giorgos Mountrakis, Lindi J. Quackenbush
Summary: This study analyzed a large number of journal articles to explore spatiotemporal trends in harmful algal bloom (HAB) monitoring, identified research gaps and future directions, and suggested the need for standardized reporting methods and potential technological advancements and data fusion for HAB detection and monitoring.
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. Liu, W. Glamore, B. Tamburic, A. Morrow, F. Johnson
Summary: The study explores the applicability of using multiple satellites data for detecting harmful algal blooms in small to medium waterbodies. It finds that the available satellite bands are crucial for determining detection algorithms, recommending the integration of regular sampling activities and remote sensing for monitoring and managing these waterbodies.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Kelly Luis, Philipp Koehler, Christian Frankenberg, Michelle Gierach
Summary: This study explores the use of TROPOMI's red SIF for detecting Karenia brevis, comparing it with the standard remote sensing HAB indicator MODIS-Aqua. The results show that red SIF provides more spatiotemporal fluorescence information than nFLH and can be used for detection under cloudy conditions, which improves early warning systems for harmful algal blooms.
GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pankaj Bhatt, Bernard A. Engel, Mikael Reuhs, Halis Simsek
Summary: This study compiles information on the use of cyanophage therapy techniques for the removal of toxic cyanobacterial blooms, aiming to improve water quality. It examines cyanobacterial toxin production and its environmental impacts, the mechanisms involved in cyanophage-cyanobacteria interactions, and the application of cyanophages in removing toxic cyanobacterial blooms.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Blake A. Schaeffer, Natalie Reynolds, Hannah Ferriby, Wilson Salls, Deron Smith, John M. Johnston, Mark Myer
Summary: This study presents a forecasting approach using satellite data and a Bayesian model to predict the occurrence of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms. The model outperformed other machine learning and neural network models in terms of prediction accuracy. It provides valuable information for water managers and public health managers to manage and mitigate the risks associated with cyanobacterial blooms.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amalia M. Handler, Jana E. Compton, Ryan A. Hill, Scott G. Leibowitz, Blake A. Schaeffer
Summary: By combining satellite imagery and field surveys, this study successfully modeled the risk of toxic cyanobacterial blooms in lakes. This approach can aid in monitoring and managing water quality by identifying lakes at risk of developing harmful algal blooms.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Simon Colas, Benjamin Marie, Emilie Lance, Catherine Quiblier, Helene Tricoire-Leignel, Cesar Mattei
Summary: ATX-a, a neurotoxic alkaloid produced by freshwater cyanobacteria, can cause neurologic symptoms in humans following food poisoning and death in wild and domestic animals. While acute effects and mode of action have been studied, little is known about its potential chronic toxicity.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xiangfeng Bu, Kai Liu, Jingyu Liu, Yunhong Ding
Summary: This study proposes a model for harmful algal bloom detection by integrating MODIS multifactor data with heterogeneous meteorological data. By fusing remote sensing data, meteorological data, and geographical information, a regression dataset is established, and machine learning models are employed to establish correlations between the data and harmful algal bloom cell concentrations. The results show that the extreme gradient boosting model demonstrates the best predictive capability for harmful algal blooms.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matthew Neal Waters, Mark Brenner, Jason Hilleary Curtis, Claudia Suseth Romero-Oliva, Margaret Dix, Manuel Cano
Summary: Research has found that harmful cyanobacteria blooms and cyanotoxin production occurred during periods of ancient Maya occupation, suggesting that human activities may have negatively impacted water quality in the past.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stephanie Stoll, Jae-Hoon Hwang, David W. Fox, Keugtae Kim, Lei Zhai, Woo Hyoung Lee
Summary: In this study, a novel anti-MC-LR/MC-LR/cysteamine-coated screen-printed carbon electrode biosensor was developed for rapid detection of microcystins in water. The biosensor showed excellent performance, with a linear working range and low limit of detection. It also demonstrated minimal interference from other common microcystins and coexisting ions in water. The biosensor offers an innovative and easy-to-use solution for in situ and low-cost detection, making it essential for smart environmental management systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yuanyuan Xia, Yibo Shi, Jieyu Chu, Shiying Zhu, Xiaozhou Luo, Wei Shen, Xianzhong Chen
Summary: Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) are a global threat to human health and natural ecosystems caused by water eutrophication, increased surface water temperature, and co-occurring microorganisms. This study constructed recombinant strains capable of producing acidic or lactonic sophorolipids (SLs) using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing system. The yields of acidic and lactonic SLs reached 53.64 g/L and 45.32 g/L, respectively. The addition of 5 mg/L lactonic SLs effectively degraded cyanobacteria within 30 min, and a specific ratio of lactonic to acidic SLs showed the highest degradation efficiency. This study offers a safe and promising solution for the treatment of CyanoHABs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Keith Davidson, Callum Whyte, Dmitry Aleynik, Andrew Dale, Steven Gontarek, Andrey A. Kurekin, Sharon McNeill, Peter Miller, Marie Porter, Rachel Saxon, Sarah Swan
Summary: The online early warning system operational in Scottish coastal waters aims to minimize the risks of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and their biotoxins to human health and aquaculture businesses. The system includes map and time-series based visualization tools and uses a 'traffic light' index approach to highlight locations at elevated risk. Expert interpretation of data, high-resolution mathematical modeling, and satellite remote sensing are used to provide weekly forecasts of HAB risks, allowing aquaculture businesses to implement mitigation measures if a HAB event is imminent.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Limnology
Mark William Matthews
Summary: Using satellite remote sensing data, simple univariate models can reliably forecast cyanobacteria and harmful algal blooms in lakes, with an accuracy of up to 80%.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Chris C. Lim, Jeonggyo Yoon, Kelly Reynolds, Lynn B. Gerald, Andrew P. Ault, Seulkee Kleo, Michelle L. Bell
Summary: Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are increasing globally, and the relationship between HAB aerosols and human health remains unclear. This review synthesizes current knowledge and identifies gaps in understanding this relationship. Some HAB aerosols have been linked to respiratory outcomes, but direct measurements of aerosol or toxin concentrations are lacking, and epidemiological studies are limited. Further research is needed to explore the health effects of other HAB species, dose-response relationships, effects of concurrent exposures, the impact of long-term exposures, and disparities in vulnerable populations.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Katelyn M. McKindles, Makayla A. Manes, R. Michael McKay, Timothy W. Davis, George S. Bullerjahn
Summary: Planktothrix-specific chytrids are prevalent throughout the bloom period and can exert parasitic pressure on their hosts. Experiment results show that temperatures above 27.1 degrees Celsius can inhibit chytrid infection, while increased conductivity and turbulence in lab also have inhibitory effects on fungal infections.
JOURNAL OF PLANKTON RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Colleen E. Yancey, Derek J. Smith, Paul A. Den Uyl, Osama G. Mohamed, Fengan Yu, Steven A. Ruberg, Justin D. Chaffin, Kelly D. Goodwin, Ashootosh Tripathi, David H. Sherman, Gregory J. Dick
Summary: This study characterizes the variant composition of mcy genes in Microcystis blooms and reveals the dynamic shifts in their abundance and expression. The results show that natural Microcystis populations contain several cooccurring mcy genotypes that likely influence the production of microcystin congeners.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Limnology
Justin D. Chaffin, Judy A. Westrick, Elliot Furr, Johnna A. Birbeck, Laura A. Reitz, Keara Stanislawczyk, Wei Li, Peter K. Weber, Thomas B. Bridgeman, Timothy W. Davis, Xavier Mayali
Summary: Cyanobacterial biomass forecasts cannot predict the concentrations of microcystin, but understanding its production and biodegradation by heterotrophic bacteria can improve toxin concentration forecasts.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Brittany N. Zepernick, Elizabeth R. Denison, Justin D. Chaffin, George S. Bullerjahn, Christa P. Pennacchio, Thijs Frenken, Daniel H. Peck, James T. Anderson, Derek Niles, Arthur Zastepa, R. Michael L. McKay, Steven W. Wilhelm
Summary: This study reports the assembled metatranscriptomes of microbial communities in Lake Erie surface water, revealing the dominance of diatoms in both winter and spring months. The analysis was conducted across spatial, temporal, and climatic gradients from 2019 to 2020.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Katelyn M. McKindles, R. Michael McKay, George S. Bullerjahn
Summary: In this study, 20 new Planktothrix agardhii isolates were obtained from early blooms and subjected to genomic sequencing and analysis. The study found that each genome of these isolates had unique characteristics, demonstrating the unexplored diversity of this genus.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Brittany N. Zepernick, Steven W. Wilhelm, George S. Bullerjahn, Hans W. Paerl
Summary: This article discusses the problem of the freshwater-marine continuum, which refers to the effects of nutrients and toxic cyanobacterial blooms spreading through water bodies. Historically, marine and freshwater research have been conducted independently, failing to address the exchange of nutrients and biology between these systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Katelyn M. McKindles, R. Michael L. McKay, George S. Bullerjahn, Thijs Frenken
Summary: This article investigates the impact of fungal infections on cyanobacteria and harmful algal bloom formation. It reveals that competition between different fungal parasites can alter infection outcomes and prevalence.
Article
Limnology
Robbie M. Martin, Maddie K. Denney, Helena L. Pound, Justin D. Chaffin, George S. Bullerjahn, R. Michael L. McKay, Arthur Zastepa, Katarina A. Jones, Hector F. Castro, Shawn R. Campagna, Steven W. Wilhelm
Summary: Phosphorus availability plays a crucial role in primary production and cyanobacterial blooms in lakes. Phospholipid substitution by sulfolipids has been established as an indicator of phosphorus stress in marine phytoplankton. This study shows that sulfatequinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG) to phosphatidylglycerol (PG) ratio can serve as a biomarker for phosphorus stress in freshwater phytoplankton communities, providing valuable insights into nutrient history and phosphorus scarcity.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Gwendolyn F. Stark, Robbie M. Martin, Laura E. Smith, Bofan Wei, Ferdi L. Hellweger, George S. Bullerjahn, R. Michael L. Mckay, Gregory L. Boyer, Steven W. Wilhelm
Summary: The increase in microcystin quota per cell in Microcystis aeruginosa PCC 7806 provides a fitness advantage during growth at lower temperatures, while a non-toxigenic mutant strain employs compensatory mechanisms to defend against reactive oxygen species without the presence of microcystin.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Justin D. Chaffin, Judy A. Westrick, Laura A. Reitz, Thomas B. Bridgeman
Summary: Cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms can produce toxic cyanotoxins, with microcystins (MC) being the most studied group. Different MC congeners have varying levels of toxicity, and environmental stressors can affect their production. A study in Lake Erie found that nitrogen enrichment favored the production of nitrogen-rich MC-RR, while nitrogen depletion favored low-nitrogen MC-LA. The study also showed that the toxicity of MCs varied throughout the bloom season and that different analytical methods may overestimate or underestimate their toxicity.
Article
Microbiology
Kensuke Seto, D. Rabern Simmons, C. Alisha Quandt, Thijs Frenken, Alden C. Dirks, Rebecca A. Clemons, Katelyn M. McKindles, R. Michael L. McKay, Timothy Y. James
Summary: This study used single-cell sequencing to investigate the ecological function and morphology of aquatic fungi, revealing many previously undescribed lineages and their relationships with other taxa. By adding these sequences to the fungal tree and analyzing their photographs, the researchers were able to understand the morphology and hypothesize the ecological function of these novel fungi.