Article
Ecology
Adam J. Heathcote, Zofia E. Taranu, Nicolas Tromas, Meaghan MacIntyre-Newell, Peter R. Leavitt, Frances R. Pick
Summary: This study used sedimentary DNA analysis to investigate the changes in cyanobacterial communities and toxin genes in nine lakes in Minnesota, USA over the past century. The results showed a significant increase in the abundance of cyanobacteria and potential toxin genes since the 20th century, and land use and lake depth had a major impact on the cyanobacterial communities.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Amy E. Grogan, Catharina Alves-de-Souza, Lawrence B. Cahoon, Michael A. Mallin
Summary: Nutrient-driven cyanobacteria blooms are increasingly common in freshwater environments, especially in anthropogenically altered landscapes. This study focused on stormwater retention ponds in urban and suburban areas, which are likely environments for harmful cyanobacteria blooms. The investigation assessed the taxonomic composition, bloom morphological composition, toxicity, and impact of nutrients and other environmental factors. The results showed that cyanobacteria blooms, especially potentially toxic genera, were most prevalent in the water column of stormwater retention ponds. The study also identified the presence of harmful cyanobacteria in various other freshwater environments.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Neil Chernoff, Donna Hill, Johnsie Lang, Judith Schmid, Amy Farthing, Hwa Huang
Summary: The study evaluated the toxicities of five microcystin congeners on liver function in mice, finding significant differences in congener-induced hepatic toxicity.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Liang Chen, John P. Giesy, Ondrej Adamovsky, Zorica Svircev, Jussi Meriluoto, Geoffrey A. Codd, Biljana Mijovic, Ting Shi, Xun Tuo, Shang-Chun Li, Bao-Zhu Pan, Jun Chen, Ping Xie
Summary: Microcystis spp. are photosynthetic prokaryotes that can convert CO2 and minerals into organic compounds and biomass. While considered as a potential protein source for animal feeds, Microcystis also produce cyanobacterial toxins that present health hazards. Further research on nutritional value and safety is needed before incorporating Microcystis into animal feed ingredients.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Donata Overlinge, Anna Torunska-Sitarz, Marija Katarzyte, Renata Pilkaityte, Greta Gyraite, Hanna Mazur-Marzec
Summary: This study investigated the diversity of Microcystins (MCs) and their potential producers in the Curonian Lagoon, analyzing MC profiles using LC-MS/MS method. Genetic analysis revealed that potential MCs producers include Dolichospermum/Anabaena, Microcystis spp., and Planktothrix agardhii. The findings suggest the presence of multiple chemotypes of cyanobacteria in the Curonian Lagoon.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hak Jin Song, Ranjit Gurav, Shashi Kant Bhatia, Eun Bin Lee, Hyung Joo Kim, Yung-Hun Yang, Eunsung Kan, Ho Hyun Kim, Sang Hyun Lee, Yong-Keun Choi
Summary: This study investigated the adsorption behaviors of microcystin-LR on pristine biochars derived from various waste biomass, with KB biochar prepared at 750 degrees C showing the highest adsorption capacity. The results suggest that KB biochar could be an effective and cheap adsorbent for removing microcystin-LR from wastewater.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Nikola Stankovic, Boris Jovanovic, Ivana Kostic Kokic, Milica Stojkovic Piperac, Jelica Simeunovic, Dimitar Jakimov, Ivica Dimkic, Djuradj Milosevic
Summary: Cyanobacteria and their toxic metabolites, including microcystin-LR, have been found to have detrimental effects on aquatic organisms, especially in the presence of environmental stressors. This study investigated the effects of microcystin-LR and Trichormus variabilis on Chironomus riparius larvae in a multistress environment and found that microcystin-LR had an additive effect with environmental stressors, leading to increased larval mortality. Chronic exposure to microcystin-LR also resulted in reduced larval mass, hemoglobin concentration, and DNA damage in somatic cells. These findings highlight the importance of studying the interactions between stressors and cyanotoxins in aquatic ecosystems.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jordan A. Facey, Jake P. Violi, Josh J. King, Chowdhury Sarowar, Simon C. Apte, Simon M. Mitrovic
Summary: Microcystis aeruginosa, a widespread cyanobacteria, exhibits growth limitation when iron, cobalt, and manganese are excluded from the growth media. Intracellular iron concentrations are notably higher in treatments grown in cobalt-deplete media compared to other treatments.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sachidananda Mishra, Richard P. Stumpf, Blake Schaeffer, P. Jeremy Werdell, Keith A. Loftin, Andrew Meredith
Summary: This study validated the effectiveness of the CIcyano algorithm in identifying lakes with toxin-producing blooms across 11 states in the United States, demonstrating its utility for synoptic and routine monitoring of potentially toxic cyanoHABs.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Donna Hill, Johnsie Lang, James McCord, Mark Strynar, Charlita Rosal, Judith Schmid, Thanh-Thao Le, Neil Chernoff
Summary: Microcystins are cyanobacterial toxins commonly found in harmful algal blooms that can harm wildlife, livestock, pets, and humans. Accurate quantification and dosage measurement of these toxins in environmental samples and toxicology studies require the availability and accuracy of chemical standards.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Igor Mrdjen, Jiyoung Lee, Christopher M. Weghorst, Thomas J. Knobloch
Summary: Exposure to cyanobacterial hepatotoxins in drinking water may promote liver carcinogenesis, especially when combined with multiple cyanobacterial toxins and bioactive compounds. This study provides important insights into the potential hazards of cyanotoxins and the prevention of liver cancer.
Article
Ecology
Aabir Banerji, Ruta Deshpande, Michael Elk, Jody A. Shoemaker, Dan R. Tettenhorst, Mark Bagley, Jorge W. Santo Domingo
Summary: Research on the relationship between calanoid copepods and cyanobacteria suggests that copepods may tolerate the toxic microcystin produced by cyanobacteria, potentially perpetuating harmful algal blooms.
Article
Plant Sciences
Yuki Tsuzuki, Yusuke Tsukatani, Hisanori Yamakawa, Shigeru Itoh, Yuichi Fujita, Haruki Yamamoto
Summary: A marine cyanobacterium Acaryochloris marina synthesizes a unique chlorophyll called chlorophyll d. This study investigates the effects of light and oxygen on chlorophyll d biosynthesis in A. marina. The findings suggest that A. marina has a light-independent pathway for chlorophyll d biosynthesis and that chlorophyll d degradation occurs under anaerobic and dark conditions.
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Alexandra K. Ash, Stuart Patterson
Summary: Harmful cyanobacterial blooms pose a threat to human and animal health. However, there is a lack of comprehensive reporting on cyanotoxin poisonings in terrestrial wildlife. This study aims to fill this gap by providing recommendations for improved reporting and emphasizing the importance of enhanced diagnostics and surveillance.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Jacob A. Cianci-Gaskill, Katrina K. Knott, Rebecca O'Hearn, Alba Argerich, Darby Niswonger, Jeff Wenzel, Joanna B. Whittier, Rebecca L. North
Summary: This study investigates the accumulation of microcystin in bluegill and largemouth bass from an agricultural reservoir in the North American Great Plains. The results show that bluegill has significantly higher microcystin levels than largemouth bass. Harvest date and water microcystin concentrations are identified as important factors influencing the accumulation of microcystin in fish tissues.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lester L. Yuan, Amina I. Pollard
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Limnology
Lester L. Yuan, Amina I. Pollard
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2018)
Article
Limnology
Lester L. Yuan, John R. Jones
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lester L. Yuan
Summary: Submerged macrophytes play a crucial role in shallow lake ecosystems, maintaining clear water conditions in contrast to turbid lakes lacking these plants. Turbidity reduction influences the presence of macrophytes, with increased phytoplankton and suspended sediment contributing to increased turbidity. Understanding the effects of different sources of turbidity on macrophyte occurrence can inform management efforts.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lester L. Yuan, John R. Jones
Summary: Accurately estimating the elemental stoichiometry of phytoplankton is crucial for understanding biogeochemical cycles. In this study, a new analytical approach is introduced to estimate the N:P ratio of phytoplankton from the particulate fraction of nutrient pools in lake samples. Bayesian models were used to represent observations of particulate P and N, taking into account contributions from nutrients bound within phytoplankton and non-phytoplankton suspended sediment. The results showed that the mass ratio of N:P in phytoplankton ranged from 8 to 10 across different lakes and seasons, while N:P in particulate matter ranged from 6 to 70, driven by differences in nutrients bound to non-phytoplankton suspended sediment. The Bayesian models were also adapted to estimate N:P using more commonly available measurements of total P and total N, and applied to a continental-scale monitoring dataset. The comparison between the two analyses revealed that the model estimate of phytoplankton nutrient content includes contributions from nutrients within phytoplankton and dissolved nutrients associated with changes in phytoplankton biomass when direct measurements of particulate nutrient concentrations are lacking.
Article
Ecology
Lester L. Yuan, Richard M. Mitchell, Amina Pollard, Christopher T. Nietch, Erik M. Pilgrim, Nathan J. Smucker
Summary: Changes in phosphorus concentrations have nuanced effects on periphytic diatom composition in streams, showing weak relationships with diatom richness. On the other hand, conductivity changes strongly influence both diatom composition and richness. By comparing the relationships between phosphorus and taxon occurrence with those between conductivity and taxon occurrence, as well as documenting the effects of niche breadths on richness patterns, a better understanding of the mechanisms controlling the phosphorus-richness relationship can be achieved. The findings contribute to improving the management of phosphorus pollution and describing the contributions of excess phosphorus and specific taxa with their niche breadths to diatom richness patterns.
FRESHWATER BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Limnology
Lester L. Yuan, John R. Jones
