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Tornabene BJ, Smalling KL, Hossack BR. Effects of Harmful Algal Blooms on Amphibians and Reptiles are Under-Reported and Under-Represented. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:1936-1949. [PMID: 38967263 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a persistent and increasing problem globally, yet we still have limited knowledge about how they affect wildlife. Although semi-aquatic and aquatic amphibians and reptiles have experienced large declines and occupy environments where HABs are increasingly problematic, their vulnerability to HABs remains unclear. To inform monitoring, management, and future research, we conducted a literature review, synthesized the studies, and report on the mortality events describing effects of cyanotoxins from HABs on freshwater herpetofauna. Our review identified 37 unique studies and 71 endpoints (no-observed-effect and lowest-observed-effect concentrations) involving 11 amphibian and 3 reptile species worldwide. Responses varied widely among studies, species, and exposure concentrations used in experiments. Concentrations causing lethal and sublethal effects in laboratory experiments were generally 1 to 100 µg/L, which contains the mean value of reported HAB events but is 70 times less than the maximum cyanotoxin concentrations reported in the environment. However, one species of amphibian was tolerant to concentrations of 10,000 µg/L, demonstrating potentially immense differences in sensitivities. Most studies focused on microcystin-LR (MC-LR), which can increase systemic inflammation and harm the digestive system, reproductive organs, liver, kidneys, and development. The few studies on other cyanotoxins illustrated that effects resembled those of MC-LR at similar concentrations, but more research is needed to describe effects of other cyanotoxins and mixtures of cyanotoxins that commonly occur in the environment. All experimental studies were on larval and adult amphibians; there were no such studies on reptiles. Experimental work with reptiles and adult amphibians is needed to clarify thresholds of tolerance. Only nine mortality events were reported, mostly for reptiles. Given that amphibians likely decay faster than reptiles, which have tissues that resist decomposition, mass amphibian mortality events from HABs have likely been under-reported. We propose that future efforts should be focused on seven major areas, to enhance our understanding of effects and monitoring of HABs on herpetofauna that fill important roles in freshwater and terrestrial environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1936-1949. Published 2024. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian J Tornabene
- Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, US Geological Survey, Missoula, Montana
| | - Kelly L Smalling
- New Jersey Water Science Center, US Geological Survey, Lawrenceville, New Jersey
| | - Blake R Hossack
- Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, US Geological Survey, Missoula, Montana
- Wildlife Biology Program, W. A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, USA
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2
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Stroski KM, Roelke DL, Kieley CM, Park R, Campbell KL, Klobusnik NH, Walker JR, Cagle SE, Labonté JM, Brooks BW. What, How, When, and Where: Spatiotemporal Water Quality Hazards of Cyanotoxins in Subtropical Eutrophic Reservoirs. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:1473-1483. [PMID: 38205949 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Though toxins produced during harmful blooms of cyanobacteria present diverse risks to public health and the environment, surface water quality surveillance of cyanobacterial toxins is inconsistent, spatiotemporally limited, and routinely relies on ELISA kits to estimate total microcystins (MCs) in surface waters. Here, we employed liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry to examine common cyanotoxins, including five microcystins, three anatoxins, nodularin, cylindrospermopsin, and saxitoxin in 20 subtropical reservoirs spatially distributed across a pronounced annual rainfall gradient. Probabilistic environmental hazard analyses identified whether water quality values for cyanotoxins were exceeded and if these exceedances varied spatiotemporally. MC-LR was the most common congener detected, but it was not consistently observed with other toxins, including MC-YR, which was detected at the highest concentrations during spring with many observations above the California human recreation guideline (800 ng/L). Cylindrospermopsin was also quantitated in 40% of eutrophic reservoirs; these detections did not exceed a US Environmental Protection Agency swimming/advisory level (15,000 ng/L). Our observations have implications for routine water quality monitoring practices, which traditionally use ELISA kits to estimate MC levels and often limit collection of surface samples during summer months near reservoir impoundments, and further indicate that spatiotemporal surveillance efforts are necessary to understand cyanotoxins risks when harmful cyanobacteria blooms occur throughout the year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Stroski
- Department of Environmental Science, Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798, United States
| | - Daniel L Roelke
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77554, United States
| | - Crista M Kieley
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77554, United States
| | - Royoung Park
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77554, United States
| | - Kathryn L Campbell
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77554, United States
| | - N Hagen Klobusnik
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77554, United States
| | - Jordan R Walker
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77554, United States
| | - Sierra E Cagle
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77554, United States
| | - Jessica M Labonté
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University Galveston, Galveston, Texas 77554, United States
| | - Bryan W Brooks
- Department of Environmental Science, Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, Waco, Texas 76798, United States
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Zhang C, McIntosh KD, Sienkiewicz N, Stelzer EA, Graham JL, Lu J. Using cyanobacteria and other phytoplankton to assess trophic conditions: A qPCR-based, multi-year study in twelve large rivers across the United States. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 235:119679. [PMID: 37011576 PMCID: PMC10123349 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Phytoplankton is the essential primary producer in fresh surface water ecosystems. However, excessive phytoplankton growth due to eutrophication significantly threatens ecologic, economic, and public health. Therefore, phytoplankton identification and quantification are essential to understanding the productivity and health of freshwater ecosystems as well as the impacts of phytoplankton overgrowth (such as Cyanobacterial blooms) on public health. Microscopy is the gold standard for phytoplankton assessment but is time-consuming, has low throughput, and requires rich experience in phytoplankton morphology. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is accurate and straightforward with high throughput. In addition, qPCR does not require expertise in phytoplankton morphology. Therefore, qPCR can be a useful alternative for molecular identification and enumeration of phytoplankton. Nonetheless, a comprehensive study is missing which evaluates and compares the feasibility of using qPCR and microscopy to assess phytoplankton in fresh water. This study 1) compared the performance of qPCR and microscopy in identifying and quantifying phytoplankton and 2) evaluated qPCR as a molecular tool to assess phytoplankton and indicate eutrophication. We assessed phytoplankton using both qPCR and microscopy in twelve large freshwater rivers across the United States from early summer to late fall in 2017, 2018, and 2019. qPCR- and microscope-based phytoplankton abundance had a significant positive linear correlation (adjusted R2 = 0.836, p-value < 0.001). Phytoplankton abundance had limited temporal variation within each sampling season and over the three years studied. The sampling sites in the midcontinent rivers had higher phytoplankton abundance than those in the eastern and western rivers. For instance, the concentration (geometric mean) of Bacillariophyta, Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyta, and Dinoflagellates at the sampling sites in the midcontinent rivers was approximately three times that at the sampling sites in the western rivers and approximately 18 times that at the sampling sites in the eastern rivers. Welch's analysis of variance indicates that phytoplankton abundance at the sampling sites in the midcontinent rivers was significantly higher than that at the sampling sites in the eastern rivers (p-value = 0.013) but was comparable to that at the sampling sites in the western rivers (p-value = 0.095). The higher phytoplankton abundance at the sampling sites in the midcontinent rivers was presumably because these rivers were more eutrophic. Indeed, low phytoplankton abundance occurred in oligotrophic or low trophic sites, whereas eutrophic sites had greater phytoplankton abundance. This study demonstrates that qPCR-based phytoplankton abundance can be a useful numerical indicator of the trophic conditions and water quality in freshwater rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiqian Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Sciences and Engineering, Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA 70813, United States
| | - Kyle D McIntosh
- Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education at the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Research and Development, Oak Ridge, TN 37830, United States
| | - Nathan Sienkiewicz
- Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH 45268, United States
| | - Erin A Stelzer
- U.S. Geological Survey, Columbus, OH 43229, United States
| | | | - Jingrang Lu
- Office of Research and Development, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH 45268, United States.
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4
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Water Quality Assessment of Urban Ponds and Remediation Proposals. HYDROLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/hydrology9070114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Ponds are a common feature in urban parks to provide aesthetic and recreational functions, but also deliver a wide range of ecosystem services. The objective of this study was to assess the water quality of six urban ponds in the city of Lisbon, Portugal, to determine the factors that influence it and consider remediation measures for them. Besides that, our study aims to deliver data in order to support the best approach for a future monitoring program, toward more strategic and sustainable management. Floating treatment wetlands (FTW) were installed in three of the ponds during the study, where nutrient levels were higher. Water sampling was performed since 2016, with more intensive campaigns in 2020 and 2021. Average pH ranged from 7.9 to 9.0, average Chemical Oxygen Demand ranged from 36 mg/L to 90 mg/L and average Total Suspended Solids ranged from 7 to 93 mg/L. The main factors that contribute to these values were identified as the presence of waterbirds, vegetative debris that falls in ponds, and contamination with sewage. The FTW that were installed in some of the ponds could help to improve the water quality, but additional measures such as removal of bottom sediments and leaves in the fall, may be necessary. It is expected that the assessment of water quality carried out in the urban ponds can contribute to the overall improvement of urban water management.
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Christensen VG, Olds HT, Norland J, Khan E. Phytoplankton community interactions and cyanotoxin mixtures in three recurring surface blooms within one lake. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 427:128142. [PMID: 35042050 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.128142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria can produce numerous secondary metabolites (cyanotoxins) with various toxicities, yet data on cyanotoxins in many lakes are limited. Moreover, little research is available on complex relations among cyanobacteria that produce toxins. Therefore, we studied cyanobacteria and 19 cyanotoxins at three sites with recurring blooms in Kabetogama Lake (USA). Seven of 19 toxins were detected in various combinations. Anabaenopeptin A and B were detected in every sample. Microcystin-YR was detected more frequently than microcystin-LR, unlike other lakes in the region. Microcystin-YR concentrations, however, generally were low; two samples exceeded drinking water guidelines and no samples exceeded recreational guidelines. Anabaenopeptins correlated with six cyanobacterial taxa, most of which lack available literature on peptide production. The potential toxin producing cyanobacteria, Microcystis, was significantly correlated to microcystin-YR. Pseudanabaena sp. and Synechococcus sp. had strong negative correlations with several toxins that may indicate competition or stress between organisms. Non-metric multidimensional scaling identified three cyanobacterial pairs that may reflect symbiotic or antagonistic relations. This study highlights interactions among cyanobacteria and multiple cyanotoxins and the methods used may be useful for uncovering additional patterns in cyanobacteria communities in other systems, leading to further understanding of how those interactions lead to toxin production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria G Christensen
- US Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, 2280 Woodale Dr., Mounds View , MN, USA; North Dakota State University, Environmental and Conservation Sciences Program, 1300 Albrecht Blvd., Fargo, ND 58102, USA
| | - Hayley T Olds
- US Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, 2280 Woodale Dr., Mounds View , MN, USA
| | - Jack Norland
- North Dakota State University, Environmental and Conservation Sciences Program, 1300 Albrecht Blvd., Fargo, ND 58102, USA
| | - Eakalak Khan
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
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6
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Feist SM, Lance RF. Genetic detection of freshwater harmful algal blooms: A review focused on the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) in Microcystis aeruginosa and Prymnesium parvum. HARMFUL ALGAE 2021; 110:102124. [PMID: 34887004 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2021.102124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Recurrence and severity of harmful algal blooms (HABs) are increasing due to a number of factors, including human practices and climate change. Sensitive and robust methods that allow for early and expedited HAB detection across large landscape scales are needed. Among the suite of HAB detection tools available, a powerful option exists in genetics-based approaches utilizing environmental sampling, also termed environmental DNA (eDNA). Here we provide a detailed methodological review of three HAB eDNA approaches (quantitative PCR, high throughput sequencing, and isothermal amplification). We then summarize and synthesize recently published eDNA applications covering a variety of HAB surveillance and research objectives, all with a specific emphasis in the detection of two widely problematic freshwater species, Microcystis aeruginosa and Prymnesium parvum. In our summary and conclusion we build on this literature by discussing ways in which eDNA methods could be advanced to improve HAB detection. We also discuss ways in which eDNA data could be used to potentially provide novel insight into the ecology, mitigation, and prediction of HABs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheena M Feist
- Environmental Lab, United States Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, United States.
| | - Richard F Lance
- Environmental Lab, United States Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, United States
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Madany P, Xia C, Bhattacharjee L, Khan N, Li R, Liu J. Antibacterial activity of γFe 2 O 3 /TiO 2 nanoparticles on toxic cyanobacteria from a lake in Southern Illinois. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2021; 93:2807-2818. [PMID: 34520086 DOI: 10.1002/wer.1640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Frequent outbreaks of harmful algal blooms (HABs) have brought adverse impacts on human health, economic viability, and recreational activities in many communities in the United States. Cyanobacteria (or blue-green algae) blooms are the most common type of HABs in surface water. Current bactericides for controlling the blooms are disadvantageous due to the recycling difficulty. In this study, an innovative magnetic nanomaterial-γFe2 O3 /TiO2 nanoparticle-was used to inactivate toxic cyanobacteria species found in a lake in Southern Illinois that frequently experienced HABs. Cyanotoxin genes of mcy, nda, cyr, and sxt were used for targeting microcystin-, nodularin-, cylindrospermopsin-, and saxitoxin-producing cyanobacteria, respectively, by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. It was found that the concentration of chlorophyll a presents a strong correlation (R2 = 0.6024) with the gene copy obtained from 16S rRNA targeted for all cyanobacteria, but not with that from individual toxigenic cyanobacteria. The inactivation efficiencies of the nanomaterials under visible light were as high as 5-log and 1-log for cyanobacteria species containing mcyE/ndaF and sxtA genes, respectively, an improvement over the treatment under darkness. These nanomaterials can be recycled by their magnetic properties for reuse. Communities susceptible to HAB outbreaks are expected to benefit from the developed method for mitigating the blooms. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Lab-made γFe2 O3 /TiO2 nanoparticles can be used to inactivate microcystin/nodularin- and saxitoxin-producing cyanobacteria species. qPCR method can be used for targeting toxic cyanobacteria; Chl a cannot be used as a standalone indicator for HABs. Better inactivation efficiency under visible light indicated possible application of the technology under sunlight for HAB mitigation from surface water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peerzada Madany
- School of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
| | - Chunjie Xia
- School of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
| | - Linkon Bhattacharjee
- School of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
| | - Nafeesa Khan
- School of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
| | - Ruopu Li
- School of Earth Systems and Sustainability, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
| | - Jia Liu
- School of Civil, Environmental and Infrastructure Engineering, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
- Materials Technology Center, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, Illinois, USA
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Naknaen A, Ratsameepakai W, Suttinun O, Sukpondma Y, Khan E, Pomwised R. Microcystis Sp. Co-Producing Microcystin and Saxitoxin from Songkhla Lake Basin, Thailand. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13090631. [PMID: 34564635 PMCID: PMC8472854 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13090631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The Songkhla Lake Basin (SLB) located in Southern Thailand, has been increasingly polluted by urban and industrial wastewater, while the lake water has been intensively used. Here, we aimed to investigate cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in the SLB. Ten cyanobacteria isolates were identified as Microcystis genus based on16S rDNA analysis. All isolates harbored microcystin genes, while five of them carried saxitoxin genes. On day 15 of culturing, the specific growth rate and Chl-a content were 0.2-0.3 per day and 4 µg/mL. The total extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) content was 0.37-0.49 µg/mL. The concentration of soluble EPS (sEPS) was 2 times higher than that of bound EPS (bEPS). The protein proportion in both sEPS and bEPS was higher than the carbohydrate proportion. The average of intracellular microcystins (IMCs) was 0.47 pg/cell on day 15 of culturing, while extracellular microcystins (EMCs) were undetectable. The IMCs were dramatically produced at the exponential phase, followed by EMCs release at the late exponential phase. On day 30, the total microcystins (MCs) production reached 2.67 pg/cell. Based on liquid chromatograph-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, three new MCs variants were proposed. This study is the first report of both decarbamoylsaxitoxin (dcSTX) and new MCs congeners synthesized by Microcystis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ampapan Naknaen
- Environmental Assessment and Technology for Hazardous Waste Management Research Center, Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai 90110, Thailand; (A.N.); (O.S.)
| | - Waraporn Ratsameepakai
- Office of Scientific Instrument and Testing, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai 90110, Thailand;
| | - Oramas Suttinun
- Environmental Assessment and Technology for Hazardous Waste Management Research Center, Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai 90110, Thailand; (A.N.); (O.S.)
- Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management (HSM), Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Yaowapa Sukpondma
- Division of Physical Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai 90110, Thailand;
| | - Eakalak Khan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89154-4015, USA;
| | - Rattanaruji Pomwised
- Division of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai 90110, Thailand
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +66-74-288-325
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9
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Christensen VG, Stelzer EA, Eikenberry BC, Olds HT, LeDuc JF, Maki RP, Saley AM, Norland J, Khan E. Cyanotoxin mixture models: Relating environmental variables and toxin co-occurrence to human exposure risk. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 415:125560. [PMID: 33773250 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Toxic cyanobacterial blooms, often containing multiple toxins, are a serious public health issue. However, there are no known models that predict a cyanotoxin mixture (anatoxin-a, microcystin, saxitoxin). This paper presents two cyanotoxin mixture models (MIX) and compares them to two microcystin (MC) models from data collected in 2016-2017 from three recurring cyanobacterial bloom locations in Kabetogama Lake, Voyageurs National Park (Minnesota, USA). Models include those using near-real-time environmental variables (readily available) and those using additional comprehensive variables (based on laboratory analyses). Comprehensive models (R2 = 0.87 MC; R2 = 0.86 MIX) explained more variability than the environmental models (R2 = 0.58 MC; R2 = 0.57 MIX). Although neither MIX model was a better fit than the MC models, the MIX models produced no false negatives in the calibration dataset, indicating that all observations above regulatory guidelines were simulated by the MIX models. This is the first known use of Virtual Beach software for a cyanotoxin mixture model, and the methods used in this paper may be applicable to other lakes or beaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria G Christensen
- US Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, 2280 Woodale Drive, Mounds View, MN 55112, USA; North Dakota State University, Environmental and Conservation Sciences Program, Fargo, ND 58102, USA.
| | - Erin A Stelzer
- US Geological Survey Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory, 6460 Busch Blvd STE 100, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Barbara C Eikenberry
- US Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, WI 53562, USA
| | - Hayley T Olds
- US Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, 8505 Research Way, Middleton, WI 53562, USA
| | - Jaime F LeDuc
- Voyageurs National Park, 360 Highway 11 East, International Falls, MN 56649, USA
| | - Ryan P Maki
- Voyageurs National Park, 360 Highway 11 East, International Falls, MN 56649, USA
| | - Alisha M Saley
- Bodega Marine Laboratory, University of California-Davis, 2099 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay, CA 94923, USA
| | - Jack Norland
- North Dakota State University, Environmental and Conservation Sciences Program, Fargo, ND 58102, USA
| | - Eakalak Khan
- University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction, 4505 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89154, USA
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10
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Omidi A, Pflugmacher S, Kaplan A, Kim YJ, Esterhuizen M. Reviewing Interspecies Interactions as a Driving Force Affecting the Community Structure in Lakes via Cyanotoxins. Microorganisms 2021; 9:1583. [PMID: 34442662 PMCID: PMC8401979 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9081583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 07/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The escalating occurrence of toxic cyanobacterial blooms worldwide is a matter of concern. Global warming and eutrophication play a major role in the regularity of cyanobacterial blooms, which has noticeably shifted towards the predomination of toxic populations. Therefore, understanding the effects of cyanobacterial toxins in aquatic ecosystems and their advantages to the producers are of growing interest. In this paper, the current literature is critically reviewed to provide further insights into the ecological contribution of cyanotoxins in the variation of the lake community diversity and structure through interspecies interplay. The most commonly detected and studied cyanobacterial toxins, namely the microcystins, anatoxins, saxitoxins, cylindrospermopsins and β-N-methylamino-L-alanine, and their ecotoxicity on various trophic levels are discussed. This work addresses the environmental characterization of pure toxins, toxin-containing crude extracts and filtrates of single and mixed cultures in interspecies interactions by inducing different physiological and metabolic responses. More data on these interactions under natural conditions and laboratory-based studies using direct co-cultivation approaches will provide more substantial information on the consequences of cyanotoxins in the natural ecosystem. This review is beneficial for understanding cyanotoxin-mediated interspecies interactions, developing bloom mitigation technologies and robustly assessing the hazards posed by toxin-producing cyanobacteria to humans and other organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Azam Omidi
- Chair Ecological Impact Research and Ecotoxicology, Technische Universität Berlin, 10587 Berlin, Germany;
| | - Stephan Pflugmacher
- Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources, University of Manitoba, Wallace Bldg., 125 Dysart Rd, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2, Canada;
| | - Aaron Kaplan
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Edmond J. Safra Campus, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 9190401, Israel;
| | - Young Jun Kim
- Joint Laboratory of Applied Ecotoxicology, Korean Institute of Science and Technology Europe (KIST), Campus 7.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany;
| | - Maranda Esterhuizen
- Joint Laboratory of Applied Ecotoxicology, Korean Institute of Science and Technology Europe (KIST), Campus 7.1, 66123 Saarbrücken, Germany;
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Niemenkatu 73, 15140 Lahti, Finland
- Finland and Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS), Fabianinkatu 33, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
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11
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Influence of Environmental Factors on Occurrence of Cyanobacteria and Abundance of Saxitoxin-Producing Cyanobacteria in a Subtropical Drinking Water Reservoir in Brazil. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13121716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Blooms of cyanobacteria are frequent in Brazilian water reservoirs used for drinking water. The warning for the presence of potential toxin-producing cyanobacteria is typically based on time-consuming microscopy, rather than specific molecular detection of toxic genes in cyanobacteria. In this study, we developed a quantitative PCR assay for the detection of cyanobacteria producing the neurotoxin saxitoxin (STX). The assay targets the sxtA gene in the sxt gene cluster. Potential and dominant STX-producers in the Itupararanga reservoir were the genera Raphidiopsis, Aphanizomenon and Geitlerinema. Numbers of the sxtA gene varied from 6.76 × 103 to 7.33 × 105 cells mL−1 and correlated positively with SXT concentrations in the water. Concentrations of STX and the sxtA gene also correlated positively with TN:TP ratio and pH, but correlated negatively with inorganic nutrients and turbidity, confirming that regulation of the SXT production was impacted by environmental variables. In contrast, the occurrence of another cyanotoxin, microcystin, did not correlate with any environmental variables. The developed qPCR assay was found to be a rapid and robust approach for the specific quantification of potential STX-producing cyanobacteria and should be considered in future investigations on toxic cyanobacteria to provide an early warning of potential toxin episodes.
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Podduturi R, Schlüter L, Liu T, Osti JAS, Moraes MDAB, Jørgensen NOG. Monitoring of saxitoxin production in lakes in Denmark by molecular, chromatographic and microscopic approaches. HARMFUL ALGAE 2021; 101:101966. [PMID: 33526182 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2020.101966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Diversity of phytoplankton in three eutrophic and two mesotrophic lakes in Denmark was determined by microscopic and HPLC pigment analyses to identify and quantify potential saxitoxin (STX) producing cyanobacteria. Potential dominant STX-producers were identified to the filamentous genera Dolichospermum, Cuspidothrix, Phormidium and Planktolyngbya. Presence of STX production was documented by extraction of five intracellular STXs that included (in declining concentration in the cyanobacteria) dc-neo-STX, neo-STX, dc-STX, STX and GTX. Total concentrations of the five STXs varied from 9 to 142 fg per potential STX producer, corresponding to 87 to 985 ng L-1 in the lakes. For molecular detection of the STX-producers, a quantitative PCR method was developed by design of a new robust primer set with broad coverage to target the sxtA gene that is common to all STX-producing cyanobacteria. After validation, copy numbers of the sxtA gene were determined to vary from about 104 (mesotrophic lakes) to 108 per mL (the most eutrophic lake). A moderate but significant correlation was observed between abundance of the sxtA copies and concentrations of the five intracellular STXs. The qPCR assay was found to be a rapid and robust procedure for quantification of STX producers. Saxitoxin and its analogs appeared not to cause health concerns in the lakes, but commercial fishing for pike perch in the most eutrophic lake should be monitored to test for food web accumulation of STXs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raju Podduturi
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | | | - Tingting Liu
- Research Center for Eco-environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Munique de Almeida Bispo Moraes
- Department of Hydraulics and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Niels O G Jørgensen
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Denmark.
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Christensen VG, Khan E. Freshwater neurotoxins and concerns for human, animal, and ecosystem health: A review of anatoxin-a and saxitoxin. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 736:139515. [PMID: 32485372 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Toxic cyanobacteria are a concern worldwide because they can adversely affect humans, animals, and ecosystems. However, neurotoxins produced by freshwater cyanobacteria are understudied relative to microcystin. Thus, the objective of this critical review was to provide a comprehensive examination of the modes of action, production, fate, and occurrence of the freshwater neurotoxins anatoxin-a and saxitoxin as they relate to human, animal, and ecosystem health. Literature on freshwater anatoxin-a and saxitoxin was obtained and reviewed for both laboratory and field studies. Current (2020) research identifies as many as 41 anatoxin-a producing species and 15 saxitoxin-producing species of freshwater cyanobacteria. Field studies indicate that anatoxin-a and saxitoxin have widespread distribution, and examples are given from every continent except Antarctica. Human and animal health concerns can range from acute to chronic. However, few researchers studied chronic or sublethal effects of freshwater exposures to anatoxin-a or saxitoxin. Ecosystem health also is a concern, as the effects of toxicity may be far reaching and include consequences throughout the food web. Several gaps in knowledge were identified for anatoxin-a and saxitoxin, including triggers of production and release, environmental fate and degradation, primary and secondary exposure routes, diel variation, food web effects, effects of cyanotoxin mixtures, and sublethal health effects on individual organisms and populations. Despite the gaps, this critical review facilitates our current understanding of freshwater neurotoxins and thus can serve to `` guide future research on anatoxin-a, saxitoxin, and other cyanotoxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria G Christensen
- U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Water Science Center, Mounds View, MN, USA; North Dakota State University, Environmental and Conservation Sciences Program, Fargo, ND, USA.
| | - Eakalak Khan
- Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Department, University of Nevada - Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV, USA
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