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Zhang Z, Li J. Cyanobacterial Bloom Formation by Enhanced Ecological Adaptability and Competitive Advantage of Microcystis-Non-Negligible Role of Quorum Sensing. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1489. [PMID: 39065257 PMCID: PMC11278601 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12071489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2024] [Revised: 07/04/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Microcystis-dominated cyanobacterial blooms (MCBs) frequently occur in freshwaters worldwide due to massive Microcystis colony formation and severely threaten human and ecosystem health. Quorum sensing (QS) is a direct cause of Microcystis colony formation that drives MCBs outbreak by regulating Microcystis population characteristics and behaviors. Many novel findings regarding the fundamental knowledge of the Microcystis QS phenomenon and the signaling molecules have been documented. However, little effort has been devoted to comprehensively summarizing and discussing the research progress and exploration directions of QS signaling molecules-mediated QS system in Microcystis. This review summarizes the action process of N-acyl homoserine lactones (AHLs) as major signaling molecules in Microcystis and discusses the detailed roles of AHL-mediated QS system in cellular morphology, physiological adaptability, and cell aggregation for colony formation to strengthen ecological adaptability and competitive advantage of Microcystis. The research progress on QS mechanisms in Microcystis are also summarized. Compared to other QS systems, the LuxI/LuxR-type QS system is more likely to be found in Microcystis. Also, we introduce quorum quenching (QQ), a QS-blocking process in Microcystis, to emphasize its potential as QS inhibitors in MCBs control. Finally, in response to the research deficiencies and gaps in Microcystis QS, we propose several future research directions in this field. This review deepens the understanding on Microcystis QS knowledge and provide theoretical guidance in developing strategies to monitor, control, and harness MCBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziqing Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China;
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Farming, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jieming Li
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China;
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Farming, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
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Huang Z, Shen J, Feng J, Yang Y, Na J, Wang X. Responses to phytoplankton community succession and expression of key functional genes in plateau lakes under 17β-estradiol interference. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 472:134561. [PMID: 38733784 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134561] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Steroid estrogens (SEs) have garnered global attention because of their potential hazards to human health and aquatic organisms at low concentrations (ng/L). The ecosystems of plateau freshwater lakes are fragile, the water lag time is long, and pollutants easily accumulate, making them more vulnerable to the impact of SEs. However, the knowledge of the impact of SEs on the growth and decomposition of phytoplankton communities in plateau lakes and the eutrophication process is limited. This study investigated the effects and mechanisms of SEs exposure on dominant algal communities and the expression of typical algal functional genes in Erhai Lake using indoor simulations and molecular biological methods. The results showed that phytoplankton were sensitive to 17β-estradiol (E2β) pollution, with a concentration of 50, and 100 ng/L E2β exposure promoting the growth of cyanophyta and chlorophyta in the short term; this poses an ecological risk of inducing algal blooms. E2β of 1000 ng/L exposure led to cross-effects of estrogenic effects and toxicity, with most phytoplankton being inhibited. However, small filamentous cyanobacteria and diatoms exhibited greater tolerance; Melosira sp. even exhibited "low inhibition, high promotion" behavior. Exposure to E2β reduced the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H'), Pielou index (J), and the number of dominant algal species (S) in phytoplankton communities, leading to instability in community succession. E2β of 50 ng/L enhanced the expression levels of relevant functional genes, such as ftsH, psaB, atpB, and prx, related to Microcystis aeruginosa. E2β of 50 ng/L and 5 mg/L can promote the transcription of Microcystis toxins (MC) related genes (mcyA), leading to more MC production by algal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongqing Huang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; National Observation and Research Station of Erhai Lake Ecosystem in Yunnan, Dali 671000, China; Yunnan Dali Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Jian Shen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; National Observation and Research Station of Erhai Lake Ecosystem in Yunnan, Dali 671000, China; Yunnan Dali Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dali 671000, China.
| | - Jimeng Feng
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; National Observation and Research Station of Erhai Lake Ecosystem in Yunnan, Dali 671000, China; Yunnan Dali Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Yanfen Yang
- National Observation and Research Station of Erhai Lake Ecosystem in Yunnan, Dali 671000, China; Yunnan Dali Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Jinxia Na
- National Observation and Research Station of Erhai Lake Ecosystem in Yunnan, Dali 671000, China; Yunnan Dali Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dali 671000, China
| | - Xinze Wang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; National Observation and Research Station of Erhai Lake Ecosystem in Yunnan, Dali 671000, China; Yunnan Dali Research Institute of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Dali 671000, China
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3
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Delgado JMV, Pólit PA, Panta-Vélez RP, Rodríguez-Díaz JM, Dapena JD, Lozano AL, Maddela NR. Identification and Composition of Cyanobacteria in Ecuadorian Shrimp Farming Ponds-Possible Risk to Human Health. Curr Microbiol 2024; 81:237. [PMID: 38907801 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-024-03765-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Toxic cyanobacterial blooms in various water bodies have been given much attention nowadays as they release hazardous substances in the surrounding areas. These toxic planktonic cyanobacteria in shrimp ponds greatly affect the survival of shrimps. Ecuador is the second highest shrimp producing country in the Americas after Brazil; and the shrimp-based economy is under threat due to toxic cyanobacterial blooms in Ecuador shrimp ponds. This study investigated the abundance of different cyanobacteria in the shrimp ponds at the Chone and Jama rivers (in Manabi province) at Ecuadorian pacific coast, focusing on different environmental factors, such as temperature, pH, salinity, and light. Temperature and pH were identified as key factors in influencing the abundance of cyanobacteria, with a significant positive correlation between Raphidiopsis raciborskii and pH. The highest and lowest abundance of cyanobacteria found during the dry season in the shrimp ponds near the Chone and Jama rivers were > 3 × 106 and 1 × 106 Cell.m-3, respectively. The Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index fluctuated between 0.41-1.15 and 0.31-1.15 for shrimp ponds of Chone and Jama rivers, respectively. This variation was linked to changes in salinity and the presence of harmful algal blooms, highlighting the importance of continuous monitoring. Additionally, the study areas showed eutrophic conditions with low diversity, underlining the need for additional spatiotemporal studies and expanded research in both rivers, to better understand these complex phenomena. The findings underscore the importance of continuous monitoring and expanded research in cyanobacteria ecology, with implications for public health and aquatic resource management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Manuel Vera Delgado
- Departmento de Procesos Químicos, Alimentos y Biotecnología, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, Ecuador
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Campus de Excelencia Agroalimentario CEIA3, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Patricio Alcívar Pólit
- Departamento de Acuicultura, Pesca y Recursos Naturales Renovables, Facultad de Acuicultura y Ciencias del Mar, Extensión Sucre, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Chone, Manabí, Ecuador
| | - Rodolfo Patricio Panta-Vélez
- Departamento de Acuicultura, Pesca y Recursos Naturales Renovables, Facultad de Acuicultura y Ciencias del Mar, Extensión Sucre, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Chone, Manabí, Ecuador
| | - Joan Manuel Rodríguez-Díaz
- Departmento de Procesos Químicos, Alimentos y Biotecnología, Facultad de Ingeniería y Ciencias Aplicadas, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, Ecuador
| | - Jesús Díez Dapena
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Campus de Excelencia Agroalimentario CEIA3, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Antonio López Lozano
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Campus de Excelencia Agroalimentario CEIA3, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Naga Raju Maddela
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Técnica de Manabí, Portoviejo, 130105, Manabí, Ecuador.
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Haida M, El Khalloufi F, Mugani R, Essadki Y, Campos A, Vasconcelos V, Oudra B. Microcystin Contamination in Irrigation Water and Health Risk. Toxins (Basel) 2024; 16:196. [PMID: 38668621 PMCID: PMC11054416 DOI: 10.3390/toxins16040196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 04/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Microcystins (MCs), natural hepatotoxic compounds produced by cyanobacteria, pose significant risks to water quality, ecosystem stability, and the well-being of animals, plants, and humans when present in elevated concentrations. The escalating contamination of irrigation water with MCs presents a growing threat to terrestrial plants. The customary practice of irrigating crops from local water sources, including lakes and ponds hosting cyanobacterial blooms, serves as a primary conduit for transferring these toxins. Due to their high chemical stability and low molecular weight, MCs have the potential to accumulate in various parts of plants, thereby increasing health hazards for consumers of agricultural products, which serve as the foundation of the Earth's food chain. MCs can bioaccumulate, migrate, potentially biodegrade, and pose health hazards to humans within terrestrial food systems. This study highlights that MCs from irrigation water reservoirs can bioaccumulate and come into contact with plants, transferring into the food chain. Additionally, it investigates the natural mechanisms that organisms employ for conjugation and the microbial processes involved in MC degradation. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the role of MCs in the terrestrial food chain and to elucidate the specific health risks associated with consuming crops irrigated with water contaminated with these toxins, further research is necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Haida
- Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco; (M.H.); (R.M.); (Y.E.); (B.O.)
| | - Fatima El Khalloufi
- Natural Resources Engineering and Environmental Impacts Team, Multidisciplinary Research and Innovation Laboratory, Polydisciplinary Faculty of Khouribga, Sultan Moulay Slimane University of Beni Mellal, B.P, 45, Khouribga 25000, Morocco;
| | - Richard Mugani
- Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco; (M.H.); (R.M.); (Y.E.); (B.O.)
| | - Yasser Essadki
- Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco; (M.H.); (R.M.); (Y.E.); (B.O.)
| | - Alexandre Campos
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Vitor Vasconcelos
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Terminal de Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Av. General Norton de Matos, s/n, 4450-208 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Brahim Oudra
- Water, Biodiversity and Climate Change Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco; (M.H.); (R.M.); (Y.E.); (B.O.)
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Xu C, Ni L, Li S, Du C, Sang W, Jiang Z. Quorum sensing regulation in Microcystis aeruginosa: Insights into AHL-mediated physiological processes and MC-LR production. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 919:170867. [PMID: 38340844 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170867] [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: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Quorum sensing (QS) is a widespread regulatory mechanism in Gram-negative bacteria, primarily involving the secretion of N-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL) to facilitate population density sensing. However, the existence of QS in blue-green algae, a subset of photoautotrophic Gram-negative bacteria forming high-density communities in water blooms, remains elusive. This study delves into the unexplored realm of QS in Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa) by investigating AHL-related regulatory mechanisms and their impact on various physiological processes. Utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) and biosensors, a hitherto unknown long-chain AHL exhibiting a mass-to-charge ratio of 318 was identified in sterile M. aeruginosa cultures. Our investigation focused on discerning correlations between AHL activity fluctuations and key parameters such as microcystin (MC-LR) production, algal density, photosynthesis, buoyancy, and aggregation. Furthermore, the AHL extract was introduced during the logarithmic stage of M. aeruginosa cultures to observe the response in physiological processes. The results revealed that AHL, functioning as an autoinducer (AI), positively influenced algal growth and photosynthesis, as evidenced by the upregulated photosynthetic conversion efficiency of PSI and chlorophyll synthesis gene (psbA). AI also played a crucial role in altering surface characteristics through the synthesis of polysaccharides and proteins in EPS, subsequently promoting cell aggregation. Concomitantly, AI upregulated mcyD, enhancing the synthesis of MC-LR. Notably, our investigation pinpointed the initiation of QS in Microcystis at a density of approximately 1.22 × 10^7 cells/mL. This groundbreaking evidence underscores the regulatory role of AI in governing the physiological processes of growth, aggregation, buoyancy, and MC-LR production by activating pertinent gene expressions. This study significantly expands the understanding of QS in AHL, providing crucial insights into the regulatory networks operating in blue-green algae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chu Xu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lixiao Ni
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Shiyin Li
- College of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, China
| | - Cunhao Du
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wenlu Sang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiyun Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, China
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6
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Wang N, Mark N, Launer N, Hirtler A, Weston C, Cleckner L, Faehndrich C, LaGorga L, Xia L, Pyrek D, Penningroth SM, Richardson RE. Harmful algal blooms in Cayuga lake, NY: From microbiome analysis to eDNA monitoring. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 354:120128. [PMID: 38382427 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120128] [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: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
The global increase in harmful algal blooms (HABs) has become a growing concern over the years, and New York State (NYS) is no exception. The Finger Lakes region in NYS has been identified as a hotspot for HABs, with Cayuga Lake having the highest number of blooms reported. The Cayuga Lake HABs Monitoring Program has been tracking cHABs (dominant bloom taxa, chlorophyll A, and microcystin levels) since 2018. However, limited research has been conducted on the microbiome of HABs in this region. In this study, the microbiome of HABs in the Cayuga Lake was surveyed and compared with non-HAB baseline samples. Using 16S rDNA community analysis, common bloom-forming cyanobacteria, were identified, with Microcystis being the dominant taxa in high toxin blooms. Further, this study evaluated the ability of Microcystis mcyA qPCR to detect elevated levels of potential toxigenic Microcystis in water samples using both benchtop and handheld qPCR devices. The results showed good performance of the qPCR assay as a screening for high toxin versus low/no toxin blooms. Additionally, the handheld qPCR device holds potential for in-field rapid (<1 h) screenings for high toxin blooms. This study provides insights into the microbiome of HABs in Cayuga Lake and offers a potential tool for rapid screening of high toxin blooms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Wang
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Noah Mark
- Community Science Institute, New York State Department of Health-Environmental Laboratory Approval Program ID 11790, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Nathaniel Launer
- Community Science Institute, New York State Department of Health-Environmental Laboratory Approval Program ID 11790, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Adrianna Hirtler
- Community Science Institute, New York State Department of Health-Environmental Laboratory Approval Program ID 11790, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Claire Weston
- Community Science Institute, New York State Department of Health-Environmental Laboratory Approval Program ID 11790, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Lisa Cleckner
- Finger Lakes Institute, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, NY, USA
| | - Chloe Faehndrich
- Skidmore College, Environmental Studies and Sciences Program, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, USA
| | - Lydia LaGorga
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Lingzi Xia
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Daniel Pyrek
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Stephen M Penningroth
- Community Science Institute, New York State Department of Health-Environmental Laboratory Approval Program ID 11790, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Ruth E Richardson
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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7
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Sim ZY, Goh KC, He Y, Gin KYH. Present and future potential role of toxin-producing Synechococcus in the tropical region. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 896:165230. [PMID: 37400026 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165230] [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: 05/16/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
As anthropogenic induced temperature rises and nutrient loadings increase in fresh and brackish environments, the ecological function of the phytoplankton community is expected to favour the picocyanobacteria, of the genus Synechococcus. Synechococcus is already a ubiquitous cyanobacterium found in both freshwater and marine environments, notwithstanding that the toxigenic species still remains unexplored in many freshwaters. Their fast growth rate and their ability to produce toxins make Synechococcus a potential dominant player in harmful algal blooms under climate change scenarios. This study examines the responses of a novel toxin-producing Synechococcus (i.e., one belonging to a freshwater clade; the other belonging to a brackish clade) to environmental changes that reflect climate change effects. We conducted a series of controlled experiments under present and predicted future temperatures, as well as under various N and P nutrients loadings. Our findings highlight how Synechococcus can be altered by the differing reactions to increasing temperature and nutrients, which resulted in considerable variations in cell abundance, growth rate, death rate, cellular stoichiometry and toxin production. Synechococcus had the highest growth observed at 28 °C, and further increases in temperature resulted in a decline for both fresh and brackish waters. Cellular stoichiometry was also altered, where more nitrogen (N) per cell was required, and the plasticity of N:P was more severe for the brackish clade. However, Synechococcus become more toxic under future scenario. Anatoxin-a (ATX) saw the greatest spike when temperature was at 34 °C especially under P-enrichment conditions. In contrast, Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) was promoted at the lowest tested temperature (25 °C) and under N-limitation. Overall, both temperature and external nutrients are the dominant control over Synechococcus toxins production. A model was also created to assess Synechococcus toxicity to zooplankton grazing. Zooplankton grazing was reduced by two folds under nutrient limitation, but temperature accounted for very insignificant change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Yang Sim
- National University of Singapore Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 1 Create Way, #15-02, Singapore 138602, Singapore
| | - Kwan Chien Goh
- National University of Singapore Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 1 Create Way, #15-02, Singapore 138602, Singapore
| | - Yiliang He
- National University of Singapore Center for Eco-Environment Research, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - K Y H Gin
- National University of Singapore Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 1 Create Way, #15-02, Singapore 138602, Singapore; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Blk E1A-07-03, 1 Engineering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore.
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8
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Bashir F, Bashir A, Bouaïcha N, Chen L, Codd GA, Neilan B, Xu WL, Ziko L, Rajput VD, Minkina T, Arruda RS, Ganai BA. Cyanotoxins, biosynthetic gene clusters, and factors modulating cyanotoxin biosynthesis. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2023; 39:241. [PMID: 37394567 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-023-03652-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CHABs) are a global environmental concern that encompasses public health issues, water availability, and water quality owing to the production of various secondary metabolites (SMs), including cyanotoxins in freshwater, brackish water, and marine ecosystems. The frequency, extent, magnitude, and duration of CHABs are increasing globally. Cyanobacterial species traits and changing environmental conditions, including anthropogenic pressure, eutrophication, and global climate change, together allow cyanobacteria to thrive. The cyanotoxins include a diverse range of low molecular weight compounds with varying biochemical properties and modes of action. With the application of modern molecular biology techniques, many important aspects of cyanobacteria are being elucidated, including aspects of their diversity, gene-environment interactions, and genes that express cyanotoxins. The toxicological, environmental, and economic impacts of CHABs strongly advocate the need for continuing, extensive efforts to monitor cyanobacterial growth and to understand the mechanisms regulating species composition and cyanotoxin biosynthesis. In this review, we critically examined the genomic organization of some cyanobacterial species that lead to the production of cyanotoxins and their characteristic properties discovered to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahim Bashir
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Arif Bashir
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Government College for Women, Nawa-Kadal, Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir, India
| | - Noureddine Bouaïcha
- Laboratory Ecology, Systematic, and Evolution, UMR 8079 Univ. Paris-Sud, CNRS, AgroParisTech, University Paris-Saclay, 91190, Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
| | - Liang Chen
- Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science (SEES), Yunnan University (YNU), 650500, Kunming, China.
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan, 430072, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-Hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Faculty of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, 710048, China.
| | - Geoffrey A Codd
- Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH, Scotland, UK
| | - Brett Neilan
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Wen-Li Xu
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Laila Ziko
- School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire Hosted By Global Academic Foundation, Cairo, Egypt
- Biology Department, School of Sciences and Engineering, The American University in Cairo, New Cairo, 11835, Egypt
| | - Vishnu D Rajput
- Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, Rostov-On-Don, Russia
| | - Tatiana Minkina
- Academy of Biology and Biotechnology, Southern Federal University, Rostov-On-Don, Russia
| | - Renan Silva Arruda
- Laboratory of Ecology and Physiology of Phytoplankton, Department of Plant Biology, University of Rio de Janeiro State, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Bashir Ahmad Ganai
- Center of Research for Development (CORD), University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, 190006, India.
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9
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Yu J, Zhu H, Wang H, Shutes B, Niu T. Effect of butachlor on Microcystis aeruginosa: Cellular and molecular mechanisms of toxicity. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 449:131042. [PMID: 36827725 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131042] [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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The rapid development of agriculture increases the release of butachlor into aquatic environments. As a dominant species causing cyanobacterial blooms, Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa) can produce microcystin and poses threats to aquatic ecosystems and human health. However, the impact of butachlor on M. aeruginosa remains unclarified. Therefore, the physiochemical responses of M. aeruginosa to butachlor were investigated, and the relevant underlying molecular mechanism was highlighted. There were no significant changes (P > 0.05) in the growth and physiology of M. aeruginosa at the low concentrations of butachlor (0-0.1 mg/L), which evidenced a high level of butachlor tolerance in Microcystis aeruginosa. For the high concentrations of butachlor (4-30 mg/L), the inhibition of photosynthetic activity, disruption of cell ultrastructure, and oxidative stress were dominant toxic effects on M. aeruginosa. Additionally, the impaired cellular integrity and lipid peroxidation may be attributed to the substantial elevations of extracellular microcystin-LR concentration. Downregulation of genes associated with photosynthesis, energy metabolism, and oxidative stress was inferred to be responsible for the growth suppression of M. aeruginosa in 30 mg/L butachlor treatment. The upregulation of gene sets involved in nitrogen metabolism may illustrate the specific effort to sustain the steady concentration of intracellular microcystin-LR. These findings dissect the response mechanism of M. aeruginosa to butachlor toxicity and provide valuable reference for the evaluation of potential risk caused by butachlor in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Yu
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China; School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Hui Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China; State Key Laboratory of Black Soils Conservation and Utilization, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China.
| | - Heli Wang
- School of Water Resources and Environment, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215009, China
| | - Brian Shutes
- Department of Natural Sciences, Middlesex University, Hendon, London NW4 4BT, UK
| | - Tingting Niu
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China
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10
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Manganelli M, Testai E, Tazart Z, Scardala S, Codd GA. Co-Occurrence of Taste and Odor Compounds and Cyanotoxins in Cyanobacterial Blooms: Emerging Risks to Human Health? Microorganisms 2023; 11:microorganisms11040872. [PMID: 37110295 PMCID: PMC10146173 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11040872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria commonly form large blooms in waterbodies; they can produce cyanotoxins, with toxic effects on humans and animals, and volatile compounds, causing bad tastes and odors (T&O) at naturally occurring low concentrations. Notwithstanding the large amount of literature on either cyanotoxins or T&O, no review has focused on them at the same time. The present review critically evaluates the recent literature on cyanotoxins and T&O compounds (geosmin, 2-methylisoborneol, β-ionone and β-cyclocitral) to identify research gaps on harmful exposure of humans and animals to both metabolite classes. T&O and cyanotoxins production can be due to the same or common to different cyanobacterial species/strains, with the additional possibility of T&O production by non-cyanobacterial species. The few environmental studies on the co-occurrence of these two groups of metabolites are not sufficient to understand if and how they can co-vary, or influence each other, perhaps stimulating cyanotoxin production. Therefore, T&Os cannot reliably serve as early warning surrogates for cyanotoxins. The scarce data on T&O toxicity seem to indicate a low health risk (but the inhalation of β-cyclocitral deserves more study). However, no data are available on the effects of combined exposure to mixtures of cyanotoxins and T&O compounds and to combinations of T&O compounds; therefore, whether the co-occurrence of cyanotoxins and T&O compounds is a health issue remains an open question.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maura Manganelli
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Department of Environment and Health, viale Regina Elena, 299, 00162 Rome, Italy; (E.T.); (S.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Emanuela Testai
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Department of Environment and Health, viale Regina Elena, 299, 00162 Rome, Italy; (E.T.); (S.S.)
| | - Zakaria Tazart
- Department of Food Sciences and Nutrition, University of Malta, 2080 Msida, Malta;
| | - Simona Scardala
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Department of Environment and Health, viale Regina Elena, 299, 00162 Rome, Italy; (E.T.); (S.S.)
| | - Geoffrey A. Codd
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK;
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, UK
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11
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bte Sukarji NH, He Y, Te SH, Gin KYH. Application of a Mechanistic Model for the Prediction of Microcystin Production by Microcystis in Lab Cultures and Tropical Lake. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14020103. [PMID: 35202131 PMCID: PMC8875899 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14020103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Microcystin is an algal toxin that is commonly found in eutrophic freshwaters throughout the world. Many studies have been conducted to elucidate the factors affecting its production, but few studies have attempted mechanistic models of its production to aid water managers in predicting its occurrence. Here, a mechanistic model was developed based on microcystin production by Microcystis spp. under laboratory culture and ambient field conditions. The model was built on STELLA, a dynamic modelling software, and is based on constitutive cell quota that varies with nitrogen, phosphorus, and temperature. In addition to these factors, varying the decay rate of microcystin according to its proportion in the intracellular and extracellular phase was important for the model’s performance. With all these effects, the model predicted most of the observations with a model efficiency that was >0.72 and >0.45 for the lab and field conditions respectively. However, some large discrepancies were observed. These may have arisen from the non-constitutive microcystin production that appear to have a precondition of nitrogen abundance. Another reason for the large root mean square error is that cell quota is affected by factors differently between strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Hanisah bte Sukarji
- NUS Environmental Research Institute (NERI), National University of Singapore, Singapore 138602, Singapore; (N.H.b.S.); (S.H.T.)
| | - Yiliang He
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China;
| | - Shu Harn Te
- NUS Environmental Research Institute (NERI), National University of Singapore, Singapore 138602, Singapore; (N.H.b.S.); (S.H.T.)
| | - Karina Yew-Hoong Gin
- NUS Environmental Research Institute (NERI), National University of Singapore, Singapore 138602, Singapore; (N.H.b.S.); (S.H.T.)
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117576, Singapore
- Correspondence:
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12
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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: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [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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13
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Overlingė D, Toruńska-Sitarz A, Kataržytė M, Pilkaitytė R, Gyraitė G, Mazur-Marzec H. Characterization and Diversity of Microcystins Produced by Cyanobacteria from the Curonian Lagoon (SE Baltic Sea). Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13120838. [PMID: 34941676 PMCID: PMC8703916 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13120838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Microcystins (MCs) are the most widely distributed and structurally diverse cyanotoxins that can have significant health impacts on living organisms, including humans. The identification of MC variants and their quantification is very important for toxicological assessment. Within this study, we explored the diversity of MCs and their potential producers from the Curonian Lagoon. MC profiles were analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method, while the potential producers were detected based on the presence of genus-specific mcyE gene sequences. Among the numerous MCs detected, one new potential MC variant with m/z 1057 was partially characterized. Moreover, two other MCs with m/z 1075 and m/z 1068 might belong to new variants with serine (Ser), rarely detected in position one of the peptides. They might also represent MC-Y(OMe)R and MC-WR, respectively. However, the application of a low-resolution MS/MS system made the unambiguous identification of the MCs impossible. Based on this example, the problems of peptide structure identification are discussed in the work. Genetic analysis revealed that potential MCs producers include Dolichospermum/Anabaena, Microcystis spp., and Planktothrix agardhii. The diversity and temporal variations in MC profiles may indicate the presence of several chemotypes of cyanobacteria in the Curonian Lagoon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donata Overlingė
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, University Avenue 17, 92295 Klaipeda, Lithuania; (M.K.); (R.P.); (G.G.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Anna Toruńska-Sitarz
- Division of Marine Biotechnology, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdańsk, Marszałka J. Piłsudskiego 46, PL-81378 Gdynia, Poland; (A.T.-S.); (H.M.-M.)
| | - Marija Kataržytė
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, University Avenue 17, 92295 Klaipeda, Lithuania; (M.K.); (R.P.); (G.G.)
| | - Renata Pilkaitytė
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, University Avenue 17, 92295 Klaipeda, Lithuania; (M.K.); (R.P.); (G.G.)
| | - Greta Gyraitė
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, University Avenue 17, 92295 Klaipeda, Lithuania; (M.K.); (R.P.); (G.G.)
| | - Hanna Mazur-Marzec
- Division of Marine Biotechnology, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdańsk, Marszałka J. Piłsudskiego 46, PL-81378 Gdynia, Poland; (A.T.-S.); (H.M.-M.)
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14
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Moradinejad S, Trigui H, Maldonado JFG, Shapiro BJ, Terrat Y, Sauvé S, Fortin N, Zamyadi A, Dorner S, Prévost M. Metagenomic study to evaluate functional capacity of a cyanobacterial bloom during oxidation. CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL ADVANCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ceja.2021.100151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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15
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Ahmad IZ. The usage of Cyanobacteria in wastewater treatment: prospects and limitations. Lett Appl Microbiol 2021; 75:718-730. [PMID: 34687552 DOI: 10.1111/lam.13587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
The applicability of Cyanobacteria executes various roles in the treatment of wastewater, assembling of superfluous food and, thus, produces valued biomass which has various applications. Besides this, they enrich and improve the quality of water as they are photosynthetic autotrophs. Currently, Cyanobacteria gained momentum for remediation of wastewaters because firstly, they enhances the O2 content of waters through photosynthesis and perform bioremediation of some heavy metals. Secondly, Cyanobacteria play significant roles in distressing the biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, turbidity, minerals and microbes; thirdly, they can be used either as axenic cultures or as mixed cultures both offering distinct advantages. Lastly, some species are tolerant towards extreme temperatures both low and high, acidic pH, high salt concentrations and heavy metals, which makes them outstanding candidates for the wastewater treatment plants. The suitable immobilization methods must evolve, better understanding of their morphological and biochemical parameters is required for the optimum growth, easy methods of harvesting the biomass after the treatment are required and more trials on large-scale basis are required before they can be launched on full-fledged basis for wastewater treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iffat Zareen Ahmad
- Department of Bioengineering, Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India
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16
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Zhou J, Gao L, Lin Y, Pan B, Li M. Micrometer scale polystyrene plastics of varying concentrations and particle sizes inhibit growth and upregulate microcystin-related gene expression in Microcystis aeruginosa. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 420:126591. [PMID: 34256331 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 06/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are a concerning environmental pollutant due to their adverse effects on aquatic organisms. However, the dose- and size-dependent effects of MPs on toxigenic cyanobacteria have not been extensively studied. Herein, we explored the effects of polystyrene MPs (PS-MPs) of varying particle sizes and concentrations on the growth and physiology of Microcystis aeruginosa. The results showed that exposure to 1 µm PS-MPs at a concentration of 2-10 mg L-1 significantly inhibited the growth of M. aeruginosa in a concentration-dependent manner. After 12 days of exposure, high concentrations of 1 µm PS-MPs (≥ 2 mg L-1) increased levels of reactive oxygen species. Following exposure to 5 mg L-1 PS-MPs of different particle sizes, algal growth was inhibited and oxidative stress was induced by 0.5 and 1 µm PS-MPs. At the molecular level, transcription of the atpB gene was generally downregulated in all PS-MPs treatments, while ftsH and fabZ were upregulated. Exposure to PS-MPs also altered the transcription levels of microcystin-related genes (mcyA and mcyH), causing more microcystin to be produced by M. aeruginosa. The results will be useful for understanding the toxicity of MPs toward toxigenic cyanobacteria, and evaluating the ecological risks of MPs in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junyu Zhou
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Li Gao
- Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities, Victoria University, PO Box 14428, Melbourne, Victoria 8001, Australia
| | - Yuye Lin
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Baozhu Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulic in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ming Li
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A & F University, Yangling 712100, China.
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17
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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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18
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Wood SA, Puddick J, Hawes I, Steiner K, Dietrich DR, Hamilton DP. Variability in microcystin quotas during a Microcystis bloom in a eutrophic lake. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254967. [PMID: 34288957 PMCID: PMC8294494 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Microcystis is a bloom-forming genus of cyanobacteria with some genotypes that produce highly toxic microcystin hepatotoxins. In waterbodies where biological and physical factors are relatively homogenous, toxin quotas (the average amount of toxin per cell), at a single point in time, are expected to be relatively constant. In this study we challenged this assumption by investigating the spatial distribution of microcystin quotas at a single point in time on two separate occasions in a lake with a major Microcystis bloom. Microcystis cell concentrations varied widely across the lake on both sampling occasions (730- and 137-fold) together with microcystin quotas (148- and 362-fold). Cell concentrations and microcystin quotas were strongly positively correlated (R2 = 0.89, P < 0.001, n = 28; R2 = 0.67, P < 0.001, n = 25). Analysis of Microcystis strains using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S-23S rRNA intergenic spacer region showed no relationship between microcystin quota and the relative abundance of specific sequences. Collectively, the results of this study indicate an association between microcystin production and cell density that magnifies the potential for bloom toxicity at elevated cell concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ian Hawes
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | | | | | - David P. Hamilton
- Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
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19
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Heil CA, Muni-Morgan AL. Florida’s Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Problem: Escalating Risks to Human, Environmental and Economic Health With Climate Change. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.646080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) pose unique risks to the citizens, stakeholders, visitors, environment and economy of the state of Florida. Florida has been historically subjected to reoccurring blooms of the toxic marine dinoflagellate Karenia brevis (C. C. Davis) G. Hansen & Moestrup since at least first contact with explorers in the 1500’s. However, ongoing immigration of more than 100,000 people year–1 into the state, elevated population densities in coastal areas with attendant rapid, often unregulated development, coastal eutrophication, and climate change impacts (e.g., increasing hurricane severity, increases in water temperature, ocean acidification and sea level rise) has likely increased the occurrence of other HABs, both freshwater and marine, within the state as well as the number of people impacted by these blooms. Currently, over 75 freshwater, estuarine, coastal and marine HAB species are routinely monitored by state agencies. While only blooms of K. brevis, the dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense (Böhm) Steidinger, Tester, and Taylor and the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia spp. have resulted in closure of commercial shellfish beds, other HAB species, including freshwater and marine cyanobacteria, pose either imminent or unknown risks to human, environmental and economic health. HAB related human health risks can be classified into those related to consumption of contaminated shellfish and finfish, consumption of or contact with bloom or toxin contaminated water or exposure to aerosolized HAB toxins. While acute human illnesses resulting from consumption of brevetoxin-, saxitoxin-, and domoic acid-contaminated commercial shellfish have been minimized by effective monitoring and regulation, illnesses due to unregulated toxin exposures, e.g., ciguatoxins and cyanotoxins, are not well documented or understood. Aerosolized HAB toxins potentially impact the largest number of people within Florida. While short-term (days to weeks) impacts of aerosolized brevetoxin exposure are well documented (e.g., decreased respiratory function for at-risk subgroups such as asthmatics), little is known of longer term (>1 month) impacts of exposure or the risks posed by aerosolized cyanotoxin [e.g., microcystin, β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA)] exposure. Environmental risks of K. brevis blooms are the best studied of Florida HABs and include acute exposure impacts such as significant dies-offs of fish, marine mammals, seabirds and turtles, as well as negative impacts on larval and juvenile stages of many biota. When K. brevis blooms are present, brevetoxins can be found throughout the water column and are widespread in both pelagic and benthic biota. The presence of brevetoxins in living tissue of both fish and marine mammals suggests that food web transfer of these toxins is occurring, resulting in toxin transport beyond the spatial and temporal range of the bloom such that impacts of these toxins may occur in areas not regularly subjected to blooms. Climate change impacts, including temperature effects on cell metabolism, shifting ocean circulation patterns and changes in HAB species range and bloom duration, may exacerbate these dynamics. Secondary HAB related environmental impacts are also possible due to hypoxia and anoxia resulting from elevated bloom biomass and/or the decomposition of HAB related mortalities. Economic risks related to HABs in Florida are diverse and impact multiple stakeholder groups. Direct costs related to human health impacts (e.g., increased hospital visits) as well as recreational and commercial fisheries can be significant, especially with wide-spread sustained HABs. Recreational and tourism-based industries which sustain a significant portion of Florida’s economy are especially vulnerable to both direct (e.g., declines in coastal hotel occupancy rates and restaurant and recreational users) and indirect (e.g., negative publicity impacts, associated job losses) impacts from HABs. While risks related to K. brevis blooms are established, Florida also remains susceptible to future HABs due to large scale freshwater management practices, degrading water quality, potential transport of HABs between freshwater and marine systems and the state’s vulnerability to climate change impacts.
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20
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Zhang Q, Chen Y, Wang M, Zhang J, Chen Q, Liu D. Molecular responses to inorganic and organic phosphorus sources in the growth and toxin formation of Microcystis aeruginosa. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 196:117048. [PMID: 33773451 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Toxic cyanobacteria bloom is a ubiquitous phenomenon worldwide in eutrophic lakes or reservoirs. Microcystis, is a cosmopolitan genus in cyanobacteria and exists in many different forms. Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa) can produce microcystins (MCs) with strong liver toxicity during its growth and decomposition. Phosphorus (P) is a typical growth limiting factor of M. aeruginosa. Though different forms and concentrations of P are common in natural water, the molecular responses in the growth and MCs formation of M. aeruginosa remain unclear. In this study, laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the uptake of P, cell activity, MCs release, and related gene expression under different concentrations of dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) and dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP). We found that the growth of M. aeruginosa was promoted by increasing DIP concentration but coerced under high concentration (0.6 and 1.0 mg P/L) of DOP after P starvation. The growth stress was not related to the alkaline phosphatase activity (APA). Although alkaline phosphatase (AP) could convert DOP into algae absorbable DIP, the growth status of M. aeruginosa mainly depended on the response mechanism of phosphate transporter expression to the extracellular P concentration. High-concentration DIP promoted MCs production in M. aeruginosa, while high-concentration DOP triggered the release of intracellular MCs rather than affecting MCs production. Our study revealed the molecular responses of algal growth and toxin formation under different P sources, and provided a theoretical basis and novel idea for risk management of eutrophic lakes and reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources & Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing 210029, China; Center for Eco-Environment Research, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Yuchen Chen
- Center for Eco-Environment Research, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Min Wang
- Center for Eco-Environment Research, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Jianyun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources & Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing 210029, China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Green Development, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Qiuwen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources & Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing 210029, China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Green Development, Nanjing 210098, China.
| | - Dongsheng Liu
- Center for Eco-Environment Research, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing 210029, China
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21
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Chen L, Giesy JP, Adamovsky O, Svirčev Z, Meriluoto J, Codd GA, Mijovic B, Shi T, Tuo X, Li SC, Pan BZ, Chen J, Xie P. Challenges of using blooms of Microcystis spp. in animal feeds: A comprehensive review of nutritional, toxicological and microbial health evaluation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 764:142319. [PMID: 33069479 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Revised: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Microcystis spp., are Gram-negative, oxygenic, photosynthetic prokaryotes which use solar energy to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) and minerals into organic compounds and biomass. Eutrophication, rising CO2 concentrations and global warming are increasing Microcystis blooms globally. Due to its high availability and protein content, Microcystis biomass has been suggested as a protein source for animal feeds. This would reduce dependency on soybean and other agricultural crops and could make use of "waste" biomass when Microcystis scums and blooms are harvested. Besides proteins, Microcystis contain further nutrients including lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals. However, Microcystis produce cyanobacterial toxins, including microcystins (MCs) and other bioactive metabolites, which present health hazards. In this review, challenges of using Microcystis blooms in feeds are identified. First, nutritional and toxicological (nutri-toxicogical) data, including toxicity of Microcystis to mollusks, crustaceans, fish, amphibians, mammals and birds, is reviewed. Inclusion of Microcystis in diets caused greater mortality, lesser growth, cachexia, histopathological changes and oxidative stress in liver, kidney, gill, intestine and spleen of several fish species. Estimated daily intake (EDI) of MCs in muscle of fish fed Microcystis might exceed the provisional tolerable daily intake (TDI) for humans, 0.04 μg/kg body mass (bm)/day, as established by the World Health Organization (WHO), and is thus not safe. Muscle of fish fed M. aeruginosa is of low nutritional value and exhibits poor palatability/taste. Microcystis also causes hepatotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, cardiotoxicity, neurotoxicity and immunotoxicity to mollusks, crustaceans, amphibians, mammals and birds. Microbial pathogens can also occur in blooms of Microcystis. Thus, cyanotoxins/xenobiotics/pathogens in Microcystis biomass should be removed/degraded/inactivated sufficiently to assure safety for use of the biomass as a primary/main/supplemental ingredient in animal feed. As an ameliorative measure, antidotes/detoxicants can be used to avoid/reduce the toxic effects. Before using Microcystis in feed ingredients/supplements, further screening for health protection and cost control is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Faculty of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China; Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing 100049, China.
| | - John P Giesy
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences and Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N5B3, Canada; Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, United States
| | - Ondrej Adamovsky
- Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, CZ-625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Zorica Svirčev
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia; Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Jussi Meriluoto
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia; Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Geoffrey A Codd
- School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, UK; Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK
| | - Biljana Mijovic
- Faculty of Medicine, University of East Sarajevo, Studentska 5, 73 300 Foča, Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Ting Shi
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xun Tuo
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing 100049, China; College of Chemistry, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330031, China
| | - Shang-Chun Li
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing 100049, China; School of Public Health, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou 646000, China
| | - Bao-Zhu Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Faculty of Water Resources and Hydroelectric Engineering, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Ping Xie
- Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Wuhan 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China; Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming 650091, China.
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Zupančič M, Kogovšek P, Šter T, Remec Rekar Š, Cerasino L, Baebler Š, Krivograd Klemenčič A, Eleršek T. Potentially Toxic Planktic and Benthic Cyanobacteria in Slovenian Freshwater Bodies: Detection by Quantitative PCR. Toxins (Basel) 2021; 13:toxins13020133. [PMID: 33670338 PMCID: PMC7917684 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13020133] [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: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Due to increased frequency of cyanobacterial blooms and emerging evidence of cyanotoxicity in biofilm, reliable methods for early cyanotoxin threat detection are of major importance for protection of human, animal and environmental health. To complement the current methods of risk assessment, this study aimed to evaluate selected qPCR assays for detection of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in environmental samples. In the course of one year, 25 plankton and 23 biofilm samples were collected from 15 water bodies in Slovenia. Three different analyses were performed and compared to each other; qPCR targeting mcyE, cyrJ and sxtA genes involved in cyanotoxin production, LC-MS/MS quantifying microcystin, cylindrospermopsin and saxitoxin concentration, and microscopic analyses identifying potentially toxic cyanobacterial taxa. qPCR analyses detected potentially toxic Microcystis in 10 lake plankton samples, and potentially toxic Planktothrix cells in 12 lake plankton and one lake biofilm sample. A positive correlation was observed between numbers of mcyE gene copies and microcystin concentrations. Potential cylindrospermopsin- and saxitoxin-producers were detected in three and seven lake biofilm samples, respectively. The study demonstrated a potential for cyanotoxin production that was left undetected by traditional methods in both plankton and biofilm samples. Thus, the qPCR method could be useful in regular monitoring of water bodies to improve risk assessment and enable timely measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maša Zupančič
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
- Jozef Stefan International Postgraduate School, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Correspondence:
| | - Polona Kogovšek
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, National Institute of Biology, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (P.K.); (Š.B.)
| | - Tadeja Šter
- Slovenian Environment Agency, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.Š.); (Š.R.R.); (A.K.K.)
| | - Špela Remec Rekar
- Slovenian Environment Agency, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (T.Š.); (Š.R.R.); (A.K.K.)
| | - Leonardo Cerasino
- Department of Sustainable Agro-Ecosystems and Bioresources, Research and Innovation Centre, Fondazione Edmund Mach, 38010 San Michele all’Adige, Italy;
| | - Špela Baebler
- Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, National Institute of Biology, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (P.K.); (Š.B.)
| | | | - Tina Eleršek
- Department of Genetic Toxicology and Cancer Biology, National Institute of Biology, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia;
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23
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Plaas HE, Paerl HW. Toxic Cyanobacteria: A Growing Threat to Water and Air Quality. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:44-64. [PMID: 33334098 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c06653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The global expansion of harmful cyanobacterial blooms (CyanoHABs) poses an increasing threat to public health. CyanoHABs are characterized by the production of toxic metabolites known as cyanotoxins. Human exposure to cyanotoxins is challenging to forecast, and perhaps the least understood exposure route is via inhalation. While the aerosolization of toxins from marine harmful algal blooms (HABs) has been well documented, the aerosolization of cyanotoxins in freshwater systems remains understudied. In recent years, spray aerosol (SA) produced in the airshed of the Laurentian Great Lakes (United States and Canada) has been characterized, suggesting that freshwater systems may impact atmospheric aerosol loading more than previously understood. Therefore, further investigation regarding the impact of CyanoHABs on human respiratory health is warranted. This review examines current research on the incorporation of cyanobacterial cells and cyanotoxins into SA of aquatic ecosystems which experience HABs. We present an overview of cyanotoxin fate in the environment, biological incorporation into SA, existing data on cyanotoxins in SA, relevant collection methods, and adverse health outcomes associated with cyanotoxin inhalation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haley E Plaas
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Institute of Marine Sciences, Morehead City, NC 28557, United States
| | - Hans W Paerl
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Institute of Marine Sciences, Morehead City, NC 28557, United States
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24
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Romanis CS, Pearson LA, Neilan BA. Cyanobacterial blooms in wastewater treatment facilities: Significance and emerging monitoring strategies. J Microbiol Methods 2020; 180:106123. [PMID: 33316292 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2020.106123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Revised: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Municipal wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs) are prone to the proliferation of cyanobacterial species which thrive in stable, nutrient-rich environments. Dense cyanobacterial blooms frequently disrupt treatment processes and the supply of recycled water due to their production of extracellular polymeric substances, which hinder microfiltration, and toxins, which pose a health risk to end-users. A variety of methods are employed by water utilities for the identification and monitoring of cyanobacteria and their toxins in WWTFs, including microscopy, flow cytometry, ELISA, chemoanalytical methods, and more recently, molecular methods. Here we review the literature on the occurrence and significance of cyanobacterial blooms in WWTFs and discuss the pros and cons of the various strategies for monitoring these potentially hazardous events. Particular focus is directed towards next-generation metagenomic sequencing technologies for the development of site-specific cyanobacterial bloom management strategies. Long-term multi-omic observations will enable the identification of indicator species and the development of site-specific bloom dynamics models for the mitigation and management of cyanobacterial blooms in WWTFs. While emerging metagenomic tools could potentially provide deep insight into the diversity and flux of problematic cyanobacterial species in these systems, they should be considered a complement to, rather than a replacement of, quantitative chemoanalytical approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin S Romanis
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle 2308, Australia
| | - Leanne A Pearson
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle 2308, Australia
| | - Brett A Neilan
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Newcastle 2308, Australia.
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25
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Weisbrod B, Riehle E, Helmer M, Martin-Creuzburg D, Dietrich DR. Can toxin warfare against fungal parasitism influence short-term Dolichospermum bloom dynamics? - A field observation. HARMFUL ALGAE 2020; 99:101915. [PMID: 33218440 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2020.101915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacterial blooms often consist of numerous co-existing cyanobacterial species, with predominant taxa dynamically varying intra-annually. Parasitism by fungi (chytrids) has come into focus as an important factor driving short-term bloom dynamics. Using microscopic analysis, Illumina sequencing and cyanobacterial toxin analyses, we monitored the seasonal succession of Dolichospermum blooms in a reservoir along with environmental parameters. We identified two consecutive Dolichospermum blooms that were characterized by a straight and a coiled morphotype, separated by a complete bloom collapse. Phylotyping provided evidence for three putative Dolichospermum amplicon sequence variants (ASVs); i.e. Dolichospermum1 & 2 in the first bloom (straight filaments) and Dolichospermum3 in the second bloom (coiled filaments). Morphotype succession as well as total filament concentration did not correlate with any of the measured environmental parameters. Fungal parasitism by the chytrid Rhizosiphon crassum occurred in straight Dolichospermum filaments only. Coiled filaments showed no infection despite ambient presence of chytrids, deduced from fungal ASVs, throughout the entire observation period. Toxin concentrations (microcystins (MCs) and anabaenopeptins) correlated significantly with the abundance of the straight Dolichospermum morphotype. Enhanced cyanotoxin biosynthesis in the straight Dolichospermum morphotype, interpreted as a defensive reaction to fungal parasitism, appeared to come at the expense of lowered competitiveness with the co-occurring coiled morphotype. Our findings support the hypothesis that selective parasitism by chytrids is an important factor driving short-term morphotype and toxin dynamics within cyanobacterial blooms.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Weisbrod
- Human and Environmental Toxicology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany.
| | - E Riehle
- Human and Environmental Toxicology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
| | - M Helmer
- Limnological Institute, University of Konstanz, Mainaustrasse 252, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
| | - D Martin-Creuzburg
- Limnological Institute, University of Konstanz, Mainaustrasse 252, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
| | - D R Dietrich
- Human and Environmental Toxicology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
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26
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Weisbrod B, Wood SA, Steiner K, Whyte-Wilding R, Puddick J, Laroche O, Dietrich DR. Is a Central Sediment Sample Sufficient? Exploring Spatial and Temporal Microbial Diversity in a Small Lake. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:E580. [PMID: 32916957 PMCID: PMC7551157 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12090580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: Paleolimnological studies use sediment cores to explore long-term changes in lake ecology, including occurrences of harmful cyanobacterial blooms. Most studies are based on single cores, assuming this is representative of the whole lake, but data on small-scale spatial variability of microbial communities in lake sediment are scarce. (2) Methods: Surface sediments (top 0.5 cm) from 12 sites (n = 36) and two sediment cores were collected in Lake Rotorua (New Zealand). Bacterial community (16S rRNA metabarcoding), Microcystis specific 16S rRNA, microcystin synthetase gene E (mcyE) and microcystins (MCs) were assessed. Radionuclide measurements (210Pb, 137Cs) were used to date sediments. (3) Results: Bacterial community, based on relative abundances, differed significantly between surface sediment sites (p < 0.001) but the majority of bacterial amplicon sequence variants (88.8%) were shared. Despite intense MC producing Microcystis blooms in the past, no Microcystis specific 16S rRNA, mcyE and MCs were found in surface sediments but occurred deeper in sediment cores (approximately 1950's). 210Pb measurements showed a disturbed profile, similar to patterns previously observed, as a result of earthquakes. (4) Conclusions: A single sediment core can capture dominant microbial communities. Toxin producing Microcystis blooms are a recent phenomenon in Lake Rotorua. We posit that the absence of Microcystis from the surface sediments is a consequence of the Kaikoura earthquake two years prior to our sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Weisbrod
- Human and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Susanna A. Wood
- Cawthron Institute, 98 Halifax Street East, Nelson 7010, New Zealand; (S.A.W.); (K.S.); (R.W.-W.); (J.P.); (O.L.)
| | - Konstanze Steiner
- Cawthron Institute, 98 Halifax Street East, Nelson 7010, New Zealand; (S.A.W.); (K.S.); (R.W.-W.); (J.P.); (O.L.)
| | - Ruby Whyte-Wilding
- Cawthron Institute, 98 Halifax Street East, Nelson 7010, New Zealand; (S.A.W.); (K.S.); (R.W.-W.); (J.P.); (O.L.)
| | - Jonathan Puddick
- Cawthron Institute, 98 Halifax Street East, Nelson 7010, New Zealand; (S.A.W.); (K.S.); (R.W.-W.); (J.P.); (O.L.)
| | - Olivier Laroche
- Cawthron Institute, 98 Halifax Street East, Nelson 7010, New Zealand; (S.A.W.); (K.S.); (R.W.-W.); (J.P.); (O.L.)
| | - Daniel R. Dietrich
- Human and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, 78457 Konstanz, Germany
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27
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Francy DS, Brady AMG, Stelzer EA, Cicale JR, Hackney C, Dalby HD, Struffolino P, Dwyer DF. Predicting microcystin concentration action-level exceedances resulting from cyanobacterial blooms in selected lake sites in Ohio. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2020; 192:513. [PMID: 32666330 PMCID: PMC7360538 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-020-08407-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 06/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms and the toxins they produce are a global water-quality problem. Monitoring and prediction tools are needed to quickly predict cyanotoxin action-level exceedances in recreational and drinking waters used by the public. To address this need, data were collected at eight locations in Ohio, USA, to identify factors significantly related to observed concentrations of microcystins (a freshwater cyanotoxin) that could be used in two types of site-specific regression models. Real-time models include easily or continuously-measured factors that do not require that a sample be collected; comprehensive models use a combination of discrete sample-based measurements and real-time factors. The study sites included two recreational sites and six water treatment plant sites. Real-time models commonly included variables such as phycocyanin, pH, specific conductance, and streamflow or gage height. Many real-time factors were averages over time periods antecedent to the time the microcystin sample was collected, including water-quality data compiled from continuous monitors. Comprehensive models were useful at some sites with lagged variables for cyanobacterial toxin genes, dissolved nutrients, and (or) nitrogen to phosphorus ratios. Because models can be used for management decisions, important measures of model performance were sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of estimates above or below the microcystin concentration threshold standard or action level. Sensitivity is how well the predictive tool correctly predicts exceedance of a threshold, an important measure for water-resource managers. Sensitivities > 90% at four Lake Erie water treatment plants indicated that models with continuous monitor data were especially promising. The planned next steps are to collect more data to build larger site-specific datasets and validate models before they can be used for management decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna S Francy
- U.S. Geological Survey, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, 6460 Busch Blvd, Columbus, OH, 43229, USA.
| | - Amie M G Brady
- U.S. Geological Survey, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, 6460 Busch Blvd, Columbus, OH, 43229, USA
| | - Erin A Stelzer
- U.S. Geological Survey, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, 6460 Busch Blvd, Columbus, OH, 43229, USA
| | - Jessica R Cicale
- U.S. Geological Survey, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, 6460 Busch Blvd, Columbus, OH, 43229, USA
| | - Courtney Hackney
- U.S. Geological Survey, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, 6460 Busch Blvd, Columbus, OH, 43229, USA
| | - Harrison D Dalby
- U.S. Geological Survey, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center, 6460 Busch Blvd, Columbus, OH, 43229, USA
| | | | - Daryl F Dwyer
- Lake Erie Center, University of Toledo, Oregon, OH, USA
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28
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Álvarez SD, Kruk C, Martínez de la Escalera G, Montes MA, Segura AM, Piccini C. Morphology captures toxicity in Microcystis aeruginosa complex: Evidence from a wide environmental gradient ✰. HARMFUL ALGAE 2020; 97:101854. [PMID: 32732048 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2020.101854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/07/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Blooms of the Microcystis aeruginosa complex (MAC) consist of mixtures of toxin-producing and non-toxin-producing populations, but the environmental conditions that determine their relative abundance and shift are not clear. Morphological traits reflect the responses of MAC organisms to environmental changes, thus they could be useful to improve the predictability of the abundance of both toxic and nontoxic populations. In this work, the response of MAC toxic populations to environmental conditions and their relationship with morphology (size of organisms) were investigated in different water bodies (reservoir, river, and estuary) covering wide salinity (0-33) and temperature (10-36 °C) gradients. Sub-surface water samples were collected and divided into 4 size classes (mesh size 〈20 µm, 20-60 µm, 60-150 µm and〉 150 µm) and three toxicity proxies were assessed (mcyE gene and transcripts copy numbers and microcystin concentration) for each size-class. For all the size-classes, the logarithm of the number of mcyE gene copies per sample was proportional to the logarithm of the corresponding biovolume fraction, showing that MAC biovolume is a good indicator of toxicity potential. When toxicity was analyzed through mcyE transcript abundance and microcystin concentration, the largest size fraction (>150 µm) showed the highest toxicity values of both proxies. Nevertheless, mcyE transcription and toxin production per cell were higher in the colonies retained in the 60 to 150 µm size fractions, followed by single cells (<20 µm). At the reservoir, where environmental variability is low, the total abundance of mcyE gene copies was significantly explained by MAC biovolume, regardless of the environmental conditions. However, when data from the reservoir to the estuary were modeled, biovolume and temperature (with a minor contribution of salinity and wind intensity) were selected in the best models. According to these results, the size distribution of MAC biovolume appears as a good predictor of active toxin production, being the colonies in the 60-150 µm size fraction good indicators of higher toxicity. These results can be used to predict MAC toxicity based on the size structure of the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Deus Álvarez
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Carla Kruk
- Ecología Funcional de Sistemas Acuáticos, CURE-Rocha, Universidad de la República, Uruguay; Sección Limnología, IECA, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
| | | | - Martín A Montes
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Terrestrial Information Systems Laboratory, Greenbelt, MD 20771, United States
| | - Angel M Segura
- Modelización y Análisis de Recursos Naturales, CURE Rocha, Universidad de la República, Uruguay
| | - Claudia Piccini
- Departamento de Microbiología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), Montevideo, Uruguay.
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29
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Di Pofi G, Favero G, Nigro Di Gregorio F, Ferretti E, Viaggiu E, Lucentini L. Multi-residue Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography-High resolution mass spectrometric method for the analysis of 21 cyanotoxins in surface water for human consumption. Talanta 2020; 211:120738. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2020.120738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2019] [Revised: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 01/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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30
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The Effect of a Combined Hydrogen Peroxide-MlrA Treatment on the Phytoplankton Community and Microcystin Concentrations in a Mesocosm Experiment in Lake Ludoš. Toxins (Basel) 2019; 11:toxins11120725. [PMID: 31835838 PMCID: PMC6950535 DOI: 10.3390/toxins11120725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Harmful cyanobacteria and their toxic metabolites constitute a big challenge for the production of safe drinking water. Microcystins (MC), chemically stable hepatotoxic heptapeptides, have often been involved in cyanobacterial poisoning incidents. A desirable solution for cyanobacterial management in lakes and ponds would eliminate both excess cyanobacteria and the MC that they potentially produce and release upon lysis. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has recently been advocated as an efficient means of lysing cyanobacteria in lakes and ponds, however H2O2 (at least when used at typical concentrations) cannot degrade MC in environmental waters. Therefore, mesocosm experiments combining the cyanobacteria-lysing effect of H2O2 and the MC-degrading capacity of the enzyme MlrA were set up in the highly eutrophic Lake Ludoš (Serbia). The H2O2 treatment decreased the abundance of the dominant cyanobacterial taxa Limnothrix sp., Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, and Planktothrix agardhii. The intracellular concentration of MC was reduced/eliminated by H2O2, yet the reduction of the extracellular MC could only be accomplished by supplementation with MlrA. However, as H2O2 was found to induce the expression of mcyB and mcyE genes, which are involved in MC biosynthesis, the use of H2O2 as a safe cyanobacteriocide still requires further investigation. In conclusion, the experiments showed that the combined use of H2O2 and MlrA is promising in the elimination of both excess cyanobacteria and their MC in environmental waters.
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31
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Shahmohamadloo RS, Ortiz Almirall X, Holeton C, Chong-Kit R, Poirier DG, Bhavsar SP, Sibley PK. An efficient and affordable laboratory method to produce and sustain high concentrations of microcystins by Microcystis aeruginosa. MethodsX 2019; 6:2521-2535. [PMID: 31763185 PMCID: PMC6861626 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2019.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Microcystis aeruginosa is a cosmopolitan cyanobacteria that continues to jeopardize freshwater ecosystem services by releasing the hepatotoxin microcystin, which can, in some cases, cause death to aquatic fauna and even humans. Currently, our abilities to understand the mechanisms of microcystin toxicology are limited by the lack of a method for producing high concentrations, which are central to large-scale and long-term research in natural systems. Here we present an efficient and affordable laboratory method to produce high concentrations of microcystins by a toxigenic strain of M. aeruginosa. Through batch culture studies, we yielded microcystins at concentrations that are environmentally relevant to freshwaters around the world (1–300 μg L−1), maintained these concentrations without resupplying fresh medium (further reducing costs), and utilized rate equations to model the relationship between the environmental conditions in the cultures and changes occurring within the M. aeruginosa cells. Our assessment suggests that steady production of microcystins depends on the availability of carbon throughout the experiment. Hence, we recommend the use of tissue culture treated flasks with a vented cap to ensure the production of microcystins is uninterrupted. This method demonstrates that microcystins can be produced in the laboratory at concentrations relevant to freshwater ecosystems. The method demonstrates M. aeruginosa CPCC 300 is a reliable strain of freshwater cyanobacteria that can yield microcystins at environmentally relevant concentrations. Validation showed M. aeruginosa CPCC 300 is resilient in carbon-limited situations and may respond to stress by shifting the ratio of microcystin congeners. Cell culture flasks with vented caps —filled no more than 50 % of the flask volume to allow for sufficient air exchange— are an excellent and cost-effective approach to maintaining cell growth and producing microcystins at a range between 300 to 1200 μg L−1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xavier Ortiz Almirall
- Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Claire Holeton
- Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Richard Chong-Kit
- Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - David G Poirier
- Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Satyendra P Bhavsar
- Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Physical & Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Paul K Sibley
- School of Environmental Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Banerji A, Bagley MJ, Shoemaker JA, Tettenhorst DR, Nietch CT, Allen HJ, Santo Domingo JW. Evaluating putative ecological drivers of microcystin spatiotemporal dynamics using metabarcoding and environmental data. HARMFUL ALGAE 2019; 86:84-95. [PMID: 31358280 PMCID: PMC7877229 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2019.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 04/19/2019] [Accepted: 05/07/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Microcystin is a cyanobacterial hepatotoxin of global concern. Understanding the environmental factors that cause high concentrations of microcystin is crucial to the development of lake management strategies that minimize harmful exposures. While the literature is replete with studies linking cyanobacterial production of microcystin to changes in various nutrients, abiotic stressors, grazers, and competitors, no single biotic or abiotic factor has been shown to be reliably predictive of microcystin concentrations in complex ecosystems. We performed random forest regression analyses with 16S and 18S rRNA gene sequencing data and environmental data to determine which putative ecological drivers best explained spatiotemporal variation in total microcystin and several individual congeners in a eutrophic freshwater reservoir. Model performance was best for predicting concentrations of the congener MC-LR, with ca. 88% of spatiotemporal variance explained. Most of the variance was associated with changes in the relative abundance of the cyanobacterial genus Microcystis. Follow-up RF regression analyses revealed that factors that were the most important in predicting MC-LR were also the most important in predicting Microcystis population dynamics. We discuss how these results relate to prevailing ecological hypotheses regarding the function of microcystin.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Banerji
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA
| | - M J Bagley
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA
| | - J A Shoemaker
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA
| | - D R Tettenhorst
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA
| | - C T Nietch
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA
| | - H J Allen
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH, 45268, USA
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Kumar P, Hegde K, Brar SK, Cledon M, Kermanshahi-Pour A. Potential of biological approaches for cyanotoxin removal from drinking water: A review. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 172:488-503. [PMID: 30738231 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.01.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2018] [Revised: 01/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Biological treatment of cyanotoxins has gained much importance in recent decades and holds a promise to work in coordination with various physicochemical treatments. In drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs), effective removal of cyanotoxins with reduced toxicity is a primary concern. Commonly used treatments, such as ozonation, chlorination or activated carbon, undergo significant changes in their operating conditions (mainly dosage) to counter the variation in different environmental parameters, such as pH, temperature, and high cyanotoxin concentration. Presence of metal ions, natural organic matter (NOM), and other chemicals demand higher dosage and hence affect the activation energy to efficiently break down the cyanotoxin molecule. Due to these higher dose requirements, the treatment leads to the formation of toxic metabolites at a concentration high enough to break the guideline values. Biological methods of cyanotoxin removal proceed via enzymatic pathway where the protein-encoding genes are often responsible for the compound breakdown into non-toxic metabolites. However, in contrast to the chemical treatment, the biological processes advance at a much slower kinetic rate, predominantly due to a longer onset period (high lag phase). In fact, more than 90% of the studies reported on the biological degradation of the cyanotoxins attribute the biodegradation to the bacterial suspension. This suspended growth limits the mass transfer kinetics due to the presence of metal ions, NOMs and, other oxidizable matter, which further prolongs the lag phase and makes biological process toxic-free, albeit less efficient. In this context, this review attempts to bring out the importance of the attached growth mechanism, in particular, the biofilm-based treatment approaches which can enhance the biodegradation rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratik Kumar
- INRS-ETE, Université du Québec, 490, Rue de la Couronne, Québec, Canada G1K 9A9
| | | | - Satinder Kaur Brar
- INRS-ETE, Université du Québec, 490, Rue de la Couronne, Québec, Canada G1K 9A9; Department of Civil Engineering, Lassonde School of Engineering, York University, North York, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M3J 1P3.
| | - Maximiliano Cledon
- CIMAS (CONICET, UnComa, Rio Negro), Güemes 1030, San Antonio Oeste, Rio Negro, Argentina
| | - Azadeh Kermanshahi-Pour
- Biorefining and Remediation Laboratory, Department of Process Engineering and Applied Science, Dalhousie University, 1360 Barrington Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3J 1Z1
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Ross C, Warhurst BC, Brown A, Huff C, Ochrietor JD. Mesohaline conditions represent the threshold for oxidative stress, cell death and toxin release in the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2019; 206:203-211. [PMID: 30500607 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Revised: 11/20/2018] [Accepted: 11/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
As aquatic ecosystems become increasingly affected by hydrologic alterations, drought and sea level rise a need exists to better understand the biological effects of elevated salinity on toxigenic cyanobacteria such as Microcystis aeruginosa. This study investigated the impacts of oligohaline/low mesohaline conditions and exposure time on selected physiological and biochemical responses in M. aeruginosa including cell viability, oxidative stress, antioxidant responses, in addition to microcystin synthesis and release into the surrounding environment. M. aeruginosa was able to grow in most test salinity treatments (1.4-10 ppt), as supported by cell abundance data and chlorophyll-a (chl-a) concentrations. Physiological data showed that after certain salinity thresholds (∼7ppt) were surpassed, salt stress had cascading effects, such as increased ROS production and lipid peroxidation, potentiating the decline in cellular viability. Furthermore, elevated salinity induced oxidative stress which was concomitant with a decrease in cell abundance, chl-a concentration and photochemical efficiency in the 7-10 ppt treatments. M. aeruginosa did not synthesize microcystins (MCs) in response to increased saline conditions, and mcy-D expression was not correlated with either salinity treatment or extracellular MC concentrations, indicating that salinity stress could inhibit toxin production and that released toxins were likely synthesized prior to exposure. Additionally, extracellular MC concentrations were not correlated with decreased cellular integrity, as evidenced by SYTOX analyses, suggesting that toxins may be released through mechanisms other than cellular lysis. Results from this study support that M. aeruginosa can survive with limited negative impacts to cellular structure and function up to a certain threshold between 7-10 ppt. However, after these thresholds are surpassed, there is radical decline in cell health and viability leading to toxin release. This work underscores the importance of understanding the balance between ROS production and antioxidant capacities when assessing the fate of M. aeruginosa under mesohaline conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cliff Ross
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA.
| | - B Christopher Warhurst
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Amber Brown
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Chase Huff
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
| | - Judith D Ochrietor
- Department of Biology, University of North Florida, 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, FL, 32224, USA
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Tao Y, Hou D, Zhou T, Cao H, Zhang W, Wang X. UV-C suppression on hazardous metabolites in Microcystis aeruginosa: Unsynchronized production of microcystins and odorous compounds at population and single-cell level. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2018; 359:281-289. [PMID: 30041121 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2018.07.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Revised: 06/28/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The effectiveness of UV-C towards the toxin and odor of M. aeruginosa at population and single cell levels were investigated in three ways. In the absence of UV-C, MC-LR and β-cyclocitral production show similar pattern of incremental rate with growth rate on population level shown as intracellular concentrations of MC-LR (CMC) and β-cyclocitral (CBCC), but the cellular quota of MC-LR (QMC) and β-cyclocitral (QBCC) at single-cell level reached the maximum values, 37.5 ± 1.2 fg cell-1 and 4.3 ± 0.1 fg cell-1, just after the early exponential phase. Second, upon UV-C irradiation, the CMC consistently decreased by 10-41% with increase of UV-C dosage (50-200 mJ cm-2) while CBCC increased by 2-14%. Third, during the 14 days' post-UV incubation, UV-C at 75-200 mJ cm-2 induced remarkable suppressing effects on both CMC and CBCC for 3-14 days. The suppressing effects on QMC and QBCC were induced by UV-C at 100 mJ cm-2 and above, with shorter suppressing periods by 1-4 days and lower decremental rates by 21%-30% than that of CMC and CBCC, indicating interruptions on biosynthesis processes partially contribute to suppression effects of CMC and CBCC. The suppression effect on either CBCC or QBCC, with higher decrement rates while lower recovery rates, was more severe than CMC and QMC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Tao
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Urban Water Recycling and Environmental Safety, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China; Shenzhen Environmental Science and New Energy Technology Engineering Laboratory, Tsinghua-Berkeley Shenzhen Institute, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
| | - Delin Hou
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Research Center for Urban Water Recycling and Environmental Safety, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Tingru Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Microorganism Application and Risk Control (MARC) of Shenzhen, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Huansheng Cao
- Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, 85287, USA
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | - Xuejian Wang
- Key Laboratory of Microorganism Application and Risk Control (MARC) of Shenzhen, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, 518055, China
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36
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Tokodi N, Drobac D, Meriluoto J, Lujić J, Marinović Z, Važić T, Nybom S, Simeunović J, Dulić T, Lazić G, Petrović T, Vuković-Gačić B, Sunjog K, Kolarević S, Kračun-Kolarević M, Subakov-Simić G, Miljanović B, Codd GA, Svirčev Z. Cyanobacterial effects in Lake Ludoš, Serbia - Is preservation of a degraded aquatic ecosystem justified? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 635:1047-1062. [PMID: 29710560 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/13/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are present in many aquatic ecosystems in Serbia. Lake Ludoš, a wetland area of international significance and an important habitat for waterbirds, has become the subject of intense research interest because of practically continuous blooming of cyanobacteria. Analyses of water samples indicated a deterioration of ecological condition and water quality, and the presence of toxin-producing cyanobacteria (the most abundant Limnothrix redekei, Pseudanabaena limnetica, Planktothrix agardhii and Microcystis spp.). Furthermore, microcystins were detected in plants and animals from the lake: in macrophyte rhizomes (Phragmites communis, Typha latifolia and Nymphaea elegans), and in the muscle, intestines, kidneys, gonads and gills of fish (Carassius gibelio). Moreover, histopathological deleterious effects (liver, kidney, gills and intestines) and DNA damage (liver and gills) were observed in fish. A potential treatment for the reduction of cyanobacterial populations employing hydrogen peroxide was tested during this study. The treatment was not effective in laboratory tests although further in-lake trials are needed to make final conclusions about the applicability of the method. Based on our observations of the cyanobacterial populations and cyanotoxins in the water, as well as other aquatic organisms and, a survey of historical data on Lake Ludoš, it can be concluded that the lake is continuously in a poor ecological state. Conservation of the lake in order to protect the waterbirds (without urgent control of eutrophication) actually endangers them and the rest of the biota in this wetland habitat, and possibly other ecosystems. Thus, urgent measures for restoration are required, so that the preservation of this Ramsar site would be meaningful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Tokodi
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia.
| | - Damjana Drobac
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Jussi Meriluoto
- Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6 A, 20520 Turku, Finland; Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Jelena Lujić
- Department of Aquaculture, Szent István University, Páter Károly u. 1, Gödöllő 2100, Hungary
| | - Zoran Marinović
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; Department of Aquaculture, Szent István University, Páter Károly u. 1, Gödöllő 2100, Hungary
| | - Tamara Važić
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Sonja Nybom
- Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6 A, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Jelica Simeunović
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Tamara Dulić
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Gospava Lazić
- Scientific Veterinary Institute "Novi Sad", Rumenački put 20, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Tamaš Petrović
- Scientific Veterinary Institute "Novi Sad", Rumenački put 20, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Branka Vuković-Gačić
- Center for Genotoxicology and Ecogenotoxicology, Chair of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Studenski Trg 16, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Karolina Sunjog
- Center for Genotoxicology and Ecogenotoxicology, Chair of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Studenski Trg 16, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Stoimir Kolarević
- Center for Genotoxicology and Ecogenotoxicology, Chair of Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, Studenski Trg 16, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Margareta Kračun-Kolarević
- Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković", Despota Stefana 142, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Gordana Subakov-Simić
- Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 16, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Branko Miljanović
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Geoffrey A Codd
- College of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, UK
| | - Zorica Svirčev
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia; Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6 A, 20520 Turku, Finland
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Jia J, Chen Q, Wang M, Zhang J, Yi Q, Hu L. The production and release of microcystin related to phytoplankton biodiversity and water salinity in two cyanobacteria blooming lakes. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2018; 37:2312-2322. [PMID: 29923630 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 06/01/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
To find the connections between microcystins and the phytoplankton community, coupled with environmental factors, we investigated 2 cyanobacteria blooming lakes, Lake Taihu (at the center of the Yangtze River Delta, eastern China) and Lake Yanghe (near Qinhuangdao City, northern China). Two years of data, including water quality and the amounts of phytoplankton, microcystins, and the congeners in both algal cells and water, were collected from the 2 lakes during 2013 and 2014. The results showed that both the microcystin quota and release percentage were positively correlated with biodiversity of phytoplankton and the Chlorophyta to phytoplankton ratio, but were negatively correlated with cyanobacteria abundance and the cyanobacteria to phytoplankton ratio; both the microcystin quota and release percentage were closely related to the intensity of competition between cyanobacteria and other phytoplankton; meanwhile, microcystins played a role in the competition between cyanobacteria and other phytoplankton. Salinity had a significantly negative relationship with both cellular and total microcystins, but a significantly positive relationship with the microcystin releasing percentage, indicating that an increase in salinity inhibited the production of microcystins but promoted their release into the aquatic environment. In addition, the average number of microcystins in Lake Yanghe was several times higher than the provisional guideline value adopted by the World Health Organization, indicating a possible health risk to local people. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:2312-2322. © 2018 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junmei Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing, China
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining, China
| | - Qiuwen Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing, China
- Center for Eco-Environmental Research, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing, China
- Center for Eco-Environmental Research, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianyun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Nanjing, China
- Center for Eco-Environmental Research, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing, China
| | - Qitao Yi
- Center for Eco-Environmental Research, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing, China
| | - Liuming Hu
- Center for Eco-Environmental Research, Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, Nanjing, China
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38
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Ndong M, Bird D, Nguyen Quang T, Kahawita R, Hamilton D, de Boutray ML, Prévost M, Dorner S. A novel Eulerian approach for modelling cyanobacteria movement: Thin layer formation and recurrent risk to drinking water intakes. WATER RESEARCH 2017; 127:191-203. [PMID: 29049968 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2017] [Revised: 06/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/09/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Toxic cyanobacteria (CB) blooms are being reported in an increasing number of water bodies worldwide. As drinking water (DW) treatment can be disrupted by CB, in addition to long term management plans, short term operational decision-making tools are needed that enable an understanding of the temporal variability of CB movement in relation to drinking water intakes. In this paper, we propose a novel conservative model based on a Eulerian framework and compare results with data from CB blooms in Missisquoi Bay (Québec, Canada). The hydrodynamic model considered the effects of wind and light intensity, demonstrated that current understanding of cell buoyancy in relation to light intensity in full-scale systems is incomplete and some factors are yet to be fully characterized. Factors affecting CB buoyancy play a major role in the formation of a thin surface layer that could be of ecological importance with regards to cell concentrations and toxin production. Depending on velocities, wind contributes either to the accumulation or to the dispersion of CB. Lake recirculation effects have a tendency to create zones of low CB concentrations in a water body. Monitoring efforts and future research should focus on short-term variations of CB throughout the water column and the characterization of factors other than light intensity that affect cell buoyancy. These factors are critical for understanding the risk of breakthrough into treatment plants as well as the formation of surface scums and subsequent toxin production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mouhamed Ndong
- Department of Civil, Geologic and Mining Engineering, École Polytechnique de Montréal, C.P. 6079, Succ. Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3A7, Canada; Canadian Rivers Institute, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, E3B 5A3, Canada.
| | - David Bird
- Department of Biological Sciences, Université du Québec à Montréal, C.P. 8888, Succ. Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Tri Nguyen Quang
- Department of Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, PO Box 550, Truro-Bible Hill (Nova Scotia), B2N 5E3, Canada
| | - René Kahawita
- Department of Civil, Geologic and Mining Engineering, École Polytechnique de Montréal, C.P. 6079, Succ. Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3A7, Canada
| | - David Hamilton
- Environmental Research Institute, The University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Marie Laure de Boutray
- Department of Civil, Geologic and Mining Engineering, École Polytechnique de Montréal, C.P. 6079, Succ. Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3A7, Canada
| | - Michèle Prévost
- Department of Civil, Geologic and Mining Engineering, École Polytechnique de Montréal, C.P. 6079, Succ. Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3A7, Canada
| | - Sarah Dorner
- Department of Civil, Geologic and Mining Engineering, École Polytechnique de Montréal, C.P. 6079, Succ. Centre-ville, Montréal, Québec, H3C 3A7, Canada
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Scherer PI, Millard AD, Miller A, Schoen R, Raeder U, Geist J, Zwirglmaier K. Temporal Dynamics of the Microbial Community Composition with a Focus on Toxic Cyanobacteria and Toxin Presence during Harmful Algal Blooms in Two South German Lakes. Front Microbiol 2017; 8:2387. [PMID: 29255452 PMCID: PMC5722842 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/20/2017] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterioplankton plays an essential role in aquatic ecosystems, and cyanobacteria are an influential part of the microbiome in many water bodies. In freshwaters used for recreational activities or drinking water, toxic cyanobacteria cause concerns due to the risk of intoxication with cyanotoxins, such as microcystins. In this study, we aimed to unmask relationships between toxicity, cyanobacterial community composition, and environmental factors. At the same time, we assessed the correlation of a genetic marker with microcystin concentration and aimed to identify the main microcystin producer. We used Illumina MiSeq sequencing to study the bacterioplankton in two recreational lakes in South Germany. We quantified a microcystin biosynthesis gene (mcyB) using qPCR and linked this information with microcystin concentration to assess toxicity. Microcystin biosynthesis gene (mcyE)-clone libraries were used to determine the origin of microcystin biosynthesis genes. Bloom toxicity did not alter the bacterial community composition, which was highly dynamic at the lowest taxonomic level for some phyla such as Cyanobacteria. At the OTU level, we found distinctly different degrees of temporal variation between major bacteria phyla. Cyanobacteria and Bacteroidetes showed drastic temporal changes in their community compositions, while the composition of Actinobacteria remained rather stable in both lakes. The bacterial community composition of Alpha- and Beta-proteobacteria remained stable over time in Lake Klostersee, but it showed temporal variations in Lake Bergknappweiher. The presence of potential microcystin degraders and potential algicidal bacteria amongst prevalent Bacteroidetes and Alphaproteobacteria implied a role of those co-occurring heterotrophic bacteria in cyanobacterial bloom dynamics. Comparison of both lakes studied revealed a large shared microbiome, which was shaped toward the lake specific community composition by environmental factors. Microcystin variants detected were microcystin-LR, -RR, and -YR. The maximum microcystin concentrations measured was 6.7 μg/L, a value still acceptable for recreational waters but not drinking water. Microcystin concentration correlated positively with total phosphorus and mcyB copy number. We identified low abundant Microcystis sp. as the only microcystin producer in both lakes. Therefore, risk assessment efforts need to take into account the fact that non-dominant species may cause toxicity of the blooms observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia I Scherer
- Limnological Research Station Iffeldorf, Aquatic Systems Biology Unit, Department of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andrew D Millard
- Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, United Kingdom
| | - Andreas Miller
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Renate Schoen
- Bavarian Health and Food Safety Authority, Oberschleißheim, Germany
| | - Uta Raeder
- Limnological Research Station Iffeldorf, Aquatic Systems Biology Unit, Department of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Juergen Geist
- Limnological Research Station Iffeldorf, Aquatic Systems Biology Unit, Department of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katrin Zwirglmaier
- Limnological Research Station Iffeldorf, Aquatic Systems Biology Unit, Department of Life Sciences Weihenstephan, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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40
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High-Density Cultivation of Terrestrial Nostoc Strains Leads to Reprogramming of Secondary Metabolome. Appl Environ Microbiol 2017; 83:AEM.01510-17. [PMID: 28939609 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01510-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Accepted: 09/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Terrestrial symbiotic cyanobacteria of the genus Nostoc exhibit a large potential for the production of bioactive natural products of the nonribosomal peptide, polyketide, and ribosomal peptide classes, and yet most of the biosynthetic gene clusters are silent under conventional cultivation conditions. In the present study, we utilized a high-density cultivation approach recently developed for phototrophic bacteria to rapidly generate biomass of the filamentous bacteria up to a density of 400 g (wet weight)/liter. Unexpectedly, integrated transcriptional and metabolomics studies uncovered a major reprogramming of the secondary metabolome of two Nostoc strains at high culture density and a governing effect of extracellular signals in this process. The holistic approach enabled capturing and structural elucidation of novel variants of anabaenopeptin, including one congener with potent allelopathic activity against a strain isolated from the same habitat. The study provides a snapshot on the role of cell-type-specific expression for the formation of natural products in cyanobacteria.IMPORTANCE Terrestrial filamentous cyanobacteria are a largely untapped source of small-molecule natural products. Exploitation of the phototrophic organisms is hampered by their slow growth and the requirement of photobioreactors. The present study not only demonstrates the suitability of a recently developed two-tier vessel cultivation approach for the rapid generation of biomass of Nostoc strains but also demonstrates a pronounced upregulation of high value natural products at ultrahigh culture densities. The study provides new guidelines for high-throughput screening and exploitation of small-molecule natural products and can facilitate the discovery new bioactive products from terrestrial cyanobacteria.
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Funari E, Manganelli M, Buratti FM, Testai E. Cyanobacteria blooms in water: Italian guidelines to assess and manage the risk associated to bathing and recreational activities. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 598:867-880. [PMID: 28458204 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.03.232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2017] [Revised: 03/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/25/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria thrive in many aquatic environments, where they can produce cyanotoxins with different toxicological profile. Anthropic pressure and climate changes are causing the expansion in terms of time and space of their blooms, increasing the concerns for human health in several exposure scenarios. Here the update of the Italian guidelines for the management of cyanobacterial blooms in bathing water is presented. A risk-based approach has been developed according to the current scientific knowledge on cyanobacteria distribution in the Italian Lakes and on chemical, toxicological and epidemiological aspects of different cyanotoxins, summarized in the first part of the paper. Oral, dermal and inhalation exposure to cyanotoxins, during recreational activities, are individually examined, to develop a framework of thresholds and actions aimed at preventing harmful effects for bathers. Guidelines, also by comparing international guidance values and/or guidelines, provide criteria to plan environmental monitoring activities, health surveillance and public communication systems. Finally the still important scientific gaps and research needs are highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enzo Funari
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Dept. of Environment and Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Maura Manganelli
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Dept. of Environment and Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Franca M Buratti
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Dept. of Environment and Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - Emanuela Testai
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Dept. of Environment and Health, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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Omidi A, Esterhuizen-Londt M, Pflugmacher S. Still challenging: the ecological function of the cyanobacterial toxin microcystin – What we know so far. TOXIN REV 2017. [DOI: 10.1080/15569543.2017.1326059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Azam Omidi
- Institute of Biotechnology, Chair Ecological Impact Research and Ecotoxicology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany and
| | - Maranda Esterhuizen-Londt
- Institute of Biotechnology, Chair Ecological Impact Research and Ecotoxicology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany and
| | - Stephan Pflugmacher
- Institute of Biotechnology, Chair Ecological Impact Research and Ecotoxicology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany and
- Joint laboratory of Applied Ecotoxicology, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Europe (KIST), Saarbrücken, Germany
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Scherer PI, Raeder U, Geist J, Zwirglmaier K. Influence of temperature, mixing, and addition of microcystin-LR on microcystin gene expression in Microcystis aeruginosa. Microbiologyopen 2017; 6:e00393. [PMID: 27411372 PMCID: PMC5300888 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Cyanobacteria, such as the toxin producer Microcystis aeruginosa, are predicted to be favored by global warming both directly, through elevated water temperatures, and indirectly, through factors such as prolonged stratification of waterbodies. M. aeruginosa is able to produce the hepatotoxin microcystin, which causes great concern in freshwater management worldwide. However, little is known about the expression of microcystin synthesis genes in response to climate change-related factors. In this study, a new RT-qPCR assay employing four reference genes (GAPDH, gltA, rpoC1, and rpoD) was developed to assess the expression of two target genes (the microcystin synthesis genes mcyB and mcyD). This assay was used to investigate changes in mcyB and mcyD expression in response to selected environmental factors associated with global warming. A 10°C rise in temperature significantly increased mcyB expression, but not mcyD expression. Neither mixing nor the addition of microcystin-LR (10 μg L-1 or 60 μg L-1 ) significantly altered mcyB and mcyD expression. The expression levels of mcyB and mcyD were correlated but not identical.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pia I. Scherer
- Aquatic Systems Biology UnitLimnological Research Station IffeldorfDepartment of Ecology and Ecosystem ManagementTechnical University of MunichMunichGermany
| | - Uta Raeder
- Aquatic Systems Biology UnitLimnological Research Station IffeldorfDepartment of Ecology and Ecosystem ManagementTechnical University of MunichMunichGermany
| | - Juergen Geist
- Aquatic Systems Biology UnitLimnological Research Station IffeldorfDepartment of Ecology and Ecosystem ManagementTechnical University of MunichMunichGermany
| | - Katrin Zwirglmaier
- Aquatic Systems Biology UnitLimnological Research Station IffeldorfDepartment of Ecology and Ecosystem ManagementTechnical University of MunichMunichGermany
- Present address: Bundeswehr Institute of MicrobiologyMunichGermany
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Buratti FM, Manganelli M, Vichi S, Stefanelli M, Scardala S, Testai E, Funari E. Cyanotoxins: producing organisms, occurrence, toxicity, mechanism of action and human health toxicological risk evaluation. Arch Toxicol 2017; 91:1049-1130. [DOI: 10.1007/s00204-016-1913-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2016] [Accepted: 12/13/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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45
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Sychrová E, Priebojová J, Smutná M, Nováková K, Kohoutek J, Hilscherová K. Characterization of total retinoid-like activity of compounds produced by three common phytoplankton species. HARMFUL ALGAE 2016; 60:157-166. [PMID: 28073559 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2016.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2016] [Revised: 11/08/2016] [Accepted: 11/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Phytoplankton can produce various bioactive metabolites, which may affect other organisms in the aquatic environment. This study provides the first information on the total retinoid-like activity associated with both intracellular and extracellular metabolites produced by selected phytoplankton species that could play a role in teratogenic effects and developmental disruption in exposed organisms. The studied species included a coccoid cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa), a filamentous cyanobacteria (Aphanizomenon gracile) and a green alga (Desmodesmus quadricauda), all of which commonly occur in freshwater bodies in Europe. Methanolic extracts from cellular material and extracellular exudates were prepared from cultures cultivated in two light-intensity variants with five replicates for each species. The retinoid-like activity was evaluated by in vitro assays along with chemical analyses of two potent retinoic acids (all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and 9cis-RA). The mean total retinoid-like activity of metabolites produced by the three studied species representing different phytoplankton taxonomic groups ranged from 705 to 5572ng ATRA equivalent/g dry matter corresponding to 0.064-0.234ng ATRA/106 cells. Retinoid-like activity was found in the cellular extracts of all species, while only the extracellular exudates of cyanobacteria exhibited detectable activity (41-1081ng ATRA/L). The greatest extracellular as well as total (extra- and intra- cellular together) retinoid-like activity was detected for Microcystis aeruginosa. The two potent retinoic acids studied were more frequently detected in cellular extracts than in extracellular exudates of all species. Their contribution to observed in vitro effects was relatively low for all tested samples (<10%), indicating a substantial contribution of other retinoid-like compounds to the overall activity. The results indicate possible influence of light intensity and cell density on the production of metabolites with retinoid-like activity and the cyanotoxin microcystin by the studied species. The recalculation of the results per dry weight, water volume, per 106 cells and biovolume enables a direct comparison of the retinoid-like activity distribution between extracts and exudates and the use of the data for risk assessment in water bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliška Sychrová
- RECETOX - Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Faculty of Science, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jana Priebojová
- RECETOX - Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Faculty of Science, Brno, Czechia
| | - Marie Smutná
- RECETOX - Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Faculty of Science, Brno, Czechia
| | - Kateřina Nováková
- RECETOX - Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Faculty of Science, Brno, Czechia
| | - Jiří Kohoutek
- RECETOX - Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Faculty of Science, Brno, Czechia
| | - Klára Hilscherová
- RECETOX - Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment, Masaryk University, Faculty of Science, Brno, Czechia.
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Microcystin Biosynthesis and mcyA Expression in Geographically Distinct Microcystis Strains under Different Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Boron Regimes. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:5985987. [PMID: 27803926 PMCID: PMC5075592 DOI: 10.1155/2016/5985987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Roles of nutrients and other environmental variables in development of cyanobacterial bloom and its toxicity are complex and not well understood. We have monitored the photoautotrophic growth, total microcystin concentration, and microcystins synthetase gene (mcyA) expression in lab-grown strains of Microcystis NIES 843 (reference strain), KW (Wangsong Reservoir, South Korea), and Durgakund (Varanasi, India) under different nutrient regimes (nitrogen, phosphorus, and boron). Higher level of nitrogen and boron resulted in increased growth (avg. 5 and 6.5 Chl a mg/L, resp.), total microcystin concentrations (avg. 1.185 and 7.153 mg/L, resp.), and mcyA transcript but its expression was not directly correlated with total microcystin concentrations in the target strains. Interestingly, Durgakund strain had much lower microcystin content and lacked microcystin-YR variant over NIES 843 and KW. It is inferred that microcystin concentration and its variants are strain specific. We have also examined the heterotrophic bacteria associated with cyanobacterial bloom in Durgakund Pond and Wangsong Reservoir which were found to be enriched in Alpha-, Beta-, and Gammaproteobacteria and that could influence the bloom dynamics.
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47
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Pazouki P, Prévost M, McQuaid N, Barbeau B, de Boutray ML, Zamyadi A, Dorner S. Breakthrough of cyanobacteria in bank filtration. WATER RESEARCH 2016; 102:170-179. [PMID: 27343842 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2016.06.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2016] [Revised: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/15/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The removal of cyanobacteria cells in well water following bank filtration was investigated from a source water consisting of two artificial lakes (A and B). Phycocyanin probes used to monitor cyanobacteria in the source and in filtered well water showed an increase of fluorescence values demonstrating a progressive seasonal growth of cyanobacteria in the source water that were correlated with cyanobacterial biovolumes from taxonomic counts (r = 0.59, p < 0.00001). A strong correlation was observed between the cyanobacterial concentrations in the lake water and in the well water as measured by the phycocyanin probe (p < 0.001, 0.73 ≤ r(2) ≤ 0.94). Log removals from bank filtration estimated from taxonomic counts ranged from 0.96 ± (0.5) and varied according to the species of cyanobacteria. Of cyanobacteria that passed through bank filtration, smaller cells were significantly more frequent in well water samples (p < 0.05) than larger cells. Travel times from the lakes to the wells were estimated as 2 days for Lake B and 10 days for Lake A. Cyanobacterial species in the wells were most closely related to species found in Lake B. Thus, a travel time of less than 1 week permitted the breakthrough of cyanobacteria to wells. Winter samples demonstrated that cyanobacteria accumulate within bank filters, leading to continued passage of cells beyond the bloom season. Although no concentrations of total microcystin-LR were above detection limits in filtered well water, there is concern that cyanobacterial cells that reach the wells have the potential to contain intracellular toxins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pirooz Pazouki
- École Polytechnique de Montreal, Civil, Mineral and Mining Engineering Department, P.O. Box 6079, Succ. Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3A7, Canada
| | - Michèle Prévost
- École Polytechnique de Montreal, Civil, Mineral and Mining Engineering Department, P.O. Box 6079, Succ. Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3A7, Canada
| | - Natasha McQuaid
- École Polytechnique de Montreal, Civil, Mineral and Mining Engineering Department, P.O. Box 6079, Succ. Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3A7, Canada
| | - Benoit Barbeau
- École Polytechnique de Montreal, Civil, Mineral and Mining Engineering Department, P.O. Box 6079, Succ. Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3A7, Canada
| | - Marie-Laure de Boutray
- École Polytechnique de Montreal, Civil, Mineral and Mining Engineering Department, P.O. Box 6079, Succ. Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3A7, Canada
| | - Arash Zamyadi
- Water Research Center, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sarah Dorner
- École Polytechnique de Montreal, Civil, Mineral and Mining Engineering Department, P.O. Box 6079, Succ. Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec, H3C 3A7, Canada.
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48
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Francy DS, Brady AMG, Ecker CD, Graham JL, Stelzer EA, Struffolino P, Dwyer DF, Loftin KA. Estimating microcystin levels at recreational sites in western Lake Erie and Ohio. HARMFUL ALGAE 2016; 58:23-34. [PMID: 28073455 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2016.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Revised: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) and associated toxins, such as microcystin, are a major global water-quality issue. Water-resource managers need tools to quickly predict when and where toxin-producing cyanoHABs will occur. This could be done by using site-specific models that estimate the potential for elevated toxin concentrations that cause public health concerns. With this study, samples were collected at three Ohio lakes to identify environmental and water-quality factors to develop linear-regression models to estimate microcystin levels. Measures of the algal community (phycocyanin, cyanobacterial biovolume, and cyanobacterial gene concentrations) and pH were most strongly correlated with microcystin concentrations. Cyanobacterial genes were quantified for general cyanobacteria, general Microcystis and Dolichospermum, and for microcystin synthetase (mcyE) for Microcystis, Dolichospermum, and Planktothrix. For phycocyanin, the relations were different between sites and were different between hand-held measurements on-site and nearby continuous monitor measurements for the same site. Continuous measurements of parameters such as phycocyanin, pH, and temperature over multiple days showed the highest correlations to microcystin concentrations. The development of models with high R2 values (0.81-0.90), sensitivities (92%), and specificities (100%) for estimating microcystin concentrations above or below the Ohio Recreational Public Health Advisory level of 6μgL-1 was demonstrated for one site; these statistics may change as more data are collected in subsequent years. This study showed that models could be developed for estimates of exceeding a microcystin threshold concentration at a recreational freshwater lake site, with potential to expand their use to provide relevant public health information to water resource managers and the public for both recreational and drinking waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donna S Francy
- U.S. Geological Survey, Ohio Water Science Center, 6480 Doubletree Avenue, Columbus, OH 43229, USA.
| | - Amie M G Brady
- U.S. Geological Survey, Ohio Water Science Center, 6480 Doubletree Avenue, Columbus, OH 43229, USA
| | - Christopher D Ecker
- U.S. Geological Survey, Ohio Water Science Center, 6480 Doubletree Avenue, Columbus, OH 43229, USA
| | - Jennifer L Graham
- U.S. Geological Survey, Kansas Water Science Center, 4821 Quail Crest Place, Lawrence, KS 66049, USA
| | - Erin A Stelzer
- U.S. Geological Survey, Ohio Water Science Center, 6480 Doubletree Avenue, Columbus, OH 43229, USA
| | - Pamela Struffolino
- University of Toledo, Lake Erie Center, 6200 Bay Shore Road, Oregon, OH 43616, USA
| | - Daryl F Dwyer
- University of Toledo, Lake Erie Center, 6200 Bay Shore Road, Oregon, OH 43616, USA
| | - Keith A Loftin
- U.S. Geological Survey, Kansas Water Science Center, 4821 Quail Crest Place, Lawrence, KS 66049, USA
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49
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Pacheco ABF, Guedes IA, Azevedo SMFO. Is qPCR a Reliable Indicator of Cyanotoxin Risk in Freshwater? Toxins (Basel) 2016; 8:toxins8060172. [PMID: 27338471 PMCID: PMC4926139 DOI: 10.3390/toxins8060172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2016] [Revised: 05/23/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The wide distribution of cyanobacteria in aquatic environments leads to the risk of water contamination by cyanotoxins, which generate environmental and public health issues. Measurements of cell densities or pigment contents allow both the early detection of cellular growth and bloom monitoring, but these methods are not sufficiently accurate to predict actual cyanobacterial risk. To quantify cyanotoxins, analytical methods are considered the gold standards, but they are laborious, expensive, time-consuming and available in a limited number of laboratories. In cyanobacterial species with toxic potential, cyanotoxin production is restricted to some strains, and blooms can contain varying proportions of both toxic and non-toxic cells, which are morphologically indistinguishable. The sequencing of cyanobacterial genomes led to the description of gene clusters responsible for cyanotoxin production, which paved the way for the use of these genes as targets for PCR and then quantitative PCR (qPCR). Thus, the quantification of cyanotoxin genes appeared as a new method for estimating the potential toxicity of blooms. This raises a question concerning whether qPCR-based methods would be a reliable indicator of toxin concentration in the environment. Here, we review studies that report the parallel detection of microcystin genes and microcystin concentrations in natural populations and also a smaller number of studies dedicated to cylindrospermopsin and saxitoxin. We discuss the possible issues associated with the contradictory findings reported to date, present methodological limitations and consider the use of qPCR as an indicator of cyanotoxin risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Beatriz F Pacheco
- Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21949-902, Brazil.
| | - Iame A Guedes
- Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21949-902, Brazil.
| | - Sandra M F O Azevedo
- Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro 21949-902, Brazil.
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50
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Li X, Dreher TW, Li R. An overview of diversity, occurrence, genetics and toxin production of bloom-forming Dolichospermum (Anabaena) species. HARMFUL ALGAE 2016; 54:54-68. [PMID: 28073482 DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2015.10.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Revised: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 10/24/2015] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
The new genus name Dolichospermum, for most of the planktonic former members of the genus Anabaena, is one of the most ubiquitous bloom-forming cyanobacterial genera. Its dominance and persistence have increased in recent years, due to eutrophication from anthropogenic activities and global climate change. Blooms of Dolichospermum species, with their production of secondary metabolites that commonly include toxins, present a worldwide threat to environmental and public health. In this review, recent advances of the genus Dolichospermum are summarized, including taxonomy, genetics, bloom occurrence, and production of toxin and taste-and-odor compounds. The recent and continuing acquisition of genome sequences is ushering in new methods for monitoring and understanding the factors regulating bloom dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaochuang Li
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Theo W Dreher
- Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA; Center for Genome Research and Biocomputing, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, USA
| | - Renhui Li
- Key Laboratory of Algal Biology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, PR China.
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