Cyanobacteria in shallow lakes

What is it about?

Cyanobacteria in lakes are known to be potential producers of toxins harmful to animals and humans. Simulation studies can be used to predict their abundance in relation to nutrient loading, weather patterns, or climate change and thus serve as basic management tools. Some cyanobacteria species form resting stages to survive harsh conditions, i.e. low temperature in ice covered lakes. This allows for survival of invasive species like Cylindrospermopsis raciborscii, a hepatoxin producer mainly occuring in tropical aquatic systems, in lakes of temperate climate. This study presents a dynamic model for such a species applied to a shallow lake in Brandenburg, Germany.

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Why is it important?

Cyanotoxins cause health problems in animals and humans. It is thus necessary to predict their occurence in lakes and reservoirs to inform the public with respect to recreational activities like swimming during bloom conditions, and to change water treatment routines for drinking water purposes.