Bacteria that Could Provide an Early Warning of Blue-Green Algae Toxicity Identified

Bacteria that could provide an early warning of blue-green algae toxicity identified

Researchers at McGill University have identified bacteria that can indicate whether a blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) bloom is likely to be toxic, offering a potential water-safety early warning system. Blooms are becoming more frequent due to climate change, according to previous McGill research. They can produce various contaminants, known as cyanotoxins, that pose serious health risks to humans, pets and wildlife.

McGill researchers identify bacteria that could signal toxic blue-green algae blooms - Water Canada

Researchers at McGill University have identified bacteria that may provide an early warning of toxic blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms. The method could help indicate whether further testing is needed to determine if a lake’s water poses health risks. The study, led by Lara Jansen in Professor Jesse Shapiro’s lab at McGill’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology, found that certain bacterioplankton are consistently more abundant in tox…