What does cyanobacteria bloom do to humans?

Exposure can cause conjunctivitis, rhinitis, earache, sore throat, and swollen lips. Respiratory effects can include atypical pneumonia and a hay fever-like syndrome. Exposure can also cause electrolyte imbalances, headache, malaise, and muscle weakness/ pain in joints and limbs.

What causes cyanobacterial bloom?

Cyanobacteria blooms form when cyanobacteria, which are normally found in the water, start to multiply very quickly. Blooms can form in warm, slow-moving waters that are rich in nutrients from sources such as fertilizer runoff or septic tank overflows. Cyanobacteria blooms need nutrients to survive.

How long does toxic cyanobacteria bloom last?

We have found that a cyanobacteria bloom usually dissipates within three weeks, though the same body of water may experience several individual cyanobacteria blooms over the course of a year.

How are cyanotoxins implicated in harmful algal blooms?

Cyanotoxins are often implicated in what are commonly called red tides or harmful algal blooms. Lakes and oceans contain many single-celled organisms called phytoplankton. Under certain conditions, particularly when nutrient concentrations are high, these organisms reproduce exponentially.

Is the cyanotoxin in the Potomac River harmful?

Dense bloom of cyanobacteria on the Potomac River estuary. These blooms can be toxic. Cyanotoxins are often implicated in what are commonly called red tides or harmful algal blooms. Lakes and oceans contain many single-celled organisms called phytoplankton.

Where can you find cyanotoxins in the ocean?

Cyanotoxin. Cyanotoxins are toxins produced by bacteria called cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae). Cyanobacteria are found almost everywhere, but particularly in lakes and in the ocean where, under high concentration of phosphorus conditions, they reproduce exponentially to form blooms.

What are the dynamics of the cyanobacteria bloom?

Several environmental factors related to the dynamics of the abundance of toxic cyanobacterial bloom formation have been verified ( Joung et al., 2011; Neilan et al., 2013 ). Warm and calm weather and low turbulence can enhance the formation of cyanobacterial blooms ( Paerl and Huisman, 2008 ).