Aquatic Toxins

A number of algal toxins, including microcystins and anatoxin, can have significant effects on fish, as well as wildlife and human health. Blooms of suspended and periphyton algal populations are commonly observed in many drainages. Eutrophication of waterways can cause overgrowth of algae and potential release of toxic “blooms” or great increases of phytoplankton or diatoms into the aquatic environment. Research into aquatic toxins includes identifying the presence of toxins in water, periphyton and fish tissue and simultaneously conducting histopathological and gene expression analyses of fish tissue to produce a more complete understanding of aquatic toxins and their impacts on fish.