Toxins and Harmful Algal Blooms Science Team Active
The Team Studies the Factors that Contribute to Algal Toxin Production, Release, and Outbreaks
The Team Identifies Algal Toxins in Surface Waters
Cyanobacterial Bloom on Lake Okeechobee, Florida
The Team Identifies Cyanobacteria Associated with Toxin Production
Gleotrichia shown under a microscope
The Team Advances Method, Sensor, and Model Development
to provide decision support and advanced warning
The Team Improves the Understanding of Algal Toxin Uptake
and if uptake results in adverse effects on wildlife
The Team Develops Advanced Analytical Capabilities
The team develops advanced methods to study factors driving algal toxin production, how and where wildlife or humans are exposed to toxins, and ecotoxicology. That information is used to develop decision tools to understand if toxin exposure leads to adverse health effects in order to protect human and wildlife health.
Algal blooms frequently occur in our Nation's water resources and can cause economic, ecologic, and human health concerns. Algal blooms often contain cyanobacteria and other microorganisms, which can produce natural toxins. Yet, the actual health threats posed to the public, pets, livestock, and wildlife by these toxins in water resources used for recreation and drinking water remain poorly understood. Consequently, in order to be protective from potential health risks, rapid decisions are often made by land managers, public utilities and others to limit access to water resources for recreation or drinking water. These decisions are often based largely on a perception of potential risk.
The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Toxins and Harmful Algal Blooms Research Team works with multiple stakeholders to quantify toxin exposure and effects, identify hazards and vulnerabilities, develop tools to quantify and forecast toxin occurrence and exposure, and estimate socioeconomic impacts. Knowledge gained is used to identify actual versus perceived health risks posed by natural toxins. The team’s approach for understanding health impacts of algal toxins on humans and wildlife is a sequential process where each step informs the next in the laboratory and in the field. This approach involves teams of USGS scientists working at field sites across the United States, and in collaboration with other scientists to address human and wildlife health concerns.
Current Science Activities
- Toxin Exposure and Effects
- Determining the effects of cyanotoxins in fish and birds, including, cyanotoxin induced endocrine disruption, sublethal effects, and immunomodulation effects
- Determining bioaccessibility of cyanotoxins from ambient waters, finished drinking water, and raw and cooked fish in simulated mammalian digestive systems
- Evaluating the potential exposure risk of cyanotoxins in tap waters in the United States
- Dose-dependent animal toxicity studies for cyanotoxins and in relation to health advisory thresholds
- Biomarkers and cellular response to acute and chronic cyanotoxin exposure and potential proactive response measures
- Cyanotoxin and algal blooms related health impacts on reserved Federal lands and U.S. Trust species
- Potential for cyanotoxin aerosolization and human health effects (collaboration with CDC)
- Causes, Control, and Fate of Toxin Production
- Evaluation of commercial personal drinking water purifiers for toxin removal
- Understanding cyanotoxin production and control dynamics
- The response of harmful algae to atmospheric stimuli and implication for ecosystem and human health
- Advancing Methods and Sensors to Support Toxin Studies
- Validation of a method for simultaneously measuring multiple classes of cyanotoxins and algal toxins in surface waters across the freshwater to marine continuum
- Cyanobacteria Assessment Network (CyAN): Detection of cyanobacterial blooms and potential toxin production in lakes and reservoirs
- Polyphasic identification of toxin producing cyanobacteria
- Assessment of physical and chemical properties of cyanotoxins
- Decision Support
- Identification and quantitation of cyanotoxin socioeconomic effects
Below are other science teams and laboratories associated with this project.
The following are the data releases from this science team’s research activities.
Related publications below.
Understanding the effect of salinity tolerance on cyanobacteria associated with a harmful algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Water-quality conditions with an emphasis on cyanobacteria and associated toxins and taste-and-odor compounds in the Kansas River, Kansas, July 2012 through September 2016
Book review: Handbook of cyanobacterial monitoring and cyanotoxin analysis
Associations between cyanobacteria and indices of secondary production in the western basin of Lake Erie
Detection of microcystin and other cyanotoxins in lakes at Isle Royale National Park, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, northern Michigan, 2012–13
Satellite monitoring of cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom frequency in recreational waters and drinking water sources
A method for examining temporal changes in cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom spatial extent using satellite remote sensing
A critical review of the postulated role of the non-essential amino acid, β-N-methylamino-L-alanine, in neurodegenerative disease in humans
Cyanobacteria of the 2016 Lake Okeechobee and Okeechobee Waterway harmful algal bloom
Water quality and bed sediment quality in the Albemarle Sound, North Carolina, 2012–14
Spatial variability of harmful algal blooms in Milford Lake, Kansas, July and August 2015
Estimating microcystin levels at recreational sites in western Lake Erie and Ohio
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
Below are news stories associated with this project.
- Overview
The team develops advanced methods to study factors driving algal toxin production, how and where wildlife or humans are exposed to toxins, and ecotoxicology. That information is used to develop decision tools to understand if toxin exposure leads to adverse health effects in order to protect human and wildlife health.
Algal blooms frequently occur in our Nation's water resources and can cause economic, ecologic, and human health concerns. Algal blooms often contain cyanobacteria and other microorganisms, which can produce natural toxins. Yet, the actual health threats posed to the public, pets, livestock, and wildlife by these toxins in water resources used for recreation and drinking water remain poorly understood. Consequently, in order to be protective from potential health risks, rapid decisions are often made by land managers, public utilities and others to limit access to water resources for recreation or drinking water. These decisions are often based largely on a perception of potential risk.
The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Toxins and Harmful Algal Blooms Research Team works with multiple stakeholders to quantify toxin exposure and effects, identify hazards and vulnerabilities, develop tools to quantify and forecast toxin occurrence and exposure, and estimate socioeconomic impacts. Knowledge gained is used to identify actual versus perceived health risks posed by natural toxins. The team’s approach for understanding health impacts of algal toxins on humans and wildlife is a sequential process where each step informs the next in the laboratory and in the field. This approach involves teams of USGS scientists working at field sites across the United States, and in collaboration with other scientists to address human and wildlife health concerns.
Current Science Activities
- Toxin Exposure and Effects
- Determining the effects of cyanotoxins in fish and birds, including, cyanotoxin induced endocrine disruption, sublethal effects, and immunomodulation effects
- Determining bioaccessibility of cyanotoxins from ambient waters, finished drinking water, and raw and cooked fish in simulated mammalian digestive systems
- Evaluating the potential exposure risk of cyanotoxins in tap waters in the United States
- Dose-dependent animal toxicity studies for cyanotoxins and in relation to health advisory thresholds
- Biomarkers and cellular response to acute and chronic cyanotoxin exposure and potential proactive response measures
- Cyanotoxin and algal blooms related health impacts on reserved Federal lands and U.S. Trust species
- Potential for cyanotoxin aerosolization and human health effects (collaboration with CDC)
- Causes, Control, and Fate of Toxin Production
- Evaluation of commercial personal drinking water purifiers for toxin removal
- Understanding cyanotoxin production and control dynamics
- The response of harmful algae to atmospheric stimuli and implication for ecosystem and human health
- Advancing Methods and Sensors to Support Toxin Studies
- Validation of a method for simultaneously measuring multiple classes of cyanotoxins and algal toxins in surface waters across the freshwater to marine continuum
- Cyanobacteria Assessment Network (CyAN): Detection of cyanobacterial blooms and potential toxin production in lakes and reservoirs
- Polyphasic identification of toxin producing cyanobacteria
- Assessment of physical and chemical properties of cyanotoxins
- Decision Support
- Identification and quantitation of cyanotoxin socioeconomic effects
- Toxin Exposure and Effects
- Science
Below are other science teams and laboratories associated with this project.
- Data
The following are the data releases from this science team’s research activities.
- Publications
Related publications below.
Filter Total Items: 69Understanding the effect of salinity tolerance on cyanobacteria associated with a harmful algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee, Florida
In an effort to simulate the survival of cyanobacteria asthey are transported from Lake Okeechobee to the estuarinehabitats that receive waters from the lake, a bioassayencompassing a range of salinities was performed. An overalldecline in cyanobacteria health in salinity treatments greaterthan 18 practical salinity units (psu) was indicated by loss ofcell membrane integrity based on SYTOX® GreenAuthorsBarry H. Rosen, Keith A. Loftin, Jennifer L. Graham, Katherine N. Stahlhut, James M. Riley, Brett D. Johnston, Sarena SenegalWater-quality conditions with an emphasis on cyanobacteria and associated toxins and taste-and-odor compounds in the Kansas River, Kansas, July 2012 through September 2016
Cyanobacteria cause a multitude of water-quality concerns, including the potential to produce toxins and taste-and-odor compounds that may cause substantial economic and public health concerns, and are of particular interest in lakes, reservoirs, and rivers that are used for drinking-water supply. Extensive cyanobacterial blooms typically do not develop in the Kansas River; however, reservoirs inAuthorsJennifer L. Graham, Guy M. Foster, Thomas J. Williams, Matthew D. Mahoney, Madison R. May, Keith A. LoftinBook review: Handbook of cyanobacterial monitoring and cyanotoxin analysis
Review of Meriluoto, Jussi, Lisa Spoof, and GeoffreyA. Codd [eds.]. 2017. Handbook of Cyanobacterial Monitoring and Cyanotoxin Analysis. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.: Chichester, West Sussex, UK, ISBN 978‐1‐119‐06868‐6 (978‐1‐119‐06876‐1 eBook), DOI 10.1002/9781119068761.AuthorsJennifer L. Graham, Keith A. LoftinAssociations between cyanobacteria and indices of secondary production in the western basin of Lake Erie
Large lakes provide a variety of ecological services to surrounding cities and communities. Many of these services are supported by ecological processes that are threatened by the increasing prevalence of cyanobacterial blooms which occur as aquatic ecosystems experience cultural eutrophication. Over the past 10 yr, Lake Erie experienced cyanobacterial blooms of increasing severity and frequency,AuthorsJames H. Larson, Mary Anne Evans, Robert J. Kennedy, Sean Bailey, Keith A. Loftin, Zachary Laughrey, Robin Femmer, Jeff Schaeffer, William B. Richardson, Timothy Wynne, J. C. Nelson, Joseph W. DurisDetection of microcystin and other cyanotoxins in lakes at Isle Royale National Park, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, northern Michigan, 2012–13
Although cyanotoxins released during algal blooms have become an increasing concern in surface waters across the United States, the presence of cyanotoxins in northern Michigan lakes had not been evaluated in detail. The U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service (NPS) led a 2-year study (2012 and 2013) to determine the presence of microcystin and other algal toxins in several inland lakes aAuthorsLori M. Fuller, Angela K. Brennan, Lisa R. Fogarty, Keith A. Loftin, Heather E. Johnson, David D. VanderMeulen, Brenda Moraska LafrancoisSatellite monitoring of cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom frequency in recreational waters and drinking water sources
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHAB) cause extensive problems in lakes worldwide, including human and ecological health risks, anoxia and fish kills, and taste and odor problems. CyanoHABs are a particular concern in both recreational waters and drinking water sources because of their dense biomass and the risk of exposure to toxins. Successful cyanoHAB assessment using satellites may prAuthorsJohn M. Clark, Blake A. Schaeffer, John A. Darling, Erin A. Urquhart, John M. Johnston, Amber R. Ignatius, Mark H. Myer, Keith A. Loftin, P. Jeremy Werdell, Richard P. StumpfA method for examining temporal changes in cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom spatial extent using satellite remote sensing
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHAB) are thought to be increasing globally over the past few decades, but relatively little quantitative information is available about the spatial extent of blooms. Satellite remote sensing provides a potential technology for identifying cyanoHABs in multiple water bodies and across geo-political boundaries. An assessment method was developed using MEdiumAuthorsErin A. Urquhart, Blake A. Schaeffer, Richard P. Stumpf, Keith A. Loftin, P. Jeremy WerdellA critical review of the postulated role of the non-essential amino acid, β-N-methylamino-L-alanine, in neurodegenerative disease in humans
The compound BMAA (β-N-methylamino-L-alanine) has been postulated to play a significant role in four serious neurological human diseases: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Parkinsonism Dementia Complex (ALS/PDC) found on Guam, and ALS, Parkinsonism, and dementia that occur globally. ALS/PDC with symptoms of all three diseases first came to the attention of the scientific community during and after WorAuthorsNeil Chernoff, D. J. Hill, D. L. Diggs, B. D. Faison, B. M. Francis, J. R. Lang, M. M. Larue, T.-T. Le, Keith A. Loftin, J. N. Lugo, J. E. Schmid, W. W. WinnikCyanobacteria of the 2016 Lake Okeechobee and Okeechobee Waterway harmful algal bloom
The Lake Okeechobee and the Okeechobee Waterway (Lake Okeechobee, the St. Lucie Canal and River, and the Caloosahatchee River) experienced an extensive harmful algal bloom within Lake Okeechobee, the St. Lucie Canal and River and the Caloosahatchee River in 2016. In addition to the very visible bloom of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa, several other cyanobacteria were present. These otheAuthorsBarry H. Rosen, Timothy W. Davis, Christopher J. Gobler, Benjamin J. Kramer, Keith A. LoftinWater quality and bed sediment quality in the Albemarle Sound, North Carolina, 2012–14
The Albemarle Sound region was selected in 2012 as one of two demonstration sites in the Nation to test and improve the design of the National Water Quality Monitoring Council’s National Monitoring Network (NMN) for U.S. Coastal Waters and Tributaries. The goal of the NMN for U.S. Coastal Waters and Tributaries is to provide information about the health of our oceans, coastal ecosystems, and inlanAuthorsMichelle C. Moorman, Sharon A. Fitzgerald, Laura N. Gurley, Ahmed Rhoni-Aref, Keith A. LoftinSpatial variability of harmful algal blooms in Milford Lake, Kansas, July and August 2015
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) tend to be spatially variable vertically in the water column and horizontally across the lake surface because of in-lake and weather-driven processes and can vary by orders of magnitude in concentration across relatively short distances (meters or less). Extreme spatial variability in cyanobacteria and associated compounds poses unique challenges toAuthorsGuy M. Foster, Jennifer L. Graham, Tom C. Stiles, Marvin G. Boyer, Lindsey R. King, Keith A. LoftinEstimating microcystin levels at recreational sites in western Lake Erie and Ohio
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
AuthorsDonna S. Francy, Amie M.G. Brady, Christopher D. Ecker, Jennifer L. Graham, Erin A. Stelzer, Pamela Struffolino, Keith A. Loftin - News
Below are news stories associated with this project.