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Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs)

By Ohio Water Microbiology Laboratory

CyanoHABs are a large growth of cyanobacteria (not algae) that can produce toxins harmful to humans and animals.

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms
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  • The OWML can analyze for cyanobacterial genes using qPCR: general 16S genes (Microcystis, Dolichospermum, and Planktothrix), and toxin synthetase genes (microcystin, saxitoxin, anatoxin, and cylindrospermopsin)
  • Additionally, the OWML can perform enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for cyanoHAB toxins listed above.