Cyanotoxin occurrence in the United States: A 20 year retrospective

Cyanobacterial blooms, and associated cyanotoxin occurrence, are a concern because of the potential harms posed to humans, wildlife, and aquatic ecosystem health. Evidence suggests the magnitude, frequency, and duration of cyanobacterial blooms are increasing, and these events represent a significant challenge to freshwaters and, increasingly, marine waters, worldwide. Cyanobacterial blooms routinely receive local and national attention because of occurrence in new locations, recreational closures, drinking-water impacts, animal illnesses and deaths, scientific advances, and novel management and mitigation strategies. Due to public information campaigns at local, state, and federal levels, the public is generally aware of what cyanobacterial blooms look like and potential risks posed to human and animal health. It is difficult now to imagine a time when cyanobacterial blooms were considered an occasional nuisance in lakes and reservoirs, well-known only by limnologists. When I began my career over twenty years ago, however, that was the status. Cyanobacteria were just beginning to capture attention, and they certainly captured mine.