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.
Algal and Other Environmental Toxins — Lawrence, Kansas
Satellite Data Used to Estimate and Rank Cyanobacterial Bloom Magnitude in Florida and Ohio Lakes—Developing Tools to Protect Human and Wildlife Health from Cyanotoxin Exposure
Mixtures of Algal Toxins Present Prior to and After Formation of Visible Algal Blooms—Science to Inform the Timing of Algal Toxin Exposure
Understanding Drivers of Cyanotoxin Production in the Lake Okeechobee Waterway
Understanding Associations between Mussel Productivity and Cyanotoxins in Lake Erie
New Method Developed to Quantify Spatial Extent of Cyanobacterial Blooms
Satellite Imagery Used to Measure Algal Bloom Frequency—Steps Toward Understanding Exposure Risk
Cyanobacteria from 2016 Lake Okeechobee Harmful Algal Bloom Photo-Documented
Evaluating Linkages Between Algal Toxins and Human Health
The following are the data releases from this science team’s research activities.
Liquid Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analysis of cyanobacteria cultures from Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake (CA, USA, 2016) for cyanotoxins and algal toxins
Liquid Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analysis of cyanotoxins and algal toxins in estuary samples collected from California, USA, in 2016-17
Microcystin, chlorophyll, and cell-count data for assessing the effect of salinity tolerance on cyanobacteria associated with a harmful algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee, Florida, July 9 to 17, 2017
Velocity test data for assessing the effect of salinity tolerance on cyanobacteria associated with a harmful algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee, Florida, July 10 to 13, 2017
Periphyton (1993-2011) and Water Quality (2014) Data for ET&C Article Entitled Spatial and Temporal Variation in Microcystins Occurrence in Wadeable Streams in the Southeastern USA
Related publications below.
A review of algal toxin exposures on reserved federal lands and among trust species in the United States
Assessing cyanobacterial frequency and abundance at surface waters near drinking water intakes across the United States
Satellite remote sensing to assess cyanobacterial bloom frequency across the United States at multiple spatial scales
Pilot-scale expanded assessment of inorganic and organic tapwater exposures and predicted effects in Puerto Rico, USA
The tide turns: Episodic and localized cross-contamination of a California coastline with cyanotoxins
Neither microcystin, nor nodularin, nor cylindrospermopsin directly interact with human toll-like receptors
Multiple co-occurring and persistently detected cyanotoxins and associated cyanobacteria in adjacent California lakes
Exploring the potential value of satellite remote sensing to monitor chlorophyll-a for U.S. lakes and reservoirs
Rapid-assessment test strips: Effectiveness forcyanotoxin monitoring in a northern temperate lake
Ecological forecasting—21st century science for 21st century management
Natural resource managers are coping with rapid changes in both environmental conditions and ecosystems. Enabled by recent advances in data collection and assimilation, short-term ecological forecasting may be a powerful tool to help resource managers anticipate impending near-term changes in ecosystem conditions or dynamics. Managers may use the information in forecasts to minimize the adverse ef
Freshwater neurotoxins and concerns for human, animal, and ecosystemhealth: A review of anatoxin-a and saxitoxin
Characterization of water-quality and bed-sediment conditions in Currituck Sound, North Carolina, prior to the Mid-Currituck Bridge construction, 2011–18
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.
Cyanobacterial blooms, such as the one shown that occurred in 2016 on Lake Okeechobee, Florida, can release toxins. (Credit: Nicholas Aumen, US Geological Survey. Public domain.) 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.
Algal and Other Environmental Toxins — Lawrence, Kansas
About the Laboratory The Environmental Health Program collaborates with scientists at the Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL) in Lawrence, Kansas, to develop and employ targeted and non-targeted analytical methods for identification and quantitation of known and understudied algal/cyanobacterial toxins. The laboratory contructed in 2019 is a 2,500 square foot modern laboratory facility...Satellite Data Used to Estimate and Rank Cyanobacterial Bloom Magnitude in Florida and Ohio Lakes—Developing Tools to Protect Human and Wildlife Health from Cyanotoxin Exposure
Cyanobacterial bloom magnitude during 2003–11 was quantified and ranked in Florida and Ohio lakes with a newly developed modelling tool that allows for the use of multiple satellite data sources and user-defined thresholds. This tool was designed to identify the magnitude of algal blooms, but one metric alone cannot adequately represent the severity of a bloom of interest in terms of toxicity. The...Mixtures of Algal Toxins Present Prior to and After Formation of Visible Algal Blooms—Science to Inform the Timing of Algal Toxin Exposure
Cyanobacteria with toxin-producing potential, genes indicating an ability for toxin synthesis, or cyanotoxins were present before and after formation of a visible algal bloom in Kabetogama Lake, a popular recreation area in Voyageurs National Park that lies along the border of Minnesota and Canada. The temporal patterns observed in this study indicate that sampling only when there is a visible...Understanding Drivers of Cyanotoxin Production in the Lake Okeechobee Waterway
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and other researchers combined field and laboratory approaches in two studies to understand the factors that drive cyanobacterial bloom development and associated cyanotoxin production in Lake Okeechobee, the St. Lucie River and Estuary, and the Indian River Lagoon in response to the large-scale Lake Okeechobee cyanobacteria bloom in 2016.Understanding Associations between Mussel Productivity and Cyanotoxins in Lake Erie
Study findings indicate that cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins were not associated with mussel mortality at the concentrations present in Lake Erie during a recent study (2013-15), but mussel growth was lower at sites with greater microcystin concentrations.New Method Developed to Quantify Spatial Extent of Cyanobacterial Blooms
This study provides a method for quantifying changes in the spatial extent of cyanobacterial blooms at local and regional scales using remotely sensed data to determine if bloom occurrence and size are increasing or decreasing for inland water resources.Satellite Imagery Used to Measure Algal Bloom Frequency—Steps Toward Understanding Exposure Risk
Study explores the utility and limitations of currently available remotely sensed satellite data for identifying the frequency of algal blooms in the Nation's lakes and reservoirs. This information provides a first step toward the goal of understanding exposure risk to protect the health of humans, pets, livestock, and wildlife.Cyanobacteria from 2016 Lake Okeechobee Harmful Algal Bloom Photo-Documented
New report provides photographic documentation and identification of the cyanobacteria present in Lake Okeechobee, the Caloosahatchee River, and St. Lucie Canal during an extensive algal bloom in 2016.Evaluating Linkages Between Algal Toxins and Human Health
The amino acid β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) is produced by cyanobacteria and has been suggested by human health researchers as a causal factor for degenerative neurological diseases such as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Parkinsonism, and dementia. An objective review concluded that this hypothesis is not supported by existing data. - Data
The following are the data releases from this science team’s research activities.
Liquid Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analysis of cyanobacteria cultures from Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake (CA, USA, 2016) for cyanotoxins and algal toxins
Cyanobacteria are common in inland water bodies. Many strains are known to produce potent toxins (cyanotoxins) which can impact human and animal health in sufficient concentrations. Lake Elsinore and Canyon Lake are two impaired lakes in California with frequent cyanobacteria blooms that are not monitored for toxin production. These data document the liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spLiquid Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) analysis of cyanotoxins and algal toxins in estuary samples collected from California, USA, in 2016-17
Cyanobacteria are primary producers present in many water bodies, certain types of which may produce potent toxins (known as cyanotoxins). They are known to impact human and animal health when exposed through recreational activities, consumption, and inhalation. In an effort to understand the presence of toxin-producing cyanobacteria in California water bodies, cyanobacteria samples were collectedMicrocystin, chlorophyll, and cell-count data for assessing the effect of salinity tolerance on cyanobacteria associated with a harmful algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee, Florida, July 9 to 17, 2017
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data Release provides microcystin, chlorophyll, and cell-count data for assessing the effect of salinity tolerance on cyanobacteria associated with a harmful algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee, Florida. All data are reported as raw measured values and are not rounded to USGS significant figures. Water and algal bloom material were collected from Lake Okeechobee, FlorVelocity test data for assessing the effect of salinity tolerance on cyanobacteria associated with a harmful algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee, Florida, July 10 to 13, 2017
This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data Release provides velocity test data for assessing the effect of salinity tolerance on cyanobacteria associated with a harmful algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee, Florida, July 10 to 13, 2017. All data are reported as raw measured values and are not rounded to USGS significant figures. Water and algal bloom material were collected from Lake Okeechobee, Florida onPeriphyton (1993-2011) and Water Quality (2014) Data for ET&C Article Entitled Spatial and Temporal Variation in Microcystins Occurrence in Wadeable Streams in the Southeastern USA
Spatial reconnaissance of fluvial microcystins (MC) concentrations and select water-quality parameters, including nutrients and periphyton biomass, in 75 wadeable streams in the Piedmont region of the southeastern USA during 2014. Data set includes only those data specifically discussed in the associated journal article: Loftin, K.A., Clark, J.M., Journey, C.A., Kolpin, D.W., Van Metre, P.C., - Publications
Related publications below.
Filter Total Items: 55A review of algal toxin exposures on reserved federal lands and among trust species in the United States
Associated health effects from algal toxin exposure are a growing concern for human and animal health. Algal toxin poisonings may occur from contact with or consumption of water supplies or from ingestion of contaminated animals. The U.S. Federal Government owns or holds in trust about 259 million hectares of land, in addition to the Trust species obligations. We completed the first comprehensiveAssessing cyanobacterial frequency and abundance at surface waters near drinking water intakes across the United States
This study presents the first large-scale assessment of cyanobacterial frequency and abundance of surface water near drinking water intakes across the United States. Public water systems serve drinking water to nearly 90% of the United States population. Cyanobacteria and their toxins may degrade the quality of finished drinking water and can lead to negative health consequences. Satellite imagerySatellite remote sensing to assess cyanobacterial bloom frequency across the United States at multiple spatial scales
Cyanobacterial blooms can have negative effects on human health and local ecosystems. Field monitoring of cyanobacterial blooms can be costly, but satellite remote sensing has shown utility for more efficient spatial and temporal monitoring across the United States. Here, satellite imagery was used to assess the annual frequency of surface cyanobacterial blooms, defined for each satellite pixel asPilot-scale expanded assessment of inorganic and organic tapwater exposures and predicted effects in Puerto Rico, USA
A pilot-scale expanded target assessment of mixtures of inorganic and organic contaminants in point-of-consumption drinking water (tapwater, TW) was conducted in Puerto Rico (PR) to continue to inform TW exposures and corresponding estimations of cumulative human-health risks across the US. In August 2018, a spatial synoptic pilot assessment of than 524 organic, 37 inorganic, and select microbioloThe tide turns: Episodic and localized cross-contamination of a California coastline with cyanotoxins
The contamination of coastal ecosystems from a variety of toxins of marine algal origin is a common and well-documented situation along the coasts of the United States and globally. The occurrence of toxins originating from cyanobacteria along marine coastlines is much less studied, and little information exists on whether toxins from marine and freshwater sources co-occur regularly. The current sNeither microcystin, nor nodularin, nor cylindrospermopsin directly interact with human toll-like receptors
Various stressors including temperature, environmental chemicals, and toxins can have profound impacts on immunity to pathogens. Increased eutrophication near rivers and lakes coupled with climate change are predicted to lead to increased algal blooms. Currently, the effects of cyanobacterial toxins on disease resistance in mammals is a largely unexplored area of research. Recent studies have suggMultiple co-occurring and persistently detected cyanotoxins and associated cyanobacteria in adjacent California lakes
The global proliferation of toxin producing cyanobacterial blooms has been attributed to a wide variety of environmental factors with nutrient pollution, increased temperatures, and drought being three of the most significant. The current study is the first formal assessment of cyanotoxins in two impaired lakes, Canyon Lake and Lake Elsinore, in southern California that have a history of cyanobactExploring the potential value of satellite remote sensing to monitor chlorophyll-a for U.S. lakes and reservoirs
Assessment of chlorophyll-a, an algal pigment, typically measured by field and laboratory in situ analyses, is used to estimate algal abundance and trophic status in lakes and reservoirs. In situ-based monitoring programs can be expensive, may not be spatially, and temporally comprehensive and results may not be available in the timeframe needed to make some management decisions, but can be more aRapid-assessment test strips: Effectiveness forcyanotoxin monitoring in a northern temperate lake
Precise and rapid methods of determining toxin levels are needed in lakes used for recreation and drinking water to facilitate a quick risk assessment during cyanobacteria blooms. Therefore, we evaluated rapid-assessment test strips, a newer technology for estimating the toxicity of cyanobacterial blooms, in Kabetogama Lake, a popular recreational area of Voyageurs National Park in northern MinnesEcological forecasting—21st century science for 21st century management
Natural resource managers are coping with rapid changes in both environmental conditions and ecosystems. Enabled by recent advances in data collection and assimilation, short-term ecological forecasting may be a powerful tool to help resource managers anticipate impending near-term changes in ecosystem conditions or dynamics. Managers may use the information in forecasts to minimize the adverse ef
ByEcosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Wildlife Program (unpublished), Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS) Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center, Fort Collins Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Southwest Biological Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science CenterFreshwater neurotoxins and concerns for human, animal, and ecosystemhealth: A review of anatoxin-a and saxitoxin
Toxic cyanobacteria are a concern worldwide because they can adversely affect humans, animals, and ecosystems. However, neurotoxins produced by freshwater cyanobacteria are understudied relative to microcystin. Thus, the objective of this critical review was to provide a comprehensive examination of the modes of action, production, fate, and occurrence of the freshwater neurotoxins anatoxin-a andCharacterization of water-quality and bed-sediment conditions in Currituck Sound, North Carolina, prior to the Mid-Currituck Bridge construction, 2011–18
The North Carolina Turnpike Authority plans to improve transportation in the Currituck Sound area by constructing a two-lane bridge—the Mid-Currituck Bridge—across Currituck Sound from the mainland to the Outer Banks, North Carolina. The results of the final environmental impact statement for the project indicate potential water-quality and habitat effects for Currituck Sound associated with the b - News
Below are news stories associated with this project.