Cyanobacteria bloom in a shallow Michigan lake during the fall of 2024. Photo by Leon Katona
Leon R Katona
Leon Katona is a Biologist with the Upper Midwest Water Science Center.
Science and Products
Decoding Harmful Algal Blooms: Unraveling the Mystery
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a significant environmental concern due to their potential effects on health, ecosystems, and economies. Algal toxins, which are toxic compounds produced by certain species of cyanobacteria and algae, are commonly linked to these blooms. It's important to note that algal toxins can still be present even when a bloom is not visible, highlighting the need for ongoing...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, California Water Science Center, Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC), Kansas Water Science Center, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, Nevada Water Science Center, New England Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
Toxins and Harmful Algal Blooms Science Team
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.
Cyanobacteria bloom in a shallow Michigan lake
Cyanobacteria bloom in a shallow Michigan lake during the fall of 2024. Photo by Leon Katona
Collecting water sample on Fox River, Wisconsin
Biologist Leon Katona collects a water sample on the Fox River, Wisconsin as part of a sampling effort using the Fast Limnological Automated Measurements (FLAMe) platform.
Biologist Leon Katona collects a water sample on the Fox River, Wisconsin as part of a sampling effort using the Fast Limnological Automated Measurements (FLAMe) platform.
Cyanobacteria bloom near the shoreline of North Bar Lake in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan
linkCyanobacteria bloom near the shoreline of North Bar Lake in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan during the fall of 2024.
Cyanobacteria bloom near the shoreline of North Bar Lake in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan
linkCyanobacteria bloom near the shoreline of North Bar Lake in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan during the fall of 2024.
Microscope image of cyanobacteria (Microcystis sp.) collected from Lake Winnebago
Microscope image of cyanobacteria (Microcystis sp.) collected from Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, June 23, 2024. Photo by Leon Katona
Microscope image of cyanobacteria (Microcystis sp.) collected from Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, June 23, 2024. Photo by Leon Katona
Science and Products
Decoding Harmful Algal Blooms: Unraveling the Mystery
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a significant environmental concern due to their potential effects on health, ecosystems, and economies. Algal toxins, which are toxic compounds produced by certain species of cyanobacteria and algae, are commonly linked to these blooms. It's important to note that algal toxins can still be present even when a bloom is not visible, highlighting the need for ongoing...
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, California Water Science Center, Caribbean-Florida Water Science Center (CFWSC), Kansas Water Science Center, Maryland-Delaware-D.C. Water Science Center, National Wildlife Health Center, Nevada Water Science Center, New England Water Science Center, New Jersey Water Science Center, New Mexico Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center
Toxins and Harmful Algal Blooms Science Team
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.
Cyanobacteria bloom in a shallow Michigan lake
Cyanobacteria bloom in a shallow Michigan lake during the fall of 2024. Photo by Leon Katona
Cyanobacteria bloom in a shallow Michigan lake during the fall of 2024. Photo by Leon Katona
Collecting water sample on Fox River, Wisconsin
Biologist Leon Katona collects a water sample on the Fox River, Wisconsin as part of a sampling effort using the Fast Limnological Automated Measurements (FLAMe) platform.
Biologist Leon Katona collects a water sample on the Fox River, Wisconsin as part of a sampling effort using the Fast Limnological Automated Measurements (FLAMe) platform.
Cyanobacteria bloom near the shoreline of North Bar Lake in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan
linkCyanobacteria bloom near the shoreline of North Bar Lake in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan during the fall of 2024.
Cyanobacteria bloom near the shoreline of North Bar Lake in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan
linkCyanobacteria bloom near the shoreline of North Bar Lake in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan during the fall of 2024.
Microscope image of cyanobacteria (Microcystis sp.) collected from Lake Winnebago
Microscope image of cyanobacteria (Microcystis sp.) collected from Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, June 23, 2024. Photo by Leon Katona
Microscope image of cyanobacteria (Microcystis sp.) collected from Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, June 23, 2024. Photo by Leon Katona