Status Report on Planktonic Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae) and Their Toxins.

摘要

Toxic blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) continue to be agents of certain water-based toxicoses. Their presence is now being acknowledged in many of the world's fresh and brackish waters with eutrophication status of meso to hypereutrophic. Dense surface scums called waterblooms will occur for a few days, weeks or months when temperature, nutrient and stratification status of these water bodies is appropriate. It is during these waterblooms that the concentration of toxins exceeds a level such that any animal can ingest an acutely lethal dose of toxic cells or toxins. Laboratory studies, using subacute levels of the main blue-green toxin group, have shown them to be a potent promoter of liver tumors. The report summarizes the present understanding on toxic blue-green algae and their toxins.