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Toxins
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Prospective Studies on Harmful Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins
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Prospective Studies on Harmful Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins

A special issue of Toxins (ISSN 2072-6651). This special issue belongs to the section "Marine and Freshwater Toxins".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 21 March 2025 | Viewed by 10070

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ekaterina Chernova

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratory of Eco-Chemical Studies, St. Petersburg Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences (SPC RAS), Scientific Research Centre for Ecological Safety of the Russian Academy of Sciences, 197110 St. Petersburg, Russia
Interests: freshwater ecology; environmental monitoring; cyanobacteria; cyanotoxins; eco-chemical studies; analytical chemistry; physico-chemical methods; mass-spectrometry
Dr. Sophia Barinova

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Evolution, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
Interests: algae; cyanobacteria; ecology; cummunity structure; bioindicators; water quality
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, there has been growing concern worldwide around the presence of harmful cyanobacteria in different types of water bodies. Cyanobacteria colonize a wide range of habitats, including extreme climatic zones, and their metabolites—cyanotoxins—can be found in numerous matrices, causing negative health risks. Despite great attention being paid to cyanobacterial harmful blooms (HABs), there are still many knowledge gaps in this scientific area.

This Special Issue aims to highlight novel research findings on the expanding global geographic distribution of cyanotoxins in freshwater, their role in ecosystems, and methods of HAB mitigation.

In particular, the issue welcomes research papers on:

  • Novel and improved methods for the sampling, extraction, detection, and quantification of various classes of cyanotoxins, with emphasis on detection in various matrices; the use of complex (e.g., physicochemical, in vitro assays, sensors, and molecular) methods for the detection of cyanotoxins and their producers.
  • The global occurrence of cyanotoxins, as well as first reports of cyanotoxins in water bodies in less studied regions, including results of monitoring programs demonstrating the temporal and spatial distribution of cyanotoxins in freshwater bodies.
  • Transformation/decomposition products of cyanotoxins formed in the environment and when using HAB mitigation methods.
  • Ecosystem and experimental approaches when using HAB mitigation techniques.

Dr. Ekaterina Chernova
Dr. Sophia Barinova
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Toxins is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • harmful cyanobacteria
  • emerging cyanotoxins
  • cyanotoxin analysis
  • monitoring
  • ecosystem approach
  • bloom mitigation
  • transformation products

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 1650 KiB  
Article
Effects of Harmful Cyanobacteria on Drinking Water Source Quality and Ecosystems
by Marlena Piontek, Wanda Czyżewska and Hanna Mazur-Marzec
Toxins 2023, 15(12), 703; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15120703 - 16 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2114
Abstract
A seasonal plethora of cyanobacteria in the plankton community can have severe implications, not only for water ecosystems but also for the availability of treated water. The catchment of the Obrzyca River (a source of drinking water) is seasonally exposed to harmful cyanobacterial [...] Read more.
A seasonal plethora of cyanobacteria in the plankton community can have severe implications, not only for water ecosystems but also for the availability of treated water. The catchment of the Obrzyca River (a source of drinking water) is seasonally exposed to harmful cyanobacterial bloom. Previous studies (2008–2012; 2019) revealed that the most polluted water of the Obrzyca River was Uście, close to the outlet of Rudno Lake (at the sampling point). Therefore, the effect on this lake was specifically examined in this study. Sampling was performed from May to September at that site and from July to September 2020 at Rudno Lake. The conducted analysis revealed a massive growth of Aphanizomenon gracile, especially in Rudno Lake. The results showed not only the distinct impact of cyanobacterial bloom on phytoplankton biodiversity but also the presence of microcystins and other cyanopeptides in both sampling points. The maximal total concentration of microcystins (dmMC-RR, MC-RR, dmMC-LR, MC-LR, MC-LY, MC-YR) equaled 57.3 μg/L and the presence of cyanopeptides (aeruginosin, anabaenopeptin) was originally determined in Rudno Lake, August 2021. The presence of these toxins was highlighted in our results for the first time. The same samples from the lake were the most toxic in biotoxicological investigations using the planarian Dugesia tigrina. The performed bioassays proved that D. tigrina is a sensitive bioindicator for cyanotoxins. The physical and chemical indicators of water quality, i.e., color, temperature, total suspended solids, and total nitrogen and phosphorus, showed a significant correlation among each other and towards cyanobacterial abundance and microcystin concentrations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospective Studies on Harmful Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins)
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16 pages, 2864 KiB  
Article
Microcystin Concentrations, Partitioning, and Structural Composition during Active Growth and Decline: A Laboratory Study
by Emily F. Pierce and Astrid Schnetzer
Toxins 2023, 15(12), 684; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15120684 - 6 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1739
Abstract
Microcystin can be present in variable concentrations, phases (dissolved and particulate), and structural forms (congeners), all which impact the toxicity and persistence of the algal metabolite. Conducting incubation experiments with six bloom assemblages collected from the Chowan River, North Carolina, we assessed microcystin [...] Read more.
Microcystin can be present in variable concentrations, phases (dissolved and particulate), and structural forms (congeners), all which impact the toxicity and persistence of the algal metabolite. Conducting incubation experiments with six bloom assemblages collected from the Chowan River, North Carolina, we assessed microcystin dynamics during active growth and biomass degradation. Upon collection, average particulate and dissolved microcystin ranged between 0.2 and 993 µg L−1 and 0.5 and 3.6 µg L−1, respectively. The presence of congeners MC-LA, -LR, -RR, and -YR was confirmed with MC-RR and MC-LR being the most prevalent. Congener composition shifted over time and varied between dissolved and particulate phases. Particulate microcystin exponentially declined in five of six incubations with an average half-life of 10.2 ± 3.7 days, while dissolved microcystin remained detectable until the end of the incubation trials (up to 100 days). Our findings suggest that concerns about food-web transfer via intracellular toxins seem most warranted within the first few weeks of the bloom peak, while dissolved toxins linger for several months in the aftermath of the event. Also, it was indicated there were differences in congener profiles linked to the sampling method. We believe this study can inform monitoring strategies and aid microcystin-exposure risk assessments for cyanobacterial blooms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospective Studies on Harmful Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins)
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16 pages, 1740 KiB  
Article
Algicidal Activity and Microcystin-LR Destruction by a Novel Strain Penicillium sp. GF3 Isolated from the Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea)
by Irina Kuzikova, Tatyana Zaytseva, Ekaterina Chernova, Anna Sazanova, Andrey Sharov and Nadezda Medvedeva
Toxins 2023, 15(10), 607; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15100607 - 10 Oct 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1636
Abstract
The present article focuses on a strain of ascomycete GF3 isolated from a water sample taken in the Gulf of Finland. Based on phylogenetic analysis data, the isolate was identified as Penicillium sp. GF3. The fungus GF3 demonstrates algicidal activity towards cyanobacteria (98–100%). [...] Read more.
The present article focuses on a strain of ascomycete GF3 isolated from a water sample taken in the Gulf of Finland. Based on phylogenetic analysis data, the isolate was identified as Penicillium sp. GF3. The fungus GF3 demonstrates algicidal activity towards cyanobacteria (98–100%). The algicidal effect on green algae did not exceed 50%. The isolate GF3 exhibits an indirect attack mode by releasing metabolites with algicidal and/or lytic activity into the environment. Moreover, the strain Penicillium sp. GF3 is able to degrade MC-LR. After 72 h of GF3 cultivation, the MC-LR content was reduced by 34.1% and 26.7% at initial 0.1 μg/mL and 0.45 μg/mL concentrations, respectively. The high stress resistance of the GF3 to toxic MC-LR is provided by a 1.5-fold activation of catalase activity and a change in the reduced glutathione content. Additionally, during the MC-LR biotransformation, a MC-LR-GSH conjugate and linearized MC-LR were identified. The linearized MC-LR in the presence of fungi capable of degrading MCs was revealed for the first time. Using Daphnia magna as a bioindicator, it was shown that the MC-LR biotransformation led to the formation of less toxic intermediates. The toxicity of the fungal filtrate is reduced by five times compared to the abiotic control. Our findings enhance the understanding of the role that ascomycete fungi have as potential bioagents for cyanoHABs to control and detoxify water bodies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospective Studies on Harmful Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins)
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18 pages, 1462 KiB  
Article
Effects of Algicidal Macrophyte Metabolites on Cyanobacteria, Microcystins, Other Plankton, and Fish in Microcosms
by Svetlana Kurbatova, Nadezhda Berezina, Andrey Sharov, Ekaterina Chernova, Evgeny Kurashov, Yulia Krylova, Igor Yershov, Alexander Mavrin, Natalia Otyukova, Elena Borisovskaya and Roman Fedorov
Toxins 2023, 15(9), 529; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15090529 - 28 Aug 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1575
Abstract
To control harmful algae blooms (HABs), methods based on natural mechanisms are now required. We investigated the effects of an algicide derived from macrophyte metabolites, namely mixtures of gallic, tetradecanoic, heptanoic, and octanoic acids (1:1:1:1 mass ratio, a total concentration of 14 mg/L), [...] Read more.
To control harmful algae blooms (HABs), methods based on natural mechanisms are now required. We investigated the effects of an algicide derived from macrophyte metabolites, namely mixtures of gallic, tetradecanoic, heptanoic, and octanoic acids (1:1:1:1 mass ratio, a total concentration of 14 mg/L), on the biomass of cyanobacteria and other plankton and the production of microcystins under experimental conditions. Two types of microcosms have been created: simple (microalgae, cyanobacteria, and zooplankton) and complex (microalgae, cyanobacteria, zooplankton, and planktivorous fish). We observed the dynamics of the phytoplankton structure, the concentrations of microcystins and chlorophyll-a, hydrochemistry, and the status of zooplankton and fish in both types of microcosms with and without algicide for one month (from 19 July to 19 August 2021). The introduction of algicide caused changes in phytoplankton structure, a drop in cyanobacterial biomass, and a decrease in the total concentration of microcystins. Surprisingly, the contributions of the most toxic microcystins (LR form) were higher in both types of microcosms exposed to algicide than in microcosms without algicide. The inhibitory effect on the cyanobacterial biomass was most significant in complex ecosystems (containing fish), while it was only observed at the end of the exposure in simple ecosystems. Not only algicide but also phytoplankton consumed by fish and zooplankton, as well as nutrient excretory activity by both consumers, seem to have impact on cyanobacterial biomass. This study found that the using chemical substances similar to macrophyte metabolites can help regulate HABs and cyanotoxins. However, the results differ depending on ecosystem type. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospective Studies on Harmful Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins)
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20 pages, 4527 KiB  
Article
Year-Round Presence of Microcystins and Toxin-Producing Microcystis in the Water Column and Ice Cover of a Eutrophic Lake Located in the Continuous Permafrost Zone (Yakutia, Russia)
by Viktor A. Gabyshev, Sergey I. Sidelev, Ekaterina N. Chernova, Anna A. Vilnet, Denis A. Davydov, Sophia Barinova, Olga I. Gabysheva, Zoya A. Zhakovskaya and Ivan V. Voronov
Toxins 2023, 15(7), 467; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins15070467 - 20 Jul 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1809
Abstract
This study aimed to test the hypothesis of the year-round presence of toxigenic Microcystis and cyanotoxins in the water and ice of the shallow eutrophic Lake Ytyk-Kyuyol located in the continuous permafrost zone. Three independent approaches—mass-spectrometry, molecular methods and light microscopy—were applied in [...] Read more.
This study aimed to test the hypothesis of the year-round presence of toxigenic Microcystis and cyanotoxins in the water and ice of the shallow eutrophic Lake Ytyk-Kyuyol located in the continuous permafrost zone. Three independent approaches—mass-spectrometry, molecular methods and light microscopy—were applied in the study. The cyanobacterial biomass ranged from 1.0 × 10−4 to 4.8 mg L−1. Microcystis flos-aquae and M. aeruginosa were the dominant morphospecies in plankton throughout the observation. In environmental DNA, the presence of M. aeruginosa was supported and mcy gene regions responsible for microcystin biosynthesis were detected through a BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) search and phylogenetic estimation based on newly obtained 16S rRNA, 16S–23S ITS rRNA, mcyA and mcyE nucleotide sequences. The intracellular microcystin concentration ranged from <0.1 to 803 ng L−1, and the microcystin quota in the Microcystis biomass was extremely low. For the first time, it was shown that Microcystis cells containing mcy genes and microcystins presented permanently in the water column, both during the ice-free period and under ice, as well as inside thick ice covers within 7 months of severe winter. We hypothesized that minor pelagic and ice populations of Microcystis could participate in increasing cell density in the spring. However, further studies are needed to confirm the viability of the overwintering Microcystis colonies in the water and inside the ice of Lake Ytyk-Kyuyol. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prospective Studies on Harmful Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins)
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