Cyanobacteria Toxicity: Potential Public Health Impact in South Portugal Populations

Cyanobacteria are prokaryotic, plantlike organisms present in lakes, recreational waters, and reservoirs, and often dominate phytoplankton communities in warm, nutrient-enriched hard waters. A stable water column rich in certain nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, is associated with favor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part A Part A, 2013-02, Vol.76 (4-5), p.263-271
Main Authors: Bellém, Fernando, Nunes, Susana, Morais, Manuela
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aphanizomenon
Bacteria
Cyanobacteria - classification
Cyanobacteria - growth & development
Cyanobacteria - isolation & purification
Cyanobacteria - physiology
Cytotoxicity
Environmental conditions
Environmental Exposure
Environmental Monitoring
Eutrophication
Humans
Lakes - chemistry
Lakes - microbiology
Microcystis aeruginosa
Oscillatoria
Phytoplankton - growth & development
Phytoplankton - physiology
Population Density
Portugal
Public Health
Recreation
Reservoirs
Seasons
Water Pollutants, Chemical
Water Supply - analysis
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Summary:Cyanobacteria are prokaryotic, plantlike organisms present in lakes, recreational waters, and reservoirs, and often dominate phytoplankton communities in warm, nutrient-enriched hard waters. A stable water column rich in certain nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus, is associated with favorable environmental conditions that support development of cyanobacterial population maxima or "blooms." Under specific conditions, cyanobacteria produce toxins that are responsible for acute poisoning and death of animals and humans. The main aim of this study was to correlate the presence of cyanobacteria blooms with potential toxicity to humans as a public health issue. In Portugal, seven reservoirs located in the southern region were selected and studied between 2000 and 2008. Reservoirs were characterized by physical and chemical aspects, and identification of phytoplankton communities. In the case of cyanobacterial blooms, toxins that affected the liver, nervous system, and skin were detected, namely, Microcystis aeruginosa, Aphanizomenon spp., and Oscillatoria. These findings suggest the presence of a potential risk for public health, and indicate the need to implement mitigation measures in all studied reservoirs. These measures may involve (1) water eutrophication control to avoid blooms, (2) appropriate treatment of water for human consumption, and (3) public warnings or information to those individuals that use these reservoirs for several recreational activities.
ISSN:1528-7394
1087-2620
2381-3504
DOI:10.1080/15287394.2013.757204