R1 Harmful and Toxic Algae 1

FISH HEALTH
The European Commission’s

science and knowledge service
MANAGEMENT Joint Research Centre
Harmful Algal &

Cyanobacterial Bloom
DON MARIANO MARCOS MEMORIAL STATE UNIVERSITY

SOUTH LA UNION CAMPUS
COLLEGE OF FISHERIES
STO. TOMAS, LA UNION
Harmful Algal bloom (HAB)
Proliferation of algae /cyanobacteria
Discoloration of water Cyanobacterial

caused by a red tide scum during a bloom
Fish kill during the bloom event
Toxic phytoplankton
Cyanobacteria are principally associated with blooms occurring in freshwater while dinoflagellates
and diatoms are common in seawater.
Courtesy by Steve Morton and the “National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Monday, July 10, 2023 4
Cyanobacteria Bloom
 Cyanobacteria can multiply quickly in waters and form blooms when
favorable conditions e.g. high temperature, intense light, high pH and
increased availability of nutrients, especially phosphorous and nitrogen,
artificially released by anthropogenic activities.
 Cyanobacterial species produce highly toxic secondary metabolites,

known as cyanotoxins which can be hazardous for humans and other
animals, and for aquatic organisms.
 Recent studies have reported that global climate change can also favor
hazardous cyanobacterial species, increasing their growth rate,
dominance, persistence, geographical distribution, and activity.
Route of exposure
This is mainly through drinking water, or by
 Oral route
eating contaminated foods; it may even
involve ingesting water during recreational
activities
 Dermic route This is mainly during recreational activities
 Inhalation This may occur through the aspiration of

water containing cyanobacteria cells and
their toxins during recreational activities.
Cyanotoxin
Hepatotoxins Neurotoxin Dermatoxin

(liver damage) (interfere with (dermatitis)
neuromuscular
system)
Microcystins Anatoxin-a Lyngbyatoxin-a

(cyanobacteria producing this toxin
Nodularins Anatoxin-a(s) apparently not present in European waters)
Cylindrospermopsins Saxitoxins Aplysiatoxin
Cyanotoxin and health
 The reported health problems are most likely related to chronic exposure to low
microcystin concentrations through consumption of contaminated water, food and
dermal exposure.
 Several human illness have been attributed to cyanotoxins in recreational water,

drinking water and in water used from hemodialysis (WHO, Guidelines for safe
recreational water environments, 2003).
 Still several gaps of knowledge, however some studies would suggest that there is
more relationship between abundance of cyanobacteria and health effects rather
toxin and health effects.
 For recreational water WHO guidelines (2003) established as “ recommended value”

either based the cell number or chlorophylla (mg/L).
Methods for detection(I)
Microscopy Identification/ Cell counts/ Biovolume
Physicochemical Chlorophyll a / Phycocyanin (relevant for cyanobacteria)/

methods Phycoerythrin
Radiation/ Water temperature/pH/ Salinity/ Dissolved oxygen/ Nitrogen and
Phosphate (phosphorus has also used as predictor in modelling)
Molecular-based
methods PCR/ qPCR/ Microarray
Biochemical-based ELISA, PPIA (only for mycrocistin)

methods
Analytical methods HPLC/ LC-MS/ LC-MS-MS/ MALDI-TOF/ LC-TOF-MS/NMR

(Toxins)
No standard procedure, use of Most countries use a visual inspection
parameters or specific concentrations component (Secchi depth, presence of scums
39
across Europe or foams)
HAB monitoring
Cyanobacteria
density Toxin release
Cyanotoxin (ppb)
Chl a (μg/L)
Lake of Varese EPI (chl a) Mic/Nod (ppb)
(10 Km from Ispra)
40
Aspects for consideration (I)
Role for general classification ?

Should it be also included an additional classification measure
for the algal bloom?
And what about the information on which to base day-to-day decisions?

Classification
Aspects for consideration (II)
Is there a role for toxin monitoring?

• Decision-making
• De-warning
How to deal with lots of problem sites?
Is there a role for public education?
And what about the role of modelling?

Conclusion/Vision
Currently not a formal part of the classification of the Bathing
water quality
(Member States are ‘left to their own devices’ leading to potentially
different levels of protection)
However specific guidance and consistent levels at European level

for algal/ cyanobacterial bloom related would be desirable.
It should be a flexible /pragmatic approach allowing countries to

choose the parameters /methods to measure
Comparability and equivalency of the different methods to ensure the same level
of protection across MS

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FISH HEALTH

The European Commission’s

Harmful Algal &

DON MARIANO MARCOS MEMORIAL STATE UNIVERSITY

Proliferation of algae /cyanobacteria

Discoloration of water Cyanobacterial

 Cyanobacterial species produce highly toxic secondary metabolites,

 Inhalation This may occur through the aspiration of

Hepatotoxins Neurotoxin Dermatoxin

Microcystins Anatoxin-a Lyngbyatoxin-a

 Several human illness have been attributed to cyanotoxins in recreational water,

 For recreational water WHO guidelines (2003) established as “ recommended value”

Physicochemical Chlorophyll a / Phycocyanin (relevant for cyanobacteria)/

Biochemical-based ELISA, PPIA (only for mycrocistin)

Analytical methods HPLC/ LC-MS/ LC-MS-MS/ MALDI-TOF/ LC-TOF-MS/NMR

Role for general classification ?

And what about the information on which to base day-to-day decisions?

Is there a role for toxin monitoring?

How to deal with lots of problem sites?

Is there a role for public education?

And what about the role of modelling?

However specific guidance and consistent levels at European level

It should be a flexible /pragmatic approach allowing countries to

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