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Cyanobacterial bloom monitoring and assessment in Latin America
Linnaeus University, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Department of Biology and Environmental Science. (Ctr Ecol & Evolut Microbial Model Syst EEMiS)ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6743-3001
Univ Concepcion, Chile.
Univ Republica, Uruguay.
Univ CES, Colombia.
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2023 (English)In: Harmful Algae, ISSN 1568-9883, E-ISSN 1878-1470, Vol. 125, article id 102429Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Cyanobacterial blooms have serious adverse effects on human and environmental health. In Latin America, one of the main world's freshwater reserves, information on this phenomenon remains sparse. To assess the current situation, we gathered reports of cyanobacterial blooms and associated cyanotoxins in freshwater bodies from South America and the Caribbean (Latitude 22 degrees N to 45 degrees S) and compiled the regulation and monitoring procedures implemented in each country. As the operational definition of what is a cyanobacterial bloom remains controversial, we also analyzed the criteria used to determine the phenomena in the region. From 2000 to 2019, blooms were reported in 295 water bodies distributed in 14 countries, including shallow and deep lakes, reservoirs, and rivers. Cyanotoxins were found in nine countries and high concentrations of microcystins were reported in all types of water bodies. Blooms were defined according to different, and sometimes arbitrary criteria including qualitative (changes in water color, scum presence), quantitative (abundance), or both. We found 13 different cell abundance thresholds defining bloom events, from 2 x 10(3) to 1 x 10(7) cells mL(-1). The use of different criteria hampers the estimation of bloom occurrence, and consequently the associated risks and economic impacts. The large differences between countries in terms of number of studies, monitoring efforts, public access to the data and regulations regarding cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins highlights the need to rethink cyanobacterial bloom monitoring, seeking common criteria. General policies leading to solid frameworks based on defined criteria are needed to improve the assessment of cyanobacterial blooms in Latin America. This review represents a starting point toward common approaches for cyanobacterial monitoring and risk assessment, needed to improve regional environmental policies.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Elsevier, 2023. Vol. 125, article id 102429
Keywords [en]
Eutrophication, Management, Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanohabs), Water quality, Cyanotoxin
National Category
Ecology
Research subject
Ecology, Aquatic Ecology
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-120969DOI: 10.1016/j.hal.2023.102429ISI: 000971990200001Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-85151306856OAI: oai:DiVA.org:lnu-120969DiVA, id: diva2:1759737
Available from: 2023-05-26 Created: 2023-05-26 Last updated: 2023-09-07Bibliographically approved

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Aguilera, Anabella

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