Airborne Algae and Cyanobacteria Originating from Lakes: Formation Mechanisms, Influencing Factors, and Potential Health Risks
Algal and cyanobacterial blooms are anticipated to increase in frequency, duration, and geographic extent as a result of environmental changes, including climate warming, elevated nutrient concentrations, and increased runoff in both marine and freshwater ecosystems. The eutrophication of aquatic en...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Microorganisms |
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| author | Xiaoming Liu Tingfu Li Yuqi Qiu Changliang Nie Xiaoling Nie Xueyun Geng |
| author_facet | Xiaoming Liu Tingfu Li Yuqi Qiu Changliang Nie Xiaoling Nie Xueyun Geng |
| author_sort | Xiaoming Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Algal and cyanobacterial blooms are anticipated to increase in frequency, duration, and geographic extent as a result of environmental changes, including climate warming, elevated nutrient concentrations, and increased runoff in both marine and freshwater ecosystems. The eutrophication of aquatic environments represents a substantial threat to human health. As eutrophication progresses, airborne algae and cyanobacteria, particularly harmful genera originating from aquatic environments, are released into the atmosphere and may pose potential risks to human health. Furthermore, respiratory distress has been documented in individuals exposed to aerosols containing harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins. This review investigates the generation of aerosolised harmful algal blooms, their responses to environmental factors, and their associated health risks. Evidence suggests that airborne algae, cyanobacteria, and their toxins are widespread. When these are aerosolised into micrometre-sized particles, they become susceptible to atmospheric processing, which may degrade the HAB toxins and produce byproducts with differing potencies compared to the parent compounds. Inhalation of aerosolised HAB toxins, especially when combined with co-morbid factors such as exposure to air pollutants, could present a significant health risk to a considerable proportion of the global population. A more comprehensive understanding of the chemical transformations of these toxins and the composition of harmful algal and cyanobacterial communities can improve public safety. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3973e902f21746fb9d152c0ba7e11dd7 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-2607 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microorganisms |
| spelling | doaj-art-3973e902f21746fb9d152c0ba7e11dd72025-08-20T03:08:13ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072025-07-01137170210.3390/microorganisms13071702Airborne Algae and Cyanobacteria Originating from Lakes: Formation Mechanisms, Influencing Factors, and Potential Health RisksXiaoming Liu0Tingfu Li1Yuqi Qiu2Changliang Nie3Xiaoling Nie4Xueyun Geng5Shandong Provincial University Laboratory for Protected Horticulture, Weifang University of Science and Technology, Weifang 262700, ChinaSchool of Environment and Geography, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, ChinaEnvironmental Technology, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Saints Malaysia, Pulau Pinang 11800, MalaysiaSchool of Environment and Geography, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, ChinaSchool of Water Conservancy and Environment, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, ChinaAlgal and cyanobacterial blooms are anticipated to increase in frequency, duration, and geographic extent as a result of environmental changes, including climate warming, elevated nutrient concentrations, and increased runoff in both marine and freshwater ecosystems. The eutrophication of aquatic environments represents a substantial threat to human health. As eutrophication progresses, airborne algae and cyanobacteria, particularly harmful genera originating from aquatic environments, are released into the atmosphere and may pose potential risks to human health. Furthermore, respiratory distress has been documented in individuals exposed to aerosols containing harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins. This review investigates the generation of aerosolised harmful algal blooms, their responses to environmental factors, and their associated health risks. Evidence suggests that airborne algae, cyanobacteria, and their toxins are widespread. When these are aerosolised into micrometre-sized particles, they become susceptible to atmospheric processing, which may degrade the HAB toxins and produce byproducts with differing potencies compared to the parent compounds. Inhalation of aerosolised HAB toxins, especially when combined with co-morbid factors such as exposure to air pollutants, could present a significant health risk to a considerable proportion of the global population. A more comprehensive understanding of the chemical transformations of these toxins and the composition of harmful algal and cyanobacterial communities can improve public safety.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/7/1702airborne algaehuman healthlake spray aerosolcyanobacteria |
| spellingShingle | Xiaoming Liu Tingfu Li Yuqi Qiu Changliang Nie Xiaoling Nie Xueyun Geng Airborne Algae and Cyanobacteria Originating from Lakes: Formation Mechanisms, Influencing Factors, and Potential Health Risks Microorganisms airborne algae human health lake spray aerosol cyanobacteria |
| title | Airborne Algae and Cyanobacteria Originating from Lakes: Formation Mechanisms, Influencing Factors, and Potential Health Risks |
| title_full | Airborne Algae and Cyanobacteria Originating from Lakes: Formation Mechanisms, Influencing Factors, and Potential Health Risks |
| title_fullStr | Airborne Algae and Cyanobacteria Originating from Lakes: Formation Mechanisms, Influencing Factors, and Potential Health Risks |
| title_full_unstemmed | Airborne Algae and Cyanobacteria Originating from Lakes: Formation Mechanisms, Influencing Factors, and Potential Health Risks |
| title_short | Airborne Algae and Cyanobacteria Originating from Lakes: Formation Mechanisms, Influencing Factors, and Potential Health Risks |
| title_sort | airborne algae and cyanobacteria originating from lakes formation mechanisms influencing factors and potential health risks |
| topic | airborne algae human health lake spray aerosol cyanobacteria |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/13/7/1702 |
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