Regional and Longitudinal Dynamics of Cyanobacterial Blooms/Cyanobiome and Cyanotoxin Production in the Great Lakes Area
Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are a diverse group of prokaryotic microorganisms that impact global biogeochemical cycles. Under eutrophic conditions, cyanobacterial species can produce cyanotoxins, resulting in harmful algal blooms (cHABs) that degrade water quality and result in economic and rec...
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MDPI AG
2024-11-01
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| author | Faizan Saleem Jennifer L. Jiang Enze Li Kevin Tran Adam Boere Mahbuba Rahman Athanasios Paschos Judy A. Westrick Arthur Zastepa Thomas A. Edge Herb E. Schellhorn |
| author_facet | Faizan Saleem Jennifer L. Jiang Enze Li Kevin Tran Adam Boere Mahbuba Rahman Athanasios Paschos Judy A. Westrick Arthur Zastepa Thomas A. Edge Herb E. Schellhorn |
| author_sort | Faizan Saleem |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are a diverse group of prokaryotic microorganisms that impact global biogeochemical cycles. Under eutrophic conditions, cyanobacterial species can produce cyanotoxins, resulting in harmful algal blooms (cHABs) that degrade water quality and result in economic and recreational losses. The Laurentian Great Lakes, a key global freshwater source, are increasingly affected by these blooms. To understand the underlying mechanisms in cHAB formation, we investigated microcystin levels, cyanotoxin genes/transcripts, and taxonomic/microcystin metabarcoding across three sampling locations in the Canadian Great Lakes region, including Hamilton Harbour, Bay of Quinte, and Three Mile Lake (Muskoka), to observe the regional and longitudinal cyanobacterial dynamics. The results revealed a positive correlation between microcystin levels, the occurrence of cyanobacterial taxonomic/cyanotoxin molecular markers, and the relative widespread abundance of specific dominant cyanobacterial taxa, including <i>Planktothrix</i>, <i>Microcystis</i>, and <i>Dolichospermum</i>. The <i>Cyanobium</i> genus was not observed in Hamilton Harbor samples during late summer (August to September), while it was consistently observed in the Three Mile Lake and Bay of Quinte samples. Notably, <i>Dolichospermum</i> and saxitoxin genes were predominantly higher in Three Mile Lake (an inland lake), suggesting site-specific characteristics influencing saxitoxin production. Additionally, among the potential microcystin producers, in addition to <i>Microcystis</i>, Hamilton Harbour and Bay of Quinte samples showed consistent presence of less dominant microcystin-producing taxa, including <i>Phormidium</i> and <i>Dolichospermum</i>. This study highlights the complexity of cHAB formation and the variability in cyanotoxin production in specific environments. The findings highlight regional and site-specific factors that can influence cyanobacterial taxonomic and molecular profiles, necessitating the integration of advanced molecular technologies for effective monitoring and targeted management strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-aee4eb05b92e43cb8873cfd8c37d5026 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2072-6651 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-aee4eb05b92e43cb8873cfd8c37d50262025-08-20T02:27:40ZengMDPI AGToxins2072-66512024-11-01161147110.3390/toxins16110471Regional and Longitudinal Dynamics of Cyanobacterial Blooms/Cyanobiome and Cyanotoxin Production in the Great Lakes AreaFaizan Saleem0Jennifer L. Jiang1Enze Li2Kevin Tran3Adam Boere4Mahbuba Rahman5Athanasios Paschos6Judy A. Westrick7Arthur Zastepa8Thomas A. Edge9Herb E. Schellhorn10Department of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, CanadaDepartment of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, CanadaDepartment of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, CanadaDepartment of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, CanadaDepartment of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, CanadaDepartment of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, CanadaDepartment of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, CanadaLumigen Instrument Center, Wayne State University, 5101 Cass Ave., Detroit, MI 48202, USAEnvironment and Climate Change Canada, Canada Centre for Inland Waters, 867 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON L7S 1A1, CanadaDepartment of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, CanadaDepartment of Biology, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, CanadaCyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are a diverse group of prokaryotic microorganisms that impact global biogeochemical cycles. Under eutrophic conditions, cyanobacterial species can produce cyanotoxins, resulting in harmful algal blooms (cHABs) that degrade water quality and result in economic and recreational losses. The Laurentian Great Lakes, a key global freshwater source, are increasingly affected by these blooms. To understand the underlying mechanisms in cHAB formation, we investigated microcystin levels, cyanotoxin genes/transcripts, and taxonomic/microcystin metabarcoding across three sampling locations in the Canadian Great Lakes region, including Hamilton Harbour, Bay of Quinte, and Three Mile Lake (Muskoka), to observe the regional and longitudinal cyanobacterial dynamics. The results revealed a positive correlation between microcystin levels, the occurrence of cyanobacterial taxonomic/cyanotoxin molecular markers, and the relative widespread abundance of specific dominant cyanobacterial taxa, including <i>Planktothrix</i>, <i>Microcystis</i>, and <i>Dolichospermum</i>. The <i>Cyanobium</i> genus was not observed in Hamilton Harbor samples during late summer (August to September), while it was consistently observed in the Three Mile Lake and Bay of Quinte samples. Notably, <i>Dolichospermum</i> and saxitoxin genes were predominantly higher in Three Mile Lake (an inland lake), suggesting site-specific characteristics influencing saxitoxin production. Additionally, among the potential microcystin producers, in addition to <i>Microcystis</i>, Hamilton Harbour and Bay of Quinte samples showed consistent presence of less dominant microcystin-producing taxa, including <i>Phormidium</i> and <i>Dolichospermum</i>. This study highlights the complexity of cHAB formation and the variability in cyanotoxin production in specific environments. The findings highlight regional and site-specific factors that can influence cyanobacterial taxonomic and molecular profiles, necessitating the integration of advanced molecular technologies for effective monitoring and targeted management strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/16/11/471the Great LakesDNA sequencingharmful algal bloomscyanobacteriamolecular methodsmetabarcoding |
| spellingShingle | Faizan Saleem Jennifer L. Jiang Enze Li Kevin Tran Adam Boere Mahbuba Rahman Athanasios Paschos Judy A. Westrick Arthur Zastepa Thomas A. Edge Herb E. Schellhorn Regional and Longitudinal Dynamics of Cyanobacterial Blooms/Cyanobiome and Cyanotoxin Production in the Great Lakes Area Toxins the Great Lakes DNA sequencing harmful algal blooms cyanobacteria molecular methods metabarcoding |
| title | Regional and Longitudinal Dynamics of Cyanobacterial Blooms/Cyanobiome and Cyanotoxin Production in the Great Lakes Area |
| title_full | Regional and Longitudinal Dynamics of Cyanobacterial Blooms/Cyanobiome and Cyanotoxin Production in the Great Lakes Area |
| title_fullStr | Regional and Longitudinal Dynamics of Cyanobacterial Blooms/Cyanobiome and Cyanotoxin Production in the Great Lakes Area |
| title_full_unstemmed | Regional and Longitudinal Dynamics of Cyanobacterial Blooms/Cyanobiome and Cyanotoxin Production in the Great Lakes Area |
| title_short | Regional and Longitudinal Dynamics of Cyanobacterial Blooms/Cyanobiome and Cyanotoxin Production in the Great Lakes Area |
| title_sort | regional and longitudinal dynamics of cyanobacterial blooms cyanobiome and cyanotoxin production in the great lakes area |
| topic | the Great Lakes DNA sequencing harmful algal blooms cyanobacteria molecular methods metabarcoding |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/16/11/471 |
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