Toxic Microcystis

This book discusses toxic Microcystis and the toxins from various viewpoints such as classification, cultivation, occurrences in lakes, and relations to zooplankton. The text presents new information on the chemistry, analytical chemistry, toxicology, molecular modeling, and liver tumor promotion of the toxins. Microcystis species are described in relation to morphological features, allozyme genotype, and toxin content. Seasonal changes of Microcystis population are described with special references to toxic species and composition of the toxins. Chemical characteristics of microcystins are reviewed and the process for identification of microcystins is described.

This outstanding volume provides an up-to-date overview of the advances in our knowledge of harmful cyanobacteria. An essential reference for all scientists and environmental professionals interested in cyanobacterial ecology and water management.

This volume focuses on the pharmacology, physiology, toxicology, chemistry, ecology and economics of seafood and freshwater toxins. It covers the biological aspects of the bloom, the effects and actions of each toxin with emphasis on human aspects, and the analytical and preparative options for neurotoxic, diarrhetic shellfish toxins, and hepatotoxic or neurotoxic freshwater cyanobacteria toxins.

The increasingly widespread production of toxins by marine and freshwater microalgae raises serious concerns regarding seafood and drinking water safety. This book compiles studies on the influence of climate change on the spreading of toxin-producing species in aquatic systems. The chemistry and biology of toxin production is revised and an outlook on control and prevention of the toxins' impact on human and animal health is given.

Cyanobacteria and their toxins are an increasing global public health menace. Most recently, problems have been experienced in Australia, the United States and, due to drought and increasing water scarcity, pose a severe threat in the U.K. With an international range of contributors, all leading experts in their fields, Toxic Cyanobacteria in Water examines the increasing need to protect drinking water and water resources from the hazards of Cyanobacteria and their impact on health. Written and edited by a World Health Organization working group, Toxic Cyanobacteria in Water is an operational handbook in a practical, assessible style. Toxic Cyanobacteria in Water will be invaluable to environmental health officers, professionals in the fields of water supply, public health, fresh water ecology and education, national and international organizations, special interest groups, post-graduate students and utilities responsible for managing drinking water supplies.

This project addressed a need for a sensitive, accurate and reliable testing method to aid assessment of the toxicity of algal blooms and assist water management. Increasingly, diagnostic dilemmas are resolved through the use of DNA-based technologies which often provide high sensitivity and specificity and are efficient both in terms of costs and time. However to date, no such test was available to the Victorian water industries. This project sought to bridge this gap by developing an automated DNA-based diagnostic assay for cyanobacterial bloom assessment blooms in Victorian waters. The assay exceeds expectation in its ability to accurately quantify levels of toxigenic cyanobacteria in bloom samples, retains exceptionally high specificity and sensitivity and each assay out-performs common conventional PCR approaches established in the literature. Four toxigen assays (microcystin, nodularin, cylindrospermopsin and saxitoxin) were designed, tested and optimised. This book is co-published with Water Research Australia Authors: Aaron Jex, Louise Baker and Raechel Littman, University of Melbourne

This is the first book on toxic chemicals that puts a special focus on chemical weapons and bioterrorism. Leading experts provide up-to-date pharmacological and toxicological information on chemical warfare agents, industrial chemicals, environmental toxins, metalloid and an array of miscellaneous agents including their mechanism of toxicity. Also discussed are a number of antidotes, which are being used, or currently being investigated, for the treatments of the common toxicants.

Cyanobacterial abundance has increased disproportionately, and this trend is likely to continue in the coming decades. This increase not only has deleterious effects on ecosystem biodiversity but also adversely affects drinking water supplies, livestock watering, crop yields, aquaculture, etc. Thus, the proliferation of cyanobacterial blooms presents human and animal health risks due to the common production of potent toxins, cyanotoxins. Moreover, these risks are aggravated by the accumulation potential of cyanotoxins and their transference to the food chain. In spite of the worldwide increasing occurrence of cyanotoxins, they are still underestimated in regulations. However, risk management of cyanotoxins is only possible after a thorough risk evaluation, and for that purpose, toxicity and exposure data are required. Thus, occurrence and monitoring information is of key importance, and new data in relation to the conditions that favor cyanobacterial growth and cyanotoxin production are welcome in order to prevent their appearance. On the other hand, in regard to toxicity, there are still many data gaps to fill. This book compiles 10 research papers and a review, which provide valuable contributions on all these aspects and demonstrate the importance of cyanobacteria toxins research.