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Scientists from the University of Amsterdam are warning that problems with toxic cyanobacteria are likely to increase in the future. In an article in the journal Science Advances, they show that a common cyanobacterium adapts exceptionally easily to rising CO2 concentrations. This toxic cyanobacterium can increase its CO2 uptake rate by a factor of five at high CO2 concentrations, the strongest response recorded thus far in any alga.
Each summer, the water quality of lakes and ponds is threatened by the growth of Cyanobacteria also known as blue-green algae. Cyanobacteria can produce a variety of toxins that are harmful to humans, other mammals and birds. In humans, these toxins may cause nausea, dizziness and liver damage. Intense cyanobacterial growth increases the amount of toxins in the water, which can negatively affect the use of lakes for recreation, drinking water or fisheries.
The researchers are concerned about the harm to water quality.
(Score: 2) by corey on Friday February 21 2020, @10:37PM (1 child)
Wasn't cyanobacteria responsible for the conversion of Earth's atmosphere from CO2 to oxygen back before the dinosaurs? I recall reading about how the earth had plant and animal life but then cyanobacteria flourished and converted all the CO2 to oxygen. Then that was poisonous to the existing life then and it all died off, to be eventually replaced with what we have today. Was it CO2 or something else?
(Score: 2) by corey on Saturday February 22 2020, @03:57AM
Following on, it was called the Great Oxidation Event (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Oxidation_Event).
The point I was making but didn't, is that this is good, let's use cyanobacteria to help remove CO2 from the atmosphere. I think they'll have devastating consequences on the oceans, however. Whenever humans try to stuff with nature, it ends poorly. Like the cane toads up in Queensland.