Nodularia
spumigena are a planktonic
bacteria and are also diazotrophic, meaning that these bacteria have
specialised heterocyst’s for independent nitrogen fixation and can grow and
bloom sometimes quite aggressively without the need for further sources of
nitrogen. N.spumigena are
known for their toxicity due to cacogenic effects whereby it causes inhibition
of protein phosphates and in turn severely damages the liver tissue.
It is these cyanobacteria in particular that have been of recent study by the
University of Gothenburg, who found that these bacteria are favoring raised
eutrophic levels that are currently occurring in the Baltic sea, this is
thought that it may be occurring through an error in waste water management.
Waste
water treatment error is key to the eutrophication
with in the seas as its allowing for a build up of phosphorus particles and
lowering levels of nitrogen, two key factors allowing the toxic N.spumigena
to thrive. Steps are needed to be taken
in order to manipulate these contaminants to reach safer levels, as over fertilization of these harmful bacteria will continue. The article from the
university of Gothenburg suggests that there is different views on what is
causing the blooms and that it has been suggested that it could be caused by
either eutrophication, the excess of nutrients in the water driven
their by man in the forms of domestic and industrial waste, or merely natural
effects such as rainfall and river run off, but other scientist believe it is a
process that has been occurring for many years and is part of a natural cycle.
Either
way I believe that the article demonstrates that higher levels of nutrients within
the water column, whether it be human driven or a natural occurrence, are
causing significant problems with greater knock on effects, which if monitored
closely can reduce such abundant blooms from such toxic bacteria as N. Spumigena. With
greater knowledge of these natural pollutants science can help to reduce such problems
as the nodularin toxins.
University of Gothenburg.
"Eutrophication makes toxic cyanobacteria more toxic." ScienceDaily, 9 Dec. 2010. Web. 10
Oct. 2012.
HI, I was wondering how the waste causes a reduction in nitrogen levels in the water?
ReplyDeleteAlso, which scientists believe that this is a natural cycle? Are their beliefs drawn from evidence, such as a relatively short term increase in nutrient levels having occurred previously?
hey, i am also intrigued by this as usually eutrophication is an increase in nitrates and nitrites etc, and leads to blooms, so id also like to know quite how nitrogen is increased.
DeleteAnd regarding the fact that there are 3 possible reasons, as to what could be causing these blooms are there any other papers studying these effects or is this the only study.??
Thanks
Hi James,
ReplyDeleteThis looks like an interesting finding about what could be driving the blooms of these harmful organisms, could you give some brief info on what techniques/methods they used to come to their finding that these cyanobacteria prefer eutrophic conditions?