TOXIGENIC CYANOBACTERIA IN VOLCANIC LAKES AND HOT SPRINGS OF A NORTH ATLANTIC ISLAND (S. MIGUEL, AZORES, PORTUGAL)

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2011

Authors

moreira, c (Author) Other; martins, a (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Fresenius Environmental Bulletin

Vol. 20

Pages: 420-426

ISSN: 1018-4619

Publisher: Technische Universitat Munchen

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 6 Citations

Scopus - 5 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Natural sciences > Earth and related Environmental sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-002-YM0

Abstract (EN): Increased occurrence of blooms of cyanobacteria producing toxins due to eutrophication of lakes and rivers has been alerting the world to the problem of water quality, because of the risk they pose to environmental and animal health. In this study, we sampled cyanobacteria from volcanic lakes and hot springs of the North Atlantic S. Miguel Island (Azores, Portugal), and identified them using a molecular approach. Cyanobacteria were also scanned for the presence of toxigenicity using specific primers targeting genes involved with toxin production. Sequences of 16S rDNA were related to six genera: Microcoleus, Leptolyngbya, Limnothrix, Microcystis, Pseudanabaena, and Gloeothece, being similar to those of other volcanic areas in Mexico, Australia and Hawaii. In some of the samples, genes responsible for the production of the toxins microcystin, cylindrospermopsin and saxitoxin were identified, indicating the potential toxicity of the species.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 7