Cyanobacteria - the problem of the modern world

Abstract

Cyanobacteria are a very expansive group of microorganisms, showing a number of adaptations, allowing them to live in various environmental conditions. Cyanobacteria are characterized by massive growth which manifests itself as water blooms. Blooms are stimulated by environmental factors, including high concentration of biogenic compounds, high water temperature. Blooming is a major threat because it has many negative consequences, including disturbance of the entire ecosystem and the production of toxins by cyanobacteria. Contact with cyanotoxins is extremely dangerous, both for humans and animals. Cyanotoxins can be divided according to the nature of their interaction. There are: neurotoxins, dermatotoxins, hepatotoxins and cytotoxins. Each of these groups has a different mechanism of action and causes different effects in the body. There are many possible routes of exposure to toxins. Toxins can also bioaccumulate leading to risk of consuming fish caught in bloomed water bodies. At the moment, there are no effective ways to combat water blooms or clean them of toxins. The aim of this study is to draw attention to the problem posed by mass blooms of cyanobacteria in water reservoirs.