Sunday, November 28, 2010

Eutrophication Makes Toxic Cyanobacteria More Toxic

pastedGraphic.pdf


In the Baltic Sea, nitrate levels are on the rise causing Cyanobacteria to bloom in much larger amounts, and causing it to be much more toxic. Cyanobacteria is one of the oldest forms of life on this planet and comes in many forms. Cyanobacteria is also called "blue-green bacteria." Waste water treatment areas near the baltic sea focus on nitrate removal, and pumping the left over nitrates into the sea. Cyanobacteria feeds on nitrates in the water, and if there is more nitrates, there is more Cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria produces a toxin called nodularin - a toxin that attacks the liver. When this toxin is present in large amounts, it has the potential to kill surrounding sea life. This toxin is also difficult to remove from water in water treatment plants, and it may soon start causing problems within humans.


http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/12/101206111442.htm

No comments:

Post a Comment