Cyanobacteria harmful algae blooms: causes, impacts, and risk management

Abstract

Cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (cHABs) are increasingly becoming an emerging threat to aquatic life, ecotourism, and certain real estate investments. Their spontaneous yet sporadic occurrence has made mitigation measures a cumbersome task; moreover, current trends regarding anthropogenic activities, especially in agriculture and industry portend further undesirable events. Apart from the aesthetic degeneration they create in their respective habitats, they are equally capable of secreting toxins, which altogether present grave environmental and medical consequences. In this paper, we gave an update on factors that influence cHABs, cyanotoxin exposure routes, and environmental public health implications, especially impacts on fish, pets, and livestock. We discussed social economic impacts, risk assessment, and management problems for cHABs and, thereafter, assessed the extant management approaches including prevention, control, and mitigation of the proliferation of cyanobacterial blooms. In light of this, we suggest that more intensified research should be directed to the standardization of procedures for cyanotoxin analysis. Also, the provision of standardized reference material for the quantification of cyanotoxins is vital for routine monitoring as well as the development of strong in situ sensors capable of quantifying and detecting HABs cells and toxins in waterbodies to prevent the adverse impacts of cHABs. Also, more investigations into the natural and environmentally friendly approach to cyanobacteria management and the necessary and appropriate deployment of artificial intelligence are required. Finally, we wish to redirect the focus of public health authorities to protecting drinking water supply sources, agriculture products, and food sources from cyanotoxins contamination as well as to implement proper monitoring and treatment procedures to protect citizens from this potential health threat.