Harmful benthic cyanobacterial blooms in freshwater ecosystems: seasonal development, chemical control and trophic transfer of anatoxins

Freshwater cyanobacterial blooms have increased worldwide. While planktonic cyanobacterial blooms have been the focus of many scientific investigations and regulations, research on benthic cyanobacteria is lagging. Yet we see an increasing number of animal poisonings and water source pollution incidents related to benthic cyanobacteria. In addition, there is growing evidence that benthic cyanobacteria are a significant source of toxins and taste and odor (T&O) compounds in global water bodies. Therefore, researchers have begun to pay increasing attention to the development of benthic cyanobacteria. Mats of benthic cyanobacteria instead of the better-known planktonic blooms present unique challenges to evaluating and managing the public health and environmental risks of cyanobacteria. This research will take freshwater harmful benthic cyanobacteria as the main research object, combining field ecological investigations and laboratory-controlled experimental research using cultures, to investigate (i) the seasonal development of benthic cyanobacteria and its driving factors, (ii) potential effective chemical control strategies, and (iii) trophic transfer of anatoxins in the freshwater food web. This research seeks to provide valuable insights into managing and mitigating harmful benthic cyanobacterial-related issues.