Cyanobacteria

(unknown species)

Classification

  • Kingdom: Bacteria

  • Phylum: Cyanobacteria

  • Class: Varies across different orders

  • Order: Multiple, including Nostocales and Chroococcales

  • Family: Multiple, depending on genus and species

  • Common Examples: Nostoc, Anabaena, Spirulina, Microcystis

Identification

  • Appearance: Typically blue-green, although some are green, brown, or red. Can form mats, blooms, or be filamentous.

  • Cell Structure: Prokaryotic, often with visible gas vacuoles, and sometimes with specialized cells like heterocysts for nitrogen fixation.

Habitat

  • Distribution: Global, found in freshwater, marine, and terrestrial environments.

  • Natural Habitat: Ponds, lakes, rivers, and occasionally on moist soils and rocks. Some species are thermophilic and found in hot springs.

Ecological Role

  • Photosynthesis: Major contributors to aquatic primary production through oxygenic photosynthesis.

  • Nitrogen Fixation: Some species fix atmospheric nitrogen, enriching nutrient-poor environments.

  • Food Web: Serve as a primary food source for a variety of aquatic organisms.

Bloom Dynamics

  • Causes: Often proliferate excessively due to nutrient pollution (e.g., phosphorus and nitrogen from agricultural runoff).

  • Impacts: Can create hypoxic conditions when decomposing, leading to fish kills and loss of biodiversity.

  • Toxin Production: Some species produce harmful toxins (e.g., microcystins) that can affect wildlife, livestock, and humans.

Uses

  • Agricultural: Used as biofertilizers due to their nitrogen-fixing capabilities.

  • Nutritional Supplements: Species like Spirulina are harvested for high protein supplements.

  • Biofuel Production: Being explored for sustainable production of biofuels due to their high lipid content.

Conservation and Management

  • Monitoring: Regular monitoring of water bodies to prevent harmful blooms.

  • Management Practices: Implementing nutrient management strategies to reduce bloom occurrence.

  • Research: Ongoing research into ecological impacts, toxin management, and potential commercial applications.

Health and Safety

  • Human Exposure: Can cause skin irritation, gastrointestinal distress, or severe poisoning if contaminated water is ingested.

  • Water Treatment: Essential to treat water affected by toxic blooms to make it safe for drinking and recreational use.