Strategies for monitoring and managing mass populations of toxic cyanobacteria in recreational waters: a multi-interdisciplinary approach

Andrew N. Tyler, Peter D. Hunter, Laurence Carvalho, Geoffrey A. Codd, Alex Elliott, Claire A. Ferguson, Nick D. Hanley, David W. Hopkins, Stephen C. Maberly, Kathryn J. Mearns, E. Marion Scott

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    32 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Mass populations of toxin-producing cyanobacteria commonly develop in fresh-, brackish- and marine waters and effective strategies for monitoring and managing cyanobacterial health risks are required to safeguard animal and human health. A multi-interdisciplinary study, including two UK freshwaters with a history of toxic cyanobacterial blooms, was undertaken to explore different approaches for the identification, monitoring and management of potentially-toxic cyanobacteria and their associated risks. The results demonstrate that (i) cyanobacterial bloom occurrence can be predicted at a local-and national-scale using process-based and statistical models; (ii) cyanobacterial concentration and distribution in waterbodies can be monitored using remote sensing, but minimum detection limits need to be evaluated; (iii) cyanotoxins may be transferred to spray-irrigated root crops; and (iv) attitudes and perceptions towards risks influence the public's preferences and willingness-to-pay for cyanobacterial health risk reductions in recreational waters.

    Original languageEnglish
    Article numberS11
    JournalEnvironmental Health
    Volume8
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2009

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