Projects / Programmes
The influence of cyanobacteria and their toxins on wate resources
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.03.03 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Biology |
Ecosystems |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B260 |
Biomedical sciences |
Hydrobiology, marine biology, aquatic ecology, limnology |
| B700 |
Biomedical sciences |
Environmental health |
cyanobacteria, biotoxins, hepatotoxins, microcystins, ecotoxinology
Researchers (3)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
02755 |
PhD Mihael Bricelj |
Biology |
Researcher |
1999 - 2001 |
226 |
| 2. |
07744 |
PhD Gorazd Kosi |
Biology |
Researcher |
1999 - 2001 |
359 |
| 3. |
07736 |
PhD Bojan Sedmak |
Biochemistry and molecular biology |
Head |
1999 - 2001 |
232 |
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0105 |
National Institute of Biology |
Ljubljana |
5055784 |
13,283 |
Abstract
-Water eutrophication is a global problem that leads to more frequent and extensive cyanobacterial blooms. They represent a denger for all species, including humans, which come into intimate contact with them. Beside the health hazard to humans and agricultural livestock, blooms have a great influence on the general environmental health and must be considered as a warning of environmental degradation. Human activities are the main cause for enhanced water eutrophication, and therfore we must find better ways for sustainable water management and not repeat the mistakes of the past.
- The main objective of our research proposal is to esatblish the extent of endangerment of different water resources by toxic cyanobacteria, especially in special circumstances, such as heavy blooms. This includes their influence on groundwater and surface water environments. The study of the development of cyanobacterial blooms and their impact on other phytoplankton species will give us new scientific data for bloom control in the future. The seepage of microcystings into ground water will indicate the actual extent of the threat that hepatotoxins may represent to underground drinking water resources.
An Italian group has developed a new sensitive assay for the detection of protein phosphates inhibition from sea water samples.This is also the main hepatotoxin (mycrocystin) biological activity,which is frequently produced by cyanobacteria , and can reach high concentrations in blooms and scums. Our goal is to investigate the suitability of this test for natural frershwater samples, and to simplify it, in order to become an easy tool for rapid detection of hepatoxic and tumour promoting subsatances in freshwaters.
There is some evidence that microcystings act on photosynthesis. Results from experiments designed to test this will be very useful for the understanding of the ecological role microcystings. Better understanding of water ecology will make possible better management of water resources, also helping to preserve species diversity in a stable water environment.
