Centre for Ecology and Evolution in Microbial Model Systems, Linnaeus University, Kalmar, Sweden.
University of Concepcion, EULA Center, CRHIAM Center (ANID/FONDAP/15130015), Concepcion, Chile.
Harmful Algae. 2023 Jun;125:102429. doi: 10.1016/j.hal.2023.102429. Epub 2023 Mar 25.
Cyanobacterial blooms have serious adverse effects on human and environmental health. In Latin America, one of the main world's freshwater reserves, information on this phenomenon remains sparse. To assess the current situation, we gathered reports of cyanobacterial blooms and associated cyanotoxins in freshwater bodies from South America and the Caribbean (Latitude 22° N to 45° S) and compiled the regulation and monitoring procedures implemented in each country. As the operational definition of what is a cyanobacterial bloom remains controversial, we also analyzed the criteria used to determine the phenomena in the region. From 2000 to 2019, blooms were reported in 295 water bodies distributed in 14 countries, including shallow and deep lakes, reservoirs, and rivers. Cyanotoxins were found in nine countries and high concentrations of microcystins were reported in all types of water bodies. Blooms were defined according to different, and sometimes arbitrary criteria including qualitative (changes in water color, scum presence), quantitative (abundance), or both. We found 13 different cell abundance thresholds defining bloom events, from 2 × 10 to 1 × 10 cells mL. The use of different criteria hampers the estimation of bloom occurrence, and consequently the associated risks and economic impacts. The large differences between countries in terms of number of studies, monitoring efforts, public access to the data and regulations regarding cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins highlights the need to rethink cyanobacterial bloom monitoring, seeking common criteria. General policies leading to solid frameworks based on defined criteria are needed to improve the assessment of cyanobacterial blooms in Latin America. This review represents a starting point toward common approaches for cyanobacterial monitoring and risk assessment, needed to improve regional environmental policies.
蓝藻水华对人类和环境健康有严重的不利影响。在拉丁美洲，作为世界主要的淡水储备地之一，有关这一现象的信息仍然很少。为了评估现状，我们收集了来自南美洲和加勒比地区（南纬 22°至 45°）的淡水体中蓝藻水华和相关蓝藻毒素的报告，并汇编了每个国家实施的规定和监测程序。由于蓝藻水华的操作定义仍然存在争议，我们还分析了该地区用于确定该现象的标准。从 2000 年到 2019 年，在 14 个国家的 295 个水体中报告了水华，包括浅湖和深湖、水库和河流。在 9 个国家发现了蓝藻毒素，在所有类型的水体中都报告了高浓度的微囊藻毒素。水华根据不同的、有时是任意的标准来定义，包括定性（水质变化、浮沫存在）、定量（丰度）或两者兼而有之。我们发现了 13 个不同的细胞丰度阈值来定义水华事件，从 2×10 到 1×10 个细胞/mL。使用不同的标准阻碍了水华发生的估计，从而也阻碍了相关风险和经济影响的评估。各国在研究数量、监测工作、公众获取有关蓝藻和蓝藻毒素的数据和法规方面存在巨大差异，这突出表明需要重新思考蓝藻水华监测，寻求共同的标准。需要制定基于明确标准的综合政策，以改善拉丁美洲蓝藻水华的评估。本综述代表了针对蓝藻监测和风险评估的共同方法的起点，这是改善区域环境政策所必需的。
