Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms in Aquatic Ecosystems: A Comprehensive Outlook on Current and Emerging Mitigation and Control Approaches

Abstract

An intensification of toxic cyanobacteria blooms has occurred over the last three decades, severely affecting coastal and lake water quality in many parts of the world. Extensive research is being conducted in an attempt to gain a better understanding of the driving forces that alter the ecological balance in water bodies and of the biological role of the secondary metabolites, toxins included, produced by the cyanobacteria. In the long-term, such knowledge may help to develop the needed procedures to restore the phytoplankton community to the pre-toxic blooms era. In the short-term, the mission of the scientific community is to develop novel approaches to mitigate the blooms and thereby restore the ability of affected communities to enjoy coastal and lake waters. Here, we critically review some of the recently proposed, currently leading, and potentially emerging mitigation approaches in-lake novel methodologies and applications relevant to drinking-water treatment.

Can Alkyl Quaternary Ammonium Cations Substitute H2O2 in Controlling Cyanobacterial Blooms—Laboratory and Mesocosm Studies

“…5%, whereas it was only 57.0% after H2O2. Currently, one of the major drawbacks of using algaecide for cyanobacterial bloom control is their limit in longevity, an important criterion in the selection of the proper cyanocide to be applied [5]. Most likely, the difference between the two cyanocides used here relates to the fact that H2O2 is rapidly degraded by biological and physicochemical Currently, one of the major drawbacks of using algaecide for cyanobacterial bloom control is their limit in longevity, an important criterion in the selection of the proper cyanocide to be applied [5].…”

“…Currently, one of the major drawbacks of using algaecide for cyanobacterial bloom control is their limit in longevity, an important criterion in the selection of the proper cyanocide to be applied [5]. Most likely, the difference between the two cyanocides used here relates to the fact that H2O2 is rapidly degraded by biological and physicochemical Currently, one of the major drawbacks of using algaecide for cyanobacterial bloom control is their limit in longevity, an important criterion in the selection of the proper cyanocide to be applied [5]. Most likely, the difference between the two cyanocides used here relates to the fact that H 2 O 2 is rapidly degraded by biological and physicochemical processes, whereas the ODTMA-Br (C18), which stays in the aqueous system as micelles or by binding to solid particles, is far more stable [14].…”

“…In the whole lake experiment, the selective damage of H 2 O 2 to cyanobacteria was further aggravated [11,38]. The specific advantage of H 2 O 2 is more significant when two applications of a low concentration of H 2 O 2 are applied [5,34]. Meanwhile, ODTMA-Br (C18) exerts a selective effect on cyanobacteria, green algae and diatoms [21].…”

“…Several strategies have been developed to mitigate cyanobacterial blooms, including physical, chemical and biological methods [5]. Each strategy has its own advantages and disadvantages.…”

“…Among these strategies, the application of cyanocides is considered a rapid and affordable approach to control the growth of cyanobacteria and their bloom [17]. Particularly, the application of chemical methods is routinely used to control toxic cyanoHABs [5].…”