Environmental factors driving microcystin contamination of estuarine bivalve populations downstream of freshwater cyanobacterial blooms.

Estuaries are dynamic environments that provide vital habitat to ecologically and commercially important bivalves. In some cases, freshwater tributaries can introduce cyanobacteria and associated cyanotoxins into estuaries that may subsequently accumulate in estuarine bivalves. Temporarily open/closed estuaries (TOCEs), which only experience tidal input for limited periods of time, may be particularly vulnerable to the accumulation of cyanotoxins in bivalves as they can be subject to freshwater input without tidal flushing and may experience lower salinities and cyanobacterial blooms.

Sewage-and fertilizer-derived nutrients alter the intensity, diversity, and toxicity of harmful cyanobacterial blooms in eutrophic lakes.

Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CHABs) are promoted by excessive nutrient loading and, while fertilizers and sewage are the most prevalent external nutrient sources in most watersheds, the differential effects of these nutrient sources on CHABs are unknown. Here, we tracked CHABs and performed experiments in five distinct lakes across the Northern US including Lake Erie. Fertilizers with ammonium and orthophosphate, membrane (0.