Aerosolization of Bacteria and Toxins from Harmful Cyanobacteria Blooms

Cyanobacteria blooms have become an increasing threat to water quality around the world, including Hudson River tributaries. Due to climate change, nutrient enrichment and other factors, we have begun to see an increase in the extent, duration, and severity of cyanoHABs in freshwater ecosystems. With an increase of cyanoHABs in these freshwater systems there is an increased risk of exposure. There are multiple ways of being exposed to toxins: direct contact, haemodialysis, ingestion and inhalation. There is a lack of research on the threat posed from the aerosolization of cyanobacteria and their toxins, along with the relationship to wind and turbulence intensity. This research provides working protocols for detecting aerosolized cyanobacteria and preliminary water and air quality data from several ponds in the Hudson River watershed. Our analysis of air to water ratios in regards to chlorophyll a and Phycocyanin showed trends matching the literature. As research on cyanobacteria moves forward we need to better understand the effects of potential human and wildlife exposures to cyanobacteria and toxins