Origin of Saxitoxin Biosynthetic Genes in Cyanobacteria

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Origin of Saxitoxin Biosynthetic Genes in Cyanobacteria Origin of Saxitoxin Biosynthetic Genes in Cyanobacteria Ahmed Moustafa1., Jeannette E. Loram2., Jeremiah D. Hackett3, Donald M. Anderson4, F. Gerald Plumley2, Debashish Bhattacharya1,5* 1 Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America, 2 Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, St. George’s, Bermuda, 3 Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States of America, 4 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America, 5 Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States of America Abstract Background: Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is a potentially fatal syndrome associated with the consumption of shellfish that have accumulated saxitoxin (STX). STX is produced by microscopic marine dinoflagellate algae. Little is known about the origin and spread of saxitoxin genes in these under-studied eukaryotes. Fortuitously, some freshwater cyanobacteria also produce STX, providing an ideal model for studying its biosynthesis. Here we focus on saxitoxin-producing cyanobacteria and their non-toxic sisters to elucidate the origin of genes involved in the putative STX biosynthetic pathway. Methodology/Principal Findings: We generated a draft genome assembly of the saxitoxin-producing (STX+) cyanobacterium Anabaena circinalis ACBU02 and searched for 26 candidate saxitoxin-genes (named sxtA to sxtZ) that were recently identified in the toxic strain Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii T3. We also generated a draft assembly of the non- toxic (STX2) sister Anabaena circinalis ACFR02 to aid the identification of saxitoxin-specific genes. Comparative phylogenomic analyses revealed that nine putative STX genes were horizontally transferred from non-cyanobacterial sources, whereas one key gene (sxtA) originated in STX+ cyanobacteria via two independent horizontal transfers followed by fusion. In total, of the 26 candidate saxitoxin-genes, 13 are of cyanobacterial provenance and are monophyletic among the STX+ taxa, four are shared amongst STX+ and STX-cyanobacteria, and the remaining nine genes are specific to STX+ cyanobacteria. Conclusions/Significance: Our results provide evidence that the assembly of STX genes in ACBU02 involved multiple HGT events from different sources followed presumably by coordination of the expression of foreign and native genes in the common ancestor of STX+ cyanobacteria. The ability to produce saxitoxin was subsequently lost multiple independent times resulting in a nested relationship of STX+ and STX2 strains among Anabaena circinalis strains. Citation: Moustafa A, Loram JE, Hackett JD, Anderson DM, Plumley FG, et al. (2009) Origin of Saxitoxin Biosynthetic Genes in Cyanobacteria. PLoS ONE 4(6): e5758. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0005758 Editor: Jason E. Stajich, University of California, Berkeley, United States of America Received February 4, 2009; Accepted April 20, 2009; Published June 1, 2009 Copyright: ß 2009 Moustafa et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Funding: This work was funded by a collaborative grant from the National Science Foundation (EF-0732440) awarded to FGP, DB, JDH, and DMA. AM was supported by an Institutional NRSA (T32 GM98629) from the National Institutes of Health and a NIEHS grant (R01 ES013679-01A2) awarded to DB and DMA. Funding support was also provided through grants from the NSF/NIEHS Centers for Oceans and Human Health, NIEHS P50 ES 012742 and NSF OCE-043072 to DMA. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist. * E-mail: [email protected] . These authors contributed equally to this work. Introduction in the future ameliorate the most significant impacts from STX toxicity that derive from dinoflagellate red tides in marine systems. Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is a potentially fatal syndrome Recent analyses of STX-producing cyanobacteria have signif- associated with the consumption of shellfish that have accumulated icantly advanced our understanding of saxitoxin biosynthesis via toxins produced by microscopic marine algae. This phenomenon isolation and characterization of enzymes putatively involved in is the most widespread of the poisoning syndromes caused by the STX pathway; e.g., S-adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, blooms of toxic algae, commonly referred to as ‘‘red tides’’ or methionine aminopeptidase [2], sulfotransferase [3], Na(+)-depen- ‘‘harmful algal blooms’’, (HABs). The impacts of HABs on marine dent transporter [4], aminotransferase, and O-carbamoyltransfer- ecosystems and the seafood industry are substantial. STX, the ase [5]. A recent study provided the complete sequence (,35 kb) etiological agent of PSP, is produced by a small number of marine of a putative STX biosynthesis gene cluster encoding 26 proteins dinoflagellates and freshwater filamentous cyanobacteria [1]. in the toxic (STX+) strain Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii T3. The These latter taxa are a promising model for identifying putative cluster (with genes named sxtA to sxtZ) was identified using saxitoxin genes and to elucidating their evolutionary history genome-walking upstream and downstream of the gene encoding because of the small genome sizes of cyanobacteria and the wealth O-carbamoyltransferase, which was initially isolated using degen- of available prokaryotic genomic data. Knowledge about STX erate PCR [6]. Preliminary sequence similarity analyses predicted genes and their regulation in cyanobacteria could potentially help the putative functions and origins for each of the 26 STX genes. PLoS ONE | www.plosone.org 1 June 2009 | Volume 4 | Issue 6 | e5758 Origin of Saxitoxin Genes Although not yet substantiated by biochemical or molecular e-value,1E-3). Of the 4,771 predicted proteins that had significant genetic analyses these promising data imply an important role for hits, 4,474 (93.8%) had the closest matches to cyanobacterial taxa, horizontal gene transfer (HGT) in the assembly of the STX gene of which the most frequent matching taxa were Nostoc punctiforme cluster in Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii T3. (1,450 hits), Nodularia spumigena (882 hits), Anabaena variabilis (752 Given this information, here we utilized a combined genomic hits), and Nostoc sp. (594 hits). For the remaining 6.2% of the and phylogenetic approach to investigate in detail the evolutionary predicted proteins, the best hits were distributed among other history and genomic characteristics of putative STX genes in bacterial phyla, of which the most frequent were proteobacteria, saxitoxin-producing cyanobacteria. We used the predicted STX firmicutes, and planctomycetes, in descending order. gene cluster in Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii T3 as ‘‘bait’’ to identify homologs in other toxic and non-toxic strains. To this end, we Gene families generated novel genome data from the STX+ cyanobacterium We identified 3,483 gene families, of which 3,024 (86.8%) are Anabaena circinalis ACBU02 and posed the following questions: 1) single-copy genes and 30 families (0.86%) contain greater than 10 Are all of the Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii T3 candidate STX genes genes per family. The largest gene family has 212 members (4% of present in ACBU02? 2) If not, which genes and functions form the the predicted genes) encoding proteins that contain serine/ core set that is conserved across different taxa? and, 3) what are threonine-specific protein kinases and tetratricopeptide repeat the phylogenetic origins of these genes? (TPR) domains. The second largest family is of size 84 genes (1.6% of the predicted set) encoding ATP-binding cassette (ABC) Results and Discussion transporters. 16S rRNA phylogeny Broad patterns of STX gene origins We examined the evolutionary relationships between STX+ The 26 putative STX genes identified by Kellmann et al. [6] in and STX2 cyanobacterial strains by constructing a 16S rRNA the toxic cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii T3 were used phylogenetic tree that focused on this branch of the tree of life (see as a query to retrieve homologs in GenBank. Taxon sampling was Figure 1A). The phylogeny indicates that STX+ and STX2 maximized with the use of the NCBI nr protein database with the strains of the cyanobacterial species, Anabaena circinalis, Aphanizo- addition of the predicted proteomes from the STX+ and STX2 menon flos-aquae, and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii are evolutionary strains of Anabaena circinalis ACBU02 and ACFR02, respectively. closely related and each form monophyletic clades. This suggests Our preliminary assembly of the ACFR02 data identified 583 that toxicity as a character was either gained in the toxic strains contigs that sum to 4.4 Mb of unique genome sequence, encoding through independent HGTs or alternatively, is an ancestral trait 5,203 predicted proteins. We have used these data as a rough for these cyanobacteria and was lost from the non-toxic strains. An guide to strengthen our inferences about ACBU02 genome argument that favors the latter scenario is the known complexity of evolution. The ACFR02 genome is currently being completed the STX biosynthetic pathway and the low likelihood of and will be published in the near future. convergent
Recommended publications
  • Cyanobacterial Toxins: Saxitoxins
    WHO/SDE/WSH/xxxxx English only Cyanobacterial toxins: Saxitoxins Background document for development of WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality and Guidelines for Safe Recreational Water Environments Version for Public Review Nov 2019 © World Health Organization 20XX Preface Information on cyanobacterial toxins, including saxitoxins, is comprehensively reviewed in a recent volume to be published by the World Health Organization, “Toxic Cyanobacteria in Water” (TCiW; Chorus & Welker, in press). This covers chemical properties of the toxins and information on the cyanobacteria producing them as well as guidance on assessing the risks of their occurrence, monitoring and management. In contrast, this background document focuses on reviewing the toxicological information available for guideline value derivation and the considerations for deriving the guideline values for saxitoxin in water. Sections 1-3 and 8 are largely summaries of respective chapters in TCiW and references to original studies can be found therein. To be written by WHO Secretariat Acknowledgements To be written by WHO Secretariat 5 Abbreviations used in text ARfD Acute Reference Dose bw body weight C Volume of drinking water assumed to be consumed daily by an adult GTX Gonyautoxin i.p. intraperitoneal i.v. intravenous LOAEL Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level neoSTX Neosaxitoxin NOAEL No Observed Adverse Effect Level P Proportion of exposure assumed to be due to drinking water PSP Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning PST paralytic shellfish toxin STX saxitoxin STXOL saxitoxinol
    [Show full text]
  • Environmental Health Australia
    Environmental Health The Journal of the Australian Institute of Environmental Health ...linking...linking thethe sciencescience andand practicepractice ofof EnvironmentalEnvironmental HealthHealth Environmental Health The Journal of the Australian Institute of Environmental Health ABN 58 000 031 998 Advisory Board Ms Jan Bowman, Department of Human Services, Victoria Professor Valerie A. Brown AO, University of Western Sydney Dr Nancy Cromar, Flinders University Associate Professor Heather Gardner Mr Murray McCafferty, Acting Company Secretary, Australian Institute of Environmental Health Mr John Murrihy, Bayside City Council, Victoria and Director, Australian Institute of Environmental Health Mr Ron Pickett, Curtin University Dr Eve Richards, TAFE Tasmania Dr Thomas Tenkate, Queensland Health Editor Associate Professor Heather Gardner Editorial Committee Dr Ross Bailie, Menzies School of Health Research Mr Dean Bertolatti, Curtin University of Technology Mr Peter Davey, Griffith University Ms Louise Dunn, Swinburne University of Technology Professor Christine Ewan, University of Wollongong Associate Professor Howard Fallowfield, Flinders University Ms Jane Heyworth, University of Western Australia Mr Stuart Heggie, Tropical Public Health Unit, Cairns Dr Deborah Hennessy, Developing Health Care, Kent, UK Professor Steve Hrudey, University of Alberta, Canada Professor Michael Jackson, University of Strathclyde, Scotland Mr Ross Jackson, Maddock Lonie & Chisholm, Melbourne Mr Steve Jeffes, TAFE Tasmania Mr Eric Johnson, Department of Health
    [Show full text]
  • Abstract Phylogenetic Analysis of the Symbiotic
    ABSTRACT PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF THE SYMBIOTIC NOSTOC CYANOBACTERIA AS ASSESSED BY THE NITROGEN FIXATION (NIFD) GENE by Hassan S. Salem Members of the genus Nostoc are the most commonly encountered cyanobacterial partners in terrestrial symbiotic systems. The objective of this study was to determine the taxonomic position of the various symbionts within the genus Nostoc, in addition to examining the evolutionary relationships between symbiont and free-living strains within the genus by analyzing the complete sequences of the nitrogen fixation (nif) genes. NifD was sequenced from thirty-two representative strains, and phylogenetically analyzed using the Maximum likelihood and Bayesian criteria. Such analyses indicate at least three well-supported clusters exist within the genus, with moderate bootstrap support for the differentiation between symbiont and free-living strains. Our analysis suggests 2 major patterns for the evolution of symbiosis within the genus Nostoc. The first resulting in the symbiosis with a broad range of plant groups, while the second exclusively leads to a symbiotic relationship with the aquatic water fern, Azolla. PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF THE SYMBIOTIC NOSTOC CYANOBACTERIA AS ASSESSED BY THE NITROGEN FIXATION (NIFD) GENE A Thesis Submitted to the Faculty of Miami University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Department of Botany by Hassan S. Salem Miami University Oxford, Ohio 2010 Advisor________________________ (Susan Barnum) Reader_________________________ (Nancy Smith-Huerta)
    [Show full text]
  • CONTRIBUTION of Anabaena Circinalis TO
    CONTRIBUTION OF Anabaena circinalis TO GEOSMIN LEVELS IN LAKE SPAVINAW AND LAKE EUCHA By JEANA W. DAVIS Bachelor of Science University of Tennessee Martin, TN 1978 Submitted to the Faculty of the Graduate College of the Oklahoma State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE July 2004 CONTRIBUTION OF Anabaena circinalis TO GEOSMIN LEVELS IN LAKE SPA VINA W AND LAKE EUCHA ~ 1hesis Ad isor ~~ ~-- 11 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This project was made possible by my co-workers at the city of Tulsa. Many thanks for their time and expertise. The research could not have been done without the many extra analysis they performed. Their willingness to assist made this project feasible. Many thanks to, Dr. William Clarkson for his guidance, patience and wonderful sense of humor. My appreciation to Dr. Dan Storm and Dr. Ken Ede for their support and direction. Dr Greg Wilber and Dr. Burnap in Stillwater were very helpful with locating chemicals and generous offers of good advice. Dr. Mark Payton's help with statistical analysis on a mere mountain of parameters was greatly appreciated. And thanks to Dr. George Izaguirre, Metropolitan Water District of California, for advice with algal cultures. I am indebted for the support of family and friends, their support and understanding was and is invaluable. My admiration goes to Ellen Swallow Richards who planted the seed for ecology. It is over 100 years later and we are still working toward her ideals of clean water, air and food standards 111 TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter Page I. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Anabaena Circinalis Identifying STX Synthesis Genes
    A comprehensive comparative genomic approach for identifying saxitoxin synthesis genes Jeremiah D. Hackett Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology University of Arizona Saxitoxin genomics is a collaborative effort PI: Gerry Plumley Debashish Bhattacharya Don Anderson Jeremiah Hackett Jeanette Loram Ahmed Moustafa Origin and assembly of the saxitoxin biosynthetic pathway in cyanobacteria Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) • Potentially fatal syndrome • Shellfish accumulate toxins • Most wide-spread toxic syndrome associated with algae • Affects humans, marine mammals and sea birds Saxitoxin (STX) • Most potent non-protein toxin • LD50 ~8 ug/kg • In vivo, produced from 3 arginine, 1 methionine, 1 acetate • ~20 related compounds • Potent and selective sodium channel blocker • “Black capsule” poison R1 R2 R3 STX H H NH2 - GTX2/3 OSO3 (α/β) H NH2 Saxitoxin GTX5 H H NH- OSO3- C1/2 OSO3- (α/β) H NH- OSO3- NEO H OH NH2 - GTX1/4 OSO3 (α/β) OH NH2 GTX6 H OH NH- OSO3- C3/4 OSO3- (α/β) OH NH- OSO3- PSP producing organisms Dinoflagellates Cyanobacteria Alexandrium catenella Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii Pyrodinium bahamense Anabaena circinalis Identifying STX synthesis genes • STX is a unique compound, novel genes. • Dinoflagellates have the greatest PSP impact, but have large genomes. • Analysis of STX+ cyanobacterial genomes could accelerate discovery of STX genes Candidate saxitoxin synthesis cluster in cyanobacteria Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii Kellmann et al. 2008 Preliminary annotation of these genes suggests gene transfer had a role
    [Show full text]
  • The Beach Manager's Manual: Harmful Algal Blooms
    The Beach Manager’s Manual HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS WHAT ARE HABs? Harmful algal blooms, commonly referred to as HABs, are an environmentally complex problem throughout the world. When algae grows rapidly in a confined area, grows to the point where a microscope is not needed to see it, or when it grows rapidly to form a dense population, it is referred to as an algal bloom. Blooms can be found within most growth; however, they are bacteria. bodies of water throughout the High nutrient levels, warm water Great Lakes. They thrive in shallow, temperatures and high light levels warm, non-moving bodies of water — or a combination of all three like bays, smaller lakes and ponds. A factors — may stimulate the rapid HAB, is a bloom of blue-green algae reproduction of cyanobacteria that contains toxins. HABs can cause until it dominates the local aquatic fish kills, foul up nearby coastlines ecosystem, forming an algae bloom. and produce conditions that pose health risks to aquatic life, as well as Cyanobacteria can survive in many humans. aquatic environments ranging from deep-sea vents in the Atlantic Ocean to the pond in your local park. Cyanobacterial blooms vary in appearance and can appear as foam, scum, or mats on the surface of freshwater lakes and ponds. These blooms may manifest in a variety of colors, including blue- green, bright green, brown, or red.1 Visual observation of a water body alone will not confirm the presence of cyanobacteria, nor can it confirm Figure 1. Harmful algal bloom formation in the the presence of toxins in the water.
    [Show full text]
  • Annual Report
    The Cooperative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment is an unincorporated joint venture between: ACTEW Corporation Australian Water Quality Centre Australian Water Services Pty Ltd Brisbane City Council 2006 - 2007 Centre for Appropriate Technology Inc Annual Report City West Water Limited CSIRO Curtin University of Technology Department of Human Services Victoria Griffith University Melbourne Water Corporation Monash University Orica Australia Pty Ltd Power and Water Corporation Queensland Health Pathology & Scientific Services RMIT University South Australian Water Corporation South East Water Ltd Sydney Catchment Authority Sydney Water Corporation The University of Adelaide CRC for Water Quality and Treatment The University of New South Wales Private Mail Bag 3 The University of Queensland Salisbury United Water International Pty Ltd SOUTH AUSTRALIA 5108 University of South Australia Tel: (08) 8259 0351 University of Technology, Sydney Water Corporation Fax: (08) 8259 0228 Water Services Association of Australia E-mail: [email protected] Yarra Valley Water Ltd Web: www.waterquality.crc.org.au 2006 - 2007 Annual Report To assist the Australian water industry produce high quality drinking water at an affordable price. Mission To assist the Australian water industry produce high quality drinking water at an affordable price. Vision By 2010, the Australian water industry will have achieved a high level of community confidence in the safety and We Received Other quality of the country’s water supply systems. Research 10% Cash from Grant undertaken by the Centre will have laid a solid foundation 20% for evidence based investment decisions for water infrastructure, as well as providing innovative solutions for achieving enhanced aesthetic water quality that meets community needs.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 3. CYANOBACTERIAL TOXINS
    Toxic Cyanobacteria in Water: A guide to their public health consequences, monitoring and management Edited by Ingrid Chorus and Jamie Bartram © 1999 WHO ISBN 0-419-23930-8 Chapter 3. CYANOBACTERIAL TOXINS This chapter was prepared by Kaarina Sivonen and Gary Jones The cyanotoxins are a diverse group of natural toxins, both from the chemical and the toxicological points of view. In spite of their aquatic origin, most of the cyanotoxins that have been identified to date appear to be more hazardous to terrestrial mammals than to aquatic biota. Cyanobacteria produce a variety of unusual metabolites, the natural function of which is unclear, although some, perhaps only coincidentally, elicit effects upon other biota. Research has primarily focused on compounds that impact upon humans and livestock, either as toxins or as pharmaceutically useful substances. Further ranges of non-toxic products are also being found in cyanobacteria and the biochemical and pharmacological properties of these are totally unknown. An overview of the currently identified cyanotoxins is given in section 3.1 and their toxicological properties are discussed in Chapter 4. Studies on the occurrence, distribution and frequency of toxic cyanobacteria were conducted in a number of countries during the 1980s using mouse bioassay. Analytical methods suitable for quantitative toxin determination only became available in the late 1980s, but studies of specific cyanotoxins have been increasing since then. The results of both approaches indicate that neurotoxins are generally less common, except perhaps in some countries where they frequently cause lethal animal poisonings. In contrast, the cyclic peptide toxins (microcystins and nodularins) which primarily cause liver injury are more widespread and are very likely to occur if certain taxa of cyanobacteria are present.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessing Taxonomic Issues with the Genera Anabaena, Aphanizomenon and Nostoc Using Morphology, 16S Rrna and Efp Genes
    Assessing Taxonomic Issues with the Genera Anabaena, Aphanizomenon and Nostoc Using Morphology, 16S rRNA and efp genes by Orietta Beltrami A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfillment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Master of Science in Biology Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2008 © Orietta Beltrami 2008 I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the general public. ii ABSTRACT Cyanobacteria are an ancient lineage of gram-negative photosynthetic prokaryotes that play an important role in the nitrogen cycle in terrestrial and aquatic systems. Widespread cyanobacterial blooms have prompted numerous studies on the classification of this group, however defining species is problematic due to lack of clarity as to which characters best define the various taxonomic levels. The genera Anabaena, Aphanizomenon and Nostoc form one of the most controversial groups and are typically paraphyletic within phylogenetic trees and share similar morphological characters. This study’s purpose was to determine the taxonomic and phylogenetic relationships among isolates from these three genera using 16S rRNA and bacterial elongation factor P (efp) gene sequences as well as morphological analyses. These data confirmed the non- monophyly of Anabaena and Aphanizomenon and demonstrated that many of the isolates were intermixed among various clades in both gene phylogenies. In addition, the genus Nostoc was clearly not monophyletic and this finding differed from previous studies. The genetic divergence of the genus Nostoc was confirmed based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities (≥85.1%), and the isolates of Anabaena were genetically differentiated, contrary to previous studies (16S rRNA gene sequence similarities ≥89.4%).
    [Show full text]
  • Human Health Effects from Harmful Algal Blooms: a Synthesis
    Human Health Effects from Harmful Algal Blooms: a Synthesis Submitted by the HPAB to the International Joint Commission November 22, 2013 Preface Harmful algal blooms have increased in frequency and severity over the past several years in Lake Erie and other parts of the Great Lakes basin. Meanwhile, environmental health scientists have been describing the potential human health impacts associated with harmful algal blooms. The revised Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement puts more emphasis on preventing human health effects from the waters of the Great Lakes. As a result of all these factors, the International Joint Commission’s Health Professionals Advisory Board (HPAB) wanted to synthesize the existing literature on the human health effects from harmful algal blooms. By summarizing the current state of science on this topic, other environmental health scientists or subsequent work by HPAB can further the understanding of this human health concern, raise awareness, and protect the public. The Commission provided resources for a contractor to conduct the literature review with the oversight of the Board. Several public health experts in harmful algal blooms, a subset of Health Board members, a Science Advisory Board member, and a Commission staff member contributed to the report. The report was approved unanimously by all the members of the Health Professionals Advisory Board. Marg Sanborn, HPAB Canadian Co-Chair - John Dellinger, HPAB US Co-Chair 1 Author and Contributors Lead Author: Wayne W. Carmichael, Professor Emeritus, Department of Biological Sciences, Wright State University Contributors and Editors: Lorraine C. Backer, National Center for Environmental Health Laurie M. Billing, Ohio Department of Health Sylvie Blais, Ministry of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks (Quebec) James B.
    [Show full text]
  • Display PDF in Separate
    NRA THE MANAGEMENT OF BLUE-GREEN ALGAL BLOOMS IN SOUTH-EAST AUSTRALIA A REPORT ON THE VISIT TO AUSTRALIA BY M J. PEARSON AND AJ.D. FERGUSON IN JANUARY/FEBRUARY 1993 National Rivers Authority Anglian Region ^ c w , I 6 * y ( FIGURE 1 - BLUE-GREEN ALGAE ON THE MURRAY-DARLING RIVER CONTENTS Page 1. INTRODUCTION 3 Background 3 Objectives 5 Organisation of The Tour 5 2. NEW SOUTH WALES 7 Management Framework for Water 7 Meetings and Visits 7 Urban Problems in Sydney 7 Seminar on New South Wales Experiences 9 Visit to Hawkesbury River and Warragamba Reservoir 13 Helicopter Flight 13 Seminar on Blue-Green Algae - Warragamba 14 New South Wales’ Algal Co-ordinating Committee 17 Seminar on UK Experience - Mick Pearson 20 Meeting with John Millington, Director Water Resources 20 Department Comments on New South Wales* Visit 20 3. QUEENSLAND 23 introduction 23 Meeting at James Cook University 23 Visit to Palm Island 24 Symposium on Blue-Green Algae, Hotel Cleveland, Townsville 25 Comment on Queensland Visit 26 4. CANBERRA 29 Meeting with Professor Cullen 29 Meeting with CSIRO 29 Meeting at the Murray-Darling Basin Commission 31 Comment on the Visit to Canberra 32 5. VICTORIA 35 Site Visits in Victoria 35 Meetings at the Rural Water Corporation, Armadadale, 37 Melbourne Seminar on UK Experience - Mick Pearson 42 Comment on the Visit to Victoria 42 - l - 6. SOUTH AUSTRALIA Meeting at the Engineering and Water Supply Dept. Water 44 Supply Contingency Planning Committee Meeting at University of Adelaide 46 Meeting with South Australian Health Commission 47 Seminar on the UK Experience - Mick Pearson 48 Analysis and Water Treatment 48 Site Visits 49 Visit to Lake Alexandrina 51 Comment on our Visit to South Australia 51 7.
    [Show full text]
  • Management Strategies for Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae): a Guide for Water Utilities
    Water Quality Research Australia membership at May 2010 Industry Members Australian Water Association Ltd Barwon Region Water Corporation Ben Lomond Water Central Gippsland Regional Water Corporation Central Highlands Water City West Water Ltd Coliban Region Water Corporation Degrémont Pty Ltd Department of Human Services (Vic) Management Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water Corporation Goulburn Valley Regional Water Corporation Hunter Water Corporation Water Quality Research Australia Limited Melbourne Water Corporation Strategies for GPO BOX 1751, Adelaide SA 5001 Power & Water Corporation South Australian Water Corporation For more information about WQRA visit the website South East Water Limited www.wqra.com.au Cyanobacteria Sydney Catchment Authority United Water International Pty Ltd Wannon Region Water Corporation Water Corporation of WA Research Report 74 (blue-green algae): Yarra Valley Water Ltd Research Members Australian Water Quality Centre a Guide for Water Centre for Appropriate Technology ChemCentre Curtin University of Technology Flinders University Utilities Griffith University Monash University Murdoch University RMIT University University of Adelaide University of Newcastle University of NSW University of Queensland The Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) for Water Quality and University of South Australia Treatment operated for 13 years as Australia’s national drinking University of Technology, Sydney water research centre. It was established and supported under the University of Wollongong Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Program. Victoria University The CRC for Water Quality and Treatment officially ended General Members in October 2008, and has been succeeded by Water Quality Research Australia Limited (WQRA), a company funded by the Department of Water (WA) Australian water industry. WQRA will undertake collaborative GHD research of national application on drinking water quality, recycled Lower Murray Urban and Rural Water Corporation water and relevant areas of wastewater management.
    [Show full text]