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The word “cyanobacteria” is disturbing. In summer, it is the most common reason for closing both local and coastal bathing areas. Of course, this state of affairs has its causes – cyanobacteria, and in particular: the toxins they produce can be dangerous to human health. We check how dangerous cyanobacteria can be and what they really are.
- Cyanobacteria are self-nourishing organisms, originally classified as plants, and now prokaryotes in the bacterial kingdom. Some of them contain toxins that are dangerous when they appear in water bodies
- The bloom of cyanobacteria is influenced by three factors: high temperature, gentle rippling of water, as well as access to nitrates and phosphates accelerating the reproductive process
- The toxins produced by cyanobacteria can lead to poisoning. Importantly, it is not only about physical contact, but also air. When we inhale the air rising above the bathing beach where the blooms of cyanobacteria have occurred, we can seriously poison ourselves.
- More current information can be found on the Onet homepage.
Cyanobacteria, also known as cyanophytes, cyanobacteria and cyanoprocaryotes, is a name that refers to a group of self-living organisms that initially belong to plants, however, according to modern literature, they are included among the prokaryotes found in the bacterial kingdom. Cyanobacteria have the ability to photosynthesize – hence their initial matching to plants.
They are extremely resistant organisms, especially to droughts and high temperatures, and therefore they are able to survive in all conditions on Earth. Some cyanobacteria contain toxins, especially dangerous if they appear in water reservoirs. Therefore, when cyanobacteria are found in the sea or lake, bathing areas are closed.
However, it should be remembered that cyanobacteria can also have positive aspects, e.g. enrich the soil by introducing nitrogen compounds that can increase the rice harvest by up to 20 percent.
Recently, cyanobacteria appearing in the Baltic Sea during the holiday season has become particularly loud. Indeed, the hot summer, the salty water of the Baltic Sea, and the numerous rivers that feed it with many pollutants, create ideal conditions for the emergence of cyanobacteria.
This does not mean, however, that the occurrence of these organisms is possible only under such conditions. As already mentioned, cyanobacteria can be found in any environment because they are resistant to long-term droughts and high temperatures.
- Be sure to check out: Cyanobacteria in the Baltic Sea. Where is the water unsuitable for bathing? [MAP]
Due to their characteristic appearance, cyanobacteria are often confused with algae. This is because when it blooms, cyanobacteria float under the water, creating a characteristic green coat that may resemble floating algae from a distance. However, this should not confuse us, because cyanobacteria can produce dangerous substances that will be a threat to human life. Such poisons are not released by algae, which are not dangerous.
See also: Human protein produced by algae
In this case, it is worth realizing that the bloom of cyanobacteria, that is, the mass growth of bacteria, is influenced by three factors: high temperature, gentle waves of water, as well as access to nitrates and phosphates accelerating the process of cyanobacterial reproduction.
Cyanobacteria produce several types of toxins, including:
• hepatotoxins (microcystins, nodularins and cylindrospermopsin);
• neurotoksyny (anatoksyna-a, anatoksyna-a(s) i saksytostyna);
• dermatotoksyna (lynbgyatoksyna-a, aplysiatoksyna i debromoaplysiatoksyna).
They make a person poisoned. It is not only about physical contact, but also the air itself. You can become poisoned by inhaling the air floating above the bathing area where the blooms of cyanobacteria took place.
A characteristic manifestation of cyanobacteria in the sea or in a lake is the unpleasant smell of the water, as well as the thick skins forming on its surface. Cloudy foam can often appear at the edge of the reservoir.
Contact with cyanobacteria – characteristic symptoms
The characteristic symptoms that may indicate that the patient has had contact with cyanobacteria include:
- skin erythema;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- itching;
- Headache;
- abdominal pain;
- muscle aches;
- chills;
- shortness of breath;
- eye irritation;
- fever.
Blisters in the mouth are also common symptoms, and liver damage in the event of contact with any of the hepatotoxins. Although the described symptoms may also occur in the case of other diseases, these are especially characteristic conditions, i.e. exposure to cyanobacteria in a lake or sea despite the prohibition on the water reservoir or when we were not aware of the presence of cyanobacteria in the water.
Some symptoms may go away quickly. However, it all depends on how long we stayed in the water and whether we swallowed cyanosis while swimming.
Contact with cyanobacteria is especially dangerous for children who should be under medical supervision after the appearance of at least one of the symptoms mentioned.
The poisonous compounds produced by cyanobacteria can seriously damage internal organs. However, everything depends on toxins. Hepatoxins especially affect the liver – they damage the cells of this organ. Moreover, their negative effect on the kidneys has been found. Neurotoxins, in turn, affect the nervous system. These can paralyze the muscles and result in suffocation from respiratory failure. In turn, dermatotoxins adversely affect the skin. After contact with them, symptoms such as itching, burning, rash or erythema may appear.
However, there are also cyanobacteria that do not produce toxins. These include the so-called blue algae, i.e. some species of the genus Spirulina. They have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and are therefore part of the local diet in some parts of the world.
As mentioned earlier, some people who have had contact with cyanobacteria will resolve their symptoms spontaneously. However, some cases should be monitored, especially in children and the elderly. It is worth knowing that in the event of poisoning with cyanotic toxins, only persistent symptoms are treated. Your doctor may give you medicines to relieve your pain or relieve it.
Cyanobacteria in the Baltic Sea and Polish lakes
A very favorable environment for the emergence of toxin-producing cyanobacteria is heavily polluted salty sea waters as well as fresh lake waters. Cyanobacteria can also appear in dam reservoirs with high eutrophication, i.e. overfertilization.
The plague of cyanobacteria in Polish water reservoirs, as well as on our coast, is associated with the phenomenon of overfertilization. This is due to the fact that too much nitrate and phosphate, which are nutrients, reach the waters.
Recreational use of bathing areas with blooms can be hazardous to your health.
Moreover, poisoning with toxins produced by cyanobacteria can also occur during water sports, such as swimming, sailing, water skiing and surfing. It may then be the result of accidental ingestion of contaminated water. Unfortunately, cyanobacteria Nodularia Spumigena appear in the Bay of Gdańsk every year, which is best seen on satellite photos.
- Also check: The dangers lurking in the water
Many people forget that cyanobacteria do not only occur in the sea, but also in lakes, so before each trip to the bathing beach, you should check that it has not been closed by the health resort due to the risk of contact with massively growing bacteria.
In order to avoid contact with cyanobacteria, first of all, you should avoid contact with cloudy water, which has a changed odor and color. Foam on the surface is an additional warning signal. If we are unable to see our feet when we stand knee-deep in the water, it is better to skip the bath. After contact with contaminated water, it is best to wash areas of the body that have been exposed to cyanobacteria. Swimwear must be washed.
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