Research on Algal Toxins

Establishment of the Centre for Environmental Monitoring of Algal Toxins - from sampling to communication with the public

The Knowledge Centre is a collaborative project between the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) and the Swedish National Food Agency to gather insights into toxic algal blooms. We focus on the questions of when and where the toxins are produced and what types of toxins are produced by which species. The Knowledge Centre will also develop effective sampling routines and analytical methods for the toxins to investigate the possibility of including algal toxin analyses in regular environmental monitoring.

Participants: Malin Olofsson, Elin Dahlgren, Bengt Karlson (SMHI), Aida Zuberovic Muratovic (Swedish Food Agency), Karin Wiberg, Stefan Bertilsson, Stina Drakare.

Project duration: 2023-2026

Funding: SEK 3.1 million, Swedish Board of Agriculture/EU

Climate adaptation and mapping of algal toxins associated with mussel farms

Since mussels filter water when they eat, algae are part of their diet. This makes mussels highly interesting for learning more about toxic algal blooms. Therefore, this project follows mussel farms to answer questions about when and how much algal toxins are present in the water during a year. The project includes two PhD students who will study two groups of toxins, cyanotoxins and brominated substances to increase understanding of their occurrence and production.

Participants: Elin Dahlgren, Malin Olofsson, Dennis Lindqvist, Caroline Ek, Ecopelag mussel farm.

Project duration: 2023-2026

Funding: SEK 10 million, Swedish Board of Agriculture

Toxicity of filamentous cyanobacteria in a warmer climate and their effect on zooplankton

Using a naturally heated system outside Forskmark, studies will be conducted focusing on how warming affects the toxicity of cyanobacteria and also the uptake and adaptation of zooplankton. We will study seasonal differences between the heated area and the natural area both in terms of toxins and molecular adaptations in both cyanobacteria and zooplankton. We will also use sediments to hatch resting stages to study local adaptation.

Participants: Malin Olofsson, Magnus Huss, Anna Gårdmark

Project duration: 2023-2025

Funding: 1 million SEK, Oscar and Lilli Lamm

Pilot project focusing on toxin production in filamentous cyanobacteria

We will conduct experiments where we study the cyanobacterium Nodularia spumigena under different conditions to study when and how many toxins are produced. Here we also include molecular methods to understand the genetic expression during production, to more easily monitor gene presence in natural environments.

Malin Olofsson, Elin Dahlgren, Parisa Norouzitallab

Project duration: 2023-2024

Funding: 68 000 SEK, SLU Water

Cyanobacterial toxin - when and why is it produced?

Cyanobacterial blooms are becoming more common in the Baltic Sea as a result of human impact. Many of them produce toxins that affect both humans and animals. Recent research shows that algal toxins are likely to be a contributing factor to poor fish health in the Baltic Sea and that fish are ingesting more cyanobacteria than previously thought through their diet. To understand when and why cyanobacteria produce toxins, we will map them in different environments and find out under what circumstances the toxins are produced by both measuring different toxins and looking at gene content and expression. This will allow us to inform policy makers to take effective measures to reduce its negative effects.

Participants: Malin Olofsson

Project duration: 2024-2025

Funding: 200 000 SEK, BalticWaters