Author/Editor		Sedmak, Bojan; Kosi, Gorazd
Title		The role of microcystins in heavy cyanobacterial bloom formation
Type		članek
Source		J Plankton Res
Vol. and No.		Letnik 20, št. 4
Publication year		1998
Volume		str. 691-708
Language		eng
Abstract		The presence of high microcystin concentrations in cyanobacterial blooms additionally affects species diversity. Blooms with high toxin contents can reach higher cell densities, which is also demonstrated by microcystin cell contents. In vitro experiments show that microcystins influence phytoplankton proliferation. The action is strongly dependent on the phytoplankton species tested and light conditions. We propose that the environmental impact of different microcystins depends on their enzymatic inhibition activity and thus could not be measured merely on the basis of their toxicity to vertebrate species. Their role in heavy cyanobacterial bloom and scum formation is discused, as well as their impact on the massive proliferation of other species following toxic cyanobacterial bloom degradation.
Descriptors		EUTROPHICATION CYANOBACTERIA PHYTOPLANKTON CYSTINE