Author/Editor		Sedmak, Bojan; Kosi, Gorazd
Title		Harmful cyanobacterial blooms in Slovenia - bloom types and microcystin producers
Translated title		Škodljiva cianobakterijska cvetenja v Sloveniji - tipi cvetenj in proizvajalci mikrocistinov
Type		članek
Source		Acta Biol Slov
Vol. and No.		Letnik 45, št. 1
Publication year		2002
Volume		str. 17-30
Language		eng
Abstract		Up to now, research on cyanobacteria and their biologically active substances has been directed principally towards their harmful effects on humans, and little has been done to elucidate their ecological role. In order to understand better the biological success of cyanobacterial blooms, and in order to be able to compare the results of different scientific investigations, we must find and agree on a definition of the phenomenon. We propose a definition of harmful cyanobacterial blooms based on the OECD boundary system of eutrophication with the addition of phycocyanin values. We have found a direct linkage between the trophic conditions in the water-bodies and the frequency of formation of cyanobacterial blooms. Specific toxic species and their strains have been studied intensively. However, in order to elucidate the mechanisms that enable cyanobacteria to overtake eutrophic water bodies we must change our approach. Cyanobacterial blooms should not be treated merely as different species or strains but as superorganisms. It is their intraspecific diversity that permits cyanobacteria to be successful in a variable water environment. We here focus attention on microcystin producers and microcystins as an adaptation to the limited light conditions, which arise in cyanobacterial blooms. The conclusions are illustrated with some data from surface water-bodies in Slovenia.
Summary		Raziskave cianobakterij in biološko aktivnih snovi, ki jih proizvajajo, so bile do sedaj usmerjene predvsem na proučevanje škodljivih učinkov na človeka. Zelo malo je bilo storjenega v smeri preverjanja njihove ekološke vloge. Za boljše razumevanje razvojnega uspeha cianobakterijskih cvetenj in da bi bili sploh sposobni primerjati rezultate različnih znanstvenih raziskav, moramo najti najprej definicijo tega pojava. Predlagamo opredelitev škodljivih cianobakterijskih cvetov, ki temelji na OECD razmejitvenem sistemu evtrofikacije z dodanimi vrednostmi za fikocianine. Ugotovili smo neposredno zvezo med trofičnim stanjem vodnih teles in pogostostjo pojavljanja cianobakterijskih cvetov. Številne toksične cianobakterijske vrste in soje so že podrobno proučevali. Vendar moramo za boljše razumevanje mehanizmov, ki jim omogočajo prevlado v evtrofnih vodnih telesih, spremeniti naš pristop. Cianobakterijske cvetove ne moremo obravnavati le kot zmesi različnih vrst in sojev, temveč kot superorganizme. Prav njihova intraspecifična raznovrstnost jim omogoča uspeh v spremenljivem vodnem okolju. Našo pozomost bomo osredotočili na tiste cianobakterije, ki so sposobne proizvajati mikrocistine in na mikrocistine kot možno prilagoditev na omejene svetlobne razmere, kakršne nastopajo ob cvetenjih. Zaključke smo podkreplili s podatki o vodnih telesih v Sloveniji.
Descriptors		FRESH WATER EUTROPHICATION CYANOBACTERIA BACTERIAL TOXINS PHYTOPLANKTON SLOVENIA