Tackling Harmful Algal Blooms in a changing environment

Harmful algal blooms of cyanobacteria (cyanoHABs) are increasing globally, and often produce potent toxins hazardous to human and ecosystem health. Given the diversity and regional variability of cyanoHABs, information on how this diverse group of microorganisms will respond to current and future climate scenarios is still limited. Anthropogenic environmental changes, e.g. global warming, ocean acidification, and eutrophication, are hypothesized to favor the growth of toxic cyanobacteria, and therefore the frequency, and distribution of cyanoHABs. This project uses an innovative and integrative approach, combining state-of-the-art genomics and chemical approaches, to test this hypothesis along the Baltic Sea area, where severe and recurrent cyanoHABs are alarmingly occurring.