Tropical Cyanobacteria in Northern Germany

Scientists lead by Dr. Claudia Wiedner from the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries in Berlin identified different species of tropical cyanobacteria as well as a specific toxin (Cylindrospermopsin or CYN).

The search for the source of the toxic substance yielded a surprise: indigenous species of cyanobacteria are producing CYN. “Now we have a basis for recommendations to monitor lakes and freshwater resources”, says Claudia Wiedner.

The work was funded by the Berlin Centre of Competence for Water and Veolia Water. The research was conducted by scientists from the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, from the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus (BTU) and from the German Federal Environmental Agency UBA (“Umweltbundesamt”).