Research Webinar: Cyanobacteria Blooms Impacts on Fish Ecological and Human Health Considerations

Though cyanobacteria have been around for ~3.5 billion years, scientists have only recently recognized the pervasive impacts that they may have on aquatic ecosystems. While cyanobacteria are notorious for their toxins, limited knowledge exists on how cyanobacteria influence aquatic food webs, and negative effects may not be limited to toxins. Ongoing research at a local, nutrient-impaired lake investigates how cyanobacteria blooms affect the nutritional quality of fish in terms of their lipid composition and potential to accumulate toxins. This seminar highlights the research questions, preliminary results, and what the results could mean for aquatic ecosystems and human health.

This webinar is part of the Lake Champlain Sea Grant Research Seminar Series; it took place on October 26, 2022.

Natalie Flores is a PhD candidate in the UVM Rubenstein School. Her research is centered on gaining a deeper understanding of the ways that cyanobacteria blooms influence their surrounding environment, including the human health implications. Part of the funding for this research comes from the Vermont Water Resources and Lake Studies Center.