Professional paper

Cyanobacteria research methods in water ecosystems

Anamarija Kolda orcid.org/0000-0001-5537-5414 ; Institute Ruđer Bošković, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

Cyanobacteria are the oldest photosynthetic organisms on earth. They are exceptionally interesting due to their structure and their role in the evolutionary processes of eukaryotic cell creation. They are present in a number of habitats that are frequently characterized by extreme living conditions. They fi ll numerous ecological niches and signifi cantly contribute to the circulation of elements in nature. Cyanobacteria are called the ˝pioneers˝ because they are the fi rst to settle in inhospitable environments. Cyanobacteria research in water ecosystems frequently poses a challenge to different scientifi c areas. Numerous methods are implemented, from chemical, biological or ecological methods to the most advanced molecular methods and optical monitoring via satellites. The paper presents two examples of cyanobacteria research - in a microbial mat, where they occur as an important photoautotrophic component, and in aquaculture, where their blooms and toxins may cause adverse consequences to human and ecosystem health and material damage as well.

Keywords

cyanobacteria; research methods; cyanobacterial blooms; microbial mat; aquaculture

Hrčak ID:

214855

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/214855

Publication date:

27.12.2018.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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