Harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins, including microcystins, pose health threats and even death fordogs and other pets exposed to the contaminated water, explains a new educational brochure from the New York Sea Grant Program.
The brochure, a product of a National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science sponsored research project in the Great Lakes, describes freshwater HABs and their toxins, and how to recognize and respond to a dog poisoning event. The project, led by Stony Brook University and New York Sea Grant, investigated how genetic flexibility helps toxic cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) proliferate. Two public informational workshops discussed the rise and threat of cyanobacteria to recreation and public water supplies.