Oceanus Seminar Series | Brahim Oudra | 28 Jun | 12h

 

Title: Toxic cyanobacteria blooms and cyanotoxins irrigation water contamination: What are the impacts of microcystins in plant physiology and vegetal crops yield?

 

Name: Brahim Oudra (Laboratory of Biology and Biotechnology of Microorganisms (LBBM), Microbiology and Toxicology Environmental research Unit. Department of Biology, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco)

 

Abstract: Freshwater cyanobacteria blooms toxicity and increased frequency is a cause for globally concern. These blooms result in reduced levels of oxygen in the water column and unpleasant odor, also producing cyanotoxins (MCs) as secondary metabolites which pose serious challenges to water quality management. These toxins have resulted in the death of humans, aquatic organisms and wildlife. The use of efficient water treatment technologies processes in drinking water has clearly reduced the health risk, but regarding the irrigation waters there is no regulation or guideline concerning the limits of MC both in water and consumables irrigated plants. These metabolites can be at the origin of many health harmful consequences, mainly the risk of bio-transfer of toxins along all the trophic chain. This presentation will resume some research findings related to the interactions of MCs-plant and the impact of MCs exposure on the plant physiology and vegetal crops yield.

 

Free entrance. Registration mandatory: divulgacao@ciimar.up.pt