An innovative field study in Southwest Florida has identified several neurotoxins in the state’s air and water linked to harmful algal blooms (algae toxins). Cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, produce the three forms of BMAA (beta-Methylamino-L-alanine), a compound associated with brain diseases and classified as an algae toxin.
The study, conducted by Calusa Water keeper volunteers and analyzed by Wyoming’s Brain Chemistry Labs, identified two forms of BMAA in every one of the 945 samples collected over five months. The results confirmed the presence of algal toxins in both air and surrounding water bodies, raising new concerns about contaminated water, marine life, and public exposure.
Paul Cox, executive director of Brain Chemistry Labs, explains:
“Are the toxins there? Yes. Are they being airborne? Yes. Are they bad news? Yes,” said Cox. “I’m sorry we don’t have firmer answers, but citizens are really concerned about this, correctly concerned.”
Harmful algal blooms and human health
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) occur when microscopic organisms like cyanobacteria and other plant-like organisms grow excessively due to nutrient runoff, warm temperatures, and stagnant freshwater systems. These blooms can produce toxic algae that threaten drinking water systems, marine life, and human health.
Short-term exposure to blue-green algae blooms can cause skin irritation, respiratory irritation, or even death in animals. In humans, direct contact or inhalation of cyanobacterial blooms has been linked to liver failure, neurological damage, and other health effects. When toxic algae contaminate shellfish or fish, they may cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning, paralytic shellfish poisoning, or long-term illnesses that develop years after exposure.
Previous studies have connected algal toxins like BMAA to neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and Parkinson’s, as well as acute liver failure and liver cancer. Because these diseases may develop slowly, the link between exposure and illness can be difficult to prove, leaving many questions about how harmful algae affect the central nervous system.
“The scientists are uncertain if the doses are enough to trigger disease,” said Cox. “We just don’t know, and it would be irresponsible of me to indicate otherwise, but I am concerned. What I don’t want to see is a book that comes out in 10 or 20 years and has a chapter called ‘The Florida Incident.’”
Innovative algae toxins research
This groundbreaking study has paved the way for future research and recruited cutting-edge technology to make it a reality. It used a custom-engineered monitoring device known as ADAM “Airborne Detection for Algae Monitoring”. The technology was developed in collaboration with Michael Parsons at Florida Gulf Coast University, a member of the state’s Blue-Green Algae Task Force, and is the first to allow both water and air sampling on-site, helping to better track harmful algal blooms and algae toxins in water bodies and nearby marine environments.
During the study period, volunteer scientists sampled air and water from eight Lee County locations stretching from Matlacha to Punta Rassa and up the Caloosahatchee River to Alva. Researchers then shipped samples to Wyoming for pro bono analysis of algae toxins and cyanobacterial blooms.
It is worth noting that the sampling period took place when there were no major blooming events or dense blooms. If the study were conducted mid-bloom, when harmful algal blooms occur with high concentrations of algae cells, the results would likely look considerably different.
“The goal of our work is to inform the public,” says scientist and Waterkeeper volunteer Manuel Aparicio, who led the project to develop the device. “We’ve established the method, we’ve set up a program, we’ve got rangers, we’ve got the device, and we’re going to continue to do this.”
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and regional partners continue to emphasise monitoring programs like this to safeguard drinking water systems, protect marine life, and reduce risks of contaminated shellfish and human illnesses caused by toxic algae.
Environmental Impact and Fish Kills
Beyond human health, harmful algae blooms disrupt aquatic ecosystems. When algae blooms occur, they consume oxygen and block sunlight, leading to fish kills and harming other marine life. Deoxygenated freshwater lakes and brackish water environments can no longer sustain healthy marine ecosystems, creating cascading effects on marine mammals, birds, and the food chain.
Dense blooms, also known as nuisance algal blooms, have been reported worldwide from Lake Erie to the Gulf of Mexico, causing the death of fish and other marine life while leaving surrounding water bright green or discoloured. These toxic algae events threaten drinking water supplies and increase treatment costs for municipalities.
A Call for Awareness and Prevention against algae toxins
Researchers agree that understanding how harmful algae affect human health and marine ecosystems requires long-term collaboration between scientists, government agencies, and environmental non-profits.
Projects like this one in Southwest Florida are essential for developing smarter water management and monitoring technologies that protect drinking water, marine life, and public health.
Learn more about how innovative monitoring technologies can help prevent harmful algal blooms and protect our water resources.