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

View a recording of the webinar.

Speaker: Natalie Flores, PhD candidate, University of Vermont (UVM) Rubenstein School of Environment and Natural Resources. 

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 will highlight the research questions, preliminary results, and what the results could mean for aquatic ecosystems and human health.

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.

Participants should expect approximately 30 minutes of presentation, which will be recorded, followed by a facilitated, 30-minute Q&A period.

This seminar is part of the Lake Champlain Sea Grant Seminar Series. Register for the webinar through this link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_s8kIvUkgQZWV6_dxuZMEZQ

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.