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Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Unraveling the Unseen Players in the Ocean - A Field Guide to Water Chemistry and Marine Microbiology
Published on: November 5, 2014
The volatilome reveals microcystin concentration, microbial composition, and oxidative stress in a critical Oregon
Lindsay Collart1, Duo Jiang2, Kimberly H Halsey1
1Department of Microbiology, Oregon State University , Corvallis, Oregon, USA.
Importance:
Harmful algal blooms are among the most significant threats to drinking water safety. Blooms dominated by cyanobacteria can produce potentially harmful toxins and, despite intensive research, toxin production remains unpredictable. We measured gaseous molecules in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon, over 2 years and used them to predict the presence and concentration of the cyanotoxin, microcystin, and microbial community composition. Subsets of gaseous compounds were identified that are associated with microcystin production during oxidative stress, pointing to ecosystem-level interactions leading to microcystin contamination. Our approach shows potential for gaseous molecules to be harnessed in monitoring critical waterways.
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