title: A review on factors affecting microcystins production by algae in aquatic environments.
abstract: Microcystins, a toxin produced by Microcystis aeruginosa have become a global environmental issue in recent years. As a consequence of eutrophication, microcystins have become widely disseminated in drinking water sources, seriously impairing drinking water quality. This review focuses on the relationship between microcystins synthesis and physical, chemical, and biological environmental factors that are significant in controlling their production. Light intensity and temperature are the more important physical factors, and in many cases, an optimum level for these two factors has been observed. Nitrogen and phosphorus are the key chemical factors causing frequent occurrence of harmful algal blooms and microcystins production. The absorption of nutrients and metabolic activities of algae are affected by different concentrations and forms of nitrogen and phosphorus, leading to variations in microcystins production Metal ions and emerging pollutants are other significant chemical factors, whose comprehensive impact is still being studied. Algae can also interact with biological agents like predators and competitors in aquatic environments, and such interactions are suggested to promote MCs production and release. This review further highlights areas that require further research in order to gain a better understanding of microcystins production. It provides a theoretical basis for the control of microcystins production and releasing into aquatic environments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China. rhdai@fudan.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Ruihua
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
authors.forename: Pinfei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
authors.forename: Peili
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
authors.forename: Xincheng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433, China.
authors.forename: Yifei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D002273:Carcinogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D008027:Light; D052998:Microcystins / Q000378:metabolism*; D046931:Microcystis / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000378:metabolism; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000378:metabolism; D013696:Temperature; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014873:Water Pollutants
chemical_list: D002273:Carcinogens; D052998:Microcystins; D014873:Water Pollutants; D010758:Phosphorus; D009584:Nitrogen
keywords: Algae; Aquatic environments; Environmental factors; Microcystins; Nitrogen; Phosphorus