Microcystis in the CFR
Microcystis aeruginosa , a toxin producing freshwater cyanobacterium, formed unprecedented blooms in the Cape Fear River, North Carolina, during summers from 2009-2012. Microcystins, potent hepatotoxins, contaminated the drinking water supply of thousands of southeastern North Carolina residents. We used monitoring data, satellite imagery, and directed investigations of the river ecosystem to test hypotheses about sources and drivers of these unusual M. aeruginosa blooms.