Advancements in Biological Strategies for Controlling Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a primary environmental concern, threatening freshwater ecosystems and public health and causing economic damages in the billions of dollars annually. These blooms, predominantly driven by phytoplankton species like cyanobacteria, thrive in nutrient-rich, warm, and lo...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Water |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/16/2/224 |
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| author | Hassan Mohamad Anabtawi Woo Hyoung Lee Abdulaziz Al-Anazi Mohamed Mostafa Mohamed Ashraf Aly Hassan |
| author_facet | Hassan Mohamad Anabtawi Woo Hyoung Lee Abdulaziz Al-Anazi Mohamed Mostafa Mohamed Ashraf Aly Hassan |
| author_sort | Hassan Mohamad Anabtawi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a primary environmental concern, threatening freshwater ecosystems and public health and causing economic damages in the billions of dollars annually. These blooms, predominantly driven by phytoplankton species like cyanobacteria, thrive in nutrient-rich, warm, and low-wind environments. Because of the adverse impacts of HABs, this review examines various control methods, focusing on biological strategies as sustainable solutions. While effective in disrupting algal populations, traditional chemical and physical interventions carry ecological risks and can be resource-intensive. Biological control methods, including biomanipulation and using algicidal microorganisms such as <i>Streptococcus thermophiles</i>, Myxobacteria, and <i>Lopharia spadicea</i>, emerge as eco-friendly alternatives offering long-term benefits. Additionally, barley and rice straw application has demonstrated efficacy in curbing HAB growth. These biological approaches work by inhibiting algal proliferation, disrupting cellular structures, and fostering algal cell aggregation. Despite their advantages over conventional methods, biological controls face challenges, including intricate ecological interactions. This article delves into the latest biological techniques aimed at eradicating HABs, intending to diminish their frequency and reduce toxin levels in aquatic environments. While most research to date has been confined to laboratory settings, scaling these methods to field applications presents hurdles due to the variability and complexity of natural ecosystems. The review underscores the need for further research and development in this critical area of environmental science. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T10:32:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-43d0d45b8a3f4c42850462320097ebe7 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4441 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T10:32:20Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water |
| spelling | doaj.art-43d0d45b8a3f4c42850462320097ebe72024-01-26T18:50:14ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412024-01-0116222410.3390/w16020224Advancements in Biological Strategies for Controlling Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)Hassan Mohamad Anabtawi0Woo Hyoung Lee1Abdulaziz Al-Anazi2Mohamed Mostafa Mohamed3Ashraf Aly Hassan4Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Civil, Environmental, and Construction Engineering, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL 32816, USADepartment of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University, P.O. Box 800, Riyadh 11421, Saudi ArabiaDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab EmiratesDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab EmiratesHarmful algal blooms (HABs) are a primary environmental concern, threatening freshwater ecosystems and public health and causing economic damages in the billions of dollars annually. These blooms, predominantly driven by phytoplankton species like cyanobacteria, thrive in nutrient-rich, warm, and low-wind environments. Because of the adverse impacts of HABs, this review examines various control methods, focusing on biological strategies as sustainable solutions. While effective in disrupting algal populations, traditional chemical and physical interventions carry ecological risks and can be resource-intensive. Biological control methods, including biomanipulation and using algicidal microorganisms such as <i>Streptococcus thermophiles</i>, Myxobacteria, and <i>Lopharia spadicea</i>, emerge as eco-friendly alternatives offering long-term benefits. Additionally, barley and rice straw application has demonstrated efficacy in curbing HAB growth. These biological approaches work by inhibiting algal proliferation, disrupting cellular structures, and fostering algal cell aggregation. Despite their advantages over conventional methods, biological controls face challenges, including intricate ecological interactions. This article delves into the latest biological techniques aimed at eradicating HABs, intending to diminish their frequency and reduce toxin levels in aquatic environments. While most research to date has been confined to laboratory settings, scaling these methods to field applications presents hurdles due to the variability and complexity of natural ecosystems. The review underscores the need for further research and development in this critical area of environmental science.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/16/2/224algicidalbiological methodsbiomanipulationchemical methodseutrophicationfreshwater ecosystems |
| spellingShingle | Hassan Mohamad Anabtawi Woo Hyoung Lee Abdulaziz Al-Anazi Mohamed Mostafa Mohamed Ashraf Aly Hassan Advancements in Biological Strategies for Controlling Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Water algicidal biological methods biomanipulation chemical methods eutrophication freshwater ecosystems |
| title | Advancements in Biological Strategies for Controlling Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) |
| title_full | Advancements in Biological Strategies for Controlling Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) |
| title_fullStr | Advancements in Biological Strategies for Controlling Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advancements in Biological Strategies for Controlling Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) |
| title_short | Advancements in Biological Strategies for Controlling Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) |
| title_sort | advancements in biological strategies for controlling harmful algal blooms habs |
| topic | algicidal biological methods biomanipulation chemical methods eutrophication freshwater ecosystems |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/16/2/224 |
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