Cyanobacteria
- September 22, 2020
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
No Comments
Subject: Environment
Context:
Mystery elephant deaths in Botswana is caused by cyanobacteria
Concept:
- Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, is found worldwide especially in calm, nutrient-rich waters
- Some species of cyanobacteria produce toxins that affect animals and humans
- People may be exposed to cyanobacterial toxins by drinking or bathing in contaminated water
- Symptoms include skin irritation, stomach cramps, vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, fever, sore throat, headache
- Animals, birds, and fish can also be poisoned by high levels of toxin-producing cyanobacteria.