Abstract

Associated health effects from algal toxin exposure are a growing concern for human and animal health. Algal toxin poisonings may occur from contact with or consumption of water supplies or from ingestion of contaminated animals. The U.S. Federal Government owns or holds in trust about 259 million hectares of land, in addition to the Trust species obligations. We completed the first comprehensive review of potential toxin-producing algal blooms in surface waters on Federal lands and Trust species exposed to algal toxins. Events were sorted into three tiers based on potentially toxic algae abundance or toxin concentration and related effects on animal morbidity and mortality. At least 11.1% of Federal lands are known to have been affected by algal events, but exposure is likely underreported. The occurrence of potential toxin producers and their toxins (Tier 1) have been documented 337 times, health advisory threshold exceedances (Tier 2) were reported 943 times, and 86 events involved animal sickness or death linked to cyanobacteria or marine toxins (Tier 3). Trust species exposed to cyano- or algal toxins included marine mammals, migratory birds, threatened and endangered species, and species of concern. We report numerous data gaps ranging from potential effects on human health from consuming intoxicated animals to the infrequency of measuring and reporting certain toxins. Improvements to field and laboratory methods, more consistent evaluation of toxin exposure, decreased latency on data analysis, delivery and interpretation will be necessary to improve response and management strategies for protecting human and animal health where issues persist.

摘要

藻类毒素暴露对健康的相关影响是人类和动物健康日益关注的问题。藻毒素中毒可能因接触或饮用水源或摄入受污染的动物而发生。除了信托物种义务外，美国联邦政府还拥有或以信托方式持有约 2.59 亿公顷土地。我们完成了对联邦土地地表水中潜在的产毒藻类水华和暴露于藻类毒素的信托物种的首次全面审查。根据潜在的有毒藻类丰度或毒素浓度以及对动物发病率和死亡率的相关影响，将事件分为三层。已知至少 11.1% 的联邦土地受到藻类事件的影响，但暴露情况可能被低估了。已记录了 337 次潜在毒素生产者及其毒素（第 1 级）的发生，报告了 943 次超出健康建议阈值（第 2 级）的事件，86 起事件涉及与蓝藻或海洋毒素有关的动物疾病或死亡（第 3 级） . 暴露于氰基或藻类毒素的信任物种包括海洋哺乳动物、候鸟、受威胁和濒危物种以及受关注的物种。我们报告了许多数据空白，从食用醉酒动物对人类健康的潜在影响到测量和报告某些毒素的频率不高。改进现场和实验室方法，更一致地评估毒素暴露，减少数据分析的延迟，