Harshina Brijlall (she/her) Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Biology student
Have you ever noticed green scum on the surface of a lake? Cyanobacteria are a type of algae that can cause harmful blooms. A large bloom of cyanobacteria looks like a lake that has been painted green. As climate change intensifies land disturbances, there is a rise in runoff and waste in our freshwater systems, and cyanobacteria can bloom using these waste materials as nutrients. Blooms decrease water quality and cyanobacteria can potentially produce harmful toxins that impact the nervous systems and livers of humans and wildlife.
Harshina Brijlall, a PhD in Biology student, is working to identify potential algal toxin-producing markers and understudied bacterial communities to aid in lake management. Her research will help refine algal bloom monitoring protocols while also advancing the understanding of new emerging issues within forested watersheds.
To learn more, please visit Science that matters: Doctoral student seeks to update monitoring protocols of harmful algal blooms in drinking water sources on Waterloo Science News.