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Article

Co-Occurrence of Toxic Bloom-Forming Cyanobacteria Planktothrix, Cyanophage, and Symbiotic Bacteria in Ohio Water Treatment Waste: Implications for Harmful Algal Bloom Management

1
Division of Environmental Health Sciences, College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
2
Department of Veterinary Preventative Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
3
Department of Biology, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA
4
Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research, Baylor University, Waco, TX 76798, USA
5
Great Lakes Center for Fresh Waters and Human Health, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403, USA
6
Department of Food Science and Technology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
7
Infectious Diseases Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Toxins 2025, 17(9), 450; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins17090450
Submission received: 29 July 2025 / Revised: 30 August 2025 / Accepted: 3 September 2025 / Published: 5 September 2025

Abstract

Cyanobacterial blooms are increasingly becoming more intense and frequent, posing a public health threat globally. Drinking water treatment plants that rely on algal bloom-affected waters may create waste (water treatment residuals, WTRs) that concentrates contaminants. Source waters may contain harmful cyanobacteria, cyanophages (bacteriophages that infect cyanobacteria), and bacteria. Cyanophages are known to affect bloom formation and growth dynamics, so there is a need to understand viral-host dynamics between phage and bacteria in these ecosystems for managing cyanobacteria. This study isolated and characterized lytic cyanophages from WTRs of a HAB-affected lake in Ohio that infect toxic bloom-forming filamentous cyanobacteria Planktothrix agardhii. Phage infections in the Lake Erie cyanobacteria culture were examined visually and via microscopy and fluorometry. Whole genome sequencing and metagenomic analyses were also conducted. Observed changes in Planktothrix included sheared and shriveled filaments, reduced clumping, and buoyancy changes. Photosynthetic pigmentation was unexpectedly more apparent during phage infection. Metagenomic analyses identified nineteen phages and seven other co-existing bacterial genera. Annotated bacterial genomes contained metabolic pathways that may influence phage infection efficiency. Viral genomes were successfully tied to microbial hosts, and annotations identified important viral infection proteins. This study examines cyanobacterial-phage interactions that may have potential for bioremedial applications.
Keywords: Planktothrix agardhii; cyanophages; microcosm; bioremediation; water treatment residuals; lake erie Planktothrix agardhii; cyanophages; microcosm; bioremediation; water treatment residuals; lake erie

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MDPI and ACS Style

Davis, A.B.; Evans, M.; McKindles, K.; Lee, J. Co-Occurrence of Toxic Bloom-Forming Cyanobacteria Planktothrix, Cyanophage, and Symbiotic Bacteria in Ohio Water Treatment Waste: Implications for Harmful Algal Bloom Management. Toxins 2025, 17, 450. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins17090450

AMA Style

Davis AB, Evans M, McKindles K, Lee J. Co-Occurrence of Toxic Bloom-Forming Cyanobacteria Planktothrix, Cyanophage, and Symbiotic Bacteria in Ohio Water Treatment Waste: Implications for Harmful Algal Bloom Management. Toxins. 2025; 17(9):450. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins17090450

Chicago/Turabian Style

Davis, Angela Brooke, Morgan Evans, Katelyn McKindles, and Jiyoung Lee. 2025. "Co-Occurrence of Toxic Bloom-Forming Cyanobacteria Planktothrix, Cyanophage, and Symbiotic Bacteria in Ohio Water Treatment Waste: Implications for Harmful Algal Bloom Management" Toxins 17, no. 9: 450. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins17090450

APA Style

Davis, A. B., Evans, M., McKindles, K., & Lee, J. (2025). Co-Occurrence of Toxic Bloom-Forming Cyanobacteria Planktothrix, Cyanophage, and Symbiotic Bacteria in Ohio Water Treatment Waste: Implications for Harmful Algal Bloom Management. Toxins, 17(9), 450. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins17090450

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