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BHSU research explores toxicity of algae blooms

SDPB Radio | By Lori Walsh,
Ellen Koester
Published April 6, 2023 at 4:07 AM CDT
As much as 90 percent of Lake Okeechobee — one of the largest lakes in the U.S. — is covered with algae. The Everglades Foundation in South Florida where the lake is located decided to create a contest with a prize of $10 million for whomever develops a technology that cheaply removes phosphorus, the main culprit in algae blooms, from freshwater bodies.
Greg Allen
/
NPR
Algae blooms happen when algae grows out of control in freshwater or saltwater.

This interview originally aired on In the Moment on SDPB Radio.

New research out of Black Hills State University explores a surprising possible culprit behind neurological disease: algae blooms.

Matthew Pawlus, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of biology and Bryan Burton is a student at BHSU. Both are listed as authors on the new paper.

They join In the Moment to discuss their findings and how a biotoxin associated with algae blooms can have harmful health effects on humans.
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Science In The Moment SegmentsBlack Hills State University (BHSU)
Lori Walsh
Lori Walsh is the host and senior producer of In the Moment.
See stories by Lori Walsh
Ellen Koester
Ellen Koester is a producer of In the Moment, SDPB's daily news and culture broadcast.
See stories by Ellen Koester