Bioaccumulation of Metabolites at Higher Trophic Levels

Previous studies have found that cyanotoxic compounds may accumulate in sym-patric plants as well as in the tissues of herbivorous fish and invertebrates (reviewed in Zurawell et al. 2005). The accumulation of cyanotoxins at these trophic levels provides a direct path to both aquatic and, potentially, terrestrial consumers (Negri and Jones 1995 Kotak et al. 1996 Giovannardi et al. 1999). However, these compounds are rarely encountered in higher trophic levels in freshwater systems (Kotak et al. 1996 Zurawell et al. 2005). Nevertheless, attempts to minimize cyanotoxins in water bodies for recreational use should remain a major focus of environmental and public health managers, especially in light of the evidence that low doses may still have sublethal effects on the larval development of aquatic vertebrates (Oberemm et al. 1999). 

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