The 7th Australian and New Zealand Cyanobacteria Workshop, hosted by WaterRA, was held online on 29-30 September 2021. Australi...
Our Algal Innovation Community of Interest connects utilities with researchers to accelerate novel technology transfer for algal management into the water industry. The COI is a valuable forum for researchers, government and industry to share knowledge and challenges, discuss recent events, and stay up to date with the latest technologies, research progress and emerging issues in cyanobacteria.
Latest Updates
The 6th Australian and New Zealand Cyanobacterial Workshop was held at the UNSW Kensington Campus, Sydney, on 25-26 September 2018...
The road to Algal Innovation
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a serious global issue in freshwater lakes, rivers and reservoirs, wastewater stabilization lagoons, and marine environment.
Although research has demonstrated multiple environmental factors as contributing to algal blooms outbreaks, the exact trigger that initiate their occurrence are still poorly understood. This is of significant concern to water industry and health authorities, as any breakthrough of cyanobacteria cells (both toxic and non-toxic) into water treatment plants, even in low cell numbers, can lead to chemical and/or microbial contaminants being released into treated water, which poses a serious public health risk.
Supported by an active and committed group of member organisations and trusted partners who form our Algal Innovation COI, WaterRA through it’s BIG Team of utility, research and health department members will build upon our vast collection of foundational cyanobacteria research to develop and implement a series of priority activities — delivered in four stages across three years — designed to address current and emerging HABs challenges and safeguard the future our water through innovative technology.
What are cyanobactia?
Cyanobacteria, commonly known as blue-green algae (BGA), are a group of diverse photosynthetic bacteria that occupy a broad range of aquatic and terrestrial habitats, including extreme environments. Known as the earth’s oldest organism – dating back around 3.5 billion years – they are abundant components of aquatic ecosystems, particularly in eutrophicated waters, and may form blooms in water bodies.
Priority Activities
Working with our members and trusted partners globally our Algal Innovation COI will develop and implement a series of priority activities designed to address current and emerging HABs challenges through novel and innovative technology.
Algal Innovation Projects
The environmental conditions which cause blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) blooms vary according to location, the climate, and other attributes of aquatic ecosystems…
There is a need to have a clear and consistent approach to assessing the efficacy and performance of the growing number of algal bloom management technologies emerging on the market…
This report on analysing the economic impact of harmful and nuisance algal blooms (HNABs) on the Australian water industry is the first effort in two decades to estimate their economic impact…
Resources & Releases
Latest Factsheet
β-Methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) - Knowns and unknowns!
Prepared in collaboration with neurologists from Massachusetts General Hospital at Harvard Medical School (USA) and Australian water industry experts, the factsheet has reviewed 430 scientific articles and looks at recent developments and future research in this field.
Join the COI
For more information on the Algal Innovation COI Research Program or to join the COI please contact Dr Arash Zamyadi and Vincent Bianchini.
Have a significant or emerging challenge or need which you think others share? Contact one of our Research Managers and they can assist in creating a new COI and bring you together with like-minded peers to shape the future of research.