Comment on "Models predict planned phosphorus load reduction will make Lake Erie more toxic"

Science. 2022 Nov 11;378(6620):eadd9959. doi: 10.1126/science.add9959. Epub 2022 Nov 11.

Abstract

Hellweger et al. (Reports, 27 May 2022, pp. 1001) predict that phosphorus limitation will increase concentrations of cyanobacterial toxins in lakes. However, several molecular, physiological, and ecological mechanisms assumed in their models are poorly supported or contradicted by other studies. We conclude that their take-home message that phosphorus load reduction will make Lake Erie more toxic is seriously flawed.

Publication types

  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Toxins* / metabolism
  • Bacterial Toxins* / toxicity
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Lakes* / chemistry
  • Lakes* / microbiology
  • Microcystis* / metabolism
  • Phosphorus* / deficiency

Substances

  • Phosphorus
  • microcystin
  • Bacterial Toxins