microcystin

noun

mi·cro·cys·tin | \ ˌmī-krə-ˈsi-stin

Definition of microcystin

: any of various toxins that are produced by freshwater cyanobacteria (genus Microcystis, especially M. aeruginosa), have hepatotoxic effects in animals including humans, and may occur in large quantities and contaminate water supplies during algal blooms (see bloom entry 2 sense 1d) … two water samples from a Toledo treatment plant tested positive for microcystin, a toxin possibly caused by an algae bloom in Lake Erie. Residents were told not to drink, or even boil, the water tainted with microcystin, which can cause nausea and impair liver function.— Lauren Raab When cyanobacteria die, they release microcystin, and scientists have found that remaining cyanobacteria respond to the molecule by making more of their own.— Carl Zimmer

Examples of microcystin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The most significant chunk of that money - $715,992 – will be spent on a University of Toledo project to develop and test the use of microcystin degrading bacteria to remove and degrade bloom toxins from drinking water. — cleveland, 28 Oct. 2021 The one at Barker's Island included two species not seen in the open water blooms and the toxin microcystin. — Arkansas Online, 24 Oct. 2021 The marina struggled with algae outbreaks this past spring and into summer with a particularly potent bloom in April showing microcystin levels 100 times higher than what’s considered harmful to humans. — Kimberly Miller, orlandosentinel.com, 24 Oct. 2021 The one at Barker’s Island included two species not seen in the open water blooms and the toxin microcystin. — Morgan Greene, chicagotribune.com, 15 Oct. 2021 Phosphorus feeds blue-green algae called cyanobacteria that produce a toxin called microcystin that can be deadly to animals and humans. — Peter Krouse, cleveland, 16 July 2021 Algae off the town of Pahokee did not have high level of microcystin, the toxin than can cause bad smells and gastrointestinal problems, according to samples taken by the state April 12. — David Fleshler, sun-sentinel.com, 27 Apr. 2021 They are made up of cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, that can produce the toxin microcystin, potentially harmful to both humans and wildlife. — Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 9 July 2020 Some 500,000 people in and around Toledo had their water supplies disrupted for a weekend in August 2014 because of high levels of microcystin-producing algae in western Lake Erie, near the city's water intakes. — Keith Matheny, Detroit Free Press, 9 July 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'microcystin.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.