CYANOCOST (COST Action ES1105) Networking and impacts beyond the - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

CYANOCOST (COST Action ES1105) Networking and impacts beyond the funding period

COST Open Info Day NCSR Demokritos, Athens, 27 March 2018

www.cyanocost.net

Theodoros M. Triantis, Anastasia Hiskia INN - NCSR Demokritos, Grant Holders CYANOCOST

Scientific context & objectives

Cyanobacteria

• Photosynthetic microorganisms globally distributed in

biosphere

• can form blooms and mats (scums) in surface waters.
• some species produce toxins, called cyanotoxins.

Toxic blooms

• human and animal injuries and deaths worldwide
• number of societal and economical impacts

The main objective of CYANOCOST (ES 1105 COST Action MoU) to increase, disseminate and harmonize capabilities across Europe for the risk management of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in water bodies, by establishing strong and synergistic links between academia, authorities, industry and citizens”

Dissemination of more than 25 years’ worth of relevant research. Strong societal and economic impact: Public health, drinking water utilities, aquaculture, recreational activities, tourism.

Worldwide occurrence of toxic cyano-blooms

Sulejow reservoir, Poland

• St. John’s river system, FL, USA

Balgavies Loch, Dundee, Scotland

• Increased occurrence of blooms could be associated to climate change.
• Invasive species and emerging cyanotoxins are further risks under consideration.

Cyanobacterial bloom in Lake Erie (satellite image, Sept. 27 2011) Satellite sensing of harmful algal blooms in Lake Taihu, China.

Impacts

Human and animal health

Acute poisoning, chronic effects

Aquaculture – Fisheries

Loss of production

Cyanotoxins, off-odours

Water treatment

Costs for treatment

Cyanotoxins, off-odours

Tourism

Closures of recreational sites

Ecosystems

Degradation, Loss of diversity

Relevance and impacts of toxic cyanobacterial blooms

Cyanobacterial blooms and toxins in water resources: Occurrence, impacts and management (CYANOCOST), ES1105

Working groups, Steering Committee

Individual Participants: 220 - Female: 55%, Early Stage Researchers (ESRs): 18% Total number involved in activities: >250

Kaarina Sivonen FI Jussi Meriluoto FI Geoffrey Codd UK Zorica Svircev RS Anastasia Hiskia EL Petra Visser NL Luc Brient FR Antonio Quesada ES

• T. Kaloudis

EL Ludek Blaha CZ

• T. Triantis
• A. Hiskia

Action Grant Holders Action Chairs

Participating (35) * including USA as International Partner + Russian Federation and Armenia as Near Neighbour Countries Not (yet) in the network

CYANOCOST Network

March 2017

Member and participating countries

Impact on EU Water Directives (recast of 98/83 EC ; 2000/60 EC)

From www.cyanocost.net, February 2018

Impact on implementation of EU Water Directives

• First comprehensive handbooks with standardized and validated methods.
• Development of laboratory capabilities and capacities in Europe.
• Currently work is done within ISO TC to publish new International Standards.

First multi-lake survey in Europe ! Realized by two COST Actions: CYANOCOST and NETLAKE

Mantzouki et al. Toxins (submitted March 2018)

369 lakes from 26 European countries

• sampled. About 200

members involved. Organized by B. Ibelings and E. Mantzouki.

Promoting European research on toxic cyanobacteria

CYANOCOST Publications

• More than 200 published items

(Dec 2017).

• The list is still being populated.
• Available at www.cyanocost.net in

pdf format with DOI links and as an EndNote library.

• Currently trying to measure the

impact (total citations).

Interventions and consultation during crisis Serbia: The Uzice case

In December 2013 there was a widespread bloom

• f Planktothrix rubescens in lake Vruci which is an

artificial water reservoir serving the city of Uzice (ppl. 70.000). A “do not drink” water notice was issued by local authorities. A Conference was organized (Prof. Zorica Svircev) in Belgrade, to raise awareness on toxic

• cyanobacteria. A book chapter was published on

the management of the Uzice incident.

Water tank in Užice. Photo: Milos Cvetkovic Conference organized in Serbia, to raise awareness

• n toxic cyanobacteria

Tackling new problems: The debate over BMAA, an emerging neurotoxin

CYANOCOST organized a workshop (E. Faassen, M. Lurling) to test and validate protocols for the analysis of BMAA, that is strongly debated in the literature. Results of the BMAA workshop were published in Marine Drugs.

An example of CYANOCOST STSM poster (During 2012-16 total 44 applications received / 37 supported) Support to Early Stage Researchers: STSMs

CYANOCOST : From a COST Action to a Network of Networks

NETLAKE COST Action EUALGAE COST Action ISSHA/ICHA Marine & Freshwater Toxins Network ISO/CEN Committees WssTP US EPA SETAC

CYANOCOST media

www.cyanocost.net

Our messages

COST Actions: There can be life after funding ! Suggestions to new COST Action proposers:

• Focus on strong scientific, societal and economic impacts.
• Target to solid products in order to achieve maximum impacts.
• Empower, authorize and support active participants (let the bees be).
• Support ESRs – increase budget for STSMs and training schools.
• Keep the network open and inclusive.
• Use the budget wisely and efficiently.

Suggestions to COST Association:

• Consolidation of networking tools in e-COST (virtual meetings, forums,

website development and hosting etc).

• Designation of MC members could involve approval by the Action’s steering

group.

• Further support to IPC participation. Fast-track NNC and IPC participation

approval.

• Develop and implement measures of Actions’ Impact
• Any ideas to support active COST Actions after the funding is over (e.g.

crowdfunding/donations from members and stakeholders).

Acknowledgements

Steering Group: Ludek Blaha, Luc Brient, Geoffrey Codd, Anastasia Hiskia, Triantafyllos Kaloudis, Jussi Meriluoto, Antonio Quesada, Kaarina Sivonen, Zorica Svircev, Petra Visser Members of the Management Committee. Participating members. (www.cyanocost.net)

• Dr. Deniz Karaca, Science

Officer Tania Gonzalez-Ovin, Administration Officer Silvia Alexe, Communications Officer

• Prof. Ioannis Bartzis,

Country representative for Greece

• Dr. G. Nounesis, President of

NCSR –D

• Dr. V. Kilikoglou, Director of

INN, NCSR-D NCSR-D Special Account Dep. Mrs M. Fontara, Manager Mrs L. Karakosta

• Mr. I Papadopoulos

Environmental Analysis Lab.

• Dr. C. Christophoridis

S-K. Zervou, MSc.

• K. Manolidi, MSc.