Science Café: Cyanobacteria: Toxic tide or treasure?

University of Michigan Museum of Natural History Podcast

You've probably heard of the harmful "algal" blooms in Lake Erie. These are caused by cyanobacteria (the organisms formerly known as blue-green algae), which grow in nutrient-rich water, often overpopulating due to fertilizer run-off. But did you know that cyanobacteria also absorb CO2 and that researchers are studying whether they might affect, or even mitigate, global warming? Learn about water quality and the carbon cycle, and discuss the possible policy implications. Join Vincent Denef of the University of Michigan's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Anthony Vecchiarelli of the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology.

• Vincent Denef of the University of Michigan’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
• Anthony Vecchiarelli of the Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology.

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