microcystin
noun
mi·cro·cys·tin
ˌmī-krə-ˈsi-stin 
: 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
Lauren RaabWhen cyanobacteria die, they release microcystin, and scientists have found that remaining cyanobacteria respond to the molecule by making more of their own.—Carl Zimmer
Carl ZimmerExamples of microcystin in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
As Outside previously reported, saxitoxin can lead to paralysis, and microcystin can damage the liver if ingested.
—Julia Ries, Outside Online, 9 Aug. 2024
Blue-green algae and cyanobacteria are a natural part of freshwater ecosystems and are not all toxic, but state scientists sampled the nearby bloom Aug. 1 and detected microcystin toxins harmful to humans and aquatic life.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 9 Aug. 2024
The city has spent more than a billion dollars to upgrade its stormwater system and water-treatment plant, including improvements to filter and eliminate microcystin and a buoy with special sensors that monitor the extent of algal blooms near the city’s water-intake pipe in Lake Erie.
—Tim Folger, National Geographic, 17 Nov. 2020
Microcystis, which is the most common bloom forming genus of cyanobacteria, can form a layer of green scum in Lake Erie and releases a toxin called microcystin.
—Miriam Marini, Detroit Free Press, 31 July 2021
The ban continued today, as further testing revealed evidence of the toxin microcystin in a drinking water plant.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 4 Aug. 2014
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
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Julia Ries, Outside Online, 9 Aug. 2024
Blue-green algae and cyanobacteria are a natural part of freshwater ecosystems and are not all toxic, but state scientists sampled the nearby bloom Aug. 1 and detected microcystin toxins harmful to humans and aquatic life.
—Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 9 Aug. 2024
The city has spent more than a billion dollars to upgrade its stormwater system and water-treatment plant, including improvements to filter and eliminate microcystin and a buoy with special sensors that monitor the extent of algal blooms near the city’s water-intake pipe in Lake Erie.
—Tim Folger, National Geographic, 17 Nov. 2020
Microcystis, which is the most common bloom forming genus of cyanobacteria, can form a layer of green scum in Lake Erie and releases a toxin called microcystin.
—Miriam Marini, Detroit Free Press, 31 July 2021
The ban continued today, as further testing revealed evidence of the toxin microcystin in a drinking water plant.
—Tom Yulsman, Discover Magazine, 4 Aug. 2014
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
Dictionary Entries Near microcystin
Cite this Entry
“Microcystin.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microcystin. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
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