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Cyanobacteria are important organisms in all freshwater environments, from water-soaked soils and week-old puddles to rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds. Many species become nuisance organisms, fouling water when growing in optimal conditions. At times, these bacteria render water sources unusable, preventing the recreational use of ponds and lakes. The authors of this small, useful guide fill a void for students and water quality practitioners wishing to identify the cyanobacteria found in their nearby freshwater habitats or water treatment facilities. This book offers concise chapters on collecting samples; defining morphological features that define cyanobacteria, their toxins, and levels of toxicity (useful for water quality assessment); and a commentary on local control of freshwater cyanobacterial blooms. The heart of the book is a guide to 37 of the most common genera found in North America, each of which is carefully described and illustrated with microscopic photographs. A useful key precedes the descriptions, and at the end, a glossary of terms is provided. The volume's only shortcoming is the low magnification of some photos; larger images would have aided users. This is, however, a low-cost volume for students to use in the lab as an identification guide. Summing Up: Recommended. Undergraduates and professionals.--Craig W. Schneider, Trinity College (CT)
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
