光合率作为藻类毒理测试指标

以氧电极法的光合率作为藻类毒性测试指标。整个测试过程准确,简便,快速。能够随时测定受试毒物对藻类光合作用的效应,与常规毒性试验比较,测定时间由96h缩短到2h。灵敏度约提高了一倍,Cu~(2 )对光合作用的半数效应浓度(EC_(50))是0.105mg/L,比Cu~(2 )对藻的急性毒性试验的EC_(50)(0.204mg/L)少了一倍。     

苯酚对不同营养层次水生生物的急性毒性

利用静水致毒试验,获处苯酚对四种水生物的毒效应。由回归分析法计算出苯酚对月芽藻48hEbC_(50)为63.22mg/L;对F_2代短钝蚤72h的LC_(50)为2.09±0.24mg/L,对鲤鱼的LC_(50)48b、72h分别为18.52±0.10mg/L和18.87±0.12mg/L;对孔雀鱼的LC_(50)48h、72h分别为64.52±0.04mg/L和64.30±0.04mg/L。即苯酚对蚤的毒性最强、鲤鱼次之,再次为藻类,孔雀鱼最弱。苯酚对蚤的LC_(50)值随时间延长而下降,而对藻类E_0C_(50)则相反随时间延长而增大,但对鱼类的LC_(50)则随时间延长没有明显的变化。     

三聚氰胺对藻类的毒性效应研究

以近头状伪蹄形藻(Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata)和斜生栅藻(Scenedesmus obliquus)为材料,利用藻类生长抑制试验测定了三聚氰胺对藻类的毒性效应。结果表明,三聚氰胺对两种藻的生长存在不同程度的抑制效应,浓度越高,抑制效应越强;对斜生栅藻的毒性效应还随处理时间的延长而增强。以生物量计,三聚氰胺抑制近头状伪蹄形藻和斜生栅藻生长的72h EbC50值分别是537.67和485.17mg/L,均为较低的毒性效应。两种藻的生长率均随处理浓度的增加而逐渐降低;依据估算的EC20和EC10值推断,斜生栅藻对三聚氰胺较为敏感,而且还具有明显的慢性毒性效应。       

磷浓度对小环藻、大型溞和金鱼藻三者相互作用的影响

为了解磷浓度对水生植被恢复和生物操纵效果的影响, 分别用小环藻(Cyclotella sp.)、大型溞(Daphnia magna)和金鱼藻(Ceratophyllum demersum)代表浮游植物、浮游动物和大型沉水植物建立水生微宇宙模型, 在25℃、2600 lx光强和11 mg/L氮浓度条件下, 分别研究小环藻与大型溞、小环藻与金鱼藻、小环藻-大型溞-金鱼藻共培养时4种磷浓度(0.05、0.1、0.5和2 mg/L)下小环藻、大型溞、金鱼藻的增长率以及培养液中氮磷去除率的变化。结果表明: 小环藻与大型溞、小环藻与金鱼藻两两共培养时, 磷浓度为0.05-2 mg/L时, 金鱼藻和大型溞均生长良好, 小环藻受到明显抑制, 其密度保持较小幅度的正增长。在小环藻-大型溞-金鱼藻三者共培养时, 在0.05-2 mg/L的磷浓度范围内大型溞和金鱼藻生长良好, 与两两共培养相比, 小环藻则受到了更大程度的抑制, 在磷浓度为0.05-0.1 mg/L时藻密度呈现负增长. 这说明在水生态系统中, 大型浮游动物和沉水植物对浮游藻类的联合控制效果远好于各自单独的控制效果, 该控制效果随磷浓度的提高而减弱, 以0.1 mg/L的磷浓度为最佳。在实验结束后测定氮磷去除率发现, 在最低磷浓度(0.05 mg/L),即磷限制时, 水中磷去除率最高, 在最高磷浓度(2 mg/L), 即氮限制时, 水中氮去除率最高。     

温度和氮磷浓度对平裂藻和栅藻生长及竞争的影响

为了解温度及氮磷浓度对平裂藻和栅藻生长及竞争的影响,分别在18、25和35℃条件下,以BG11培养基为基础,设置了不同的氮磷浓度组,进行了2种藻的单独培养试验和混合培养试验,结果表明:在纯培养条件下,低营养浓度组(磷浓度分别为0.1和0.5 mg/L)平裂藻在3种温度下基本停止生长,高营养盐浓度组(磷浓度分别为1.0和1.5 mg/L)除18℃1.0 mg/L组停止生长外,其余均能正常生长增殖,且细胞最大密度表现为25℃ 18℃ 35℃, 1.5和1.0 mg/L浓度组细胞生长差异不显著。栅藻在纯培养条件下,细胞密度总体表现为随着营养盐浓度升高而增加的趋势,细胞最大密度表现为18℃ 25℃ 35℃。在混合培养试验中,除35℃、1.5 mg/L组平裂藻对栅藻的竞争抑制参数大于栅藻对平裂藻的竞争抑制参数外,其余试验组均表现为栅藻受平裂藻影响较小。在混合培养体系中, 0.1 mg/L组平裂藻仍基本停止生长, 0.5 mg/L组受栅藻的刺激作用,生长优于纯培养体系。1.0和1.5 mg/L组均受栅藻的抑制作用,且浓度越高抑制作用越强。       

咪唑离子液体对四尾栅藻的毒性

按照藻类生长抑制试验标准方法,以四尾栅藻为受试生物,研究了离子液体1-丁基-3-甲基咪唑氯盐([C4mim][Cl])和1-丁基-3-甲基咪唑四氟硼酸盐([C4mim][BF4])对四尾栅藻的影响,测定了半数有效浓度(EC50)和叶绿素含量。结果表明:[C4mim][Cl]和[C4mim][BF4]对四尾栅藻的生长和叶绿素的产生均具有抑制作用,毒性效应随着浓度的增大和培养时间的增长而增加,96 h的EC50分别为57.8和38.8 mg/L。离子液体质量浓度为200mg/L时,四尾栅藻的叶绿素总量仅为对照组的32%和26%。此结果可以说明离子液体对生态系统存在潜在的负面效应。     

[OMIm]Br对蛋白核小球藻的致毒效应

通过急性毒性实验考察了溴化1-辛基-3-甲基咪唑([OMIm]Br)离子液体对蛋白核小球藻(Chlorella pyrenoidosa)的致毒作用。结果表明:经过[OMIm]Br处理96 h,藻细胞生物量(包括藻细胞密度、叶绿素和蛋白质含量)发生改变,呈现正相关的剂量-效应关系;[OMIm]Br抑制蛋白核小球藻生长的半最大效应浓度(EC50)为14.95 mg·L-1;藻细胞的抗氧化机制受到破坏,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性均下降,膜脂质过氧化产物丙二醛(MDA)的含量增加,且SOD、POD、MDA三者的变化幅度与受试物剂量呈正相关;[OMIm]Br通过直接损伤蛋白质和破坏抗氧化机制系统等途径对蛋白核小球藻产生致毒机制,运用流式细胞仪等手段证实藻细胞周期被[OMIm]Br阻滞在S期和G2/M期,并导致藻细胞坏死,阻滞程度和坏死程度与[OMIm]Br剂量呈正相关。     

蓖齿眼子菜对栅藻和微囊藻的他感作用及其参数

主要报道篦齿眼子菜 (俗称红线草 )的种植水抽滤液对栅藻、微囊藻生长的他感作用试验。应用修正的逻辑斯谛 (Logistic)方程和Lotka Volterra种群竞争模型来计算篦齿眼子菜对藻类的他感作用参数。纯培养试验结果表明 :种植水抽滤液对栅藻生物量和生长率都有一定的促进作用。当浓度大于等于 5 0 %时 ,对栅藻生长的影响则是有抑制效应 ,他感作用效应与种植水的浓度没有明显的相关性 ,他感作用参数平均为 - 0 0 2 6。所有浓度设对照。微囊藻的生长都有明显的抑制作用 ,他感作用参数平均为 - 0 2 37。共培养试验结果表明 :篦齿眼子菜种植水抽滤液对纯培养试验结果有放大效应。所有的种植水抽滤液浓度对栅藻生长都起促进作用 ,对栅藻的生物量效应、生长率存在明显的对数正相关 ,但与他感作用参数的相关不明显 ,共培养的他感作用参数平均为 0 0 2 0 ;对微囊藻生长抑制作用更加明显 ,共培养的他感作用参数平均为 - 0 4 2 0。不管是纯培养还是共培养中 ,种植水抽滤液对栅藻的他感作用系数值都很低 ;而种植水抽滤液浓度对微囊藻的生物量效应、生长率或他感作用的参数都存在明显的线性负相关 ,并且他感作用系数值约高一个数量级     

有机磷农药对微藻的毒性作用研究概述

论文就有机磷农药对藻类生长的影响、毒性机理以及对浮游植物群落结构的影响进行综述。相对于水生甲壳类和鱼类,有机磷农药对藻类毒性较低,EC₅₀一般高于1mg/L,对藻类生长的影响大致呈现低浓度促进、高浓度抑制的趋势,有机磷农药之间及其与其它化合物之间具有联合毒性作用。有机磷农药对藻细胞酶活性具有一定影响,而对光合作用的影响也是有机磷农药对藻类毒性效应的重要致毒机制。浮游植物对有机磷农药敏感性差异以及施药引起的浮游动物对藻类的选择性摄食,可能会导致水生态系统中浮游植物群落结构的变化。     

一株虾池来源的螺旋拟柱孢藻藻株的分离鉴定及重金属离子Cu~(2+)、Cd~(2+)和Pb~(2+)对其生长的影响

【目的】探讨凡纳滨对虾养殖水体中入侵蓝藻拟柱孢藻的生长生理特性。【方法】从汕头澄海人工对虾养殖池分离纯化藻株,通过形态及其16SrRNA基因鉴定,之后在CT与BG11两种蓝藻通用培养基的基础上优化最佳培养条件,最后分析了不同浓度的3种重金属离子即Cu~(2+)(0–0.8 mg/L)、Cd~(2+)(0–4 mg/L)和Pb~(2+)(0–80 mg/L)对藻株生长的影响。【结果】澄海虾池来源的分离纯化藻株形态呈卷曲螺旋型,16S rRNA基因序列与多株其他来源的拟柱孢藻相似度均达98%以上。实验室培养,藻株最佳生长状态的培养条件是在BG11培养基的基础上调整氮浓度及氮磷比分别为N 62 mg/L,N︰P=9︰1,在此条件下,藻丝生物量可达(0.632±0.170)×107/L,藻丝比平均生长速率最高为(0.063±0.001)/d。本分离藻株活体对重金属Cu~(2+)、Cd~(2+)和Pb~(2+)具有一定的耐受性,其耐受浓度范围分别为0–0.2、0–0.5和1–40 mg/L,其中,Cu~(2+)和Cd~(2+)对藻的生长具有抑制作用,而且此抑制作用随着金属离子剂量的增加及作用时间的延长更加显著,Cu~(2+)和Cd~(2+)对藻体的半数抑制浓度(96 h EC50)分别为0.125和0.551 mg/L;而浓度范围为0–80 mg/L的Pb~(2+)对藻体的生长则表现为低剂量(≤40 mg/L)呈促进,高剂量(≥80 mg/L)则抑制。【结论】从凡纳滨对虾养殖池中分离鉴定出一株形态呈螺旋型的拟柱孢藻,命名为螺旋拟柱孢藻(Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii helix),本藻株活体能够在一定浓度的Cu~(2+)、Cd~(2+)和Pb~(2+)中生长,为螺旋拟柱孢藻活藻生物吸附重金属离子而改善虾池水体环境提供了可能性。     

滇池中溶藻细菌的分离鉴定及其溶藻效应

【背景】藻类水华或赤潮在世界范围内频发,带来各种危害,亟需找到有效途径控制水华或赤潮。溶藻细菌具有杀死藻类控制藻类生物量的能力,可以作为防治水华和赤潮的有效工具。【目的】分离并鉴定滇池中的铜绿微囊藻(Microcystisaeruginosa)及其溶藻细菌,对溶藻菌作用于铜绿微囊藻的溶藻效应进行研究,初步了解其溶藻特性与溶藻机制。【方法】采用LB平板稀释涂布,再经多次划线分离纯化细菌,测定16SrRNA基因序列以鉴定细菌种类;采用毛细管分离的方法分离铜绿微囊藻,并测定其cpcBA基因序列以鉴定蓝藻种类;采用热乙醇法提取叶绿素a,从而计算溶藻效率;基于过氧化氢酶(CAT)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)和丙二醛(MDA)探究藻细胞在溶藻菌处理下的抗氧化系统响应。【结果】共分离获得11株微囊藻和17株针对铜绿微囊藻的高效溶藻菌。选取其中一株生长速度最快的铜绿微囊藻DCM4和一株溶藻效果最好的溶藻菌Sp37 (Bacillus siamensis)进行后续研究。Sp37对DCM4的4 d溶藻率达到92.4%±1.5%,且对微囊藻属的水华微囊藻(M. flos-aquae)和惠氏微囊藻(M.wesenbergii)均有溶藻效果,而对绿藻没有溶藻效果。Sp37的原菌液和无菌滤液对DCM4的4d溶藻率分别为86.8%±4.3%和81.1%±2.2%,两者没有显著差异(P0.05)。Sp37菌体对DCM4的溶藻率为25.4%±7.3%。Sp37无菌滤液经不同温度和pH处理之后的溶藻率与未经处理的无菌滤液的溶藻率无明显差异。Sp37无菌滤液处理藻细胞会使藻细胞的CAT、GSH和MDA含量发生变化。【结论】菌株Sp37对铜绿微囊藻DCM4具有高效的溶藻作用,而且对微囊藻属具有一定的溶藻特异性。Sp37是通过分泌胞外物质间接溶藻,且溶藻物质具有热稳定性和酸碱稳定性。Sp37无菌滤液处理藻细胞会触发藻细胞抗氧化系统,并且会损伤藻细胞膜。Sp37无菌滤液很可能是通过对藻细胞造成氧化胁迫,最终导致藻细胞死亡的。     

Microbial community interactions and population dynamics of an algicidal bacterium active against Karenia brevis (Dinophyceae)

The population dynamics of Cytophaga strain 41-DBG2, a bacterium algicidal to the harmful algal bloom (HAB) dinoflagellate Karenia brevis, were investigated in laboratory experiments using fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Following its introduction into non-axenic K. brevis cultures at concentrations of 10³ or 10⁵ bacterial cells per milliliter, 41-DBG2 increased to 10⁶ cells per milliliter before initiation of its algicidal activity. Such threshold concentrations were not achieved when starting algal cell numbers were relatively low (10³ cells per milliliter), suggesting that the growth of this bacterium may require high levels of dissolved organic matter (DOM) excreted by the algae. It remains to be determined whether this threshold concentration is required to trigger an algicidal response by 41-DBG2 or, alternatively, is the point at which the bacterium accumulates to an effective killing concentration. The ambient microbial community associated with these algal cultures, as determined by DGGE profiles, did not change until after K. brevis cells were in the process of lysing, indicating a response to the rapid input of algal-derived organic matter. Resistance to algicidal attack exhibited by several K. brevis clones was found to result from the inhibition of 41-DBG2 growth in the presence of currently unculturable bacteria associated with those clones. These bacteria apparently prevented 41-DBG2 from reaching the threshold concentration required for initiation of algicidal activity. Remarkably, resistance and susceptibility to the algicidal activity of 41-DBG2 could be transferred between K. brevis clones with the exchange of their respective unattached bacterial communities, which included several dominant phylotypes belonging to the α-proteobacteria, γ-proteobacteria, and Cytophaga–Flavobacterium–Bacteroides (CFB) groups. We hypothesize that CFB bacteria may be successfully competing with 41-DBG2 (also a member of the CFB) for nutrients, thereby inhibiting growth of the latter and indirectly providing resistance against algicidal attack. We conclude that if algicidal bacteria play a significant role in regulating HAB dynamics, as some authors have inferred, bacterial community interactions are crucial factors that must be taken into consideration in future studies.     

溶藻细菌NP23液体培养基的优化及 生物安全性的研究

【目的】为快速培养高浓度菌液以治理水体富营养化导致的藻类水华。【方法】首先用Plackett-Burman(PB)法筛选出影响NP23菌浓的3个重要因素KNO3、MnSO4.H2O和K2HPO4,然后对筛选出的重要因素在最佳值区域里用响应面方法(RSM)来优化NP23菌培养条件,最后用急性毒性试验和致突变试验对NP23菌液投入水体的生物安全性进行评价。【结果】优化后菌浓达到1013CFU/mL,比优化前菌浓大4个数量级。NP23菌液即使在大剂量下对鱼类也无急性毒性,对鱼类无致突变效应。【结论】研究结果为NP23菌实际应用提供参考。     

溶藻细菌BS03(Microbulbifer sp.)对塔玛亚历山大藻生长及抗氧化系统的影响

【目的】研究溶藻细菌BS03(Microbulbifer sp.)胁迫下塔玛亚历山大藻细胞光合作用、抗氧化酶系统和半胱氨酸蛋白酶3(Caspase-3)变化,探讨溶藻细菌BS03对塔玛亚历山大藻的溶藻机制。【方法】通过0.5%、1.0%、1.5%、2.0%不同终浓度BS03上清液处理藻细胞后12、24、36、48h取样,测定溶藻过程藻细胞光合色素、叶绿素荧光效率、抗氧化酶系统、Caspase酶活性变化。【结果】(1)BS03上清液处理藻细胞后,藻细胞叶绿素a含量和叶绿素荧光Fv/Fm比值随BS03上清液处理时间延长和浓度的增加呈逐渐下降趋势;低浓度处理组藻细胞类胡萝卜素含量上升到一峰值,高于对照组后逐渐回落,而高浓度处理组类胡萝素含量呈下降趋势,低于对照组;(2)藻细胞抗氧化酶保护系统(SOD和CAT)活性随着BS03上清液处理浓度增加而升高,但随着处理时间的延长呈现先上升后下降趋势。藻细胞膜脂过氧化产物MDA积累量随着BS03上清液处理时间延长和处理浓度的增加而显著提高;(3)处理组藻细胞Caspase-3活性显著高于对照组,呈现出类似程序性死亡特征。【结论】BS03的抑藻机理可能是通过抑制藻细胞光合作用,降低抗氧化酶活性、加大膜脂过氧化起到对塔玛亚历山大藻的溶解作用,并呈现出类程序性死亡特征。     

溶藻细菌L7对水华鱼腥藻氮代谢的影响

【目的】进一步探明藻菌关系,研究溶藻细菌对藻类氮代谢的影响及其作用机制。【方法】将水华鱼腥藻和溶藻细菌L7按两种比例接种入BG11培养液中,在室内进行共培养(藻细胞初始密度为1.21×108cells/L;溶藻细菌L7初始密度分别为1.75×107、1.75×108CFU/mL)。连续7 d测定藻细胞数、异形胞频率和藻细胞内的硝酸还原酶(NR)活性、谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)活性、谷氨酸合成酶(GOGAT)活性、蛋白质含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量。【结果】低密度溶藻细菌L7能够促进藻生长(第7天藻细胞密度是对照组的1.58倍),增加异形胞频率(第7天高于对照组66.67%);高密度则会抑制藻生长(第7天藻细胞密度相比对照组下降98.84%),降低异形胞频率(第7天为0)。在藻细胞内氮代谢关键酶活性方面,接种后2 5 d,两处理组中藻细胞内NR和GOGAT活性均极显著高于对照组(P<0.01);接种后0 5 d,高密度处理组的GS活性极显著高于对照组(P<0.01),而低密度处理组的则在大部分时间内极显著低于对照组(P<0.01)。在整个实验期内,低密度处理组中藻细胞内蛋白质含量一直极显著高于对照组(P<0.01);而在高密度处理组中,除第5天外,细胞内蛋白质含量则全部极显著低于对照组(P<0.01)。接种后2 4 d,高密度处理组中藻细胞内MDA含量呈现上升趋势,并极显著高于其余两组(P<0.01)。【结论】低密度溶藻细菌L7能够提高水华鱼腥藻对氮源的需求,加速蛋白质合成,促进氮代谢;而高密度溶藻细菌L7会对藻细胞产生过氧化伤害,阻碍蛋白质合成和氮代谢过程。     

响应面法优化细菌EHB01对铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)的溶藻条件

【背景】水体富营养化导致的蓝藻水华对淡水资源造成了严重污染。利用环境友好型的溶藻菌可有效控制蓝藻的生长,是防治蓝藻水华形成的有效途径之一。【目的】优化溶藻细菌EHB01对铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)的溶藻条件,以期为治理蓝藻水华污染提供高效的溶藻菌制剂。【方法】采用单因素试验对溶藻的发酵液浓度、温度、光照以及C:N和N:P进行分析,并对溶藻细菌EHB01发酵液的碳源、氮源和p H进行优化。基于单因素试验,选用中心组合试验设计(central composite design,CCD)确定关键因子的最佳数量水平,并以Desig-Expert 8.0.5进行回归分析,通过响应面分析获得溶藻效果最佳的参数。【结果】发酵液浓度对溶藻率的影响表现为持续上升;温度对溶藻率表现为先上升后下降;而光照、C:N和N:P均对细菌EHB01发酵液溶藻率的影响表现为先降低后上升的趋势。溶藻细菌EHB01发酵液所需的最佳碳源为蔗糖,氮源为硝酸钾,pH为7.5,优化条件下溶藻率达86.97%,与优化之前相比提高了21.72%。【结论】采用响应面法优化得出溶藻细菌EHB01发酵液最优的培养条件,且模型拟合效果较好,可为溶藻菌制剂工业化发酵提供有效依据。     

Algicidal bacteria in the sea and their impact on algal blooms

Over the past two decades, many reports have revealed the existence of bacteria capable of killing phytoplankton. These algicidal bacteria sometimes increase in abundance concurrently with the decline of algal blooms, suggesting that they may affect algal bloom dynamics. Here, we synthesize the existing knowledge on algicidal bacteria interactions with marine eukaryotic microalgae. We discuss the effectiveness of the current methods to characterize the algicidal phenotype in an ecosystem context. We briefly consider the literature on the phylogenetic identification of algicidal bacteria, their interaction with their algal prey, the characterization of algicidal molecules, and the enumeration of algicidal bacteria during algal blooms. We conclude that, due to limitations of current methods, the evidence for algicidal bacteria causing algal bloom decline is circumstantial. New methods and an ecosystem approach are needed to test hypotheses on the impact of algicidal bacteria in algal bloom dynamics. This will require enlarging the scope of inquiry from its current focus on the potential utility of algicidal bacteria in the control of harmful algal blooms. We suggest conceptualizing bacterial algicidy within the general problem of bacterial regulation of algal community structure in the ocean.     

Marine bacteria antagonistic to the harmful algal bloom species Alexandrium tamarense (Dinophyceae)

As part of efforts to enhance the strategies employed to manage and mitigate algal blooms and their adverse effects, algicidal bacteria have shown promise as potential suppressors of these events. Nine strains of bacteria algicidal against the toxic dinoflagellate, Alexandrium tamarense, were isolated from the East Sea area, China. Sequence analysis of 16S rDNA showed that all the algicidal bacteria belonged to the γ-proteobacteria subclass and the genera Pseudoalteromonas (strain SP31 and SP44), Alteromonas (strain DH12 and DH46), Idiomarina (strain SP96), Vibrio (strain DH47 and DH51) and Halomonas (strain DH74 and DH77). To assess the algicidal mode of these algicidal bacteria, bacterial cells and the filtrate from bacterial cultures were inoculated into A. tamarense cultures, and fluorescein diacetate vital stain was applied to monitor the growth of the algal cells. The results showed that all the algicidal bacteria exhibited algicidal activity through an indirect attack since algicidal activity was only detected in cell free supernatants but not the bacterial cells. This is the first report of bacteria from the genus Idiomarina showing algicidal activity to the toxic dinoflagellate A. tamarense and these findings would increase our knowledge of bacterial–algal interactions and the role of bacteria during the population dynamics of HABs.     

ALGICIDAL BACTERIA ACTIVE AGAINST GYMNODINIUM BREVE (DINOPHYCEAE). I. BACTERIAL ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF KILLING ACTIVITY1,3

Interactions between bacteria and species of harmful and/or toxic algae are potentially important factors affecting both the population dynamics and the toxicity of these algae. Recent reports of bacteria lethal to certain harmful algal bloom (HAB) species, coupled with a rapidly evolving interest in attempting to minimize the adverse effects of HABs through various prevention, control, and mitigation strategies, have focused attention on defining the role of algicidal bacteria in bloom termination. The aim of the present study was to determine whether algicidal bacteria active against Gymnodinium breve Davis, a dinoflagellate responsible for frequent and protracted red tides in the Gulf of Mexico, are present in the waters of the west Florida shelf. To date, we have isolated two bacterial strains from this region lethal to G. breve and have begun to characterize the algicidal activity of one of these strains, 41-DBG2. This bacterium, a yellow-pigmented, gram-negative rod, was isolated from waters containing no detectable G. breve cells, suggesting that such bacteria are part of the ambient microbial community and are not restricted to areas of high G. breve abundance. Strain 41-DBG2 produced a dissolved algicidal compound(s) that was released into the growth medium, and the algicide was effective against the four Gulf of Mexico G. breve isolates tested as well as a closely related HAB species that also occurs in this region, Gymnodinium mikimotoi Miyake et Kominami ex Oda. Nonetheless, data showing that a nontoxic isolate of Gymnodinium sanguineum Hirasaka from Florida Bay was not affected indicate that the algicidal activity of this bacterium does exhibit a degree of taxonomic specificity. Our efforts are currently being directed at resolving several critical issues, including the identity of the algicide(s), the mechanisms regulating its production and ability to discriminate between target algal species, and how the growth rate of 41-DBG2 is affected by the presence of G. breve cells. We have also proposed a conceptual model for interactions between algicidal bacteria and their target species to serve as a testable framework for ensuing field studies.