A call out for cyano-bloom samples across Australia
We need your help!
Seeking water samples from all interested parties
Cyanobacteria bloom at Sullivans Creek, Canberra, ACT, in 1992
The ANCRC is undertaking an ambitious project to carry out metagenomic sequencing of freshwater cyanobacteria bloom samples from as many waterbodies as possible across the country. Where feasible, we hope to also undertake strain isolations of the cyanobacteria. We are curious to know who is currently out there in Australian waters—the major players and the dark horses, the expected and the unexpected.
The last Australia-wide study was conducted in 2010-2011 (CyanoSurvey, WaterRA, 2013) with much still unknown, especially of the rural regions. As such, an update is urgently needed. The data (and strains) collected will be made publicly accessible and widely available for further research, greatly benefitting the understanding of our local waters.
Geographic distribution of sampling locations of cyanobacteria blooms in Australia (2010-2011) reported in CyanoSurvey, WaterRA, 2013
WHEN: Main bloom targets are during the summers of 2025/2026 and 2026/2027. Bloom samples from any other time and season would absolutely be welcome and of substantial interest, as well.
WHERE: Rivers, catchments, lakes, mine pit lakes, source waters, dams, reservoirs, recreational waters, irrigation, and many more!
Please reach out if you would like to contribute samples; we would be pleased to discuss details and make arrangements. We look forward to hearing from you!
Project lead: Anusuya Willis anusuya.willis@csiro.au
Secondary contact: ANACC team anacc@csiro.au