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Enhanced Release of Cyanotoxins in Freshwater Lakes: Insights on the Causal Mechanisms and Eutrophication Dynamics in the North Bank Plains of Brahmaputra Valley, Assam, India

  • Bishal Paul 1,   
  • G. Parthasarathy 2,   
  • Prantika Barman 1,   
  • Nayanmoni Gogoi 1, *

Received: 17 Dec 2025 | Revised: 31 Jan 2026 | Accepted: 04 Feb 2026 | Published: 12 Feb 2026

Highlights

  • Shallow lakes in the sub-tropics are more prone to eutrophication and cyanotoxin pollution.
  • Microcystin-LR is a commonly occurring cyanotoxin in water bodies and a potent toxin for living organisms.
  • MC-LR depends on harmful algal blooms (HABs), trophic state index (TSI), and bio physicochemical variables of water bodies.
  • Ecohydrological monitoring and epidemiological interventions will help in the systematic remediation of cyanotoxin pollution.

Abstract

Cyanotoxin pollution is a radical phenomenon involving depth of water bodies, nutrient enrichment, and dominance of cyanobacterial species. This investigation presents a novel framework for assessing cyanotoxin  (MC-LR)  risk analysis  in the  north bank plains of Brahmaputra valley, Assam, Northeast  India and cyanotoxin pollution was assessed in seven sub-tropical shallow lakes in Tezpur, Sonitpur, Assam. A positive association was established between cyanotoxin pollution and lake trophic state fluctuations. MicrocystinLR (MC-LR) was quantified through a two-way analytical approach involving ELISA and HPLC methods, and the pathways of eutrophication were systematically evaluated involving CNP dynamics and limnological variables. MC-LR was detected in the seven lakes, 1.12–3.46 ppb (HPLC-method) and 1.143–19.42 ppb (ELISA-method); all lakes contained MC-LR beyond WHO permissible limits (>1 ppb). Trophic State Index (TSI) ranged between 52.05–64.59, eutrophic in four lakes and hypereutrophic in three lakes. CNP enrichment boosted algal density, chlorophyll-a, and hence MC-LR in the lakes (p < 0.05; p < 0.01). Secchi Disk Depth (SDD) had significant correlation with TSI and MC-LR potentially released by Microcystis, Dolichospermum, and Nostoc (p < 0.01); MC-LR showed substantial associations with CNP and TSI (p < 0.01). There are current or past records of MC-LR related epidemiological interventions in the study area. Therefore, this study addresses an urgent necessity to monitor cyanotoxin pollution and address the ecotoxicological concerns of harmful algal blooms (HABs) releasing cyanotoxins Northeast India lakes. Risk analysis and risk mitigation following “state of the art” cyanotoxin guidelines will facilitate systematic remediation of cyanotoxin pollution universally.

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DOI
10.63335/j.hp.2026.0035
Issue
Volume 2, Issue 1
How to Cite
Paul, B., Parthasarathy, G., Barman, P., & Gogoi, N. (2026). Enhanced Release of Cyanotoxins in Freshwater Lakes: Insights on the Causal Mechanisms and Eutrophication Dynamics in the North Bank Plains of Brahmaputra Valley, Assam, India. Habitable Planet, 2(1), 205–215. https://doi.org/10.63335/j.hp.2026.0035
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