Microcystins pollution in freshwater: a review of current status and degradation advances

Background The escalating impact of global warming and eutrophication has led to an increase in large-scale outbreaks of Cyanobacteria, particularly Microcystis, in freshwater ecosystems. This phenomenon results in the widespread accumulation of microcystins (MCs), a type of cyclic heptapeptide hepatotoxin with potent biological activity. MCs not only exhibit significantly ecological toxicity, posing a serious threat to aquatic biodiversity, but also due to their strong hepatotoxicity, they have been identified as potential promoters of liver cancer, thereby posing substantial public safety hazards to both human and animal health.

Progress Considering the environmental persistence of MCs and the limitations of traditional water treatment technologies in eliminating them, the search for effective methods to degrade MCs has become a pressing task in the field of environmental science and technology. This article provides a comprehensive review of the background of MCs production, its ecological and public health hazards, and offers a detailed overview of recent research progress on MCs degradation mechanisms. Through a comprehensive analysis of current research findings, the article further emphasizes the critical importance of elucidating and optimizing MCs degradation mechanisms to enhance environmental protection and ensure the safety of drinking water.

Significance In view of the existing research limitations and challenges, the article forecasts the future trends and potential research avenues for MCs degradation strategies.