Established in 2001, the Research Group of Algal Resources and Toxicology has been studying toxic cyanobacteria at individual and population level, trying to elucidate the pattern, process and driving forces governing the outbreak and decline of toxic cyanobacterial blooms, in the meantime, study the fate and toxicology of toxins and off-flavor in freshwater bodies. They also aim at the development of techniques for the prediction and control of cyanobacterial bloom and harmful substances. Exploitation of economically or environmentally important algae is another mission of this group.  

Currently, researchers from this group are conducting several national projects supported by the National Natural Science Foundation, National Key R&D Program, etc. Over 100 papers have been published in Journals such as Water Research, Environmental Science & Technology, Harmful Algae, Environmental Microbiology or Science of the Total Environment, and two national standards on toxin assays were proposed by this group. Their study was recognized by awards from EPA or provincial governments.  

Over the past two decades, this group has collaborated with scientists from USA, Israel, Korea, France, Japan, Germany and Slovenia etc. with fruitful outcomes.  

Recent Publications:  

Wei Chen, Lin Li, Nanqin Gan, Lirong Song. Optimization of an effective extraction procedure for the analysis of microcystins in soils and lake sediments. Environmental pollution, 2006, 143: 241-246 

Wei Chen, Lirong Song, Nanqin Gan, Lin Li. Sorption, degradation and mobility of microcystins in Chinese agriculture soils: Risk assessment for groundwater protection. Environmental pollution, 2006, 144: 752-758 

Hui Zeng, Lirong Song, Zhigang Yu, Hongtao Chen. Distribution of phytoplankton in the three-Gorge reservoir during rainy and dry seasons. Science of the total environment, 2006, 367: 999-1009 

Hongbin Li, Guoxiang Hou, Feng Dakui, Bangding Xiao, Lirong Song, Yongding Liu. Prediction and elucidation of the population dynamics of Microcystis spp. in Lake Dianchi (China) by means of artificial neural networks. Ecological informatics, 2007, 2(2): 184-192 

Guoxiang Hou, Hongbin Li, Recknagel F., Lirong Song. Using the moving window incorporated neural network to forecast the population behavior of Nostocales spp. in the River Darling, Australia. Fresenius environmental bulletin, 2007,16(3): 304-309 

Hui Zeng, Lirong Song. Post-Impoundment Biomass and Composition of Phytoplankton in the Yangtze River, International Review of Hydrobiology, 2007, 92(3): 267–280 

Hong Shen, Lirong Song. Comparative studies on physiological responses to phosphorus in two phenotypes of bloom-forming Microcystis. Hydrobiologia, 2007, 592: 475-486 

Jie Li, Lirong Song. Applicability of the MTT assay for measuring viability of cyanobacteria and algae specifically for Microcystis aeruginosa (Chroococcales, Cyanobacteria). Phycologia, 2007, 46: 593–599 

Lin Li, Neng Wan, Nanqin Gan, Bangding Xiao, Lirong Song. Annual dynamics and origins of the odourous compounds in the pilot experimental area of Lake Dianchi, China. Water Science and Technology, 2007, 55: 43-50 

Zhongxing Wu, Nanqin Gan, Lirong Song. Genetic Diversity: Geographical Distribution and Toxin Profiles of Microcystis Strains(Cyanobacteria) in China, Journal of Integrative Plant Biology, 2007, 49: 262-269 

Lirong Song, Wei Chen, Liang Peng, Neng Wan, Nanqin Gan, Xiaoming Zhang. Distribution and bioaccumulation of microcystins in water columns: A systematic investigation into the environmental fate and the risks associated with microcystins in Meiliang Bay, Lake Taihu，Water Research, 2007, 41(13): 2853-2864 

Wei Chen, Lirong Song, Liang Peng, Neng Wan, Xiaoming Zhang, Nanqin Gan. Reduction in microcystin concentrations in large and shallow lakes: Water and sediment-interface contributions. Water Research, 2008, 42: 763-773 

Chenlin Hu, Nanqin Gan, Zhike He and Lirong Song. A novel chemiluminescent immunoassay for microcystin (MC) detection based on gold nanoparticles label and its application to MC analysis in aquatic environmental samples. International journal of environmental analytical chemistry, 2008, 88(4): 267-277 

Zhongxing Wu, Lirong Song, Renhui Li. Different tolerances and responses to low temperature and darkness between waterbloom forming cyanobacterium Microcystis and a green alga Scenedesmus. Hydrobiologia, 2008, 596: 47–55 

Zhongxing Wu, Lirong Song. Physiological Comparison between Colonial and Unicellular forms of Microcystis Aeruginosa Kütz. (Cyanobacteria). Phycologia, 2008, 47(1):98–104 

Lili Wei, Baojian Sun, Lirong Song, Pin Nie. Gene expression profiles in liver of zebrafish treated with microcystin-LR. Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology, 2008, 26(1): 6-12  

Neng Wan, Jun Tang, Qingman Li, Song Lirong. The responses of Microcystis to sediment environments and the assessment for its overwintering--a simulation study in a novel device. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 2008, 17(11): 2146-2151