The 9th Cyanobacteria Workshop, held on 23-24 September in Hobart, brought together leading researchers, water quality experts, and treatment specialists to explore cutting-edge science and innovation in the management of harmful cyanobacterial blooms.
Several AOM Lab members presented their work including Ms Amy Charoensook, Dr Fitri Widhiastuti,聽Ms Lulu Zhang, Dr Xiaoran (Daisy) Chu and Prof Rita Henderson. Ms Amy Charoensook presented her work on algal cell inactivation via ozonation, revealing key oxidative mechanisms that support more effective treatment strategies. Dr Fitri Widhiastuti delivered an integrated method for cyanotoxin detection using LC-MS/MS combined with cell viability assays, enabling simultaneous evaluation of toxin levels and treatment impact. In a joint presentation, Ms Lulu Zhang and Dr Xiaoran (Daisy) Chu discussed the identification of persistent cyanobacterial taxa in Australian drinking water plants.
Professor Rita Henderson highlighted practical applications of research in her talk, 鈥淭reatment Considerations for Cyanobacteria: From Fundamentals to Application鈥, emphasising the importance of adaptive, science-based solutions in the face of evolving bloom dynamics.
The team also reconnected with AOM Lab alumni Dr Florence Choo and Dr Arash Zamyadi, both continuing to contribute meaningfully to cyanobacterial research and treatment innovation.
The workshop underscored the increasing urgency and complexity of managing cyanobacteria in drinking water systems, while showcasing promising advances in detection, control, and risk mitigation. As researchers continue to innovate across disciplines, collaborative efforts such as this workshop are essential to safeguard water quality and public health.