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For the past 13 years, CyanoNews has been composed as a printed newsletter, disseminated by regular mail and, in recent years, by electronic mail as well. Starting with this issue, CyanoNews will be composed as an electronic newsletter, disseminated through the internet, with the goal of speeding up the flow of information amongst cyanobacteriologists. No doubt some problems will accompany this change -- perhaps the newsletter (created using NetScape 3.0) will not function properly with other browsers. Perhaps you don't have a browser and are reading this second hand. If you encounter difficulties obtaining this newsletter, please let me know. Also, please pass on any suggestions you may have.

Eutrophication of bodies of water is as much a problem in the British Isles as it is in many other places. Cyanobacterial blooms and scums are not only a symptom of eutrophication, but many strains produce potent toxins that can harm fish, livestock, pets, and humans. The need to identify cyanobacteria growing in bodies of water and assess the risk they entail has inspired the British Environment Agency in collaboration with Brian Whitton (University of Durham) to develop a taxonomic key that may enable those confronting blooms to see what their up against.

The key aids in the identification of any of 320 species in 65 genera of freshwater, terrestrial and marine blue-green algae found in the British Isles. It contains many illustrations and color images together with species descriptions. The CD-ROM format offers an interactive interface, where the user is asked questions and from the answers given descriptions and images of candidate species.

Contacts for CD-ROM availability and technical enquiries:
Brian Whitton, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Durham, South Road, Durham DH1 3LE, UK, Tel: 0191 3742427, Fax: 0191 3742417, E-mail: b.a.whitton@durham.ac.uk

Contacts for other enquiries:
Jan Krokowski, Environment Agency, National Centre for Ecotoxicology and Hazardous Substances, Evenlode House, Howbery Park, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 8BD, UK, Tel: 01491 828548, Fax: 01491 828427, E-mail: jan.krokowski@environment-agency.gov.uk

The Proceedings of the Ninth International Symposium on Phototrophic Prokaryotes has been published under the name The Phototrophic Prokaryotes, edited by Günter Peschek, Wolfgang Löffelhardt, and Georg Schmetterer. The book (ISBN 0-306-45923-X) is published by Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, listing for US$130 + shipping. A partial table of contents is online.

A special issue of the journal Environmental Toxicology and Water Quality Volume 14 no.1, 1999) is devoted cyanobacterial toxins. The issue, edited by Ian Falconer, contains 24 papers (219 pages) on a range of issues on toxic cyanobacteria,contributed from across the world. Copies of this issue can be purchased from the publisher, John Wiley & Sons for a low price.

The World Health Organization monograph Toxic Cyanobacteria in Water - a guide to their public health consequences,monitoring and management (ISBN/ISSN: 0-419-23930-8), has been published by E & FN Spon, 11, New Fetter Lane, London, EC4P 4EE. It runs to 416 pages and covers occurrence, toxicology, health, management of water, water treatment, and lab methods.A summary and complete table of contents is available at the publisher's web site.The monograph lists at UK 24.99 pounds.