We demonstrate that two large categories of compounds, namely, polyoxometallates (produced by acid condensation of mainly tungstates and/or molybdates) and aggregates of various metal oxides (formed by stirring, sonication etc) have similar properties. Emphasis is given to the photocatalytic properties of the two systems. The various steps in the photocatalytic cycles are described and several examples, from both systems, have been used to demonstrate that their photocatalytic performance is similar in terms of the overall mechanism of photodecomposition of organic compounds, the intermediate species involved and the final photodegradation products (i.e., CO₂, H₂O and inorganic anions).

Insight into how environmental change determines the production and distribution of cyanobacterial toxins is necessary for risk assessment. Management guidelines currently focus on hepatotoxins (microcystins). Increasing attention is given to other classes, such as neurotoxins (e.g., anatoxin-a) and cytotoxins (e.g., cylindrospermopsin) due to their potency. Most studies examine the relationship between individual toxin variants and environmental factors, such as nutrients, temperature and light. In summer 2015, we collected samples across Europe to investigate the effect of nutrient and temperature gradients on the variability of toxin production at a continental scale. Direct and indirect effects of temperature were the main drivers of the spatial distribution in the toxins produced by the cyanobacterial community, the toxin concentrations and toxin quota. Generalized linear models showed that a Toxin Diversity Index (TDI) increased with latitude, while it decreased with water stability. Increases in TDI were explained through a significant increase in toxin variants such as MC-YR, anatoxin and cylindrospermopsin, accompanied by a decreasing presence of MC-LR. While global warming continues, the direct and indirect effects of increased lake temperatures will drive changes in the distribution of cyanobacterial toxins in Europe, potentially promoting selection of a few highly toxic species or strains.