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Cyanobacteria and their toxins in waterworks industry
The Centre for Cyanobacteria and Their Toxins (CCT) was founded as a joint research centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic (Institute of Botany, Department of Experimental Phycology and Ecotoxicology - DEPE) and the Masaryk University in Brno (the research centre RECETOX). Most of the field work and experiments is situated into the DEPE, while laboratory exotoxicological experiments and cyanotoxins analyses are carried out at the RECETOX. The CCT activities are focused on assessment of phytoplankton assemblages with a special attention to potentially toxic cyanobacteria using standard microscopic as well as modern fluorometric methods. HPLC and ELISA methods are available for cyanotoxins analyses in various matrices (cyanobacterial biomass, water, sediments, tissues). Toxicity of cyanobacterial products is assessed via ecotoxicological assays containing main trophic levels (Microtox, algal growth assays, acute and chronic tests with Daphnia magna, FETAX). Ecology of cyanobacteria and methods for elimination of cyanobacterial blooms are also studied.
Cyanotoxins and their hygienical, toxicological and technological consequences, have been researched for a relatively short time. Their effects on the human health are serious due to the fact that the extensive growth of cyanobacteria in the water supply reservoirs lasts for several months per year (Carmichael, Falconer, 1993, Kathuria et al., 1999). In the case of streams and rivers, the situation is not much better. In both cases, there is a big probability of the exposition of humans to cyanotoxins.
Field research of cyanotoxins removal in the water treatment plants is currently in the beginning (Chorus and Bartram, 1999; Kiviranta, 2003). Most of existing studies were carried out in laboratory conditions. All authors refer to the problems associated with the transfer of laboratory results to praxis. For this reason, the problematics of cyanotoxins must include complex measures in the water treatment plants as well as in the catchment management. Complex approach requires a co-operation of specialists from all fields (water technology, toxicology, limnology, hygienics etc.).
The Czech Republic has top specialists in water technology and cyanotoxins detection and this intended centrum should connect the specialization of the Group 1 with water supply praxis. Since 1st of October, 2003, the ordinance 376/2000 includes a requirement for the microcystin determination. In 2003, another ordinance 474/2002 was applied about the measures connected to the restriction of biological and toxin weapons. Besides other compounds such as anthrax, botulotoxin, or ricin, four algal or cyanobacterial toxins are included – tetrodotoxin, saxitoxin, anatoxin a microcystin. This strictly eliminates a number of laboratories allowed for the cyanotoxins analyses.
The aim of this centrum is use of phycocyanin and its fluorescence properties as the cyanobacteria-specific pigment. Phycocyanin is a stable compound, which is a specific marker of the presence of cyanobacteria. A defined ratio to the microcystin content can be supposed. This method has three other advantages: phycocyanin is a marker of all cyanotoxins, analysis is much cheaper and can be done by water supply companies themselves, i.e. very often. This parameter can be effectively used for the crude water, after the pre-ozonization and before the filtration. This problem has not been solved worldwide.
References:
Carmichael, W.W., Falconer, I.R. (1993): Diseases related to freshwater blue-green algal toxins and control measures. In: Carmichael, W.W. and Falkoner, I.R. (eds.). Algal toxins in seafood and drinking water, Academic Press, London, p. 255.
Chorus I., Bartram J. (1999): Toxic cyanobacteria in waters: A guide to their public health, consequences, monitoring and management. E. FN Spon, London, 416 p.
Kathuira P.C., Jand S.K., Singh N. (1999): Chick embryotoxicity bioassay . Ind. Vet. J., 70., 593-596.
Kirchen R.W., West W.R., (1994): The japanese medaka: Care and Development. Nort Carolina Press, 1994, 236p.
Kiviranta, J. (2003): Toxins of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) - a biological and chemical study. Academic Dissertation, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Specific tasks
Task 1
Development of the in situ detection system for the early-warning in the case of cyanobacterial blooms in the reservoir.
Task 2
Development of method for the on-line automatic detection of cyanobacteria before their penetrance to the water tratment plant
Task 3
Development of the standard operation procedure for a simple and sensitive determination of the cyanotoxins presence in the crude water
