Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, commonly occur in a variety of water types throughout the world. A variable, but, high proportion of the cyanobacterial blooms and scums, which can develop annually in lakes, reservoirs, canals and slow-flowing rivers, contain potent toxins. Although animal poisonings and human health problems associated with the ingestion of, or contact with, cyanobacterial scums have long been recognized, a developing understanding of the health hazards posed by the toxins requires that reliable, sensitive, specific and convenient methods are available for their detection and quantification.Detection methods for cynobacterial toxins looks at the application of biological, toxicological, biochemical and physicochemical techniques in studies of cyanobacterial toxins and at experimental methods that have identified at least 50 cyanobacterial compounds toxic to vertebrates.Academics, public health bodies, environmental protection agencies and water companies are all involved in monitoring cyanobacterial levels and effects, and this book will help to ensure that their research is not duplicated, is standardized and comparable, and that optimal progress can be made in an important area that is still in its developing stages.

Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, commonly occur in a variety of water types throughout the world. A high proportion of the cyanobacterial blooms and scums contain potent toxins. This volume looks at the application of biological, toxicological, biochemical and physicochemical techniques in studies of cyanobacterial toxins and at experimental methods that have identified at least 50 cyanobacterial compounds toxic to vertebrates.

This research sought to develop and test rapid genetic methods to identify toxic cyanobacteria. The key objectives were to (1) conduct a literature review and industry questionnaire examining options for rapid genetic tests; (2) characterize and understand the genes involved in cylindrospermopsin and anatoxin production; (3) adapt conventional PCR assays to real-time PCR; (4) develop rapid field methods for DNA preparation; and (5) develop probes for toxin genes and testing in the field.

Cyanobacterial toxins are among the hazardous substances most widely found in water. They occur naturally, but concentrations hazardous to human health are usually due to human activity. Therefore, to protect human health, managing lakes, reservoirs and rivers to prevent cyanobacterial blooms is critical. This second edition of Toxic Cyanobacteria in Water presents the current state of knowledge on the occurrence of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins as well as their impacts on health through water-related exposure pathways, chiefly drinking-water and recreational activity. It provides scientific and technical background information to support hazard identification, assessment and prioritisation of the risks posed by cyanotoxins, and it outlines approaches for their management at each step of the water-use system. It sets out key practical considerations for developing management strategies, implementing efficient measures and designing monitoring programmes. This enables stakeholders to evaluate whether there is a health risk from toxic cyanobacteria and to mitigate it with appropriate measures. This book is intended for those working on toxic cyanobacteria with a specific focus on public health protection. It intends to empower professionals from different disciplines to communicate and cooperate for sustainable management of toxic cyanobacteria, including public health workers, ecologists, academics, and catchment and waterbody managers. Ingrid Chorus headed the department for Drinking-Water and Swimming-Pool Hygiene at the German Environment Agency. Martin Welker is a limnologist and microbiologist, currently with bioMérieux in Lyon, France.

This is the second book in the Water Quality Measurement Series. Itfocuses on the analytical aspects related to epidemiology,toxicology, sanitary, engineering and plant technology to providean integrated and clear strategy for carrying out surveillance,quality control, prevention and remedial measures. * Contains a significant number of tables, figures, colour andblack and white photographs and spectra * Offers workable answers to specific practical issues using acomprehensive and scientifically sound approach

A valuable handbook containing reviews, practical methods and standard operating procedures. A valuable and practical working handbook containing introductory and specialist content that tackles a major and growing field of environmental, microbiological and ecotoxicological monitoring and analysis Includes introductory reviews, practical analytical chapters and a comprehensive listing of almost thirty Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) For use in the laboratory, in academic and government institutions and industrial settings Those readers will appreciate the research that validates and updates cyanotoxin monitoring and analysis plus adding to approaches for setting standard methods that can be applied worldwide. Wayne Carmichael, Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry (2018).