1st Edition

Cyanobacterial Toxins of Drinking Water Supplies

By Ian Robert Falconer Copyright 2004
    296 Pages 37 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    The contamination of both drinking and recreational water supplies by cyanobacteria is increasingly a cause for concern worldwide. While contamination causes livestock deaths with relative frequency, acute poisoning is rare in humans. However, there is growing apprehension over the possible role of cylindrospermopsins and microcystins in gastrointestinal and liver cancer.

    Cyanobacterial Toxins of Drinking Water Supplies provides an articulate account of the biology, chemistry, toxicology, and human health implications of cylindrospermopsins and microcystins, and their occurrence in water supplies. It discusses effective methods of prevention, mitigation, and remediation of cyanobacterial blooms in reservoirs. The book presents novel and traditional approaches to water treatment for the elimination of these toxins. Written by a renowned expert who plays an instrumental role in revising the World Health Organization’s drinking water guidelines for cyanotoxins, the book uses the field’s most relevant findings and current examples to support a practical approach for assessing the potential risks and costs from toxic cyanobacterial blooms in water supplies.

    Cyanobacterial Toxins of Drinking Water Supplies provides a lucid analysis of present and emerging issues in the ecology, safety, and treatment of drinking water for in environmental agencies, researchers, and policymakers. It is an authoritative resource for professionals in drinking and recreational water management, water supply utilities, analytical laboratories, and public health offices.

    Preface
    Acknowledgements
    Introduction
    References
     
    TOXIC CYANOBACTERIA AND THEIR IDENTIFICATION
    The Origins of Cyanobacteria
    Cyanobacterial Organisms
    Classification and Nomenclature
    Molecular Taxonomy
    References
    TOXIN CHEMISTRY AND BIOSYNTHESIS
    Chemistry of Cylindrospermopsins
    Synthesis of Cylindrospermopsin
    Biosynthesis of Cylindrospermopsin
    Chemistry of Microcystins
    Synthesis of Microcystins
    Biosynthesis of Microcystins: Biochemical Approaches
    Molecular Genetic Approaches
    References
    CYANOBACTERIAL ECOLOGY
    Cyanobacteria in Freshwater
    Light
    Buoyancy
    Nutrients: Phosphorus
    Nitrogen
    Distribution of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii(Nostocales)
    Ecology of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii
    Cylindrospermopsin Production by Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii
    Cylindrospermopsin Production by Other Cyanobacterial Species
    Production of Other Toxins by Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii
    Distribution of Microcystis aeruginosa
    Distribution of Other Microcystin-Producing Species of Cyanobacteria
    Ecology of Microcystis aeruginosa
    Ecology of Planktothrix Species and Anabaena flos-aquae
    Ecology of Microcystin Production
    Nodularia spumigena and Nodularin Production
    References
    CYANOBACTERIAL POISONING OF LIVESTOCK AND PEOPLE
    Livestock and Wildlife Poisoning by Cyanobacterial Toxins
    Human Poisoning by Cyanobacterial Toxins
    Waterborne Poisoning in Brazil
    Gastrointestinal Illness Associated with Cyanobacteria in the US
    Gastroenteritis Associated with Cyanobacteria in Africa
    Liver Damage Associated with Microcystis aeruginosa in Australia
    Recreational Poisoning in the UK and US
    The Dialysis Tragedy in Brazil
    Palm Island Poisoning by Cylindrospermopsin in Australia
    Conclusions
    References
    CYLINDROSPERMOPSIN TOXICITY
    Toxicity of Cylindrospermopsin: Whole-Animal Studies
    Oral Toxicity of Cylindrospermopsin: Studies of the No Observed Adverse Effect Level
    Cylindrospermopsin Uptake and Excretion
    Mechanism of Cylindrospermopsin Toxicity
    Inhibition of Protein Synthesis
    Cytochrome P450 in Cylindrospermopsin Toxicity
    DNA Damage, Chromosome Damage, and Carcinogenicity
    Micronucleus Formation in the Presence of Cylindrospermopsin
    Whole-Animal Carcinogenicity
    Assessment of Carcinogenicity
    Teratogenicity, Immunotoxicity, and Reproductive Injury
    References
    MICROCYSTIN TOXICITY
    Acute Toxicity of Microcystin to Rodents
    Subchronic and Chronic Toxicity
    Determination of the No Observed Adverse Effect Level for Microcystin in Mice
    Large-Animal Toxicity
    Determination of the No Observed Adverse Effect Level of Microcystin in Pigs
    Toxicokinetics of Microcystin
    Conjugation and Excretion of Microcystin
    Studies with Isolated Hepatocytes
    Mechanisms of Microcystin Toxicity
    Microcystin and Phosphatase Inhibition
    Cytoskeletal Effects
    Nuclear Actions of Microcystin
    Microcystin and Apoptosis
    Cell-Cycle Effects of Microcystin
    Tumor Promotion by Microcystin
    Carcinogenesis, Liver Damage, and Cancer in China
    Microcystin: Teratogenesis and Reproductive Toxicity
    Conclusion
    References
    RISK AND SAFETY OF DRINKING WATER: ARE CYANOBACTERIAL TOXINS IN DRINKING WATER A HEALTH RISK?
    Risk Assessment and Legislation
    What Is a Risk, and How Can It Be Assessed?
    Risk Management
    Risk and Chemical Safety in Drinking Water — Cyanobacterial Toxins as Toxic Chemicals
    The Tolerable Daily Intake
    Determination of a Guideline Value for Cylindrospermopsin
    The Tolerable Daily Intake and Drinking Water Guideline Value for Microcystin
    Cylindrospermopsins and Microcystins as Carcinogens?
    Cylindrospermopsin — Is It a Carcinogen?
    Microcystins and Nodularins — Are They Carcinogens?
    Chronic Lifetime Dose, Intermittent Acute Doses, and Recreational Exposures
    References
    MONITORING OF RESERVOIRS FOR TOXIC CYANOBACTERIA AND ANALYSIS OF NUTRIENTS IN WATER
    Monitoring Sites
    Monitoring Frequency
    Parameters for Monitoring — Predictive Parameters
    Parameters for Monitoring — Identity and Number of Cyanobacterial Cells
    Sampling
    Cell Counting, Measurement, and Chlorophyll-a Analysis
    Chlorophyll-a Analysis
    Fluorescence Measurement of Cyanobacterial Concentration in Reservoirs
    Monitoring by Genetic Methods
    References
    DETECTION AND ANALYSIS OF CYLINDROSPERMOPSINS AND MICROCYSTINS
    Toxin Concentration
    In Vivo Rodent Toxicity Assays
    Cylindrospermopsin Bioassay and Analysis
    Cell-Based and Cell-Free Toxicity Measurement of Cylindrospermopsin
    ELISA of Cylindrospermopsin
    Instrument-Based Techniques for Cylindrospermopsin
    High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
    Microcystins and Nodularins: Bioassay and Analysis
    Sample Collection and Handling for Microcystins
    Bioassays for Microcystins and Nodularins
    ELISA for Microcystins and Nodularins
    Protein Phosphatase Inhibition Assay for Microcystins and Nodularins
    HPLC for Microcystins and Nodularins
    Microcystins and Nodularins in Tissue Samples
    Analytical Problems and Challenges
    References
    PREVENTION, MITIGATION, AND REMEDIATION OF CYANOBACTERIAL BLOOMS IN RESERVOIRS
    Nutrient Reduction
    Phosphorus Reduction
    Catchment Management
    Nitrogen Reduction
    Reservoir Remediation
    Destratification
    Flow
    Phosphorus Precipitation, Sediment Capping, and Dredging
    Algicides
    Biological Remediation
    References
    WATER TREATMENT
    Processes for Removing Cyanobacterial Toxins from Drinking Water Supplies
    Water Filtration, Coagulation, and Clarification
    Activated Carbon
    Ozonation and Chlorination
    Titanium Dioxide Photocatalysis
    Slow Sand Filtration
    Membrane Filtration
    Conclusions
    References
    EMERGING ISSUES
    Ecological Issues
    Health Issues
    Water Treatment
    References
    INDEX

    Biography

    Ian Robert Falconer

    “This book covers the biology, chemistry, toxicology, and human health implications of cylindro-spermopsins and microcystins, as well as their occurrence in water supplies. Written by an expert in the field, the book discusses effective methods of prevention, mitigation, and remediation of cyanobacterial blooms in reservoirs and presents both new and traditional approaches for treating water to eliminate these toxins. …  ”
    — In Journal of The Awwa, June 2007