UTILIZATION OF MASS SPECTROMETRY FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF REACTION INTERMEDIATES FORMED DURING THE PHOTOCATALYTIC DEGRADATION OF THE CYANOTOXINS MICROCYSTIN-LR AND CYLINDROSPERMOPSIN

摘要

Cyanobacteria blooms have recently become more prevalent worldwide as a consequence of the increasing nutrient levels in surface waters caused by human activities (i.e., industrial waste, overuse of fertilizers). Overgrowth of the blooms increases the likelihood of formation of the cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (Cyano-HABs). Cyano-HABs have the potential to produce and release toxins that drastically diminish water quality. Episodes of cyanobacterial contamination in humans and animals have been recorded globally, including human fatalities (Brazil 1996, 2001 ). The 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act required the EPA to establish a Contaminant Candidate List (CCL) that contains drinking water contaminants that will be considered for future regulation. Because of their acute and chronic toxicity (10