A progressive comparison of cyanobacterial populations with raw and finished water microcystin levels in Falls Lake Reservoir

摘要

Cyanobacteria and algal toxins have been placed on USEPA's drinking water Contaminant Candidate List (CCL2). Microcystin (MCYST), being the most frequently detected cyanobacterial toxin in water, is of high importance for study in potable water supply reservoirs. Processed water samples from numerous surface water supplies in the USA have been found positive for MCYST. MCYST has been detected in raw and finished water from Falls Lake, Raleigh, NC. Conventional drinking water treatment processes are only partially effective in removing cyanotoxins. To assess the risk of cyanotoxins in surface water supplies, USEPA is evaluating the use of cyanobacterial genera identification and enumeration. This study evaluated a known testing protocol and investigated the occurrence of MCYST in raw and finished water from Falls Lake Reservoir, as well as the relationship of toxin concentration to cyanobacterial populations.