Cyanotoxins : Occurrence, Causes, Consequences

Toxic cyanobacteria are increasingly recognised as a potential hazard in water for human use. The recent availability of methods for quantitative screening is leading to a surge of research on their occurrence. This book presents a novel compilation of extensive screening results showing the cyanotoxin levels that may be expected when certain taxa dominate. These results indicate cyanotoxins to be the most widespread among the chemicals of concern in water used for drinking and recreation. It further combines field data with results from laboratory culture experiments to suggest a unifying view of how environmental factors control the cyanotoxin levels in natural waters. A practical section is dedicated to the exposure of humans through drinking-water and recreation. Front Matter....Pages I-XVIII Introduction: Cyanotoxins — Research for Environmental Safety and Human Health....Pages 1-4 Cyanotoxin Occurrence in Freshwaters....Pages 5-101 Factors Controlling Cellular Microcystin Content....Pages 102-147 Factors Affecting Cyanotoxin Concentrations in Natural Populations....Pages 148-177 Cyanobacterial Toxicity and Human Exposure....Pages 178-238 Effects of Microcystis spp. and Selected Cyanotoxins on Freshwater Organisms....Pages 239-280 Toxic Effects and Substances in Cyanobacteria other than Microcystins, Anatoxin-a and Saxitoxins....Pages 281-315 Contributions to Toxicity Testing and Toxin Analysis....Pages 316-353 Routine Analytical Methods Applied in the German Cyanotox Project....Pages 354-357