Cyanotoxin occurrence in large rivers of the United States
Inland Waters
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- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Data Release: USGS data release - Cyanotoxin, chlorophyll-a, and cyanobacterial toxin genetic data for samples collected at eleven large river sites throughout the United States, June through September 2017
- Open Access Version: Publisher Index Page
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Abstract
Cyanotoxins occur in rivers worldwide but are understudied in lotic ecosystems relative to lakes and reservoirs. Eleven large river sites located throughout the United States were sampled during June–September 2017 to determine the occurrence of cyanobacteria with known cyanotoxin-producing strains, cyanotoxin synthetase genes, and cyanotoxins. Chlorophyll-a concentrations spanned the range from oligotrophic to eutrophic (0.5–64.4 µg L-1). Cyanobacteria were present in the algal communities of all rivers (82% of samples, n=50), but did not dominate the phytoplankton (0 to 52% of total abundance; mean=8.8%). Pseudanabaena and Planktothrix occurred most often and many (64%) of the cyanobacterial genera identified (n=25) have known cyanotoxin-producing strains. Cyanotoxin synthetase genes occurred in all but one river. The mcyE and sxtA genes were most common, present in 73% of rivers and 44% and 40% of samples, respectively. The cyrA gene was less common (22% of samples) but occurred in 64% of rivers. The anaC gene was detected in one river (4% of samples). Anatoxin-a and microcystins were detected at low levels (0.10–0.38 µg L-1) in two midcontinent rivers. Cylindrospermopsins and saxitoxins were not detected. Cyanobacteria, cyanotoxin synthetase genes, and cyanotoxins were present at low concentrations throughout this subset of US rivers. Eutrophic rivers located in the midcontinent region of the US had the highest algal biomass, abundance of cyanotoxin synthetase genes, and cyanotoxin occurrence.
Suggested Citation
Graham, J., Dubrovsky, N., Foster, G.M., King, L.R., Loftin, K., Rosen, B., Stelzer, E., 2020, Cyanotoxin occurrence in large rivers of the United States: Inland Waters, v. 10, no. 1, p. 109-117, https://doi.org/10.1080/20442041.2019.1700749.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Cyanotoxin occurrence in large rivers of the United States |
| Series title | Inland Waters |
| DOI | 10.1080/20442041.2019.1700749 |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Publication Date | January 29, 2020 |
| Year Published | 2020 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Taylor and Francis |
| Contributing office(s) | New York Water Science Center |
| Description | 9 p. |
| First page | 109 |
| Last page | 117 |
| Country | United States |