Rapid-assessment test strips: Effectiveness forcyanotoxin monitoring in a northern temperate lake

Lake and Reservoir Management
By: , and 

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Abstract

Precise and rapid methods of determining toxin levels are needed in lakes used for recreation and drinking water to facilitate a quick risk assessment during cyanobacteria blooms. Therefore, we evaluated rapid-assessment test strips, a newer technology for estimating the toxicity of cyanobacterial blooms, in Kabetogama Lake, a popular recreational area of Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota (USA). Sixty-seven percent of the test strip results matched results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, with individual toxin results of 75% (anatoxin-a), 80% (cylindrospermopsin), and 64% (microcystin). These results provide some evidence that the test strips may be effective for rapid detection of toxins in northern temperate lakes, although improvements to the test strips may be beneficial. Despite the intensive processing required and uncertainty of some results, the availability of a rapid and inexpensive field method allowed us to sample opportunistically in the fall, when we documented dangerously high toxin concentrations at places where waterfowl-retrieving dogs may be at particular risk of exposure.

Study Area

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Rapid-assessment test strips: Effectiveness forcyanotoxin monitoring in a northern temperate lake
Series title Lake and Reservoir Management
DOI 10.1080/10402381.2020.1805531
Volume 4
Issue 36
Year Published 2020
Language English
Publisher Taylor and Francis
Contributing office(s) Upper Midwest Water Science Center
Description 10 p.
First page 444
Last page 453
Country United States
State Minnesota
Other Geospatial Voyageurs National Park
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