New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research abstracts
Survey of cyanotoxins in New Zealand water bodies between 2001 and 2004
S. A. Wood
P. T. Holland
Cawthron Institute
Private Bag 2
Nelson, New Zealand
email: susie.wood@cawthron.org.nz
D. J. Stirling
Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited
Kenepuru Drive
P.O. Box 50 348
Porirua, New Zealand
L. R. Briggs
J. Sprosen
Toxinology
AgResearch, Ruakura
Private Bag 3123
Hamilton, New Zealand
J. G. Ruck
Institute of Food Nutrition and Human Health
Massey University Wellington
Private Box 756
Wellington, New Zealand
R. G. Wear
School of Biological Sciences
Victoria University
P.O. Box 600
Wellington, New Zealand
Abstract Contamination of drinking and
recreational water bodies by toxic cyanobacteria is a significant water management
issue in many countries. Until recently, knowledge of the occurrence of cyanotoxins
and species responsible for cyanotoxin production in New Zealand was limited.
In this study a total of 266 water and cyanobacterial mat samples collected
from 227 different water bodies between 2001 to 2004 were analysed for cyanotoxins.
Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, liquid chromatography mass spectrometry,
high performance liquid chromatography, and neuroblastoma assays resulted
in the identification of microcystins/nodularins (102 samples from 54 different
water bodies), anatoxin-a (three samples from three different water bodies),
and saxitoxins (48 samples from 41 different water bodies). The highest microcystin
concentration was 36.5 mg litre–1. The detection of anatoxin-a is the
first definitive report for New Zealand. Only low concentrations of saxitoxins
were detected. Results indicate that cyanotoxins are more widespread in New
Zealand water bodies than previously reported, in particular when cyanobacterial
blooms or benthic cyanobacterial mats are present.
Keywords cyanotoxins; New Zealand;
cyanobacteria; anatoxin-a; cylindrospermopsins; saxitoxins; microcystins;
nodularin
New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 2006, Vol. 40:
585–597
0028–8330/06/4004–0585 © The Royal Society
of New Zealand 2006
M05070; Online publication date 26 October 2006. Received 31 October
2005; accepted 11 September 2006
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