Toxic Cyanobacteria in Water


Book Description

Cyanobacterial toxins are among the hazardous substances most widely found in water. They occur naturally, but concentrations hazardous to human health are usually due to human activity. Therefore, to protect human health, managing lakes, reservoirs and rivers to prevent cyanobacterial blooms is critical. This second edition of Toxic Cyanobacteria in Water presents the current state of knowledge on the occurrence of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins as well as their impacts on health through water-related exposure pathways, chiefly drinking-water and recreational activity. It provides scientific and technical background information to support hazard identification, assessment and prioritisation of the risks posed by cyanotoxins, and it outlines approaches for their management at each step of the water-use system. It sets out key practical considerations for developing management strategies, implementing efficient measures and designing monitoring programmes. This enables stakeholders to evaluate whether there is a health risk from toxic cyanobacteria and to mitigate it with appropriate measures. This book is intended for those working on toxic cyanobacteria with a specific focus on public health protection. It intends to empower professionals from different disciplines to communicate and cooperate for sustainable management of toxic cyanobacteria, including public health workers, ecologists, academics, and catchment and waterbody managers. Ingrid Chorus headed the department for Drinking-Water and Swimming-Pool Hygiene at the German Environment Agency. Martin Welker is a limnologist and microbiologist, currently with bioMérieux in Lyon, France.







Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms: State of the Science and Research Needs


Book Description

With the ever-increasing incidence of harmful cyanobacterial algal blooms, this monograph has added urgency and will be essential reading for all sorts of researchers, from neuroscientists to cancer research specialists. The volume contains the proceedings of the 2005 International Symposium on Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms, and has been edited by H. Kenneth Hudnell, of the US Environmental Protection Agency. It contains much of the most recent research into the subject.




Marine Biotoxins


Book Description

This paper provides an extensive review of different aspects of five shellfish-poisoning syndromes (paralytic, diarrhoeic, amnesic, neurologic and azapiracid), as well as one fish-poisoning syndrome (ciguatera fish poisoning). It discusses in detail the causative toxins produced by marine organisms, chemical structures and analytical methods, habitat and occurrence of the toxin-producing organisms, case studies and existing regulations. Based on this analysis, risk assessments are carried out for each of the toxins, and recommendations are elaborated to improve the management of these risks in order to reduce the harmful effects of these toxins on public health. Contents Chapter 1: Introduction; Chapter 2: Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP); Chemical structures and properties, Methods of analysis, Source organism(s) and habitat, Occurrence and accumulation in seafood, Toxicity of PSP toxins, Prevention of PSP intoxication, Cases and outbreaks of PSP, Regulations and monitoring; Chapter 3: Diarrhoeic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP); Chemical structures and properties, Methods of analysis, Source organism(s) and habitat, Occurrence and accumulation in seafood, Toxicity of DSP toxins, Prevention of DSP intoxication, Cases and outbreaks of DSP, Regulations and monitoring; Chapter 4: Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP); Chemical structures and properties, Methods of analysis, Source organism(s) and habitat, Occurrence and accumulation in seafood, Toxicity of ASP toxins, Prevention of ASP toxins, Prevention of ASP intoxication, Cases and outbreaks of ASP, Regulations and monitoring; Chapter 5: Neurologic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP); Chemical structures and properties, Methods of analysis, Source organism(s) and habitat, Occurrence and accumulation in seafood, Toxicity of NSP toxins, Prevention of NSP intoxication, Cases and outbreaks of NSP, Regulations and monitoring; Chapter 6: Azaspiracid Shellfish Poisoning (AZP); Chemical structures and properties, Methods of analysis, Source organism(s) and habitat, Occurrence and accumulation in seafood, Toxicity of AZP toxins, Prevention of AZP intoxication, Cases and outbreaks of AZP, Regulations and monitoring; Chapter 7: Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP); Chemical structures and properties of ciguatoxins, Methods of analysis, Source organism(s), habitat and distribution, Occurrence and accumulation in seafood, Toxicity of CFP toxins, Prevention of CFP intoxication, Cases and outbreaks of CFP, Regulations and monitoring; Chapter 8: Risk Assessment; Risk assessment for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PS), Risk assessment for diarrhoeic shellfish poisoning (DSP), Risk assessment for Amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), Risk assessment for neurologic shellfish poisoning (NSP), Risk assessment for azaspiracid shellfish poisoning (AZP), Risk assessment for ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP); Chapter 9: Conclusions and Recommendations; Conclusions, Recommendations.







Guidelines on recreational water quality. Volume 1


Book Description

Use of coastal, estuarine and freshwater recreational environments has significant benefits for health and well-being, including rest, relaxation, exercise, cultural and religious practices, and aesthetic pleasure, while also providing substantial local, regional and national economic benefits. These guidelines focus on water quality management for coastal and freshwater environments to protect public health. The guidelines: 1. describe the current state of knowledge about the possible adverse health impacts of various forms of water pollution; and2. set out recommendations for setting national health-based targets, conducting surveillance and risk assessments, putting in place systems to monitor and control risks, and providing timely advice to users on water safety.These guidelines are aimed at national and local authorities, and other entities with an obligation to exercise due diligence relating to the safety of recreational water sites. They may be implemented in conjunction with other measures for water safety (such as drowning prevention and sun exposure) and measures for environmental protection of recreational water use sites.




Water Treatment for Purification from Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins


Book Description

Provides a comprehensive overview of key methods for treating water tainted by cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins Toxigenic cyanobacteria are one of the main health risks associated with water resources. Consequently, the analysis, control, and removal of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins from water supplies is a high priority research area. This book presents a comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art research on water treatment methods for the removal of cyanobacteria, taste and odor compounds, and cyanotoxins. Starting with an introduction to the subject, Water Treatment for Purification from Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins offers chapters on cyanotoxins and human health, conventional physical-chemical treatment for the removal of cyanobacteria/cyanotoxins, removal of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins by membrane processes, biological treatment for the destruction of cyanotoxins, and conventional disinfection and/or oxidation processes. Other chapters look at advanced oxidation processes, removal/destruction of taste and odour compounds, transformation products of cyanobacterial metabolites during treatment and integrated drinking water processes. Provides a comprehensive overview of key methods for treating water tainted by cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins Bridges the gap between basic knowledge of cyanobacteria/cyanotoxins and practical management guidelines Includes integrated processes case studies and real-life examples Developed within the frame of the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST)–funded CYANOCOST A must-have resource for every water treatment plant, Water Treatment for Purification from Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins is a valuable resource for all researchers in water chemistry and engineering, environmental chemistry as well as water companies and authorities, water resource engineers and managers, environmental and public health protection organizations.




Harmful Cyanobacteria


Book Description

This outstanding volume provides an up-to-date overview of the advances in our knowledge of harmful cyanobacteria. An essential reference for all scientists and environmental professionals interested in cyanobacterial ecology and water management.




The Ecological Bases for Lake and Reservoir Management


Book Description

The Ecological Bases for Lake and Reservoir Management provides a state-of-the-art review of the range of ecologically-based techniques necessary for the holistic management of lakes and their catchments. Most of the methods, case studies and national policies reviewed are directed towards management of the largest problem - eutrophication - with the emphasis on the multiple-scale approach needed for successful management and restoration. Case studies come from the USA and ten European countries, and range from single lakes through to lake districts and national inventories. Several essays precede the practical chapters with thought-provoking comments on the political, social and economic climate of water management.




The Ecology of Cyanobacteria


Book Description

Cyanobacteria make a major contribution to world photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation, but are also notorious for causing nuisances such as dense and often toxic `blooms' in lakes and the ocean. The Ecology of Cyanobacteria: Their Diversity in Time and Space is the first book to focus solely on ecological aspects of these organisms. Its twenty-two chapters are written by some thirty authors, who are leading experts in their particular subject. The book begins with an overview of the cyanobacteria - or blue-green algae, for those who are not specialists - then looks at their diversity in the geological record and goes on to describe their ecology in present environments where they play important roles. Why is one of the key groups of organisms in the Precambrian still one of the most important groups of phototrophs today? The importance of ecological information for rational management and exploitation of these organisms for commercial and other practical purposes is also assessed. Accounts are provided of nuisances as well as the ecology of the commercially successful Spirulina and the role of cyanobacteria in ecosystem recovery from oil pollution. Many chapters include aspects of physiology, biochemistry, geochemistry and molecular biology where these help general understanding of the subject. In addition there are three chapters dealing specifically with molecular ecology. Thirty-two pages of colour photos incorporate about seventy views and light micrographs. These features make the book valuable to a wide readership, including biologists, microbiologists, geologists, water managers and environmental consultants. The book complements the highly successful The Molecular Biology of Cyanobacteria already published by Kluwer.