Detection Methods for Cyanobacterial Toxins

Cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, commonly occur in a variety of water types throughout the world. A variable but high proportion of the cyanobacterial blooms and scums, which can develop annually in lakes, reservoirs, canals and slow-flowing rivers contain potent toxins. Although animal poisonings and human health problems associated with the ingestion of, or contact with, cyanobacterial scums have long been recognised, a developing understanding of the health hazards posed by the toxins requires that reliable, sensitive, specific and convenient methods are available for their detection and quantification. Detection Methods for Cyanobacterial Toxins looks at the application of biological, toxicological, biochemical and physicochemical techniques in studies of cyanobacterial toxins and at experiments that have identified at least 50 cyanobacterial compounds toxic to vertebrates. Academics, public health bodies, environmental protection agencies and water companies are all involved in monitoring cyanobacterial levels and effects, and this book will help to ensure that their research is not duplicated, is standardised and comparable, and that optimal progress can be made in an important area that is still in its development stages.