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Use of Membrane Filtration as an Alternative Method in the Extraction of Microcystins Produced by Harmful Algal Blooms
Citation:
Mash, H. Use of Membrane Filtration as an Alternative Method in the Extraction of Microcystins Produced by Harmful Algal Blooms. To be Presented at SETAC North America 37th Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, November 06 - 10, 2016.
Impact/Purpose:
The frequency and intensity of harmful algal blooms (HABs) is increasing for a variety of reasons, with implications for human/animal health and water use. The development of analytical tools to measure and monitor individual microcystin cyanotoxins produced by HABs is complicated by several factors, including a limited availability of commercial standards and uncertainty about the variability and toxicity of the diverse microcystin congeners.
Description:
Current methods invariably require sample concentration, typically solid-phase extraction, so as to be amendable for measurement at ambient concentration levels. Such methods (i.e. EPA Method 544) are only validated for a limited number of the known variants where standards are available. However, the efficiency and validity of the use of solid-phase extraction cannot be adequately confirmed for other variants. This research investigates the use of membrane filtration as an alternative methodology for extraction and concentration of various microcystins.
