Determination of cyanotoxins in Argentina: a pending issue

SALERNO, GRACIELA; MARTIN, MARÍA VICTORIA; AGUILERA, ANABELLA

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Congreso; 5º CIC Congreso Iberoameriacano de Cianotoxinas; 2017

Anthropogenic eutrophication and climate change play akey role in promoting the proliferation and expansion of toxic cyanobacterialblooms. In recent years there has been an increase inthe occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms in the Southern region of South America(CONOSUR). In Argentina, information on cyanotoxinoccurrence is still scant and there are no specific regulations concerningcyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in freshwater bodies. Regarding cyanotoxins, thereare sporadic or single reports and few available historical data restricted tosome specific rivers and reservoirs. Even though microcystins (MCs) arethe cyanotoxins most frequently reported, the systematic monitoring is carriedout by a very small number of laboratories. We have found native MCs producers populations of Planktothrix agardhii and Microcystisaeruginosa in drinkingwater supplies and recreationalareas. Our research showed that M.aeruginosa isolated strains have the potential of constitutively expressinggenes related to MCs and of producing the toxin at low or high light intensity,indicating the necessity of continuous and reliable toxin determinations. Onthe other hand, analytical measurements of cylindrospermopsins,saxitoxins and anatoxins are practically notcarried out although blooms of potential producers are frequently reported. Wecould demonstrate the presence of active transcription of genes related tosaxitoxin synthesis in a Raphidiopsisstrain collected in a water body used for recreational activities. Takentogether, these results highlight the urgent need to start monitoring cyanotoxins other than MCs in our drinking and recreational waters. The concern regarding the lacking of cyanotoxin determination has led us toorganize this year a workshop to join researchers, governmental authorities andpersonnel from water treatment plants involved in this issue from Argentina, Braziland Uruguay.The main goal of the meeting is to elaborate theoretical and practice guidesfor laboratories and institutions working on water quality in order toharmonize techniques for cyanotoxins detection.