Cyanotoxic blooms in lakes of El Chaco, Argentina
2006
Otano, S. | Prosperi, C., National Univ. of Cordoba (Argentina). Lab. of Hydrobiology
It is well known that several phytoplankton organisms are dangerous for human health when they produce toxic water blooms in reservoirs. That is the case of Cyanobacteria, bioindicators of eutrophic waters. Harmful cyanobacteria have been reported in several lakes around the province of El Chaco, like in Lake El Moncholo in Las Palmas City, and Lake Colussi in Resistencia. This paper reports the blooming of several species belonging mainly to the genera Microcystis and Anabaena , among others. Blooms were favored by high irradiance, warm weather and eutrophication. These environmental conditions are present almost throughout the year. Samples were taken according to standarized methods. A quantitative and qualitative study of phytoplankton chlorophyll a was carried out, as well as the most important physical and chemical parameters. Cyanotoxins were measured by the HPLC method. Apart from Cyanobacteria, several harmless microalgae were found, like chlorophyceae and Bacillariophyceae (diatoms). The algal biomass, estimated by means of chlorophyll a, and the levels of cyanotoxins detected, were both above the standard levels allowed for human consumption, so that the lakes are no longer used for drinking water.
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