[en] The B-blooms 2 project showed the incidence of (toxic) cyanobacterial blooms in Belgium more than a decade ago1. However, this was the last major monitoring project since then. In response, Flemish and Walloon regional governments started monitoring programs for toxic cyanobacteria blooms in recreational lakes and ponds used for water contact activities (excluding fishing). The current information about bloom occurrence is fragmented, and monitoring practices differ between the regional authorities. Authorities in Brussels did not initiate monitoring program was. Ten years later, blooms are becoming more common in the temporal regions of Europe, and current monitoring programs might not be sufficient to ensure public health safety.
Therefore, Sciensano collaborated with the regional authorities reexamine bloom samples from the summer of 2019 based on toxin content and species present in the bloom. In total, we analyzed 78 samples from 23 different ponds and lakes and other surface waters. We used LC-MS/MS to detect and quantify eight microcystin congeners and nodularin and used PCR and sanger sequencing for species determination. In addition, we examined the presence of the mcyE-gene using PCR.
After analysis, we found MCs at concentrations between 0.45 µg/l to 683 µg/l and detected mcyE in 42 samples. MC-RR, MC-LR and MC-LY were most commonly detected. Microcystis was the abundant species, although others were also detected.
Acknowledgement:
Bocquet R. IBGE-BIM
Pelikaen J. VMM
Burlion N. ISSeP
Augem A. Port-Brussel
References:
1. Descy, J.-P. et al. Final Report: Cyanobacterial Blooms: Toxicity, Diversity, Modelling and Management. Belg. Sci. Policy SD/TE/01, 84 (2011).
Research Center/Unit :
Biological Sciences from Molecules to Systems - inBioS
