Date of Award

Spring 2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Department

Marine Science

College

College of Science

First Advisor

Susan Libes

Abstract/Description

Algal blooms that produce toxins that are harmful to the health of people, animals, and the environment are known as harmful algal blooms (HABs). Recently, rising global temperatures, nutrient pollution, and an increase in the frequency of extreme hydrologic events have made HABs a bigger problem. This has all led to greater cultural eutrophication which is a major contributor to the spread of HABs. Cyanobacteria make up the bulk of HABs in freshwater systems, microcystins being among the cyanotoxins that are most frequently reported and studied. Taking grab samples of water is the current standard procedure for sampling cyanotoxins, however, these results can be unpredictable due to geographical and temporal heterogeneity caused by changing hydrological conditions, episodic algal blooms, and water currents. Passive samplers have been employed to solve some of these issues although they have primarily been applied to marine phycotoxins with limited use to freshwater toxins. Results from passive samplers indicate that although they can only adsorb dissolved toxins, they are better able to detect the presence of HAB toxins, like microcystin, especially at low levels. The purpose of this study was to validate the use of a passive sampler approach called Solid Phase Adsorption Toxin Tracking (SPATT) for detecting HABs in local waters by measuring microcystins (MCY). Validation work included: (1) Documenting the precision and accuracy of the SPATT bags and (2) Range finding in a local pond. Accuracy was evaluated by deploying SPATT bags into microcystin solutions of varying concentrations for five days. Method Blanks were measured to evaluate contamination from the bag extraction and measurement process. Precision was evaluated by deploying three SPATT samplers for four days in close proximity to each other in Wall Pond on CCU’s campus where Microcystis blooms have been occurring. SPATT bags range finding was performed in Wall Pond to assess typical local concentrations.

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