Temporal and spatial variability of cyanobacterial toxins microcystins in three interconnected freshwater reservoirs

In spite of substantial research on health and the ecological risks associated with cyanobacterial toxins in the past decades, the understanding of the natural dynamics and variability of toxic cyanobacterial blooms is still limited. Herein, the results of long term monitoring 1998-1999/2001-2008 of three reservoirs (Vir, Brno and Nove Mlyny, Chech Republic), where toxic blooms develop annually, are reported. These three reservoirs provide a unique model because they are interconnected by the Svratka River, which allows possible transfer of phytoplankton as well as toxins from one reservoir to another. The frequency of the occurrence and dominance of the major cyanobacterial taxa Alicrocystis aeruginosa did not change during the investigated period but substantial variability was observed in the composition of other phytoplankton. Although absolute concentrations of the studied toxins (microcystins) differed among the reservoirs, there were apparent parallel trends. For example, during certain years, the microcystin concentrations were systematically elevated in all three studied reservoirs. Furthermore, the concentration profiles in the three sites were also correlated (parallel trends) within individual seasons based on monthly sampling. Microcystin-LR, a variant for which the World Health Organization has recommended a guideline value, formed only about 30-50 % of the total microcystins. This is of importance, especially in the Vir reservoir that serves as a drinking water supply. The maxima in the cell-bound microcystins (intracellular; expressed per dry weight biomass) generally preceded the maxima of total microcystins (expressed per volume of water sample). Overall, the maximum concentration in the biomass (all three reservoirs, period 1993 2005) was 6.1 mg g(-1) dry weight and the median values were in the range 0.065-2.3 mg g(-1) dry weight. These are generally high concentrations in comparison with both Czech Republic and worldwide reported data. The present data revealed substantial variability of both toxic cyanobacteria and their peptide toxins that should be reflected by detailed monitoring programs.