DETECTION OF TOXIC CYANOBACTERIA AND ITS TOXINS IN A WATER TREATMENT PLANT OF COPASA, MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL

JARDIM, F. A.(1), FONSECA, Y. M. F.(1), VIANNA, L. N. L.(1), AZEVEDO, S. M. F. O.(2), CISCOTTO, P. H. C.(1)

(1)Laboratório Metropolitano da COPASA, (2)Núcleo de Pesquisas de Produtos Naturais da UFRJ

The present work intents to present the results of the hydrobiological monitoring accomplished in the water intake of the Alfenas city. In October 1998 it was detected a bloom of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, followed by Microcystis viridis. Toxicity test were done by mice bioassays and analyses for hepatotoxins identification by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The results of bioassays indicated the presence of neurotoxins (PSP). The analyses by HPLC confirmed the microcystin presence in raw water samples. With the present study the cyanobacteria species identification and the confirmation of its toxicity were done. Besides this it was possible to evaluated the cyanobacteria toxicity and immediate measures should be taken to guarantee the water quality for public consumption.

CORRESPONDENCE TO:

Paula Henriques Cruz Ciscotto, Rua Lavras, 840/302, Belo Horizonte, MG, CEP: 30330-010, Email: paulaciscotto@uaimail.com.br