This work reports on the survey carried out to determine the presence of microcystins (MCs) by using ELISA tests and HPLC-UV for such determination in different sample sites along the Spanish course of the Guadiana River. The most important cyanobacteria species identified were, Microcystis aeruginosa and Oscillatoria spp. The highest total microcystin content recorded was 6.40 mg L À1 in 2002. The main toxins found were microcystins RR and LR, with microcystin YR present at trace levels. Improvements in sample clean up were carried out by using Immunoaffinity solid phase extraction (SPE) and its advantages regarding to conventional SPE were clearly demonstrated. The confirmation of MCs presence in the evaluated water reservoirs, underlines the necessity of monitoring programs as well as the improvement of analytical methodologies to efficiently prevent the human health risks as a consequence of MCs contamination.

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