Toxic cyanobacteria and their toxins in standing waters of Kenya: implications for water resource use

Kotut, Kiplagat; Ballot, Andreas; Krienitz, Lothar

doi:10.2166/wh.2006.0020

Cited by 51 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 32 publications

(29 reference statements)

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“…Some algae can produce toxins that are associated with human health problems [23]. Thus, the analysis of phosphorus in sediments from the lake is critical.…”

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confidence: 99%

Application of chemical fractionation and X-ray powder diffraction to study phosphorus speciation in sediments from Lake Hongfeng, China

Jiang

et al. 2011

Chin. Sci. Bull.

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Based on the techniques of sequential extraction and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), the distribution characteristics of phosphorus speciation were investigated in 13 sediment samples from Lake Hongfeng, an important drinking water source for Guiyang with a typical karstic limestone environment. The total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in the sediments ranged from 973.36 to 2334.18 mg/kg with a mean concentration of 1635.87 mg/kg (dry weight), and it was evident that the phosphorus level in the sediments was high compared with other eutrophic lakes such as Lake Chaohu and Lake Xihu. The results of the two methods, sequential extraction and XRD, demonstrated the presence of different phosphorus species in the lake sediments. Being compatible with local geophysical characteristics, the results of sequential extraction techniques indicate that the average percentages of dissolved phosphorus (DP), aluminum-bound phosphorus (Al-P), iron-bound phosphorus (Fe-P), calcium-bound phosphorus (Ca-P) and organic phosphorus (OP) in the sediments were 0.40%, 7.06%, 5.07%, 45.48% and 38.49%, respectively. Notably, the concentrations of inorganic phosphorus (IP) were higher than those of OP, and the IP consisted primarily of Ca-P. The high concentrations of Ca-P may temporarily control the release of phosphorus from the sediments because it is a relatively stable, inert and non-bioavailable phosphorus fraction. The results of XRD analysis indicated that, among phosphorus species, AlPO 4 was found in all sediment samples at relatively high concentrations. Moreover, the TP concentrations in the sediments were high; thus the release potential and bioavailability of phosphorus in the sediments was important. Further statistical analyses of the results revealed significant correlations between phosphorus species in the sediments with two extractable principal components and four selectable cluster levels allowing interpretation of possible origins of phosphorus loading and transformation mechanisms of phosphorus species. Furthermore, available remediation measures were briefly assessed for the lake while considering its distinct environmental features. eutrophication, karstic environment, lake sediments, phosphorus speciation, sequential extraction procedure, X-ray powder diffraction Citation:Jiang C H, Wu D, Hu J W, et al. Application of chemical fractionation and X-ray powder diffraction to study phosphorus speciation in sediments from Lake Hongfeng, China. Chinese Sci Bull, 2011Bull, , 56: 2098Bull, −2108Bull, , doi: 10.1007 Lake Hongfeng (E 106°24′-106°43′, N 26°31′-26°34′) is located about 32 km west of Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou Province, in southwestern China. The local geology consists of typical karstic limestone terrain that is rich in phosphate rock deposits. The lake is the largest deep artificial reservoir on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, with an *Corresponding author (email: jwhu@gznu.edu.cn) average water depth of 10.5 m (max. 45 m), a flood storage capacity of 6.01 × 10 8 m 3 and an area of 57.2 km 2 . It is a t...

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“…Some algae can produce toxins that are associated with human health problems [23]. Thus, the analysis of phosphorus in sediments from the lake is critical.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of chemical fractionation and X-ray powder diffraction to study phosphorus speciation in sediments from Lake Hongfeng, China

Jiang

et al. 2011

Chin. Sci. Bull.

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“…Despite this, there is no historical precedent of the people surrounding Lake Bogoria having used Spirulina as a food source. There have been conflicting reports, however, of whether Lake Bogoria Spirulina produces microcystins, a group of hepatotoxins that is highly hazardous to human health [13]. While certain studies conclude that Lake Bogoria Spirulina might be a source of microcystins, other studies could not find significant levels of them [13,14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There have been conflicting reports, however, of whether Lake Bogoria Spirulina produces microcystins, a group of hepatotoxins that is highly hazardous to human health [13]. While certain studies conclude that Lake Bogoria Spirulina might be a source of microcystins, other studies could not find significant levels of them [13,14]. Should Lake Bogoria Spirulina be toxin-free, then it has the potential to serve as a local, sustainable means of addressing undernutrition in the Lake Bogoria region.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tackling community undernutrition at lake Bogoria, Kenya: The potential of spirulina (Arthrospira fusiformis) as a food supplement

Yin

Daoust

Young

et al. 2017

AJFAND

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Undernutrition remains a major public health concern for many developing nations, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya, undernutrition affects a substantial portion of the Kenyan population, especially children and those living in rural areas. Local and sustainable means of addressing undernutrition is still lacking in many communities in urban, but more so in rural areas of Kenya. Spirulina (Arthrospira fusiformis), a cyanobacterium from alkaline inland waters, high in nutrient content, is a potential means of treating undernutrition in the developing world, where it can be easily grown. This paper presents a feasibility study on the harvest of Spirulina from Lake Bogoria in the Kenyan Rift Valley for use as a food supplement for undernutrition mitigation in the surrounding rural communities. A nutrition survey revealed the local population to be deficient in a number of micronutrients, specifically vitamins E and B12 that could be provided through dietary supplementation with Spirulina. A sample of Spirulina was collected from Lake Bogoria and analyzed for nutrient content and the presence of toxins. It was found that Lake Bogoria Spirulina had a dry protein content of 14.6% and is a rich source of dietary iron, with an iron content of 1.86%. A toxicity analysis revealed that Lake Bogoria Spirulina contained 1.15ng/g of microcystins (a group of hepatotoxic small polypeptides produced by several strains of cyanobacteria), which is within levels safe for human consumption according to World Health Organization standards. It was concluded that Lake Bogoria Spirulina is an easily accessible source of food and has the potential to be a sustainable means for the Lake Bogoria community to tackle undernutrition. Finally, using the data gathered, consultation sessions were arranged with key community groups and members to discuss the feasibility and potential for incorporation of Spirulina into the local diet -an ongoing collaborative process between researchers and the community that has already been met with some success.

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“…Recently, studies in several European and Asian countries revealed that MCs were present in 60% to 90% of all samples investigated (Chorus 2001;Kotut et al 2006). In China, problems associated with cyanobacteria are increasing, especially in areas with increasing environment pollution and inadequate water treatment due to population growth (Jin 2003;Xu et al 2007).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification of microcystins contamination in surface water samples from the Three Gorges Reservoir, China

Chen

Huang

et al. 2010

Environ Monit Assess

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Physicochemical and biological parameters related to water quality and microcystins (MCs) contamination in aquatic environment of the Three Gorges Reservoir were investigated in August 2004 and January 2005. A solid-phase extraction method and an HPLC equipped with photodiode array were used for MC-LR detection. A quantitative analysis showed the total MC-LR concentrations of water samples ranged from non-detectable to 0.57 μg L⁻¹ among the seven sampling sites. The highest MC-LR concentration was found at sampling site G (Wushan), which was followed by F (Kaixian), E (Wanzhou), D (Fuling), C (Cuntan), and A (Daxigou). The correlation analysis showed the MC-LR concentration was positively correlated with chlorophyll-a concentration. This result suggests that MC concentration in water can be indirectly estimated by analyzing the chlorophyll-a concentration. Overall, the results of this study suggest that more importance should be placed on monitoring of MC contamination and water quality in the Three Gorges Reservoir to ensure drinking water safety and reduce the potential exposure of people to these health hazards.

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Toxic cyanobacteria and their toxins in standing waters of Kenya: implications for water resource use

Cited by 51 publications

References 32 publications

Application of chemical fractionation and X-ray powder diffraction to study phosphorus speciation in sediments from Lake Hongfeng, China

Application of chemical fractionation and X-ray powder diffraction to study phosphorus speciation in sediments from Lake Hongfeng, China

Tackling community undernutrition at lake Bogoria, Kenya: The potential of spirulina (Arthrospira fusiformis) as a food supplement

Identification of microcystins contamination in surface water samples from the Three Gorges Reservoir, China

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