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Rapid Cyanotoxin Detection Technology in Routine Monitoring and Citizen Science Groups

Buchholz, Seth D.
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5946-7084
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1616074976068045

Abstract Details

2021, Master of Science (MS), Bowling Green State University, Biological Sciences.
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CHABs) are a global public health, environmental, and economic threat. Cyanobacterial toxins, or “cyanotoxins”, can cause significant harm to human and animal health. Cyanotoxin-producing CHABs occur in many large socioeconomically-important lakes such as the Laurentian Great Lakes. Within the Laurentian Great Lakes, Lake Erie is the smallest, shallowest, and warmest, making it the most susceptible to CHAB events. Multiple federal, state, and academic groups currently monitor western Lake Erie for cyanobacterial abundance and toxicity; however, challenges arise when comparing data using various water sampling methods, analytical procedures, and inconsistent sampling schedules. Therefore, current sampling methods are insufficient to quantitatively measure cyanotoxins, such as microcystins and other emerging toxins of concern such as CYN. The second generation LightDeck MC/CYN HAB Toxin Detection System is a user-friendly technology capable of accurate measurements of microcystins and cylindrospermopsins that yields toxin data more efficiently and conveniently than the current EPA-validated Microcystin ELISA method. The LightDeck Toxin Detection System was implemented by citizen scientists in NOAA’s Phytoplankton Monitoring Network in western Lake Erie as well as BGSU’s routine monitoring of Sandusky Bay. These coordinated efforts not only provided data to validate LightDeck against the validated laboratory method, but also assessed the practicality of the instrument itself. A total of 302 comparison samples were collected and analyzed between collaborators. Laboratory experiments investigated potential sources of assay interferents, including silica from diatom frustules and instrument component contamination, that may be contributing to false positive microcystin results. However, there are no definitive conclusions regarding the source of discrepancies between analytical methods.
Timothy Davis, Ph.D. (Advisor)
Sarah Bickman, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
George Bullerjahn, Ph..D. (Committee Member)
64 p.
Biology; Ecology; Environmental Science; Freshwater Ecology; Technology
Cyanotoxins; Cyanobacteria; Harmful algal blooms; Assays; Technology

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Buchholz, S. D. (2021). Rapid Cyanotoxin Detection Technology in Routine Monitoring and Citizen Science Groups [Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1616074976068045

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Buchholz, Seth. Rapid Cyanotoxin Detection Technology in Routine Monitoring and Citizen Science Groups. 2021. Bowling Green State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1616074976068045.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Buchholz, Seth. "Rapid Cyanotoxin Detection Technology in Routine Monitoring and Citizen Science Groups." Master's thesis, Bowling Green State University, 2021. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1616074976068045

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

bgsu1616074976068045
349
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This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.