Significance of microcystin production by benthic communities in water treatment systems of arid zones.
The study of the dynamics of phytobenthic and phytoplankton communities was undertaken, during a year, in the regulation reservoir associated with a water treatment plant (WTP), which provides the city of Murcia (Spain) with drinking water. Water samples were collected in different stages of the treatment. In the reservoir, the presence of dissolved and intracellular microcystins is constant, both in benthos and in plankton. The collected samples show a positive correlation between the dissolved microcystins and the benthic ones in the reservoir itself, as well as in an upstream reservoir (Ojós Reservoir). The treatment process (ozone+clarification+ozone+activated carbon) is very effective in the removal of toxins, and the drinking water produced is totally free of microcystins. The incorporation of the benthic communities in the routine check for the presence of microcystins is recommended, since it is not compulsory according to the current legislation.
Hurtado
I
I
La Contraparada Water Treatment Plant, SEDELAM, Nra Sra de los Buenos Libros 3, E-30008 Murcia, Spain. ihurtado@um.es <ihurtado@um.es>
Aboal
M
M
Zafra
E
E
Campillo
D
D
D000818:Animals; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D002347:Carps / Q000378:metabolism; D000458:Cyanobacteria / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D003889:Desert Climate; D017377:Diatoms / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism; D052998:Microcystins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D009566:Nitrates / Q000032:analysis; D009573:Nitrites / Q000032:analysis; D010100:Oxygen / Q000032:analysis; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000032:analysis; D013030:Spain; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D018508:Water Purification; D014881:Water Supply / Q000032:analysis*
D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D052998:Microcystins; D009566:Nitrates; D009573:Nitrites; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D010100:Oxygen