title: Identification of microcystins contamination in surface water samples from the Three Gorges Reservoir, China.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Hygiene, College of Preventive Medicine, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400038, China.
authors.forename: Chuan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Ji-An
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yu-Jing
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Zhi-Qun
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Jiao-Hua
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Jia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Wei-Qun
authors.initials: WQ
authors.lastname: Shu
mesh_terms: D002681:China; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000382:microbiology; D052998:Microcystins / Q000032:analysis*; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D052998:Microcystins; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical