title: Improving microcystin monitoring relevance in recreative waters: A regional case-study (Brittany, Western France, Europe).
abstract: Cyanobacteria and their toxins are known as a health hazard in recreative and distributed waters. Monitoring data from 2004 to 2011 were collected at regional scale to characterize exposition parameters to microcystins in Brittany (Western France). The data show that cyanobacteria populations are experiencing a composition shift leading to a longer duration of cell densities higher than WHO alert levels 2 and 3. Microcystins however appear to be more frequently detected with subacute concentrations in low cell density samples than in high cell density samples or during bloom episodes. Positive relations are described between microcystin concentrations, detection frequencies and cyanobacteria biovolumes, allowing for a novel definition of alert levels and decision framework following WHO recommendations.
authors.affiliation: Limnologie sarl, 16 rue Paul Langevin, Rennes 35200, France; EHESP Rennes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Avenue du Professeur Léon Bernard, CS 74312, Rennes Cedex 35043, France; Inserm, U 1085-IRSET, LERES, Paris, France. Electronic address: fred.pitois@limnosphere.com.
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pitois
authors.affiliation: Limnologie sarl, 16 rue Paul Langevin, Rennes 35200, France. Electronic address: chantal.vezie@limnosphere.com.
authors.forename: Chantal
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vezie
authors.affiliation: Limnologie sarl, 16 rue Paul Langevin, Rennes 35200, France. Electronic address: isabelle.thoraval@limnosphere.com.
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Thoraval
authors.affiliation: EHESP Rennes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Avenue du Professeur Léon Bernard, CS 74312, Rennes Cedex 35043, France; Inserm, U 1085-IRSET, LERES, Paris, France. Electronic address: estelle.baures@ehesp.fr.
authors.forename: Estelle
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baurès
mesh_terms: D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D000458:Cyanobacteria; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D005602:France; D060106:Lakes; D052998:Microcystins / Q000032:analysis*; D011998:Recreation; D014873:Water Pollutants / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D052998:Microcystins; D014873:Water Pollutants
keywords: Cyanobacteria; Exposure; Microcystin; Monitoring efficiency; Public health survey