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Algal and Other Environmental Toxins — Lawrence, Kansas Active

By Environmental Health Program August 30, 2018

Advanced Techniques are Used to Identify Algal Toxins

Scientists Routinely Evaluate Equipment Performance

The Laboratory Analyzes Algal Toxins

to inform questions about fish and wildlife health

Scientists Use a Variety of Analytical Techniques to Analyze Samples

About the Laboratory

The Environmental Health Program collaborates with scientists at the Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory (OGRL) in Lawrence, Kansas, to develop and employ targeted and non-targeted analytical methods for identification and quantitation of known and understudied algal/cyanobacterial toxins.  The laboratory contructed  in 2019 is a 2,500 square foot modern laboratory facility with enhanced capabilities for algal toxin detection and increased throughput. This research is used to meet the growing demand for reliable algal toxin data and better definition of potential human and wildlife health effect thresholds of toxin exposure.

Current Algal/Cyanobacterial Toxins Capabilities

Two scientists viewing data on a computer screen
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
Scientists reviewing data to determine instrument performance at the Algal Toxins Laboratory in Lawrence Kansas.

 

Cyanotoxins 

  • anatoxin-a 
  • BMAA 
  • cylindrospermopsin 
  • 10 microcystins 
  • nodularin-R 
  • saxitoxins

Marine Toxins 

  • azaspiracid-1
  • domoic acid 
  • dinophysistoxin-2 
  • gymnodimine 
  • okadaic acid 
  • pectinotoxin-2
  • 13-desmethyl-spirolide C
  • saxitoxins

Key Instrumentation

  • New (2019) 2,500 square foot modern laboratory facility
  • Onebioinert liquid chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometers for quantitation
  • One bioinert liquid chromatography high resolution mass spectrometers for identification of unknown chemicals and biomarkers of exposure
  • One tritimeter
  • An automated bioassay plate reader for toxin screening and toxicity endpoint measurement
  • An infrared spectrophotometer for chemical screening and structure illucidation
  • A handheld x-ray fluorescence analyzer for elemental analysis screening (such as metals)
  • One handheld hyperspectral radiometer for satellite validation
Keith A. Loftin, USGS, is the lead scientist for algal and cyanobacterial toxins
Sources/Usage: Public Domain.
Keith A. Loftin, USGS, is the lead scientist for algal and cyanobacterial toxins laboratory and the Algal and other Natural Toxins Integrated Science Team (Credit: Ariel Donovan, USGS. Public domain.)

 

 

    Below are data associated with this project.

    Microcystin, chlorophyll, and cell-count data for assessing the effect of salinity tolerance on cyanobacteria associated with a harmful algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee, Florida, July 9 to 17, 2017

    This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data Release provides microcystin, chlorophyll, and cell-count data for assessing the effect of salinity tolerance on cyanobacteria associated with a harmful algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee, Florida. All data are reported as raw measured values and are not rounded to USGS significant figures. Water and algal bloom material were collected from Lake Okeechobee, Flor
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Kansas Water Science Center

    Velocity test data for assessing the effect of salinity tolerance on cyanobacteria associated with a harmful algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee, Florida, July 10 to 13, 2017

    This U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data Release provides velocity test data for assessing the effect of salinity tolerance on cyanobacteria associated with a harmful algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee, Florida, July 10 to 13, 2017. All data are reported as raw measured values and are not rounded to USGS significant figures. Water and algal bloom material were collected from Lake Okeechobee, Florida on
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Kansas Water Science Center

    Periphyton (1993-2011) and Water Quality (2014) Data for ET&C Article Entitled Spatial and Temporal Variation in Microcystins Occurrence in Wadeable Streams in the Southeastern USA

    Spatial reconnaissance of fluvial microcystins (MC) concentrations and select water-quality parameters, including nutrients and periphyton biomass, in 75 wadeable streams in the Piedmont region of the southeastern USA during 2014. Data set includes only those data specifically discussed in the associated journal article: Loftin, K.A., Clark, J.M., Journey, C.A., Kolpin, D.W., Van Metre, P.C.,
    By
    South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

    Below are publications associated with this project.

    Filter Total Items: 33

    Mixed organic and inorganic tapwater exposures and potential effects in greater Chicago area, USA

    Safe drinking water at the point of use (tapwater, TW) is a public-health priority. TW exposures and potential human-health concerns of 540 organics and 35 inorganics were assessed in 45 Chicago area United States (US) homes in 2017. No US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level(s) (MCL) were exceeded in any residential or water treatment plant (WTP) pre-distrib
    Authors
    Paul Bradley, Maria Argos, Dana W. Kolpin, Shannon M. Meppelink, Kristin Romanok, Kelly Smalling, Michael J. Focazio, Joshua M. Allen, Julie E. Dietze, Michael J. Devito, Ariel Donovan, Nicola Evans, Carrie E. Givens, James L. Gray, Christopher P. Higgins, Michelle Hladik, Luke Iwanowicz, Celeste A. Journey, Rachael F. Lane, Zachary Laughrey, Keith A. Loftin, R. Blaine McCleskey, Carrie A. McDonough, Elizabeth K Medlock Kakaley, Michael T. Meyer, Andrea Holthouse-Putz, Susan D Richardson, Alan Stark, Christopher P. Weis, Vickie S. Wilson, Abderrahman Zehraoui
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), National Water Quality Laboratory

    Methods used for the collection and analysis of chemical and biological data for the Tapwater Exposure Study, United States, 2016–17

    In 2016, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Environmental Health Mission Area, initiated the Tapwater Exposure Study as part of an infrastructure project to assess human exposure to potential threats from complex mixtures of contaminants. In the pilot phase (2016), samples were collected from 11 States throughout the United States, and in the second phase (2017), the study focused on the Greater Ch
    Authors
    Kristin M. Romanok, Dana W. Kolpin, Shannon M. Meppelink, Maria Argos, Juliane B. Brown, Michael J. Devito, Julie E. Dietze, Carrie E. Givens, James L. Gray, Christopher P. Higgins, Michelle L. Hladik, Luke R. Iwanowicz, Keith A. Loftin, R. Blaine McCleskey, Carrie A. McDonough, Michael T. Meyer, Mark J. Strynar, Christopher P. Weis, Vickie S. Wilson, Paul M. Bradley
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Contaminant Biology, Environmental Health Program, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Central Midwest Water Science Center, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC), National Water Quality Laboratory

    Understanding the effect of salinity tolerance on cyanobacteria associated with a harmful algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee, Florida

    In an effort to simulate the survival of cyanobacteria asthey are transported from Lake Okeechobee to the estuarinehabitats that receive waters from the lake, a bioassayencompassing a range of salinities was performed. An overalldecline in cyanobacteria health in salinity treatments greaterthan 18 practical salinity units (psu) was indicated by loss ofcell membrane integrity based on SYTOX® Green
    Authors
    Barry H. Rosen, Keith A. Loftin, Jennifer L. Graham, Katherine N. Stahlhut, James M. Riley, Brett D. Johnston, Sarena Senegal

    Water-quality conditions with an emphasis on cyanobacteria and associated toxins and taste-and-odor compounds in the Kansas River, Kansas, July 2012 through September 2016

    Cyanobacteria cause a multitude of water-quality concerns, including the potential to produce toxins and taste-and-odor compounds that may cause substantial economic and public health concerns, and are of particular interest in lakes, reservoirs, and rivers that are used for drinking-water supply. Extensive cyanobacterial blooms typically do not develop in the Kansas River; however, reservoirs in
    Authors
    Jennifer L. Graham, Guy M. Foster, Thomas J. Williams, Matthew D. Mahoney, Madison R. May, Keith A. Loftin
    By
    Water Resources Mission Area, Kansas Water Science Center

    Book review: Handbook of cyanobacterial monitoring and cyanotoxin analysis

    Review of Meriluoto, Jussi, Lisa Spoof, and GeoffreyA. Codd [eds.]. 2017. Handbook of Cyanobacterial Monitoring and Cyanotoxin Analysis. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.: Chichester, West Sussex, UK, ISBN 978‐1‐119‐06868‐6 (978‐1‐119‐06876‐1 eBook), DOI 10.1002/9781119068761.
    Authors
    Jennifer L. Graham, Keith A. Loftin
    By
    Water Resources Mission Area, Kansas Water Science Center

    Associations between cyanobacteria and indices of secondary production in the western basin of Lake Erie

    Large lakes provide a variety of ecological services to surrounding cities and communities. Many of these services are supported by ecological processes that are threatened by the increasing prevalence of cyanobacterial blooms which occur as aquatic ecosystems experience cultural eutrophication. Over the past 10 yr, Lake Erie experienced cyanobacterial blooms of increasing severity and frequency,
    Authors
    James H. Larson, Mary Anne Evans, Robert J. Kennedy, Sean Bailey, Keith A. Loftin, Zachary Laughrey, Robin Femmer, Jeff Schaeffer, William B. Richardson, Timothy Wynne, J. C. Nelson, Joseph W. Duris
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Toxic Substances Hydrology, Great Lakes Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

    Detection of microcystin and other cyanotoxins in lakes at Isle Royale National Park, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, northern Michigan, 2012–13

    Although cyanotoxins released during algal blooms have become an increasing concern in surface waters across the United States, the presence of cyanotoxins in northern Michigan lakes had not been evaluated in detail. The U.S. Geological Survey and National Park Service (NPS) led a 2-year study (2012 and 2013) to determine the presence of microcystin and other algal toxins in several inland lakes a
    Authors
    Lori M. Fuller, Angela K. Brennan, Lisa R. Fogarty, Keith A. Loftin, Heather E. Johnson, David D. VanderMeulen, Brenda Moraska Lafrancois
    By
    Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Upper Midwest Water Science Center

    Satellite monitoring of cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom frequency in recreational waters and drinking water sources

    Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHAB) cause extensive problems in lakes worldwide, including human and ecological health risks, anoxia and fish kills, and taste and odor problems. CyanoHABs are a particular concern in both recreational waters and drinking water sources because of their dense biomass and the risk of exposure to toxins. Successful cyanoHAB assessment using satellites may pr
    Authors
    John M. Clark, Blake A. Schaeffer, John A. Darling, Erin A. Urquhart, John M. Johnston, Amber R. Ignatius, Mark H. Myer, Keith A. Loftin, P. Jeremy Werdell, Richard P. Stumpf
    By
    Water Resources Mission Area, Kansas Water Science Center

    A method for examining temporal changes in cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom spatial extent using satellite remote sensing

    Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHAB) are thought to be increasing globally over the past few decades, but relatively little quantitative information is available about the spatial extent of blooms. Satellite remote sensing provides a potential technology for identifying cyanoHABs in multiple water bodies and across geo-political boundaries. An assessment method was developed using MEdium
    Authors
    Erin A. Urquhart, Blake A. Schaeffer, Richard P. Stumpf, Keith A. Loftin, P. Jeremy Werdell
    By
    Water Resources Mission Area, Kansas Water Science Center

    A critical review of the postulated role of the non-essential amino acid, β-N-methylamino-L-alanine, in neurodegenerative disease in humans

    The compound BMAA (β-N-methylamino-L-alanine) has been postulated to play a significant role in four serious neurological human diseases: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Parkinsonism Dementia Complex (ALS/PDC) found on Guam, and ALS, Parkinsonism, and dementia that occur globally. ALS/PDC with symptoms of all three diseases first came to the attention of the scientific community during and after Wor
    Authors
    Neil Chernoff, D. J. Hill, D. L. Diggs, B. D. Faison, B. M. Francis, J. R. Lang, M. M. Larue, T.-T. Le, Keith A. Loftin, J. N. Lugo, J. E. Schmid, W. W. Winnik
    By
    Water Resources Mission Area, Kansas Water Science Center

    Water quality and bed sediment quality in the Albemarle Sound, North Carolina, 2012–14

    The Albemarle Sound region was selected in 2012 as one of two demonstration sites in the Nation to test and improve the design of the National Water Quality Monitoring Council’s National Monitoring Network (NMN) for U.S. Coastal Waters and Tributaries. The goal of the NMN for U.S. Coastal Waters and Tributaries is to provide information about the health of our oceans, coastal ecosystems, and inlan
    Authors
    Michelle C. Moorman, Sharon A. Fitzgerald, Laura N. Gurley, Ahmed Rhoni-Aref, Keith A. Loftin
    By
    Water Resources Mission Area, South Atlantic Water Science Center (SAWSC)

    Spatial variability of harmful algal blooms in Milford Lake, Kansas, July and August 2015

    Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) tend to be spatially variable vertically in the water column and horizontally across the lake surface because of in-lake and weather-driven processes and can vary by orders of magnitude in concentration across relatively short distances (meters or less). Extreme spatial variability in cyanobacteria and associated compounds poses unique challenges to
    Authors
    Guy M. Foster, Jennifer L. Graham, Tom C. Stiles, Marvin G. Boyer, Lindsey R. King, Keith A. Loftin
    By
    Water Resources Mission Area, Kansas Water Science Center