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Cyanobacteria, Cyanotoxin Synthetase Gene, and Cyanotoxin Occurrence Among Selected Large River Sites of the Conterminous United States, 2017–18

Scientific Investigations Report 2021-5121
National Water Quality Program
By: , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20215121

Links

  • Document: Report (2.09 MB pdf) , XML
  • Related Works:
    • Related Work - Cyanotoxin occurrence in large rivers of the United States
    • USGS data release - Phytoplankton tally sheet, including photomicrographs, for samples collected at eleven large river sites throughout the United States, June through September 2017
  • Data Releases:
    • USGS data release - Cyanotoxin, chlorophyll-a, and cyanobacterial toxin genetic data for samples collected at eleven large river sites throughout the United States, June through October 2018
    • USGS data release - Phytoplankton data for samples collected at eleven large river sites throughout the United States, June through October 2018
    • USGS data release
    • USGS data release - Cyanotoxin, chlorophyll-a, and cyanobacterial toxin genetic data for samples collected at eleven large river sites throughout the United States, June through September 2017
    • USGS data release - Phytoplankton data for samples collected at eleven large river sites throughout the United States, June through September 2017
  • Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core

Abstract

The U.S. Geological Survey measured cyanobacteria, cyanotoxin synthetase genes, and cyanotoxins at 11 river sites throughout the conterminous United States in a multiyear pilot study during 2017–19 through the National Water Quality Assessment Project to better understand the occurrence of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in large inland and coastal rivers. This report focuses on the first 2 years of data collection (2017 and 2018) and describes occurrence of anatoxin-, cylindrospermopsin-, microcystin-, and saxitoxin-producing cyanobacteria, cyanotoxin synthetase genes (anaC, cyrA, taxa specific mcyE, and sxtA), and cyanotoxins (anatoxins, cylindrospermopsins, microcystins, and saxitoxins). Study findings demonstrate that cyanobacteria, cyanotoxin synthetase genes, and cyanotoxins are present in large U.S rivers under ambient conditions and show that downstream transport and flushing likely affect relative abundance of potential cyanotoxin-producing cyanobacteria. Additionally, the results agree with existing literature that support the importance of water temperature, light, and nutrients—as moderated by hydrologic conditions—in shaping the structure of riverine cyanobacterial communities.

Suggested Citation

Zuellig, R.E., Graham, J.L., Stelzer, E.A., Loftin, K.A., and Rosen, B.H., 2021, Cyanobacteria, cyanotoxin synthetase gene, and cyanotoxin occurrence among selected large river sites of the conterminous United States, 2017–18: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2021–5121, 22 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20215121.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Results of Quality Assurance and Quality Control Analysis
  • Potential Cyanotoxin-Producing Cyanobacteria, Cyanotoxin Synthetase Gene, and Cyanotoxin Occurrence
  • Concordance Between Potential Cyanotoxin-Producing Cyanobacteria, Cyanotoxin Synthetase Gene, and Cyanotoxin Occurrence
  • Association Between Biological Response and Selected Environmental Variables
  • Descriptive Association Between Cyanobacteria and Streamflow
  • Limitations
  • Summary
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Cyanobacteria, cyanotoxin synthetase gene, and cyanotoxin occurrence among selected large river sites of the conterminous United States, 2017–18
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2021-5121
DOI 10.3133/sir20215121
Year Published 2021
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Colorado Water Science Center, Kansas Water Science Center, New York Water Science Center, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Water Science Center
Description Report: v, 22 p.; 4 Data Releases; Related Work
Country Canada, United States
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details