Current Effects of Cyanobacteria Toxin in Water Sources and Containers in the Hartbeespoort Dam Area, South Africa

Matodzi Michael Mokoena and Murembiwa Stanley Mukhola
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Matodzi Michael Mokoena: Department of Environmental Health, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
Murembiwa Stanley Mukhola: Department of Environmental Health, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag X680, Pretoria 0001, South Africa

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-9

Abstract: The study investigated the effects of cyanobacteria toxins such as microcystins in water sources and water stored in containers during its blooming and decaying seasons. Samples from water sources and containers near the Hartbeespoort Dam in South Africa were analysed using a microcystin ELIZA test kit. Microcystins were present in water sources used by the community, with an average of 4.3 μg/L in communal tap water and 4.8 μg/L in the water stored in tanks. The concentration of microcystins was lower in groundwater in the decaying season (0.38 μg/L) than in the blooming season (1.4 μg/L). Although microcystins were present in the storage containers, the average levels in all water samples were below the acceptable limit of 1 μg/L. The present study confirmed the presence of microcystins in the water storage containers. Therefore, it is suggested that water used for drinking from community water sources should be treated before storage to eliminate microcystins.

Keywords: Hartbeespoort Dam; microcystins; water sources; water containers; blooming season; decaying season (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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