Relationship between cyanobacterial biomass and total microcystin-LR levels in drinking and recreational water

Cyanobacterial biomass, chlorophyll-a, and microcystin-LR levels were monitored in drinking and recreational water in Seoul, South Korea and three satellite cities from Oct 2006 to Aug 2007. Total microcystin-LR was the sum of particulate and dissolved microcystin. Except during cold periods, toxic cyanobacteria, including Anabaena flos-aquae, were found at all sites. The total microcystin-LR levels were below guideline danger levels (<1.0 μg/L) except one time (1.27 μg/L in October), whereas chl-a (111.7 μg/L) and cell levels (2.6 × 10⁵ cells/mL) were at 'vigilance' and 'alert' levels for drinking water and at 'guidance' level for recreational water, respectively. Discrepancies in these parameters may thus lead to frequent unnecessary alerts, thereby increasing water management costs.