Detection of Microcystins in the coastal lagoon La Albufera de Valencia, Spain by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (E.L.I.S.A.)

Over the last twenty years, cyanobacteria have become the predominant phytoplankton in La Albufera de Valencia (coastal lagoon). Dense populations of Planktothrix (Oscillatoria) have been observed, sometimes in excess of 3.1 O5 individualsiml. This genus has been commonly found to produce microcystins, a hepatotoxin. In order to assess the presence or absence of these toxins in la Albufera, samples were taken in July and August of 1999. Physico-chemical and biological parameters were assessed by standard techniques and microcystin concentrations were measured with an E.L.I.S.A. Concentrations of microcystin were found to range from 5.0 to 2102.9 ngil (average 300.1 &I).