Abstract
This study analyzed the temporal dynamics of total microcystin LR concentrations between the years of 2012 and 2015 in the Bonete, Baygorria and Palmar hydroelectric generation reservoirs in the central region of the Negro River, Uruguay. The three reservoirs showed differents total microcystin LR concentration, with no significant differences among them. Over 20 sampling dates, the three reservoirs exhibited total microcystin LR concentrations on eight occasions that corresponded to a slight to moderate human health risk according to WHO guideline values for recreational waters. By determining the concentration of microcystin LR in cyanobacterial biomass, we identified cyanobacterial populations that occurred over time with varying degrees of toxin production (maximal 85.4 µg/mm3). The microcystin LR concentration in Bonete was positively correlated with temperature (r = 0.587) and cyanobacterial biomass (r = 0.736), in Baygorria with cyanobacterial biomass (r = 0.521), and in Palmar with temperature (r = 0.500) and negatively correlated with ammonia (r = −0.492). Action is needed to reduce the presence of toxic cyanobacteria in these systems. A decrease in the use of agrochemicals and management changes in the reservoir basins could be successful long-term measures.
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24 October 2017
The original version of this article contains mistakes. The author inadvertently mentioned units mg/L in all the places of first paragraph under “Results and discussion” section. The correct unit is µg/L. In second paragraph, 10th line under “Results and discussion” section, the value should read as (< 0.05–85.4 µg/mm3) instead of (< 0.05–854.00 µg/mm3). The units and value are corrected through this erratum.
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Acknowledgements
We are grateful to the staff of UTE (Usinas y Transmisiones Eléctricas), Washington Larregui, Jaime da Silva, and Magdalena Mandiá for the logistical support. Dra. Celia Leite Sant´Anna and Dr. Javier Garcia provided suggestions that improved this article. This research was partially funded by UTE.
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A correction to this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-017-2195-2.
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González-Piana, M., Fabián, D., Piccardo, A. et al. Dynamics of Total Microcystin LR Concentration in Three Subtropical Hydroelectric Generation Reservoirs in Uruguay, South America. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 99, 488–492 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-017-2158-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-017-2158-7