Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

<p>Harmful algal blooms, mostly dominated by cyanobacteria (cyano-HABs) have direct impacts on the safety of drinking water supplies due to the associated production of potent hepato- and neuro-toxins. Harmful algal blooms in lakes and reservoirs constitute a threat to human health and, by extension, to all aspects of the Canadian economy. Recently, a new theory proposed by Molot et al. centres on the importance of the role of iron (Fe), in the form of Fe²⁺, in controlling the dominance of cyanobacteria. However, determining the source and availability of Fe²⁺ to cyanobacteria is problematic. Fe concentrations are extremely low in oxygenated surface waters because Fe³⁺, the oxidized form of Fe, is very insoluble in high O2 conditions. Fe²⁺ is rapidly oxidized by O₂ and thus Fe is quickly lost from the water column. This instrument is unique in that it can analyze Fe²⁺ in the presence of O₂ in the field. In addition, not all cyano-HABs produce toxins. This instrument also analyses H₂O₂ which has been recently proposed to be the trigger for toxin production. Funds are requested to purchase a Waterville Analytical FeLume (II) for the analysis of Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, hydrogen peroxide, and superoxide. This fully portable system consists of integrated sample introduction with chemiluminescence detector to achieve picomolar detection of most analytes. This instrument can be operated in the field, reducing turnaround time, and minimizing the possibility of sample oxidation thereby ensuring the most accurate results possible.</p>