Suggested Sampling Procedure and Analytical Methods

Cyanotoxin Sampling

Handling – follow collection and handling procedures established by method or laboratory
Lab Analysis – use lab-provided sample containers
Containers – typically amber glass
Quenching – quench (usually with sodium thiosulfate) immediately upon sampling if exposed to oxidants
Cooling – cool on ice (4° C) immediately after collection, during shipping, and pending analysis
Holding Time – analyze within 5 days of collection
More Info – USGS Guidelines for Design and Sampling for Cyanobacterial Toxin and Taste-and-Odor Studies in Lakes and Reservoirs (2008)

Analytical Method	Source Water	Raw Water	Finished Water – Investigation	Finished Water – Compliance
ELISA Cylindrospermopsin Method	Acceptable	Acceptable	Acceptable	Acceptable
LC/ESI-MS/MS Method 545	Acceptable	Acceptable	Acceptable	?
Immunochromatographic Strip Test for Detection of Cylindrospermopsin	Acceptable	Acceptable	Acceptable	Not Acceptable

Analytical Method	Source Water	Raw Water	Finished Water – Investigation	Finished Water – Compliance
ELISA Cylindrospermopsin Method	Acceptable	Acceptable	Acceptable	Acceptable
LC/ESI-MS/MS Method 545	Not Acceptable	Not Acceptable	Acceptable	Acceptable
Immunochromatographic Strip Test for Detection of Cylindrospermopsin	Acceptable	Acceptable	Acceptable	Not Acceptable

Analytical Method	Source Water	Raw Water	Finished Water – Investigation	Finished Water – Compliance
ELISA Saxitoxin Method	Acceptable	Acceptable	Acceptable	Acceptable
LC-MS/MS Method for detection of 12 saxitoxin variants	Acceptable	Acceptable	Acceptable	Acceptable

Analytical Method	Source Water	Raw Water	Finished Water – Investigation	Finished Water – Compliance
LC/ESI-MS/MS Method 545	Not Acceptable	Not Acceptable	Acceptable	Acceptable
Immunochromatographic Strip Test for Detection of Anatoxin-a	Acceptable	Acceptable	Acceptable	Not Acceptable