COVID-19: Offices of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality are open. In an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, we are limiting person-to-person contact. Please contact DEQ here to conduct business.
Suggested Sampling Procedure and Analytical Methods
Cyanotoxin Sampling
Sampling Details
- 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)
Acceptable Analytical Methods for Cyanotoxins
Microcystins
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 |
Cylindrospermopsin
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 |
Saxitoxins
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 |
Anatoxin-a
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 |