Study to evaluate performance of film-based passive samplers for measuring microcystins

SCCWRP and its partners have launched a two-year study to evaluate the performance of novel, film-based passive sampling technology for measuring a class of cyanotoxins known as microcystins.

The passive samplers, known as o-DGT and made of inexpensive polymer film, were deployed in September at four water bodies spanning both freshwater and marine environments; o-DGT stands for organic diffusive gradients in thin films.

Researchers are comparing the performance of the o-DGT passive samplers to resin-based passive sampling devices known as Solid Phase Adsorption Toxin Tracking (SPATT).

SPATT devices, which are commonly used for harmful algal blooms (HABs) monitoring, are difficult to calibrate and provide only semi-quantitative estimates of toxin levels in the water column and in sediment. Researchers hope the film-based passive sampling can offer a cheaper, more quantitative alternative for cyanotoxin monitoring.