The occurrence and levels of cyanotoxin nodularin from Nodularia spumigena in the alkaline and salty Lake Burdur, Turkey

The occurrence of cyanobacteria species Nodularia spumigena and its toxin nodularin were studied in Burdur Lake, a saline alkaline lake with endemic fauna and a Ramsar site of ornithological importance. The water samples were collected from three different locations of Lake Burdur between May and November of 2011. Abundance of Nodularia spumigena and the nodularin levels peaked at the end of July (112,147 cells mL^-1 and 4.82 µg L^-1), coinciding with the highest levels of chlorophyll a (Chl a) (27.15 µg L^-1) and the water temperature (29^oC). Although fish or other animal deaths were not detected during the episodes, it is concluded that N. spumigena blooming should be monitored in Burdur Lake for the ecosystem and environmental health.