Cyanotoxins in Serbia and water treatment procedures for their elimination

Abstract

Cyanotoxins are secondary metabolites produced by cyanobacteria, mainly as a result of eutrofication and water quality deterioration. The most common cyanotoxins are cyclic peptide hepatotoxins called microcystins. Cyanotoxins represent a potential health risk for humans when occuring in freshwaters used for drinking water supply, recreation and irrigation. In Serbia there is a problem with cyanobacterial blooms and production of cyanotoxins in most of the surface freshwaters. In order to restore water quality, various techniques and methods in water treatment procedures must be employed. These procedures include technologies like coagulation/floculation, flotation, filtration, activated carbon adsorption, UV photolysis, ozonization and oxidation processes. This review focuses on cyanotoxins, their occurrence in Serbia, as well as ways of their removal from the water.