Pond bank access as an approach for managing toxic cyanobacteria in beef cattle pasture drinking water ponds

A population study was undertaken to survey the distribution of sulfate levels in water and thiamine status of beef cattle on Saskatchewan farms. Fifty farms took part in this study. The sampled animals represented all major breeds raised in Saskatchewan. The sulfate content in drinking water varied greatly across the province ranging from 70 to 3200 ppm. Approximately 43% of the farms from southern and central parts of the province had water with sulfate concentration exceeding 1000 ppm. The concentration of blood thiamine was (mean ± SD) 24.9 ± 10.1 μg L−1. Subsequently, a comparative study was undertaken to examine the relationship between high sulfate in the drinking water and blood thiamine concentration in feedlot cattle. The farms with high (> 1000 ppm) and low (< 200) levels of sulfate in the water were used for the comparative study. Blood thiamine concentrations differed (P < 0.0001) between beef cattle drinking low sulfate-water and those drinking high sulfate-water and were 47.3 ± 9.8 and 37.9 ± 12.4 μg L−1 respectively. It was concluded from this study that a high concentration of sulfate in the drinking water has a detrimental effect on blood thiamine status. A subpopulation of beef cattle in Saskatchewan may be marginally deficient or deficient in thiamine. Key words: Water, sulfate, cattle, blood, thiamine, deficiency

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Intake of zinc sulphate in drinking water by grazing beef cattle

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research ◽

10.1080/00288233.1978.10427402 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 21 (2) ◽

pp. 215-221 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

D. E. Wright ◽

N. R. Towers ◽

D. P. Sinclair

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Beef Cattle ◽

Zinc Sulphate

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Health risk of cyanotoxins in Lake Victoria and household drinking water for riparian communities along Nyanza Gulf

10.14293/111.000/000006.v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lilian Otoigo

Keyword(s):

Drinking Water ◽

Water Treatment ◽

Health Risk ◽

Lake Victoria ◽

Primary Liver Cancer ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Assay Method ◽

Toxic Cyanobacteria ◽

Riparian Communities

Cyanotoxins are produced by cyanobacteria which are single-celled algae that thrive in warm and nutrient rich water bodies including lakes. There are different kinds of cyanotoxins and microcystin is the most common. Microcystin mostly affects the liver. Epidemiological studies in China and Serbia have shown an association between cyanotoxins and occurrence of Primary Liver Cancer. Cyanobacteria have been reported in Lake Victoria, which is an important source of drinking water for the riparian communities, thus posing a danger to human health. However, the health risk from exposure to toxic cyanobacteria in the Nyanza Gulf water remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the health risk of toxic cyanobacteria to the riparian communities in the Nyanza Gulf. In a longitudinal study adopting survey and experimental design, 127 samples were collected monthly from both households and six beaches over six months. Cyanobacterial levels were determined using an enzyme assay method (PP2A). Different methods of household water treatment were compared. Two-way ANOVA was done to determine statistical significance of microcystins levels. 84% of water samples contained microcystins. Concentration of microcystins was 3.44g/L which is over the WHO limit of 1g/L. There was no variation between beaches and water treatment (ANOVA: F=0.97, p=0.47). Filtration proved to be the most efficient method of water treatment. The health risk factor of cyanotoxins in drinking water is 3.86. There is a health risk posed by cyanotoxins to the residents of the Nyanza Gulf who use the lake water for drinking since is over the WHO limit. This information provides an insight into the quality of Lake Victoria water for drinking. The study recommends development of cyanobacteria removal methods as well as sensitizing the riparian communities on the health risk of cyanotoxins in drinking water.

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