Phycotoxins Along Two New Jersey Estuaries—Limitations of Passive Samplers in a Complex System

Abstract As a state with high shellfish aquaculture production in the USA, it is essential that New Jersey (NJ) managers identify the phycotoxins of concern and their spatiotemporal distribution. However, to date, there are no publications on phycotoxin presence or concentrations in NJ estuaries. Passive samplers are valuable for assessing emerging threats and long-term trends in phycotoxins, but high levels of phenolic compounds from NJ Pinelands may interfere by competing for binding sites on the resin. The objectives of this study were to (1) establish a baseline of the spatiotemporal trends of phycotoxins in two NJ estuaries using passive samplers, and (2) determine the impact of high phenolic content waters on passive samplers. Seven phycotoxins were detected: azaspiracids-1 (AZA1), azaspiracids-2 (AZA2), okadaic acid, dinophysistoxin-1, pectenotoxin-2, yessotoxin (YTX), and goniodomin A (GDA). This is the first publication to identify YTX on the US East Coast and the farthest north that GDA, AZA1 and AZA2 have been quantified on the US East Coast. No microcystins were detected, but their adsorption/desorption on resin were strongly impacted by the NJ waters during a controlled experiment. The complexity of this coastal water also impacted analysis of all other phycotoxins as depicted by elevated suppression as compared to methanolic standards. Phytoxigene™ analysis of the passive samplers revealed cyanobacteria with phycotoxin-producing genes for cylindrospermopsin and saxitoxin. Results indicated the need for extended annual monitoring of phycotoxins in NJ, further research to identify causative species of these emerging phycotoxins, and caution when using passive samplers in particular environmental conditions, as their efficacy may be compromised.