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Microcystin-LR (M C-LR) is the most toxic and commonly encountered cyanotoxin variant
in aquatic systems. MC-LR is a hepatotoxin, hut evidences suggest that it might also induce kidney
injury. There is an increasing trend in mortality due to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Sri Lanka
where underlying cause of CKD remains complicated. Cyanobacterial toxins is considered as one of
the possible reasons implicated in the aetiology of CKDu in Sri Lanka. A significant source of
cyanobacterial toxin exposure is recreational use of contaminated freshwater bodies. Therefore, it
was a timely need to assess MC-LR contamination status. Thus, in the present study Beira,
Boralesgamuwa, Kandy. Kurunegala and Hot water springs in Kinniya were sampled. Triplicate
surface water samples were collected from each water body. Surface water temperature, pH,
conductivity and dissolved oxygen (DO) were measured at the site itself and chemical analysis of
nitrate, total phosphate and chlorophyll-a were assessed. Analysis of MC-LR contamination was
done by Enzyme Link lmmuno Sorbent Assay (ELISA). The cyanotoxin MC-LR was not recorded
from Boralesgamuwa whereas all the other water bodies showed MC-LR contamination. The
highest concentration of MC-LR was recorded in Beira lake (2198 ppb) followed by moderately
high concentration in Kandy Lake (103 ppb) and Kurunagala Lake (75.6 ppb) and the Hot water
springs 0.34 ppb respectively. Results of the present study revealed that, pH, nitrate, total
phosphate and chlorophyll-a contents were having significant positive correlation with the MC-LR
concentration of each water body (p<0.05) while surface water temperature, DO and conductivity
did not show significant correlation to MC-LR contamination.
