Interpretation, significance, and reporting of results

This chapter aims to enable the results of the environmental monitoring of cyanobacteria and analysis of cyanotoxins, assuming competent methodology and confidence in their validity, to be used effectively in risk management. The need to interpret the results in the light of wider knowledge of the characteristics of cyanobacterial ecophysiology and the ecotoxicology and toxinology of the cyanotoxins is emphasised. Further requirements include specific consideration of the recent properties and longer-term history of the waterbody under investigation, and the characteristics of the event(s) leading to the present monitoring and analyses, with due consideration of any known or likely shortcomings in these procedures at the investigation site. These factors all need to be taken into consideration in estimating the significance of the results. For the benefits of monitoring and analysis to be maximised, it is necessary that end-users, ranging from public health officials and water treatment engineers to the general public, are informed of results clearly and rapidly. The results should be accompanied by their interpretation and, ideally, by recommendations arising for immediate and longer-term risk management. Examples of reporting activities following the monitoring and analysis of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins are given, plus debriefing actions for end-users, which are further intended to maximise the benefits of monitoring and analysis.