What happens to HAB toxins when water is boiled?

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Multiple Choice

What happens to HAB toxins when water is boiled?

When dealing with HAB toxins in water, heat treatment doesn’t reliably remove the toxins. Many HAB toxins are heat-stable, so boiling won’t inactivate them. Boiling kills the algal cells, but it can cause them to rupture and release the toxins inside into the water, potentially increasing the amount of dissolved toxin and the overall toxicity. Because of this, boiling can make contaminated water less safe rather than safer. Chlorination isn’t a dependable solution for neutralizing these toxins, and boiling won’t eliminate them.

When dealing with HAB toxins in water, heat treatment doesn’t reliably remove the toxins. Many HAB toxins are heat-stable, so boiling won’t inactivate them. Boiling kills the algal cells, but it can cause them to rupture and release the toxins inside into the water, potentially increasing the amount of dissolved toxin and the overall toxicity. Because of this, boiling can make contaminated water less safe rather than safer. Chlorination isn’t a dependable solution for neutralizing these toxins, and boiling won’t eliminate them.

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