Data from: Paralytic shellfish toxin concentrations measured in alaskan arctic clams using ELISA and HPLC methods

Clams are efficient vectors of potent algal neurotoxins, a suite of
saxitoxin (STX) congeners collectively called paralytic shellfish toxins
(PSTs), to higher trophic levels. The Alaskan Arctic is a region facing an
expanding threat from PSTs due to ocean warming, yet little is known about
PSTs in clams from this region. Quantifying total toxicity in bivalves
requires analytical techniques, such as high-performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are an
efficient but only semi-quantitative method for measuring clam toxicity.
PSTs (STX eq.) were measured in split clam samples (n = 16) from the
Alaskan Arctic using ELISA and HPLC methods to develop a preliminary
linear model for conservatively estimating total toxicity in clams from
ELISA toxin values (R2adj = 0.95, p < 0.001). Profiles of PST
congeners and total toxicity using HPLC were also assessed in additional
clams (n = 36 additional, n = 52 total). Clams contained mostly potent PST
congeners, and over half of the clams had PST concentrations above the
seafood regulatory limit. These data will help assess the exposure risks
of PSTs in Arctic marine food webs, as harmful algal bloom activity is
predicted to increase as the Arctic continues to warm.