Factors Influencing Allelopathy and Toxicity in Prymnesium parvum1

Granéli, Edna and Paulo S. Salomon, 2010. Factors Influencing Allelopathy and Toxicity in Prymnesium parvum. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(1):108-120. Abstract: Some microalgae are able to kill or inhibit nutrient-competing microalgae, a process called allelopathy. Inhibiting or killing competitors enable these species to monopolize limiting resources, such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Prymnesium parvum is known to produce such allelopathic compounds, substances that seem identical to the ichthyotoxins identified from this species. Biotic and abiotic environmental factors influence not only growth rates but also toxin/allelopathic compounds production by P. parvum cells. Toxin production, as well as allelopathy, including grazer deterrence, increases dramatically in light, temperature, or nutrient stressed P. parvum cells. Correspondingly, toxicity and allelopathy may decrease, or cease completely, if cells are grown with high amounts of N and P in balanced proportions. However, even under nutrient (N and P) sufficient conditions, P. parvum is able to produce toxins/allelopathic compounds, with negative effects on other phytoplankton species or grazers, if cells densities of P. parvum are high relative to other species. This negative effect might shift the plankton community to more toxin resistant species. Filtrates from nutrient-deficient P. parvum cultures have almost the same strong negative effect on grazers and other phytoplankton species as when Prymnesium cells are grown together with the target organisms. Eutrophication, the increased input of N and P to aquatic ecosystems, besides increasing nutrient concentrations, is usually provoking unbalanced N:P condition for the optimal growth of phytoplankton, deviating from the Redfield ratio, i.e., the phytoplankton cellular nitrogen to phosphorus ratio, N:P = 16:1 (by atoms) or 7.2:1 (by weight). Eutrophication thus both enhances P. parvum growth and increases production of toxins and allelopathic compounds. Supplying N-deficient or P-deficient P. parvum cells with the deficient nutrient reduces toxicity to less than half within 24 h after additions. As P. parvum is mixotrophic, uptake of dissolved or particulate organic N (DON or PON) can also reduce toxicity and allelopathy in the same manner as addition of inorganic N to N-starved cells. In conclusion, P. parvum, by increasing its toxicity and allelopathic ability under poor environmental conditions, outcompetes the co-occurring phytoplankton species.     

Prymnesium parvum: The Texas Experience1

Southard, Gregory M., Loraine T. Fries, and Aaron Barkoh, 2010. Prymnesium parvum: The Texas Experience. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(1):14-23. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2009.00387.x Abstract: Golden alga Prymnesium parvum was first identified in Texas during a fish kill investigation on the Pecos River in 1985. Since then golden alga kills occurred sporadically in a variety of waters in the western part of the state until 2001 when the alga became endemic in the Brazos, Canadian, Colorado, Red, and Rio Grande river systems, including the water supplies of two public fish hatcheries, the Possum Kingdom and Dundee state fish hatcheries. The increasing area adversely affected by the alga and frequent massive fish kills heightened public and political awareness and concerns regarding the ecological and economic impacts of P. parvum blooms. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), the wildlife conservation agency of the state, responded to these concerns with a program to assess the ecological and economic impacts and to develop management options. To date 33 water bodies have been affected and losses are conservatively estimated at 34 million fish valued at US$13 million. Several sport fisheries, including smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu, striped bass Morone saxatilis, channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus, and blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus, have been severely affected. Additionally, 26 imperiled fish species occur in the affected water basins and some have been adversely affected. Economic losses associated with reduced fishing and other water-based recreational activities appear considerable. The combined economic losses to three counties (Palo Pinto, Stephens, and Young) surrounding Possum Kingdom reservoir for 2001 and 2003 were estimated at US$2.8 million and US$1.1 million, respectively. This paper describes how the TPWD responded to public and political concerns relative to the emergence of golden alga, its harmful effects to fisheries, and its historic and current statewide distribution.     

Prymnesium parvum Control Treatments For Fish Hatcheries1

Barkoh, Aaron, Dennis G. Smith, and Gregory M. Southard, 2010. Prymnesium parvum Control Treatments for Fish Hatcheries. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(1):161-169. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2009.00400.x Abstract: In 2001, the ichthyotoxic microalga Prymnesium parvum caused massive fish kills and adversely affected fish production at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Dundee State Fish Hatchery. Since then, we have investigated several P. parvum bloom and ichthyotoxicity control treatments to develop management strategies that allow fish production and prevent the spread of the alga into unaffected hatcheries and impoundments. Current control successes include treatments for ponds, water supply, and a hazard analysis and critical control point program. For pond treatment, ammonium sulfate (as 0.14-0.25 mg/l un-ionized ammonia nitrogen for temperatures above 15°C), copper sulfate (2 mg/l), Cutrine^®-Plus (0.2-0.4 mg/l as copper), or potassium permanganate (3 mg/l above the potassium permanganate demand) controls P. parvum blooms. Copper sulfate at 1 mg/l controls P. parvum but is unable to eliminate ichthyotoxicity whereas potassium permanganate at 2 mg/l above the potassium permanganate demand controls ichthyotoxicity. For water treatment, ultraviolet (UV) light at 193-220 mJ/cm² doses or ozone at 0.4-1.2 mg/l for 6 min destroy P. parvum cells and reduce or eliminate ichthyotoxicity. A combination UV and ozone treatment appears to provide the best results; however, successful treatments depend on dosage relative to cell density and toxin concentration. To prevent the spread of the alga, hatchery fish delivery units and equipment are cleaned with household bleach (10% solution for 15 minutes) or hydrogen peroxide (62.5-12,500 mg/l for 0.25-24 hours). These treatments are tailored to water quality conditions and the fish species cultured at affected TPWD hatcheries. We recommend that other users test these treatments before applying them to ponds or other impoundments containing fish or other aquatic life.     

Current Status of Mathematical Models for Population Dynamics of Prymnesium parvum in a Texas Reservoir1

Grover, James P., Jason W. Baker, Daniel L. Roelke, and Bryan W. Brooks, 2010. Current Status of Mathematical Models for Population Dynamics of Prymnesium parvum in a Texas Reservoir. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(1):92-107. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2009.00393.x Abstract: Blooms of the harmful alga Prymnesium parvum have apparently increased in frequency in inland waters of the United States, especially in western Texas. A suite of mathematical models was developed based on a chemostat (or continuously stirred tank reactor) framework, and calibrated with data from Lake Granbury, Texas. Inputs included data on flows, salinity, irradiance, temperature, zooplankton grazing, and nutrients. Parameterization incorporated recent laboratory studies relating the specific growth rate of P. parvum to such factors. Models differed in the number of algal populations competing with P. parvum, and whether competition occurred only by consumption of shared nutrients, or additionally through production of an allelopathic chemical by one of the populations, parameterized as cyanobacteria. Uncalibrated models did not reproduce the observed seasonal dynamics of P. parvum in Lake Granbury, which displayed a maximum population in late February during a prolonged bloom in cooler weather, and reduced abundance in summer. Sensitivity analyses suggested two modifications leading to predictions that better resembled observations. The first modification greatly reduces the optimal temperature for growth of P. parvum, an approach that disagrees with laboratory experiments indicating a strong potential for growth at temperatures above 20°C. The second modification increases the growth rate of P. parvum at all temperatures, in models including cyanobacterial allelopathy. Despite these adjustments, calibrated models did not faithfully simulate all features of the seasonal dynamics of P. parvum.     

Comparative Toxicity of Prymnesium parvum in Inland Waters1

Brooks, Bryan W., Susan V. James, Theodore W. Valenti, Jr., Fabiola Urena-Boeck, Carlos Serrano, Jason P. Berninger, Leslie Schwierzke, Laura D. Mydlarz, James P. Grover, and Daniel L. Roelke, 2010. Comparative Toxicity of Prymnesium parvum in Inland Waters. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(1):45-62. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2009.00390.x Abstract: Numerous studies have examined the impacts of Prymnesium parvum to aquatic life, but the majority of information available is from experiments or field studies performed at salinities of marine and coastal ecosystems. Ambient toxicity of P. parvum has been characterized with in vitro and in vivo models because reliable quantitation of P. parvum toxins in environmental matrices is often precluded by a lack of available analytical standards. Hemolytic activity and fish mortality assays have been used most frequently to characterize toxic conditions; however, relatively few in vivo studies employed standardized methods. Because the relative sensitivities of different taxa to P. parvum toxins in inland waters were undefined, we assessed the comparative toxicity of P. parvum filtrate from a laboratory study (20°C, 12:12 light:dark cycle, f/8 media, 2.4 psu) to several common standardized in vitro and in vivo models. After exposure to cell-free filtrate hemolytic activity (1 h EC₅₀ = 13,712 cells/ml) and juvenile fish (Pimephales promelas) survival (48 h LC₅₀ = 21,754 cells/ml) were the most sensitive assay responses examined, followed by rotifer (Brachionus calyciflorus) population growth rate [48 h no observable adverse effect levels (NOAEL) = 19,072 cells/ml] and cladoceran (Daphnia magna) reproduction (10-day NOAEL = 47,680 cells/ml). Green algae (Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata) growth (96 h) was not adversely affected but was instead significantly stimulated by P. parvum toxins. We further propose an initial species sensitivity distribution approach for P. parvum, which may be used to support future environmental management decisions. Our findings from these laboratory studies indicate that although fish kills are increasingly associated with P. parvum blooms occurring in inland waters, further study is required to define the influences of toxin sensitivities of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and fish communities on P. parvum bloom initiation and termination.     

Influence of Prey and Nutritional Status on the Rate of Nitrogen Uptake by Prymnesium parvum (haptophyte)1

Lindehoff, Elin, Edna Granéli, and Patricia M. Glibert, 2010. Influence of Prey and Nutritional Status on the Rate of Nitrogen Uptake by Prymnesium parvum (Haptophyte). Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(1):121-132. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2009.00396.x Abstract: We studied how the specific nitrogen (N) uptake rates of nitrate (NO₃⁻), urea, and the amino acids, glutamic acid and glycine, by Prymnesium parvum were affected by (1) the change from N-deficient status to N-sufficient status of the P. parvum cells, (2) presence of prey from a natural Baltic Sea plankton community, and (3) the composition of prey as affected by additions of terrestrial originated dissolved organic matter (DOM) or inorganic nutrients. Nitrogen-deficient P. parvum (16 μM NO₃⁻ and 4 μM PO₄⁻, molar N:P ratio of 4:1) were mixed with a natural Baltic plankton community and given PO₄³⁻ and (1) NO₃⁻ (control) or (2) high molecular weight DOM, >1 kDa concentrated from sewage effluent (+DOM), in a molar N:P ratio of 9-10:1. With additions of ¹⁵N-enriched substrates, rates of N uptake from NO₃⁻, urea, and the amino acids glycine and glutamic acid were measured every 24 h for 72 h. Initial N-deficient P. parvum were highly toxic (3.7 ± 0.9 × 10⁻⁴ mg Sap equiv/cell) and toxic allelochemicals were released into the medium causing the natural plankton community to lyse. Rates of N uptake differed between the “control” and the “+DOM” treatments over time; total (sum of the N substrates measured) absolute uptake rates (ρ_cell, fmol N/cell/h) at ambient culture conditions were significantly higher (ANOVA, p < 0.05) in the more toxic “control” treatments compared with the “+DOM” treatments after 48 h. In the “control” treatment, the total ρ_cell increased significantly (ANOVA, p < 0.01) from time 0 to 48 h, while in the “+DOM” treatment there was no significant increase. Released organic nutrients from the lysed plankton cells may have increased uptake rates of amino acids and urea by P. parvum. All uptake rates declined in all treatments by 72 h. Total dissolved N uptake rates at ambient culture conditions were estimated to make up about 10% of the N P. parvum are potentially capable of ingesting from particulate prey.     

FATE OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS ENTERING A GULF COAST FRESHWATER LAKE: A CASE STUDY1

ABSTRACT: Nitrogen and P fluxes, transformations and water quality functions of Lake Verret (a coastal Louisiana freshwater lake), were quantified. Ortho-P, total-P, NH₄⁺-N NO₃ -N and TKN in surface water collected from streams feeding Lake Verret averaged 104, 340, 59, 185, and 1,060 mg 1^?1, respectively. Lake Verret surface water concentrations of ortho-P, total-P, NH⁺-N, NO₃^?_-N and TKN averaged 66, 191, 36, 66, and 1,292 μg 1^?1. The higher N and P concentrations were located in areas of the lake receiving drainage. Nitrification and denitrification processes were significant in removing appreciable inorganic N from the system. In situ denitrification rates determined from acetylene inhibition techniques show the lake removes 560 mg N m^?2 yr^?1. Laboratory investigations using sediment receiving 450 μg NH⁺₄-N (N-15 labeled) showed that the lake has the potential to remove up to 12.8 g N m^?2 yr^?1. Equilibrium studies of P exchanges between the sediment and water column established the potential or adsorption capacity of bottom sediment in removing P from the overlying water. Lake Verret sediment was found to adsorb P from the water column at concentrations above 50 μg P 1^?1 and the adsorption rates were as great as 300 μg P cm^?2 day^?1 Using the ¹³⁷C s dating techniques, approximately 18 g N m^?2 yr^?1 and 1.2 g P m^?2 yr^?1 were removed from the system via sedimentation. Presently elevated nutrient levels are found only in the upper reaches of the lake receiving nutrient input from runoff from streams draining adjacent agricultural areas. Nitrification, denitrification, and adsorption processes at the sediment water interface over a relatively short distance reduces the N and P levels in the water column. However, if the lake receives additional nutrient loading, elevated levels will likely cover a larger portion of the lake, further reducing water quality in the lake.     

Hemolysis,Fish Mortality,and LC-ESI-MS of Cultured Crude and Fractionated Golden Alga (Prymnesium parvum)1

Schug, Kevin A., Theodore R. Skingel, Sandra E. Spencer, Carlos A. Serrano, Cuong Q. Le, Christopher A. Schug, Theodore W. Valenti, Jr., Bryan W. Brooks, Laura D. Mydlarz, and James P. Grover, 2010. Hemolysis, Fish Mortality, and LC-ESI-MS of Cultured Crude and Fractionated Golden Alga (Prymnesium parvum). Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(1):33-44. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2009.00389.x Abstract: Erythrocyte lysis and fish mortality assays, in combination with high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS) analysis, were investigated for bioassay-guided fractionation of cultured golden alga (Prymnesium parvum). Intracellular constituents from isolated cell pellets and extracellular supernatant growth medium were fractionated by a variety of common separation modes, including reversed phase and normal phase solid phase extraction step fractionation procedures. For reversed phase fractionation of extracellular growth medium, one fraction was obtained that displayed hemolytic activity and adversely affected fish survival. Effective dose concentrations for this sample were similar in both assays and the LC-ESI-MS analysis of the fraction showed a number of mass spectral signals which were distinct to this fraction. Fractions obtained from separation of an ethanol extract of the lyophilized cell pellet provided one sample that was highly hemolytic, but not toxic to fish. Discrepancies such as this, along with notable fish behavioral responses from other nonhemolytic cell pellet fractions, problems with the use of unbonded silica gel for fractionation, and misleading mass spectral signatures are interesting in the context of our current understanding of P. parvum toxicity and remain to be investigated further. This work provides an account of ongoing research aimed toward comprehensive elucidation of toxic constituents produced by golden alga for the purpose of providing a better understanding and means to potentially remediate the ecological impact of this harmful bloom organism.     

DYNAMICS OF ADDED NITRATE AND PHOSPHATE COMPARED IN A NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WOODLAND STREAM1

ABSTRACT: Injections of NO₃ and PO₄ were made during September 1975 into Little Lost Man Creek, a small pristine stream in Redwood National Park, California. Chloride, a conservative constituent, was added in a known ratio to the nutrients. Nutrient loss at a downstream point was calculated using concentration of added Cl as a reference. Nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N), added for 4 h, reached 920 μg/1 (above 5 μg/1 background) just below the injection point, but increased only to 405 μg/1 at 310 m downstream. The concentration decrease was attributed to dispersion and to uptake by stream biota. Percent of NO₃-N lost decreased with increasing concentration of NO₃-N. Phosphate phosphorus (PO₄-P) was added a week after the NO₃-N for 3 h, causing a concentration increase of 296 μg/1 (above 13 μg/1 background) just below the injection point, of 161 μg/1 at 90 m downstream, and of 98 μg/1 at 310 m. Percent loss of PO₄-P at downstream sites increased with increasing PO₄-P concentration and also for a short period after peak concentration occurred, but then decreased as PO₄-P concentration continued decreasing. Differences in stream response to added NO₃-N and PO₄-P are attributed to differing rates of reaction with biota and differing degrees of interaction with abiotic stream solids.     

Nutrient Bioassays of Growth Parameters for Algae in the North Bosque River of Central Texas1

Abstract: Nutrient dose‐response bioassays were conducted using water from three sites along the North Bosque River. These bioassays provided support data for refinement of the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model used in the development of two phosphorus TMDLs for the North Bosque River. Test organisms were native phytoplanktonic algae and stock cultured Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Korshikov) Hindak. Growth was measured daily by in vivo fluorescence. Algal growth parameters for maximum growth (μ_max) and half‐saturation constants for nitrogen (K_N) or phosphorus (K_P) were determined by fitting maximum growth rates associated with each dose level to a Monod growth rate function. Growth parameters of native algae were compared between locations and to growth parameters of P. subcapitata and literature values. No significant differences in half‐saturation constants were indicated within nutrient treatment for site or algal type. Geometric mean K_N was 32 μg/l and for K_P 7 μg/l. A significant difference was detected in maximum growth rates between algae types but not between sites or nutrient treatments. Mean μ_max was 1.5/day for native algae and 1.2/day for stock algae. These results indicate that watershed‐specific maximum growth rates may need to be considered when modeling algal growth dynamics with regard to nutrients.     

Periphyton Nutrient Limitation and Maximum Potential Productivity in the Beaver Lake Basin,United States1

Ludwig, Andrea, Marty Matlock, Brian Haggard, and Indrajeet Chaubey, 2012. Periphyton Nutrient Limitation and Maximum Potential Productivity in the Beaver Lake Basin, United States. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 48(5): 896‐908. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752‐1688.2012.00657.x Abstract: The objectives of this study were to measure periphytic growth responses to enrichment with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and simultaneous N and P using in situ bioassays in streams draining Beaver Reservoir Basin, Northwest Arkansas; compare periphytic growth responses measured with in situ bioassays with a range of land use and point sources; and test the lotic ecosystem trophic status index (LETSI) as a simplifying metric to compare effects of nonpoint‐source pollutant‐limiting variables of N, P, and sediment across the basin. P limitation was observed at sites across a transect of stream orders throughout the basin; however, at the two sites with highest ambient nitrogen concentrations, limitation was often coupled with nitrogen limitation. Nutrients were at nonlimiting levels at both of two sites below wastewater treatment plants in all seasonal deployments. A Michaelis‐Menten growth equation described LETSI as a function of ambient PO₄‐P concentrations (p < 0.05); the midpoint (LETSI of 0.50) corresponded with a PO₄‐P concentration of approximately 3 μg/l. Change‐point analysis indicated a threshold point at LETSI of 0.80 and 15 μg/l PO₄‐P. These low values show that the periphytic community has a high affinity for available P, and that the watershed as a whole is sensitive to available nutrient inputs.     

Benthic Algal (Periphyton) Growth Rates in Response to Nitrogen and Phosphorus: Parameter Estimation for Water Quality Models

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are significant pollutants that can stimulate nuisance blooms of algae. Water quality models (e.g., Water Quality Simulation Program, CE‐QUAL‐R1, CE‐QUAL‐ICM, QUAL2k) are valuable and widely used management tools for algal accrual due to excess nutrients in the presence of other limiting factors. These models utilize the Monod and Droop equations to associate algal growth rate with dissolved nutrient concentration and intracellular nutrient content. Having accurate parameter values is essential to model performance; however, published values for model parameterization are limited, particularly for benthic (periphyton) algae. We conducted a 10‐day mesocosm experiment and measured diatom‐dominated periphyton biomass accrual through time as chlorophyll a (chl a) and ash‐free dry mass (AFDM) in response to additions of N (range 5–11,995 µg nitrate as nitrogen [NO₃‐N]/L) and P (range 0.89–59.51 µg soluble reactive phosphorus/L). Resulting half‐saturation coefficients and growth rates are similar to other published values, but minimum nutrient quotas are higher than those previously reported. Saturation concentration for N ranged from 150 to 2,450 µg NO₃‐N/L based on chl a and from 8.5 to 60 µg NO₃‐N/L when based on AFDM. Similarly, the saturation concentration for P ranged from 12 to 29 µg‐P/L based on chl a, and from 2.5 to 6.1 µg‐P/L based on AFDM. These saturation concentrations provide an upper limit for streams where diatom growth can be expected to respond to nutrient levels and a benchmark for reducing nutrient concentrations to a point where benthic algal growth will be limited.     

Infrequent composted biosolids applications affect semi-arid grassland soils and vegetation

Monitoring of repeated composted biosolids applications is necessary for improving beneficial reuse program management strategies, because materials will likely be reapplied to the same site at a future point in time. A field trial evaluated a single and a repeated composted biosolids application in terms of long-term (13–14 years) and short-term (2–3 years) effects, respectively, on soil chemistry and plant community in a Colorado semi-arid grassland. Six composted biosolids rates (0, 2.5, 5, 10, 21, 30 Mg ha^?1) were surface applied in a split-plot design study with treatment (increasing compost rates) as the main factor and co-application time (1991, or 1991 and 2002) as the split factor applications. Short- and long-term treatment effects were evident in 2004 and 2005 for soil 0–8 cm depth pH, EC, NO₃-N, NH₄-N, total N, and AB-DTPA soil Cd, Cu, Mo, Zn, P, and Ba. Soil organic matter increases were still evident 13 and 14 years following composted biosolids application. The repeated composted biosolids application increased soil NO₃-N and NH₄-N and decreased AB-DTPA extractable Ba as compared to the single composted biosolids application in 2004; differences between short- and long-term applications were less evident in 2005. Increasing biosolids rates resulted in increased native perennial grass cover in 2005. Plant tissue Cu, Mo, Zn, and P concentrations increased, while Ba content decreased depending on specific plant species and year. Overall, the lack of many significant negative effects suggests that short- or long-term composted biosolids application at the rates studied did not adversely affect this semi-arid grassland ecosystem.     

Comparison of Three Algaecides for Controlling the Density of Prymnesium parvum1

Rodgers, John H., Jr., Brenda M. Johnson, and West M. Bishop, 2010. Comparison of Three Algaecides for Controlling the Density of Prymnesium parvum. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(1):153-160. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2009.00399.x Abstract: Prymnesium parvum has become more prevalent in water resources of the southern United States. As the potential impacts of P. parvum are relatively well known, especially its capability to severely affect fish, managers have sought efficacious, environmentally sound, and socially acceptable strategies for mitigating this noxious species. Laboratory testing was used to identify an effective algaecide for control of P. parvum from Texas, Arizona, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Cutrine^®-Plus at 0.2 mg Cu/l significantly decreased the density of P. parvum in samples from all of these locations. Both copper sulfate and Phycomycin^® were less effective for controlling the population growth of P. parvum. The predicted response from the laboratory study was confirmed in the field at the Arizona site. Strategic use of Cutrine^®-Plus in larger water resources could provide toxin-free refugia to allow some fish to survive and repopulate the water resource when the golden alga infestation abates.     

Assessment of Future Climate Change Impact on Water Quality of Chungju Lake,South Korea,Using WASP Coupled with SWAT

This study is to evaluate the future potential impact of climate change on the water quality of Chungju Lake using the Water Quality Analysis Simulation Program (WASP). The lake has a storage capacity of 2.75 Gm³, maximum water surface of 65.7 km², and forest‐dominant watershed of 6,642 km². The impact on the lake from the watershed was evaluated by the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The WASP and SWAT were calibrated and validated using the monthly water temperatures from 1998 to 2003, lake water quality data (dissolved oxygen, total nitrogen [T‐N], total phosphorus [T‐P], and chlorophyll‐a [chl‐a]) and daily dam inflow, and monthly stream water quality (sediment, T‐N, and T‐P) data. For the future climate change scenario, the MIROC3.2 HiRes A1B was downscaled for 2020s, 2050s, and 2080s using the Change Factor statistical method. The 2080s temperature and precipitation showed an increase of +4.8°C and +34.4%, respectively, based on a 2000 baseline. For the 2080s watershed T‐N and T‐P loads of up to +87.3 and +19.6%, the 2080s lake T‐N and T‐P concentrations were projected to be 4.00 and 0.030 mg/l from 2.60 and 0.016 mg/l in 2000, respectively. The 2080s chl‐a concentration in the epilimnion and the maximum were 13.97 and 52.45 μg/l compared to 8.64 and 33.48 μg/l in 2000, respectively. The results show that the Chungju Lake will change from its mesotrophic state of 2000 to a eutrophic state by T‐P in the 2020s and by chl‐a in the 2080s. Editor's note: This paper is part of a featured series on Korean Hydrology. The series addresses the need for a new paradigm of river and watershed management for Korea due to climate and land use changes.     

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN WATER QUALITY AND PHOSPHORUS CONCENTRATIONS FOR PUGET SOUND REGION LAKES1

Regression relationships were developed between summer mean total phosphorus (P) concentrations in near-surface water and both chlorophyll a concentrations and Secchi disc transparency for Puget Sound region lakes. Total P concentrations in the lakes studied ranged from 7 to 66 μ/L. The relationship between total P and chlorophyll a, based on data from 69 lakes, explained 57 percent of the variance in chlorophyll a. Predicted chlorophyll a concentrations and 95 percent confidence intervals ranged from 1 ⁺³_-0.5μg/L for 7 μg/L P to about ⁺³⁵_-10μ/L for 66 μ/L P. The relationship between total P and Secchi disc, based on data from 71 lakes, explained 53 percent of the variance in Secchi disc. Predicted Secchi disc transparencies and 95 percent confidence intervals ranged from 5.5 ^+5.5_-3.0 m for 7 μ/L P to 1.4 ^+1.5_-0.7 m for 66 μ/L P.     

SUBALPINE,COLD CLIMATE,STORMWATER TREATMENT WITH A CONSTRUCTED SURFACE FLOW WETLAND1

The Tahoe City Wetland Treatment System (TCWTS) was constructed in 1997 to treat stormwater runoff from 23 ha of commercial, highway, and residential land use in the Lake Tahoe Basin. This subalpine, constructed, surface flow wetland treatment system consists of two cells in series, with a design water surface area of about 0.6 ha. Water quality monitoring from October 2002 through September 2003 was conducted with autosamplers at the inflow and outflow sites during 24 sampling events, with a median duration of 53 hours, representing 42 percent of total inflow to this wetland during the year. Monitoring data indicate an improvement of 49 percent or greater in effluent concentrations of dissolved phosphorus, nitrate, orthophosphorus, and total suspended solids. On average, event mean concentrations of total phosphorus were reduced from a median 279 μg/l at the inflow to 94 μg/l at the outflow. Event mean concentrations of total nitrogen were reduced from a median 1,599 μg/l at the inflow to 810 μg/l at the outflow. Net nutrient retention for the sampling period was estimated at 3 g phosphorus (P)/m²/y and 13 g nitrogen (N)/m²/y. Almost 4,000 kg of suspended sediment was captured by this wetland system during the year.     

Prymnesium parvum Population Dynamics During Bloom Development: A Role Assessment of Grazers and Virus1

Schwierzke, Leslie, Daniel L. Roelke, Bryan W. Brooks, James P. Grover, Theodore W. Valenti, Jr., Mieke Lahousse, Carrie J. Miller, and James L. Pinckney, 2010. Prymnesium parvum Population Dynamics During Bloom Development: A Role Assessment of Grazers and Virus. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 46(1):63-75. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2009.00391.x Abstract: The toxic haptophyte Prymnesium parvum is a harmful alga known to cause fish-killing blooms that occur worldwide. In Texas (United States), P. parvum blooms occur in inland brackish water bodies and have increased in frequency and magnitude in recent years. In this study we conducted three consecutive field experiments (Lake Whitney) to investigate the influence of zooplankton and viruses on P. parvum bloom dynamics during the time of year when blooms are still typically active in Texas (early spring). A localized P. parvum bloom developed during our study that involved increasing levels of toxicity (based on Pimephales promelas and Daphnia magna bioassays). Only in our last experiment, during later stages of bloom development and under highly toxic conditions, did the presence of grazers show a statistically significant, negative effect on P. parvum population dynamics. During this experiment, a rotifer-dominated zooplankton community emerged, composed mostly of Notholca laurentiae, suggesting that this species was less sensitive than other grazers to toxins produced by P. parvum. Microzooplankton may have also been important at this time. Similarly, only our final experiment demonstrated a statistically significant, negative effect of viruses on P. parvum. This exploratory study, resulting in observed impacts on P. parvum populations by both grazers and virus, enhances our understanding of P. parvum ecology and highlights direction for future studies on resistance of zooplankton to prymnesin toxins and algal-virus interactions.     

Field Testing the Riparian Ecosystem Management Model on a Riparian Buffer in the North Carolina Upper Coastal Plain

The riparian ecosystem management model (REMM) was field tested using five years (2005‐2009) of measured hydrologic and water quality data on a riparian buffer located in the Tar‐Pamlico River Basin, North Carolina. The buffer site received NO₃‐N loading from an agricultural field that was fertilized with inorganic fertilizer. Field results showed the buffer reduced groundwater NO₃‐N concentration moving to the stream over a five‐year period. REMM was calibrated hydrologically using daily field‐measured water table depths (WTDs), and with monthly NO₃‐N concentrations in groundwater wells. Results showed simulated WTDs and NO₃‐N concentrations in good agreement with measured values. The mean absolute error and Willmott's index of agreement for WTDs varied from 13‐45 cm and 0.72‐0.92, respectively, while the root mean square error and Willmott's index of agreement for NO₃‐N concentrations ranged from 1.04‐5.92 mg/l and 0.1‐0.86, respectively, over the five‐year period. REMM predicted plant nitrogen (N) uptake and denitrification were within ranges reported in other riparian buffer field studies. The calibrated and validated REMM was used to simulate 33 years of buffer performance at the site. Results showed that on average the buffer reduced NO₃‐N concentrations from 12 mg/l at the field edge to 0.7 mg/l at the stream edge over the simulation period, while the total N and NO₃‐N load reductions from the field edge to the stream were 77 and 82%, respectively.     

Biosorption of Cu and Zn from aqueous solutions by dried marine green macroalga Chaetomorpha linum

The biosorption of the heavy metals Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ by dried marine green macroalga (Chaetomorpha linum) was investigated. The biosorption capacities of the dried alga for copper and zinc were studied at different solution pH values (2–6), different algal particle sizes (100–800 μm) and different initial metal solution concentrations (0.5–10 mM). An optimum pH value of 5 was found suitable for both metal ions biosorption for both metal ions. At the optimum particle size (100–315 μm), biosorbent dosage (20 g/l) and initial solution pH (pH 5), the dried alga produced maximum copper and zinc uptakes values (q_max) of 1.46 and 1.97 mmol/g respectively (according to the Langmuir model). The kinetic data obtained at different initial metal concentrations indicated that the biosorption rate was fast and most of the process was completed within 120 min. This study illustrated an alternative technique for the management of unwanted biological materials using processed algal material. C. linum is one of the fast-growing marine algae in the lake of Tunis and could be utilized as a biosorbent for the treatment of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ contaminated wastewater streams.