Enhancement of dissolved phosphorus release from sediment to lake water by Microcystis blooms--an enclosure experiment in a hyper-eutrophic,subtropical Chinese lake

To clarify the possible influence of Microcystis blooms on the exchange of phosphorus (P) between sediment and lake water, an enclosure experiment was conducted in the hypereutrophic subtropical Lake Donghu during July-September 2000. Eight enclosures were used: six received sediment while two were sediment-free. In mid-August, Microcystis blooms developed in all the enclosures. There was a persistent coincidence between the occurrence of Microcystis blooms and the increase of both total P (TP) and soluble reactive P (SRP) concentrations in the water of the enclosures with sediments. In sediment-free enclosures, TP and SRP concentrations remained rather stable throughout the experiment, in spite of the appearance of Microcystis blooms. The results indicate that Microcystis blooms induced massive release of P from the sediment, perhaps mediated by high pH caused by intense algal photosynthesis, and/or depressed concentrations of nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N).     

Remote sensing for mapping algal blooms in freshwater lakes: a review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - A large number of freshwater lakes around the world show recurring harmful algal blooms, particularly cyanobacterial blooms, that affect public health...     

Internal ecosystem feedbacks enhance nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria blooms and complicate management in the Baltic Sea

Eutrophication of the Baltic Sea has potentially increased the frequency and magnitude of cyanobacteria blooms. Eutrophication leads to increased sedimentation of organic material, increasing the extent of anoxic bottoms and subsequently increasing the internal phosphorus loading. In addition, the hypoxic water volume displays a negative relationship with the total dissolved inorganic nitrogen pool, suggesting greater overall nitrogen removal with increased hypoxia. Enhanced internal loading of phosphorus and the removal of dissolved inorganic nitrogen leads to lower nitrogen to phosphorus ratios, which are one of the main factors promoting nitrogenfixing cyanobacteria blooms. Because cyanobacteria blooms in the open waters of the Baltic Sea seem to be strongly regulated by internal processes, the effects of external nutrient reductions are scale-dependent. During longer time scales, reductions in external phosphorus load may reduce cyanobacteria blooms; however, on shorter time scales the internal phosphorus loading can counteract external phosphorus reductions. The coupled processes inducing internal loading, nitrogen removal, and the prevalence of nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria can qualitatively be described as a potentially self-sustaining "vicious circle." To effectively reduce cyanobacteria blooms and overall signs of eutrophication, reductions in both nitrogen and phosphorus external loads appear essential.     

Effects of hydrological change on the risk of riverine algal blooms: case study in the mid-downstream of the Han River in China

Algal blooms usually occur in semi-closed water bodies such as lakes or estuaries; however, it has occurred frequently in the mid-downstream of the Han River (MSHR) in China since the 1990s. We made a comparative analysis of the hydrological conditions and identified the hydrological condition thresholds that induce algal blooms. From the hydrodynamic point of view, the changes and characteristics of the hydrological conditions in the MSHR were analyzed. Furthermore, the influence on the risk of algal blooms under different design water transfer schemes for the middle route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP) was studied. The results indicated that (1) the flow in the MSHR less than 900 m³/s and water level in the Yangtze River higher than 14 m provided a suitable hydrological environment for diatoms multiply. (2) The flow of the MSHR showed a downtrend, while the water level of the Yangtze River showed an uptrend. There were variations in hydrological processes. Through specific IHA index analysis, the fact of flow reduction in the MSHR was demonstrated, and further indicated that algal bloom outbreak was in low flow period. (3) The water transfer in the middle route of SNWDP affected the risk probability of algal blooms. The more the amount of water transfer, the greater the risk probability of algal blooms. It was the Water Diversion Project from Yangtze River to Han River (WDPYHR) that replenished flow of the MSHR and was conducive to the prevention and control of algal bloom risk.

     

Eutrophic urban ponds suffer from cyanobacterial blooms: Dutch examples

Ponds play an important role in urban areas. However, cyanobacterial blooms counteract the societal need for a good water quality and pose serious health risks for citizens and pets. To provide insight into the extent and possible causes of cyanobacterial problems in urban ponds, we conducted a survey on cyanobacterial blooms and studied three ponds in detail. Among 3,500 urban ponds in the urbanized Dutch province of North Brabant, 125 showed cyanobacterial blooms in the period 2009–2012. This covered 79 % of all locations registered for cyanobacterial blooms, despite the fact that urban ponds comprise only 11 % of the area of surface water in North Brabant. Dominant bloom-forming genera in urban ponds were Microcystis, Anabaena and Planktothrix. In the three ponds selected for further study, the microcystin concentration of the water peaked at 77 μg l^?1 and in scums at 64,000 μg l^?1, which is considered highly toxic. Microcystin-RR and microcystin-LR were the most prevalent variants in these waters and in scums. Cyanobacterial chlorophyll-a peaked in August with concentrations up to 962 μg l^?1 outside of scums. The ponds were highly eutrophic with mean total phosphorus concentrations between 0.16 and 0.44 mg l^?1, and the sediments were rich in potential releasable phosphorus. High fish stocks dominated by carp lead to bioturbation, which also favours blooms. As urban ponds in North Brabant, and likely in other regions, regularly suffer from cyanobacterial blooms and citizens may easily have contact with the water and may ingest cyanobacterial material during recreational activities, particularly swimming, control of health risk is of importance. Monitoring of cyanobacteria and cyanobacterial toxins in urban ponds is a first step to control health risks. Mitigation strategies should focus on external sources of eutrophication and consider the effect of sediment P release and bioturbation by fish.     

巢湖蓝藻的机械清除工艺以及藻水分离实验研究简

对巢湖蓝藻进行机械清除以及藻水分离实验研究,实验采用的浮式围栏引导-机械清除-投加剥离液辅助机械清除工艺处理量大,除藻效率高,筛网过滤-浓缩-卧螺离心机脱水成藻泥的藻水分离工艺较为理想,藻泥含水率仅为89%。2011年5—10月在巢湖运用上述方法清除湖面水华蓝藻,共处理富藻水1.6万m³,得到藻泥970 t,累计清除蓝藻106.7 t（干重）。按照所清除蓝藻的总氮、总磷的平均含量计算,相当于从湖中移除了氮6.25 t,磷2.1 t。表明在富营养湖泊中水华蓝藻大量暴发时,采用上述方法除藻,对控制蓝藻水华污染,有效降低内源氮、磷等污染物负荷具有十分重要的作用。     

巢湖蓝藻的机械清除工艺以及藻水分离实验研究

对巢湖蓝藻进行机械清除以及藻水分离实验研究,实验采用的浮式围栏引导一机械清除．投加剥离液辅助机械清除工艺处理量大,除藻效率高,筛网过滤-浓缩-卧螺离心机脱水成藻泥的藻水分离工艺较为理想,藻泥含水率仅为89％。2011年5-10月在巢湖运用上述方法清除湖面水华蓝藻,共处理富藻水1．6万m3,得到藻泥970t,累计清除蓝藻106．7t（干重）。按照所清除蓝藻的总氮、总磷的平均含量计算,相当于从湖中移除了氮6．25t,磷2．1t。表明在富营养湖泊中水华蓝藻大量暴发时,采用上述方法除藻,对控制蓝藻水华污染,有效降低内源氮、磷等污染物负荷具有十分重要的作用。     

Mechanism study on the frequent variations of cell-bound microcystins in cyanobacterial blooms in Lake Taihu: Implications for water quality monitoring and assessments

Although Microcystis-based toxins have been intensively studied, previous studies using laboratory cultures of Microcystis strains are difficult to explain the phenomenon that microcystin concentrations and toxin variants in natural blooms differ widely and frequently within a short-term period. The present study was designed to unravel the mechanisms for the frequent variations of intracellular toxins related to the differences in cyanobacterial colonies during bloom seasons in Lake Taihu, China. Monitoring of Microcystis colonies during warm seasons indicated that the variations in microcystins in both concentrations and toxin species were associated with the frequent alteration of Microcystis colonies in Lake Taihu. High concentration of microcystins in the blooms was always associated with two Microcystis colonies, Microcystis flos-aquae and Microcystis aeruginosa, whereas when Microcystis wesenbergii was the dominant colonial type, the toxin production of the blooms was low. Additionally, environmental factors such as temperature and nutrition were also shown to have an effect on the toxin production of the blooms, and may also potentially influence the Microcystis species present. The results of the present study provides insight into a new consideration for quick water quality monitoring, assessment and risk alert in cyanobacterium- and toxin-contaminated freshwaters, which will be beneficial not only for water agencies but also for public health.     

Analysis of satellite imagery using a simple algorithm supports evidence that Trichodesmium supplies a significant new nitrogen load to the GBR lagoon

This work supports previous studies in the Great Barrier Reef lagoon that show the new nitrogen (N) load introduced by Trichodesmium is similar to or greater than that from riverine discharges. However, the current management programs aimed at improving the chronic eutrophic state of the GBR ignore the N load from Trichodesmium. These programs also ignore the evidence that Trichodesmium blooms could promote the bioavailability of heavy metals and be a source of toxins in the ciguatera food chain. Further work is urgently required to better quantify the potential impacts of Trichodesmium and develop management plans to reduce those impacts. A simple algorithm that uses MODIS imagery is developed for not only monitoring the spatial extent of Trichodesmium blooms but also for quantifying the concentration of those blooms. The algorithm is based on the readily available MODIS L2 data. A management plan that includes the harvesting of Trichodesmium is outlined.     

Simultaneous biodegradation of harmful Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and cylindrospermopsin toxin in batch culture by single Bacillus strain

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - This study investigates the capability of a Bacillus flexus strain isolated from decayed cyanobacterial blooms for the bioremediation of...     

Potential control of toxic cyanobacteria blooms with Moroccan seaweed extracts

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Marine macroalgae are a promising source of diverse bioactive compounds with applications in the biocontrol of harmful cyanobacteria blooms...     

Seasonal and annual dynamics of harmful algae and algal toxins revealed through weekly monitoring at two coastal ocean sites off southern California, USA

Reports of toxic harmful algal blooms (HABs) attributed to the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia spp. have been increasing in California during the last several decades. Whether this increase can be attributed to enhanced awareness and monitoring or to a dramatic upswing in the development of HAB events remains unresolved. Given these uncertainties, the ability to accurately and rapidly identify an emerging HAB event is of high importance. Monitoring of HAB species and other pertinent chemical/physical parameters at two piers in southern California, Newport and Redondo Beach, was used to investigate the development of a site-specific bloom definition for identifying emerging domoic acid (DA) events. Emphasis was given to abundances of the Pseudo-nitzschia seriata size category of Pseudo-nitzschia due to the prevalence of this size class in the region. P. seriata bloom thresholds were established for each location based on deviations from their respective long-term mean abundances, allowing the identification of major and minor blooms. Sixty-five percent of blooms identified at Newport Beach coincided with measurable DA concentrations, while 36 % of blooms at Redondo Beach coincided with measurable DA. Bloom definitions allowed for increased specificity in multiple regression analysis of environmental forcing factors significant to the presence of DA and P. seriata. The strongest relationship identified was between P. seriata abundances 2 weeks following upwelling events at Newport Beach.     

Rapid and sensitive detection of Karenia mikimotoi by loop-mediated isothermal amplification combined with a lateral flow dipstick

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Harmful algal blooms frequently occur in various coastal regions worldwide, deteriorating marine ecology and causing huge economic losses. Therefore,...     

Selective removal of common cyanotoxins: a review

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The development of cyanobacterial blooms can have adverse effects on water bodies and may produce cyanotoxins. Several physical and chemical methods...     

Effects of secondary metabolites produced by different cyanobacterial populations on the freshwater zooplankters Brachionus calyciflorus and Daphnia pulex

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Cyanobacterial blooms in eutrophic water bodies are a worldwide problem. Combined effects of mixtures of secondary metabolites produced by different...     

Response of extracellular and intracellular alkaline phosphatase in Microcystis aeruginosa to organic phosphorus

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Cyanobacterial blooms caused by Microcystis have become a menace to public health and water quality in the global freshwater ecosystem. Alkaline...     

Fungal biodegradation and removal of cyanobacteria and microcystins: potential applications and research needs

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Harmful cyanobacterial blooms (HCB) have severe impacts on marine and freshwater systems worldwide. They cause oxygen depletion and produce potent...     

The extract of aquatic macrophyte Carex cinerascens induced colony formation in bloom-forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Colony formation in Microcystis aeruginosa played important roles in blooms formation. To study the effects of plant allelopathy on colony formation...     

Toxic cyanobacteria and microcystin dynamics in a tropical reservoir: assessing the influence of environmental variables

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Toxic cyanobacterial blooms (TCBs) have become a growing concern worldwide. The present study investigated the dynamic of toxic cyanobacteria and...     

Temporal dynamics of microcystins in two reservoirs with different trophic status during the early growth stage of cyanobacteria

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Harmful cyanobacterial blooms are increasing in frequency and severity, which makes their toxic secondary metabolites of microcystins (MCs) have been...