General Thinkingon the Management of Blue Algae Outbreak in the Taihu Lake,the Chaohu Lake and the Dianchi Lake

Among the Chinese lakes with the problem of eutrophication, the Taihu Lake, the Chaohu Lake and the Dianchi Lake have the worst cases of blue algae outbreak, which happen every year. Other lakes also have problems of blue algae outbreak at various degrees. However, some lakes don＇t have such problems. Practices have shown that through comprehensive management, the problem can be basically eliminated or significantly alleviated. ＂Water bloom＂ and blue algae outbreak have different connotation. The major factors affecting blue algae outbreak are sources of pollutants and ecological environment. Experiences are summed up and a new thinking on its management is developed： resolving the problem of blue algae is fundamental to lake management and development goals should be clearly set forth so as to eventually build a healthy aquatic ecosys- tem. The problem of blue algae can＇t be fully tackled by solely relying on the management of eutrophication but only by combining efforts of reducing the amount of blue algae and the management of eutrophication. The number of reduced blue algae should be larger than that of naturally prolifera- ted algae so as to alleviate and eliminate the problem of blue algae outbreak. Various engineering and technical measures and relevant protective procedures should be carried out in a scientific and proper manner. The total amount of nitrogen and phosphorous entering the lake either from point-source or non-point source pollution should be substantially reduced. Controlling the source of pollution and intercepting pollutants are the bas- ic measures. Wastewater treatment plant is the largest point source pollution in the future and adequate plants should be built with improved emission standards. Meanwhile, other measures including fishing out blue algae, diverting water, dredging, ecological restoration and expanding reed zone, should be implemented to alleviate the problem of eutrophication and eventually eliminate the problem of blue algae outbreak.

Present Situation and Control Ideas of Outbreak of Blue-green Algae in Freshwater Lakes in China

Based on the experience and lessons from previous control of lakes, as well as the present situation of water eutrophication and outbreak of blue-green algae in lakes, general ideas of controlling outbreak of blue-green algae in large and middle lakes were proposed. Firstly, it is needed to control serious outbreak of blue-green algae and then build health aquatic ecosystems and corresponding control goals finally. Secondly, quantity of blue-green algae in lakes and lake eutrophication should be reduced at the same time. Thirdly, quantity of reduced blue-green algae must exceed the natural increase of them in quantity persistently, so that outbreak of blue-green algae will reduce and even be eliminated. Fourthly, engineering measures and corresponding safeguard measures to control outbreak of blue-green algae in lakes should be combined.

Setting up the Goal of Eliminating Outbreaks of Blue-green Alga, Innovating the Idea of Controlling the Taihu Lake, and Ensuring the Safety of Water Supply in the Taihu Lake

Since the water supply crisis in the Taihu Lake on May 29,2007,the control of the Taihu Lake has achieved remarkable results,and the eutrophication has been greatly reduced.Existing problems are as follows:outbreaks of blue-green alga still appear seriously every year,and there is no goal to eliminate outbreaks of blue-green alga;the load into the lake greatly exceeds the environmental capacity;reed wetlands are greatly reduced;there is still the possibility of a water supply crisis;the research of eliminating outbreak of blue-green alga is weak.In this paper,the experience of controlling the Taihu Lake is summarized,and the ultimate goals of eliminating eutrophication and outbreaks of blue-green alga and restoring wetlands and biodiversity are proposed.Control measures are proposed,such as deepening the promotion of the lake chief system,establishing the lake chief system in an all-round way,and increasing applied scientific and technological efforts and capital investment.The necessity and possibility of further controlling the Taihu Lake to eliminate outbreaks of blue-green alga should be recognized.Relying on controlling eutrophication alone cannot eliminate outbreaks of blue-green alga.The point that phosphorus control is the key to eliminate outbreaks of blue-green alga is not suitable for the Taihu Lake.The integration ideas of"three types"of technologies should be innovated.The first one is"double reduction and double increase"measures to eliminate eutrophication,of which"double reduction"is to reduce external point sources and non-point sources and internal blue-green alga in sediment;for external sources,the treatment standard of sewage plants should be paid special attention to.The second one is"double algae removal"measures to salvage blue-green alga,suppresses and kills algae.The blue-green alga on the surface,middle and bottom of water should be thoroughly salvaged and eliminated from various water areas.The third one is"double restoration"measures to restore wetlands and biodiversity.The area of wetlands should be restored to the area from the 1960s to the 1970s before outbreaks of blue-green alga,and vegetation coverage reaches 25%-30%.The Taihu Lake is controlled in different waters to ensure water supply safety in water sources.Five suggestions are proposed,such as revising the"Overall Plan for the Comprehensive Treatment of Water Environment in the Taihu Lake Basin"again,incorporating the goal of eliminating outbreaks of blue-green alga in the plan,setting up this research topic,greatly improving sewage treatment standards in local legislation.