Effect of enclosure and nutrient enrichment on Microcystis blooms in Donghu Lake

A nutrient enrichment experiment was conducted in situ in Donghu Lake （30°33′N, 114°23′E）, a shallow hypereutrophic lake in Hubei, China through an enclosure（each 2.5×2.5m by 2 m depth） method from July 15 to September 21, 2000. Three duplicated groups, including two treatments and one control, were designed as unfertilized control （C）, nitrogen enrichment （N） and phosphorus enrichment （P）, and were also compared with neighboring lake water. Dense Microcystis bloom exclusively dominated in all the enclosures, while no bloom was observed in the lake. All the enclosures had much higher phytoplankton biomass, higher pH values, and higher transparency than the surrounding lake water Neither nitrogen nor phosphorus addition had significant effect on phytoplankton composition and biomass due to very high nutrient concentration in the lake water. Suitable biological （absence of filter-feeding silver carp and bighead carp） and physical environment （high transparency, high stability and high pH） associate with saturated nutrient concentration contribute to the nuisance Mieroeystis bloom in the enclosures.

Negative effects of Microcystis blooms on the crustacean plankton in an enclosure experiment in the subtropical China

Effects of Microcystis blooms on the crustacean plankton were studied using enclosure experiments during July-September, 2000. Eight enclosures were set in the hypereutrophic Donghu Lake. Different nutrient concentrations through additional nutrient and sediment in enclosures were expected to result in different abundance of Microcystis. From July to early August, the phytoplankton community was dominated by Chlorophyta, Cryptophyta, Bacillariophyta and Cyanophyta other than Microcystis aeruginosa. M. aeruginosa showed a rapid increase during early August in all enclosures and predominated. Crustacean plankton was dominated by the herbivorous Moina micrura, Diaphanosoma brachyurum and Ceriodaphnia cornuta, and the predaceous Mesocyclops sp. and Thermocyclops taihokuensis. During the pre-bloom period, the dynamics of M. micrura population appeared to be mainly affected by the predaceous cyclopoids. With the development of Microcystis blooms, such interaction between M. micrura and cyclopoids seemed weakened, especially when the Microcystis biomass was high. But there was no apparent influence on the interaction between Leptodora kindti and its zooplanktonic prey. The density of two cyclopoids decreased with the enhancement of Microcystis. The density decline of M. micrura was caused by both predation and inhibition by Microcystis. The low food availability of other edible phytoplankton during the blooms led to low densities of both C. cornuta and D. brachyurum by late August. It appears that dense Microcystis blooms exert strong negative effects on the herbivorous cladocerans and the predaceous cyclopoids.

Effects of elevated CO_2 on dynamics of microcystin-producing and non-microcystin-producing strains during Microcystis blooms

In an attempt to elucidate the effects of different CO2concentrations（270, 380, and 750 μL/L） on the competition of microcystin-producing（MC-producing） and non-MC-producing Microcystis strains during dense cyanobacteria blooms, an in situ simulation experiment was conducted in the Meiliang Bay of Lake Taihu in the summer of 2012. The abundance of total Microcystis and MC-producing Microcystis genotypes was quantified based on the 16 S r DNA and mcy D gene using real-time PCR. The results showed that atmospheric CO2 elevation would significantly decrease the p H value and increase the dissolved inorganic carbon（DIC） concentration.Changes in CO2 concentration did not show significant influence on the abundance of total Microcystis population. However, CO2 concentrations may be an important factor in determining the subpopulation structure of Microcystis. The enhancement of CO2 concentrations could largely increase the competitive ability of non-MC-producing over MC-producing Microcystis, resulting in a higher proportion of non-MC-producing subpopulation in treatments using high CO2 concentrations. Concurrently, MC concentration in water declined when CO2 concentrations were elevated. Therefore, we concluded that the increase of CO2 concentrations might decrease potential health risks of MC for human and animals in the future.

The decline process and major pathways of Microcystis bloom in Taihu Lake, China

Eutrophication has become a serious concern in many lakes, resulting in cyanobacterial blooms. However, the mechanism and pathways of cyanobacteria decline are less understood. To identify and define the growth and decline of Microcystis blooms in Taihu Lake of China, and to illuminate the destination of surface floating blooms, we investigated the biomass distribution and variations in colony size, morphology, and floating velocity from October 2008 to September 2009. The results showed that the Microcystis bloom declined in response to biomass decrease, colony disaggregation, buoyancy reduction, and increased phytoplankton biodiversity, and these indicative parameters could be applied for recognition of the development phases of the bloom. Three major decline pathways were proposed to describe the bloom decline process, colony disaggregation （Pathway I）, colony settlement （Pathway II）, and cell lysis in colonies （Pathway III）. We proposed a strategy to define the occurrence and decline of Microcystis blooms, to evaluate the survival state under different stress conditions, and to indicate the efficiency of controlling countermeasures against algal blooms.

ENCLOSURE EXPERIMENTS ON AND LACUSTRINE PRACTICE FOR ELIMINATING MICROCYSTIS BLOOM

Microcystis bloom, one of the most objectionable characteristics of eutrophication in tropical and subtropical waters, occurred in Donghu Lake (East Lake) of Wuhan every summer from the 1970s up to 1984, but from 1985 up to now failed to occur there. The cause of its disappearance remained in obscurity until recently. In situ enclosure experiments in the lake for three years showed that the stocking of the filter-feeding silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and big-head carp (Aristichthys nobilis) played a decisive role in eliminating Microcystis bloom from the lake; but that recurrence of the bloom is possible under certain conditions. This paper presents the details and the results of enclosure experiments. The authors’ analysis of fish biomass data obtained by echo-sounding and the fishery production of the lake over the years, revealed that the recurrence of Microcystis bloom can be prevented so long as the combined biomass of silver carp and big-head carp remains at or exceeds 50 g per cubic meter of lakewater, as was the case in the lake’s 1985 fish yield of 1015 t.

Assessment of different mcy genes for detecting the toxic to non-toxic Microcystis ratio in the field by multiplex qPCR

Harmful cyanobacterial blooms, especially Microcystis blooms, occur worldwide and draw widespread attention. The dynamics of microcystin-producing Microcystis and competition between microcystin-producing Microcystis and non-microcystin-producing Microcystis are key to predicting and treating Microcystis blooms. Multiplex qPCR is a useful tool to assess such issues. In this study, we developed multiplex qPCR methods with newly-designed probes and primers for the microcystin-synthesis related genes mcyA and mcyE. We used seven toxic Microcystis strains and four non-toxic Microcystis strains to compare the differences in the ratios of toxic and non-toxic Microcystis in mixed cultures, which were calculated using abundances of the genes mcyA, mcyB, mcyD, mcy E and phycocyanin( PC). We also compared traditional cell counting and multiplex qPCR. Hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis indicated that mcyD was the most suitable mcy gene for quantification in laboratory experiments. mcyB abundances were always higher; we suggest that the amount of toxic Microcystis measured using mcyB might overestimate the actual percentages.

A niche model to predict Microcystis bloom decline in Chaohu Lake, China

Cyanobacterial blooms occur frequently in lakes due to eutrophication. Although a number of models have been proposed to forecast algal blooms, a good and applicable method is still lacking. This study explored a simple and effective mathematical-ecological model to evaluate the growth status and predict the population dynamics of Microcystis blooms. In this study, phytoplankton were collected and identified from 8 sampling sites in Chaohu Lake every month from July to October, 2010. The niche breadth and niche overlap of common species were calculated using standard equations, and the potential relative growth rates of Microcystis were calculated as a weighted-value of niche overlap. In July, the potential relative growth rate was 2.79 (a.u., arbitrary units) but then rapidly declined in the following months to -3.99 a.u. in September. A significant correlation (R=0.998, P<0.01) was found in the model between the net-increase in biomass of Microcystis in the field and the predicted values calculated by the niche model, we concluded that the niche model is suitable for forecasting the dynamics of Microcystis blooms. Redundancy analysis indicated that decreases in water temperature, dissolved oxygen and total dissolved phosphorus might be major factors underlying bloom decline. Based on the theory of community succession being caused by resource competition, the growth and decline of blooms can be predicted from a community structure. This may provide a basis for early warning and control of algal blooms.

Microcystis aeruginosa aggravated arsenic accumulation in silver carp during silver carp controlling algal bloom in arsenic-contaminated water

Silver carp mediated biological control techniques are often advocated for controlling cyanobacteria blooms in eutrophic water,which are often enriched with arsenic(As).How-ever,the transfer and fate of As during the biological control of cyanobacteria blooms by silver carp in As-rich eutrophic water remain unclear.Based on the simulated ecosystem experiment,the accumulation of As in silver carp and the transfer and fate of As in the water-algae-silver carp system during Microcystis aeruginosa blooms controlled by silver carp were investigated.Microcystis aeruginosa showed high tolerance to As(V).The accumulation of As in different tissues of silver carp was different,as follows:intestine>liver>gill>skin>muscle.After silver carp ingested As-rich Microcystis aeruginosa,As accumulation in the intestine,liver,gill,and skin of silver carp was enhanced under the action of digestion and skin contact.Compared with the system without algal,As accumulation in the intestine,liver,gill,and skin of silver carp increased by 1.1,3.3,3.3,and 9.6 times,respectively,after incubation for 30 days in the system with Microcystis aeruginosa,while the accumulation of As in the muscle was only slightly increased by 0.56 mg/kg.This work revealed the transfer and fate of As during algal control by silver carp,elucidated the accumulation mechanism of As in water-algae-silver carp system,enriched our understanding of As bioaccumulation and transformation in As-rich eutrophication water,and provided a scientific basis for as-sessing and predicting As migration and enrichment in water-algae-silver carp system.

Effects of temperature and nutrients on phytoplankton biomass during bloom seasons in Taihu Lake

Long-term variations of phytoplankton chlorophyll-a （Chl-a）, nutrients, and suspended solids （SS） in Taihu Lake, a large shallow freshwater lake in China, during algal bloom seasons from May to August were analyzed using the monthly investigated data from 1999 to 2007. The effective accumulated water temperature （EAWT） in months from March to June was calculated with daily monitoring data from the Taihu Laboratory for Lake Ecosystem Research （TLLER）. The concentrations of Chl-a and nutrients significantly decreased from Meiliang Bay to Central Lake. Annual averages of the total nitrogen （TN）, total phosphorus （TP）, and Chl-a concentrations, and EAWT generally increased in the nine years. In Meiliang Bay, the concentration of Chl-a was significantly correlated with EAWT, ammonia nitrogen （NH4＋N）, TN, the soluble reactive phosphorus （SRP）, TP, and SS. In Central Lake, however, the concentration of Chl-a was only correlated with EAWT, TP, and SS. Multiple stepwise linear regression revealed that EAWT, dissolved total phosphorus （DTP）, and TP explained 99.2% of the variation of Chl-a in Meiliang Bay, and that EAWT, NH4＋-N, and TP explained 98.7% of the variation of Chl-a in Central Lake. Thus EAWT is an important factor influencing the annual change of phytoplankton biomass. Extreme climate change, such as extremely hot springs or cold springs, could cause very different bloom intensities in different years. It is also suggested that both nutrients and EAWT played important roles in the growth of phytoplankton in Taihu Lake. The climate factors and nutrients dually controlled the risk of harmful algal blooms in Taihu Lake. Cutting down phosphorus and nitrogen loadings from catchments should be a fundamental strategy to reduce the risk of blooms in Taihu Lake.

Optimal dosing time of acid algaecide for restraining algal growth

Restraining algal growth by algaecide has been studied by many researchers, but the dosing time has not yet been studied. In this study, we examined the appropriate dosing time of algaecide through a series of experiments. In the experiments, the pH value of water is significantly affected by Microcystis aeruginosa, and the variation of the pH value is in favor of the growth of the alga. Therefore, using acid algaecide in the period with maximum pH values, i.e., the stable phase, would change the acidity-alkalinity of the water significantly, and would negatively affect algal growth. Acid algaecide does not eliminate the alga effectively if the acid algaecide is dosed in the logarithmic growth phase. Using acid algaecide in the decline phase after algal bloom not only is unfavorable for eliminating the alga, but also prolongs the decline phase, and even brings about next larger algal bloom.

Competition between toxic and nontoxic Microcystis (Cyanophyceae) under different light and temperature conditions

Dear Editor,In aquatic environments,cyanobacteria usually proliferate faster than other phytoplankton assemblages during warm seasons,particularly in eutrophic waters(Ma et al.,2015).Microcystis,a common cyanobacterial genus that potentially produces microcystins(MCs)and nontoxic strains,dominates in eutrophic freshwater bodies,and its biomass increases quickly during the warm period;these changes result in increased water turbidity and changes in light quality and quantity in the water column(Li and Li,2012).Additionally,