Harmful bloom-forming cyanobacteria (CyanoHABs) and associated toxins are increasingly prevalent world-wide. We conducted a screening-level study to determine if cyanobacteria and associated cyanotoxins were present in Southern California coastal lakes, ponds, and seasonally tidal lagoons. We evaluated waterbody nutrient status and physiochemical parameters, land use, waterbody type, and habitat type, to determine their utility as screening factors for risk of CyanoHAB blooms. One-time grab samples were collected from 30 sites during July-September 2009. Samples were analyzed for phytoplankton taxonomic composition, nutrients, other physiochemical parameters, and three cyanotoxins: microcystins (MCY), anatoxin-a, and cylindrospermopsin. Cyanobacteria was the predominant taxonomic group in most water bodies in this study, and Microcystis spp. was the predominant genus in 96% of the study sites. Cyanobacteria were equally prevalent among coastal lagoons, depressional wetlands, and lakes in this study. We detected MCY in high concentrations in 10% of our sites, but neither anatoxin-a nor cylindrospermopsin were detected. All of the MCY-positive sites exceeded California action levels for recreational use and World Health Organization (WHO) guidance for human health effects. The prevalence of Microcystis spp. from all study sites indicates a high potential for MCY in these water bodies, although the one-time toxin grab samples likely underestimated the overall toxicity of these sites. Landscape variables, such as developed land use and dominant habitat type, were not found to be predictive indicators of cyanobacterial dominance. However, because cyanobacteria become consistently dominant when chlorophyll-a levels exceed 15 µg L -1 , chlorophyll-a can serve as a significant predictor of MCY.
Cyanobacteria often dominate eutrophic lakes, outcompeting green algae that are required by fish and zooplankton. This study was undertaken to ascertain the impact of the cyanobacterium, Microcystis, on algal biodiversity. Under laboratory conditions, we found that the presence of Microcystis decreased phyla richness by 58%, phyla evenness by 47%, genera richness by 66% and genera evenness by 51%. Analysis by mixed ANOVAs demonstrated a significant interaction between treatment and time and confirmed a significant reduction in richness and evenness of phyla and genera. We also conducted a phosphate restriction assay on the algae in Mason Lake (Irvine, CA, USA) and found that the threshold needed for algal growth there was 0.02 mg L )1 PO 4 . A pilot study was then conducted to test the effectiveness of the Blue Pro TM water treatment facility in removal of this colonial organism from Mason Lake, in addition to removal of dissolved nutrients required for its growth. We measured a 97% reduction in Microcystis cells, a 72% reduction in chlorophyll-a, and a 96% reduction in phosphate after just one 10 min cycle through the unit. Our study demonstrated that removal of Microcystis colonies may allow green algae to increase in numbers. This may improve algal biodiversity, which will benefit zooplankton and fishes.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.