Influences of the Environment and Plankton Community Interactions on Toxic Cyanobacterial Blooms in Vancouver Lake, Washington, a Temperate Shallow Freshwater System

Influences of the Environment and Plankton Community Interactions on Toxic Cyanobacterial Blooms in Vancouver Lake, Washington, a Temperate Shallow Freshwater System PDF Author: Tammy Anne Lee
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 175

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Book Description
Occurrences of cyanobacterial blooms are in freshwater systems are increasing in frequency and intensity largely in response to urbanization of landscapes, eutrophication, and climate change. Cyanobacterial blooms negatively affect water quality which leads to a broad range of environmental, social, and economic concerns. In particular, cyanobacteria are known to produce a suite of toxins that have been linked to changes to the aquatic food web, small animal mortality and illness, and adverse health risks to humans. Vancouver Lake, located in southwest Washington state, is a tidally influenced shallow freshwater lake that exhibits annual summer cyanobacterial blooms that have been an on-going concern for public health and natural resource managers. Thus, the purpose of this project was to investigate the biotic and abiotic interactions associated with bloom events in a shallow, freshwater system. The main objectives were: 1) analyze phytoplankton community dynamics with an emphasis on the cyanobacterial community in relation to water quality factors; 2) identify and quantify toxin producing cyanobacterial populations in relation to water quality factors; 3) assess the potential effects of cyanobacterial blooms on zooplankton community dynamics; and 4) develop a model on the potential effects of wind-driven waves on internal phosphorus loading as a potential mechanism contributing to seasonal cyanobacterial blooms. Our findings suggest that nutrients, dissolved inorganic nitrogen and dissolved inorganic phosphorus, significantly influence cyanobacterial blooms dynamics, and more specifically with toxin producing cyanobacteria. In relation to zooplankton community dynamics, we found that while cyanobacterial blooms may have some influence, but also non-native invasive crustacean zooplankton may interact with cyanobacterial blooms affecting the summer zooplankton community. In spite of Vancouver Lake being a model large shallow lake highly susceptible to wind driven sediment resuspension, simulations of seasonal orthophosphate availability did not support observed measurements, suggesting other mechanisms such as redox related processes and bioturbation, should be examined in assessing potential management considerations for restoring Vancouver Lake.

Influences of the Environment and Plankton Community Interactions on Toxic Cyanobacterial Blooms in Vancouver Lake, Washington, a Temperate Shallow Freshwater System

Influences of the Environment and Plankton Community Interactions on Toxic Cyanobacterial Blooms in Vancouver Lake, Washington, a Temperate Shallow Freshwater System PDF Author: Tammy Anne Lee
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 175

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Book Description
Occurrences of cyanobacterial blooms are in freshwater systems are increasing in frequency and intensity largely in response to urbanization of landscapes, eutrophication, and climate change. Cyanobacterial blooms negatively affect water quality which leads to a broad range of environmental, social, and economic concerns. In particular, cyanobacteria are known to produce a suite of toxins that have been linked to changes to the aquatic food web, small animal mortality and illness, and adverse health risks to humans. Vancouver Lake, located in southwest Washington state, is a tidally influenced shallow freshwater lake that exhibits annual summer cyanobacterial blooms that have been an on-going concern for public health and natural resource managers. Thus, the purpose of this project was to investigate the biotic and abiotic interactions associated with bloom events in a shallow, freshwater system. The main objectives were: 1) analyze phytoplankton community dynamics with an emphasis on the cyanobacterial community in relation to water quality factors; 2) identify and quantify toxin producing cyanobacterial populations in relation to water quality factors; 3) assess the potential effects of cyanobacterial blooms on zooplankton community dynamics; and 4) develop a model on the potential effects of wind-driven waves on internal phosphorus loading as a potential mechanism contributing to seasonal cyanobacterial blooms. Our findings suggest that nutrients, dissolved inorganic nitrogen and dissolved inorganic phosphorus, significantly influence cyanobacterial blooms dynamics, and more specifically with toxin producing cyanobacteria. In relation to zooplankton community dynamics, we found that while cyanobacterial blooms may have some influence, but also non-native invasive crustacean zooplankton may interact with cyanobacterial blooms affecting the summer zooplankton community. In spite of Vancouver Lake being a model large shallow lake highly susceptible to wind driven sediment resuspension, simulations of seasonal orthophosphate availability did not support observed measurements, suggesting other mechanisms such as redox related processes and bioturbation, should be examined in assessing potential management considerations for restoring Vancouver Lake.

Cyanobacterial Bloom Dynamics in the Columbia River Basin

Cyanobacterial Bloom Dynamics in the Columbia River Basin PDF Author: Vanessa Jane Rose
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Cyanobacterial blooms
Languages : en
Pages : 208

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Book Description
Together, eukaryotic algae and prokaryotic cyanobacteria comprise a taxonomically broad group known as phytoplankton that are vital energy producers in aquatic food webs. Cyanobacteria and some algae have the potential to form harmful blooms due to high biomass or production of toxins. Phytoplankton bloom magnitude, timing, and species composition are difficult to predict across freshwater systems because such dynamics are influenced by interacting abiotic and biotic factors, and are further altered by anthropogenic stressors such as climate change and eutrophication. The intent of this research was to explore phytoplankton, and specifically cyanobacterial, bloom dynamics across freshwater systems of the Columbia River (CR) basin, with a focus on growth and assemblage changes in response to biotic and abiotic factors. Key findings included:1.Regionally, chlorophyll a, total phosphorus, modeled dissolved inorganic phosphorus yield, and the land use classes 'developed open space' and 'low intensity' were positively related to cyanobacterial blooms, while water clarity, 'evergreen forest' and 'barren land' were negatively related to blooms. These factors may be useful in predictive modeling and in screening for systems at-risk of developing future blooms.2.Spill of water over run-of-river dams likely has minimal to no effect on the abundance of phytoplankton and microzooplankton above vs. below such dams in the lower CR. 3.Examination of a 14-year dataset from the lower CR revealed three phytoplankton assemblages distinct to spring/summer, fall, and winter seasons, with notable associations between the fall cyanobacteria/chlorophyte assemblage and elevated temperature and invasive zooplanktonic taxa. 4.The addition of nutrients and zooplankton grazers to the natural phytoplankton assemblage collected from western Washington lakes affected phytoplankton net growth rates in lakes of a low, but not high, trophic state. Collectively, these results underscore the variable effects that abiotic and biotic factors may have on phytoplankton blooms. These findings further highlight the regional importance of phosphorus in the occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms, the connections between invasive zooplankton taxa, warm water temperatures, and cyanobacteria-dominated assemblages in the CR, and the importance of lake trophic state in phytoplankton response to future nutrient enrichment.

Advancing Knowledge on Cyanobacterial Blooms in Freshwaters

Advancing Knowledge on Cyanobacterial Blooms in Freshwaters PDF Author: Elisabeth (Savi) Vardaka
Publisher: MDPI
ISBN: 3039435051
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 202

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Book Description
Cyanobacterial blooms are a water quality problem that is widely acknowledged to have detrimental ecological and economic effects in drinking and recreational water supplies and fisheries. There is increasing evidence that cyanobacterial blooms have increased globally and are likely to expand in water resources as a result of climate change. Of most concern are cyanotoxins, along with the mechanisms that induce their release and determine their fate in the aquatic environment. These secondary metabolites pose a potential hazard to human health and agricultural and aquaculture products that are intended for animal and human consumption; therefore, strict and reliable control of cyanotoxins is crucial for assessing risk. In this direction, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms that determine cyanobacterial bloom structure and toxin production has become the target of management practices. This Special Issue, entitled “Advancing Knowledge on Cyanobacterial Blooms in Freshwaters”, aims to bring together recent multi- and interdisciplinary research, from the field to the laboratory and back again, driven by working hypotheses based on any aspect of mitigating cyanobacterial blooms, from ecological theory to applied research.

The Ecosystem Effects of Cyanobacteria in Oligotrophic Lakes

The Ecosystem Effects of Cyanobacteria in Oligotrophic Lakes PDF Author: Cayelan Christine Carey
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 335

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Book Description
Cyanobacterial blooms pose a serious threat to the water quality of freshwater lakes because of their scums, toxins, and odors. Synergistic interactions between eutrophication and climate change may be causing cyanobacterial blooms to increase worldwide, which will have substantial consequences for aquatic food webs and nutrient concentrations in lakes. In particular, the trophic state of a lake may be an important determinant of how blooms affect ecosystem functioning. In this dissertation, I used a combination of literature reviews, field surveys, field experiments, and laboratory experiments to examine the causes and effects of cyanobacterial blooms in both oligotrophic and eutrophic freshwater lakes. My research shows that increased nutrients are an important driver of the global increase in cyanobacterial blooms, and future climatic and hydrological conditions may interact to favor cyanobacterial dominance. My experiments with G. echinulata, a cyanobacterium that is increasing in the northeastern United States, demonstrate that high densities of G. echinulata can increase nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in low nutrient lakes. In these systems, G. echinulata can play an important role structuring food webs by increasing the biomass of small-sized phytoplankton. G. echinulata's interactions with phytoplankton are fairly complex, iii however, as I observed that its positive effects were mediated by both trophic interactions (zooplankton biomass) and trophic state (nutrient concentrations), highlighting the context-dependency of the effect of this species on other plankton. I found that nutrients play an important role mediating G. echinulata's effects on phytoplankton: first, increasing nutrients in the water column may be the mechanism by which G. echinulata stimulate other phytoplankton in oligotrophic systems, and second, nutrient concentrations may alter the direction of G. echinulata's effect (i.e., stimulatory or inhibitory) on other plankton. Finally, my data demonstrate that G. echinulata blooms in oligotrophic lakes may have important consequences for water quality. As cyanobacteria continue to increase, it is vitally important to understand how both oligotrophic and eutrophic systems will respond. iv.

Lake Restoration, Protection, and Management

Lake Restoration, Protection, and Management PDF Author: North American Lake Management Society. Conference
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Lake renewal
Languages : en
Pages : 342

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Book Description


Real-time Coastal Observing Systems for Marine Ecosystem Dynamics and Harmful Algal Blooms

Real-time Coastal Observing Systems for Marine Ecosystem Dynamics and Harmful Algal Blooms PDF Author: Babin, Marcel
Publisher: UNESCO
ISBN: 9231040421
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 880

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Book Description
The proliferation of harmful phytoplankton in marine ecosystems can cause massive fish kills, contaminate seafood with toxins, impact local and regional economies and dramatically affect ecological balance. Real-time observations are essential for effective short-term operational forecasting, but observation and modelling systems are still being developed. This volume provides guidance for developing real-time and near real-time sensing systems for observing and predicting plankton dynamics, including harmful algal blooms, in coastal waters. The underlying theory is explained and current trends in research and monitoring are discussed.Topics covered include: coastal ecosystems and dynamics of harmful algal blooms; theory and practical applications of in situ and remotely sensed optical detection of microalgal distributions and composition; theory and practical applications of in situ biological and chemical sensors for targeted species and toxin detection; integrated observing systems and platforms for detection; diagnostic and predictive modelling of ecosystems and harmful algal blooms, including data assimilation techniques; observational needs for the public and government; and future directions for research and operations.

Relationship Between Toxic Cyanobacterial Blooms, Psycho-chemical Factors and Multiple Source Excreta Contamination in Affected Watershed

Relationship Between Toxic Cyanobacterial Blooms, Psycho-chemical Factors and Multiple Source Excreta Contamination in Affected Watershed PDF Author: Valentina Muñoz Ramos
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
"Missisquoi Bay (MB) is a temperate eutrophic freshwater ecosystem located in an agricultural watershed and it frequently experiences toxic Microcystis-dominated cyanobacterial blooms. Cyanobacterial population dynamics are influenced by a plethora of factors that may differ from system to system, requiring a site-specific assessment of bloom-promoting factors to design more effective bloom prevention or remediation strategies. This is the first biomonitoring study that combined data from high-throughput 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, qPCR and environmental parameters from temporal and spatial samples to identify the main bloom-promoting factors. In addition, high-throughput amplicon sequencing of mitochondrial DNA genes was performed to qualitatively identify potential external sources of nutrients originating from animal excreta. Particular emphasis was placed on 1) determining whether there was a link between nutrients from external sources and cyanobacterial blooms and 2) analyzing in situ the effect of environmental factors (particularly nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations) on the dynamics of cyanobacterial community composition, abundance and toxicity.The concentrations of total P (TP) and total N (TN) in MB in 2009 correlated significantly with the abundance of total cyanobacterial cells, the Microcystis 16S rRNA and mcyD genes and intracellular microcystin. The results suggest that external sources of nutrients, such as surface runoff and animal excreta, played a significant role in the load of nutrients into the bay and thus in the proliferation of toxic cyanobacterial blooms. This was indicated by the detection of non-aquatic mitochondrial DNA hosts in the bay and the relationships between the pattern of surface runoff, nutrient concentrations, E. coli counts and total cyanobacterial abundance. Potential sources of nutrients from non-aquatic animal excreta in the system comprised rodents, birds, cattle and humans, indicating that efforts are required to control pollution from animal excreta in MB. During the growing season, the major cyanobacterial taxa were members of the orders Chroococcales and Nostocales. The genus Microcystis was identified as the main mcyD-carrier and main microcystin producer, hence the most problematic taxon in the cyanobacterial bloom. The correlations observed with environmental parameters suggest that increasing nutrient concentrations and TN:TP (mass) ratios approaching 11:1, coupled with an increase in temperature, promoted Microcystis-dominated toxic cyanobacterial blooms. Although the importance of nutrient ratios and absolute concentrations on cyanobacterial and Microcystis dynamics has been documented, this is the first time that an optimum TN:TP ratio for Microcystis dominance has been observed in the field. This observation provides further support to the theory that nutrient supply ratios are an important determinant of species composition in natural phytoplankton assemblages. Although the validity and prediction potential of this optimum ratio for Microcystis dominance has yet to be verified through longer-term studies, it may provide practical guidelines for nutrient management strategies to avoid the proliferation of this toxin producing cyanobacterial genus in MB. " --

Ecology of Harmful Algae

Ecology of Harmful Algae PDF Author: E. Granéli
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9783540740094
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 448

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Book Description
Harmful algal can cause a variety of deleterious effects, including the poisoning of fish and shellfish, habitat disruptions for many organisms, water discoloration, beach fouling, and even toxic effects for humans. In this volume, international experts provide an in-depth analysis of harmful algae topics and offer a comprehensive synthesis of the latest research in the field.

Freshwater Algae

Freshwater Algae PDF Author: Edward G. Bellinger
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118917162
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 306

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Book Description
This is the second edition of Freshwater Algae; the popular guide to temperate freshwater algae. This book uniquely combines practical information on sampling and experimental techniques with an explanation of basic algal taxonomy plus a key to identify the more frequently-occurring organisms. Fully revised, it describes major bioindicator species in relation to key environmental parameters and their implications for aquatic management. This second edition includes: the same clear writing style as the first edition to provide an easily accessible source of information on algae within standing and flowing waters, and the problems they may cause the identification of 250 algae using a key based on readily observable morphological features that can be readily observed under a conventional light microscope up-to-date information on the molecular determination of taxonomic status, analytical microtechniques and the potential role of computer analysis in algal biology upgrades to numerous line drawings to include more detail and extra species information, full colour photographs of live algae – including many new images from the USA and China Bridging the gap between simple identification texts and highly specialised research volumes, this book is used both as a comprehensive introduction to the subject and as a laboratory manual. The new edition will be invaluable to aquatic biologists for algal identification, and for all practitioners and researchers working within aquatic microbiology in industry and academia.

Algal Ecology

Algal Ecology PDF Author:
Publisher: Academic Press
ISBN: 0080526942
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 781

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Book Description
Algae are an important component of aquatic benthic ecosystems because they reflect the health of their environment through their density, abundance, and diversity. This comprehensive and authoritative text is divided into three sections to offer complete coverage of the discussion in this field. The first section introduces the locations of benthic algae in different ecosystems, like streams, large rivers, lakes, and other aquatic habitats. The second section is devoted to the various factors, both biotic and abiotic, that affect benthic freshwater algae. The final section of the book focuses on the role played by algae in a variety of complex freshwater ecosystems. As concern over environmental health escalates, the keystone and pivotal role played by algae is becoming more apparent. This volume in the Aquatic Ecology Series represents an important compilation of the latest research on the crucial niche occupied by algae in aquatic ecosystems. - Presents algae as the important player in relation to environmental health - Prepared by leading authorities in the field - Includes comprehensive treatment of the functions of benthic algae as well as the factors that affect these important aquatic organisms - Acts as an important reference for anyone interested in understanding and managing freshwater ecosystems