Abundance, characteristics, and size spectra of transparent exopolymer particles and Coomassie stainable particles during spring in a large shallow lake, Taihu, China

Abstract

Abstract Abundance, characteristics, and size spectra of transparent exopolymer particles (TEP) and Coomassie stainable particles (CSP) were investigated in Lake Taihu for the first time during spring. Abundance, equivalent spherical volume (ESV), and equivalent surface area (ESA) of particles were quantified by combining microscopic observation with image analysis. Average concentration of TEP in water was approximately seven-fold higher than that of CSP, and the average ESV and ESA of TEP were both greater than those of CSP. TEP abundance ranged from 5.27 × 10 3 to 2.3 × 10 4 particles/mL, with ESV from 1.09 × 10 6 to 7.44 × 10 6 μm 3 /mL and ESA from 3.28 × 10 6 to 2.23 × 10 7 μm 2 /mL. CSP abundance varied from 2.43 × 10 2 to 3.81 × 10 3 particles/mL, with ESV from 1.62 × 10 4 to 7.12 × 10 5 μm 3 /mL and ESA from 4.85 × 10 4 to 2.14 × 10 6 μm 2 /mL. During spring, small particles (equivalent spherical diameter (ESD) Microcystis begins to bloom, and they could be especially important for influencing bloom outbreaks.