Cyanobacteria in cold waters: A study of nearshore cyanobacteria assemblages in Lake Superior

Abstract

Cyanobacterial blooms, often associated with warm, eutrophic lakes, are of widespread concern owing to their potential disruption of ecological and public health. Recently, cyanobacterial blooms have been observed in oligotrophic lakes, including Lake Superior, a large cold-water system. Despite recent developments, limited research has targeted phytoplankton assemblages in the northern Lake Superior nearshore, where isolated cyanobacteria blooms have emerged since 2019. In 2019, the cyanobacteria assemblage at 10 nearshore monitoring stations was examined to understand potential bloom-forming taxa and their association with water quality. We observed a diverse cyanobacteria assemblage, with highest densities in spring and biomass in fall. Pseudanabaena limnetica, Dolichospermum flos-aquae and Limnothrix sp. were the most prevalent species across sites and seasons. Variation partitioning analysis revealed that water quality conditions were more influential drivers of cyanobacteria density and biomass than meteorological factors, particularly in regions with elevated nutrient inputs and following stormy conditions. However, at present, cyanobacteria compose <15 % of the total phytoplankton biomass in the study areas. Our monitoring data and recent reports of cyanobacteria blooms on the north shore, suggests that current blooms are not widespread. Nonetheless, we found a diverse array of cyanobacteria taxa, with most capable of producing cyanotoxins. Considering the global uncertainty in the factors contributing to cyanobacteria blooms, in association with the large-scale climatic changes affecting Lake Superior, a proactive approach to assessing risks of blooms is suggested. This should include data-generating efforts (e.g., frequent phytoplankton monitoring and reported blooms investigations) to support future collaborative initiatives focused on managing cyanobacterial blooms.