Abstract
Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms (CyanoHABs) produce toxins and odors in public water bodies and drinking water. Current process-based models predict algal blooms by modeling chlorophyll-a concentrations. However, chlorophyll-a concentrations represent all algae and hence, a method for predicting the proportion of harmful cyanobacteria is required. We proposed a technique to predict harmful cyanobacteria concentrations based on the source codes of the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Code from the National Institute of Environmental Research. A graphical user interface was developed to generate information about general water quality and algae which was subsequently used in the model to predict harmful cyanobacteria concentrations. Predictive modeling was performed for the Hapcheon-Changnyeong Weir–Changnyeong-Haman Weir section of the Nakdong River, South Korea, from May to October 2019, the season in which CyanoHABs predominantly occur. To evaluate the success rate of the proposed model, a detailed five-step classification of harmful cyanobacteria levels was proposed. The modeling results demonstrated high prediction accuracy (62%) for harmful cyanobacteria. For the management of CyanoHABs, rather than chlorophyll-a, harmful cyanobacteria should be used as the index, to allow for a direct inference of their cell densities (cells/mL). The proposed method may help improve the existing Harmful Algae Alert System in South Korea.
Highlights
An algal bloom is a phenomenon in which there is an abnormal proliferation of photosynthetic algae in water bodies which turns the water in a river or lake green
Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms (CyanoHABs) that occur in freshwater lakes, rivers, and estuaries are caused by cyanobacteria, which are known as blue-green algae, and occur most often in the summer
Species belonging to the genus Microcystis spp. are representative of CyanoHABs in South Korea’s freshwaters [1]
Summary
An algal bloom is a phenomenon in which there is an abnormal proliferation of photosynthetic algae in water bodies which turns the water in a river or lake green. From the perspective of traditional taxonomy, algal blooms can be caused by green algae, diatoms, or cyanobacteria. In South Korea, this phenomenon is mainly caused by cyanobacteria. Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms (CyanoHABs) that occur in freshwater lakes, rivers, and estuaries are caused by cyanobacteria, which are known as blue-green algae, and occur most often in the summer. Species belonging to the genus Microcystis spp. are representative of CyanoHABs in South Korea’s freshwaters [1]
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