The impacts of algae biological pump effect on the occurrence, source apportionment and toxicity of SPM-bound PAHs in lake environment

Abstract

The algae biological pump (ABP) effect for hydrophobic organic contaminants in deep oligotrophic lakes and oceans has been well studied. Suspended particulate matter (SPM) plays a connective role in ABP processes. However, little is known about the impacts of ABP effect on the occurrence, source apportionment and toxicity of SPM-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a typically shallow eutrophic lake under strong anthropogenic emissions of PAHs. In this study, we study this gap knowledge on the eutrophic Lake Chaohu, China. SPM-bound PAHs in Lake Chaohu were controlled by anthropogenic emissions in all seasons. Apparent ABP effect only occurred in spring and summer in lake area. Algae blooms in spring and summer significantly increased 46.5% ± 7.9% (mean ± standard deviation) and 19.8% ± 2.4% of Σ21 SPM-bound PAHs, and greatly enhanced their toxicity (1.98 ± 0.46 times in spring and 32.9% ± 4.2% in summer). Therefore, there need more attentions focusing on the coupling effect of persistent toxic substances such as PAHs and harmful algae blooms in aquatic environment for sustainable development. The apparent ABP effect had little influence on their source apportionment. However, it may cause a regime shift for the source apportionment on a short-term scale. Further study could pay more attentions on in-depth and short-term studies on ABP effect.