Surface Scum Research Articles

Performance Comparison of Conventional and Modified Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) Reactors Treating High-Strength Cattle Slaughterhouse Wastewater

Cattle slaughterhouse wastewater (CSWW) with an average chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand of 32,000 mg/L and 17,000 mg/L, respectively, can cause a severe environmental hazard if discharged untreated. Conventional upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor is used in the treatment of slaughterhouse wastewater to meet the discharge standard limit of wastewater discharge set by the Department of Environment Malaysia (DOE). However, at higher loading rates the conventional systems are characterized by slow-growing microorganism resulting in long startup period, surface scum formation, and sludge washout. In this work, the performance of two laboratory scale (12 L) conventional (R1) and modified (R2) UASB reactors treating CSWW at mesophilic (36 ± 1 °C) condition were investigated. Both reactors were subjected to increasing organic loading rate (OLR) from 1.75 to 32 g L−1 day−1. The average COD, BOD5, and TSS removal efficiencies were ˃90%, at an OLR between 1.75 to 5 g L−1 day−1. The study revealed that R1 drastically reduced to 50, 53, and 43% with increasing OLR until 16 g L−1 day−1, whereas R2 maintained 76, 77, and 88% respectively, under the same OLR. Sign of reactor instability was very much pronounced in R1, showing poorly active Methanosaeta spp., whereas R2 showed a predominantly active Methanosarcina spp.

Real time HABs mapping using NASA Glenn hyperspectral imager

The hyperspectral imaging system (HSI) developed by the NASA Glenn Research Center was used from 2015 to 2017 to collect high spatial resolution data over Lake Erie and the Ohio River. Paired with a vicarious correction approach implemented by the Michigan Tech Research Institute, radiance data collected by the HSI system can be converted to high quality reflectance data which can be used to generate near-real time (within 24 h) products for the monitoring of harmful algal blooms using existing algorithms. The vicarious correction method relies on imaging a spectrally constant target to normalize HSI data for atmospheric and instrument calibration signals. A large asphalt parking lot near the Western Basin of Lake Erie was spectrally characterized and was determined to be a suitable correction target. Due to the HSI deployment aboard an aircraft, it is able to provide unique insights into water quality conditions not offered by space-based solutions. Aircraft can operate under cloud cover and flight paths can be chosen and changed on-demand, allowing for far more flexibility than space-based platforms. The HSI is also able to collect data at a high spatial resolution (~1 m), allowing for the monitoring of small water bodies, the ability to detect small patches of surface scum, and the capability to monitor the proximity of blooms to targets of interest such as water intakes. With this new rapid turnaround time, airborne data can serve as a complementary monitoring tool to existing satellite platforms, targeting critical areas and responding to bloom events on-demand.

Prevalence of β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) and its isomers in freshwater cyanobacteria isolated from eastern Australia

Environmental exposure to the amino acid β-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA) was linked to the high incidence of neurodegenerative disease first reported on the island of Guam in the 1940s and has more recently been implicated in an increased incidence of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in parts of the USA. BMAA has been shown to be produced by a range of cyanobacteria and some marine diatoms and dinoflagellates in different parts of the world. BMAA is commonly found with two of its constitutional isomers: 2,4- diaminobutyric acid (2,4-DAB) and N-(2-aminoethyl) glycine (AEG). These isomers are thought to be co-produced by the same organisms that produce BMAA and MS/MS analysis following LC separation can add an additional level of specificity over LC-FL. Although the presence of BMAA and 2,4-DAB in surface scum samples from several sites in Australia has been reported, which Australian cyanobacterial species are capable of BMAA, 2,4-DAB and AEG production remains unknown. The aims of the present studies were to identify some of the cyanobacterial genera or species that can produce BMAA, 2,4-DAB and AEG in freshwater cyanobacteria blooms in eastern Australia. Eleven freshwater sites were sampled and from these, 19 single-species cyanobacterial cultures were established. Amino acids were extracted from cyanobacterial cultures and analysed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. BMAA was detected in 17 of the 19 isolates, 2,4-DAB was detected in all isolates, and AEG was detected in 18 of the 19 isolates, showing the prevalence of these amino acids in Australian freshwater cyanobacteria. Concentrations of all three isomers in Australian cyanobacteria were generally higher than the concentrations reported elsewhere. This study confirmed the presence of BMAA and its isomers in cyanobacteria isolated from eastern Australian freshwater systems, and determined which Australian cyanobacterial genera or species were capable of producing them when cultured under laboratory conditions.

Satellite monitoring of harmful algal blooms in the Western Basin of Lake Erie: A 20-year time-series

Blooms of harmful cyanobacteria (cyanoHABs) have occurred on an annual basis in western Lake Erie for more than a decade. Previously, we developed and validated an algorithm to map the extent of the submerged and surface scum components of cyanoHABs using MODIS ocean-color satellite data. The algorithm maps submerged cyanoHABs by identifying high chlorophyll concentrations (>18 mg/m3) combined with water temperature >20 °C, while cyanoHABs surface scums are mapped using near-infrared reflectance values. Here, we adapted this algorithm for the SeaWiFS sensor to map the annual areal extents of cyanoHABs in the Western Basin of Lake Erie for the 20-year period from 1998 to 2017. The resulting classified maps were validated by comparison with historical in situ measurements, exhibiting good agreement (81% accuracy). Trends in the annual mean and maximum total submerged and surface scum extents demonstrated significant positive increases from 1998 to 2017. There was also an apparent 76% increase in year-to-year variability of mean annual extent between the 1998–2010 and 2011–2017 periods. The 1998–2017 time-series was also compared with several different river discharge nutrient loading metrics to assess the ability to predict annual cyanoHAB extents. The prediction models displayed significant relationships between spring discharge and cyanoHAB area; however, substantial variance remained unexplained due in part to the presence of very large blooms occurring in 2013 and 2015. This new multi-sensor time-series and associated statistics extend the current understanding of the extent, location, duration, and temporal patterns of cyanoHABs in western Lake Erie.

Comet Pond II: Synergistic Intersection of Concentrated Extraterrestrial Materials and Planetary Environments to Form Procreative Darwinian Ponds.

In the “comet pond” model, a rare combination of circumstances enables the entry and landing of pristine organic material onto a planetary surface with the creation of a pond by a soft impact and melting of entrained ices. Formation of the constituents of the comet in the cold interstellar medium and our circumstellar disk results in multiple constituents at disequilibrium which undergo rapid chemical reactions in the warmer, liquid environment. The planetary surface also provides minerals and atmospheric gases which chemically interact with the pond’s organic- and trace-element-rich constituents. Pond physical morphology and the heterogeneities imposed by gravitational forces (bottom sludge; surface scum) and weather result in a highly heterogeneous variety of macro- and microenvironments. Wet/dry, freeze/thaw, and natural chromatography processes further promote certain reaction sequences. Evaporation concentrates organics less volatile than water. Freezing concentrates all soluble organics into a residual liquid phase, including CH3OH, HCN, etc. The pond’s evolutionary processes culminate in the creation of a Macrobiont with the metabolically equivalent capabilities of energy transduction and replication of RNA (or its progenitor informational macromolecule), from which smaller organisms can emerge. Planet-wide dispersal of microorganisms is achieved through wind transport, groundwater, and/or spillover from the pond into surface hydrologic networks.

Diurnal changes of cyanobacteria blooms in Taihu Lake as derived from GOCI observations

AbstractUsing frequent and long‐term measurements (eight times per day, 2011 to present) from a geostationary satellite sensor (Geostationary Ocean Color Imager, GOCI), this study investigates diurnal changes of cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa blooms (near‐surface high concentrations or surface scums) in Taihu Lake, from which vertical migration patterns could be inferred. After proper atmospheric correction, a cyanobacterial index algorithm is used to quantify equivalent surface cyanobacterial density (σ, 0–100%) at both pixel and synoptic scales from each cloud‐free image, followed by analysis of diurnal changing patterns of σ at both scales. Three typical diurnal changing patterns are identified from all images, which show distinctive and different seasonality from the long‐term statistics. Spatial distributions of the “hotspot” regions where diurnal changes are most often observed have also been established. While the seasonality of the three patterns appears to be a result of seasonality in both temperature and light availability, large blooms only occur 1 d after major wind events. Based on several lines of evidence, we hypothesize that the diurnal changes of such observed surface bloom patterns are likely a result of vertical migration rather than horizontal dissipation/aggregation of cyanobacteria. The mean migration speeds inferred from either a simple model or a radiative transfer model (< 0.03 cm s−1 or < 1 m h−1) are consistent with those reported earlier from laboratory measurements for certain cyanobacteria colony sizes. Complete understanding of the three types of diurnal patterns and direct validation of the hypothesis, however, require further investigations from field measurements.

Detection of the suspected neurotoxin β-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) in cyanobacterial blooms from multiple water bodies in Eastern Australia

The emerging toxin β-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) has been linked to the development of a number of neurodegenerative diseases in humans including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease. BMAA has been found to be produced by a range of cyanobacteria, diatoms, and dinoflagellates worldwide, and is present in freshwater, saltwater, and terrestrial ecosystems. Surface scum samples were collected from waterways in rural and urban New South Wales, Australia and algal species identified. Reverse phase liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyse sixteen cyanobacterial scum for the presence of BMAA as well as its toxic structural isomer 2,4-diaminobutyric acid (2,4-DAB). BMAA was detected in ten of the samples analysed, and 2,4-DAB in all sixteen. The presence of these toxins in water used for agriculture raises concerns for public health and food security in Australia.

Colony formation in two Microcystis morphotypes: Effects of temperature and nutrient availability

The ability of Microcystis to form large colonies is a key trait that contributes to competition ability over other phytoplankton and facilitates the formation of surface scums in many freshwater systems. The effect of temperature and nutrients on this trait, however, is far from clear and needs further investigation, especially under a warmer climate and nutrient overloading in aquatic systems globally. In this study, two colonial strains of Microcystis (M. wesenbergii and M. ichthyoblabe) originally isolated from Lake Taihu in China, were used to investigate cyanobacterial aggregation under a range of temperatures (15–30 °C), phosphorus availability (0.004–8 mg P L−1), and nitrogen availability (0.04–40 mg N L−1). The mechanism of colony formation in Microcystis was determined based on growth rates and extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) contents. The colony size of both strains increased significantly when the temperature rose from 15 to 25 °C. A further increase in temperature from 25 to 30 °C, however, reduced the colony size of M. ichthyoblabe significantly, and, in contrast, increased the colony size of M. wesenbergii. Higher phosphorus availability promoted the formation of larger colonies in both strains. In comparison, nitrogen had no significant effect on the colony size. Furthermore, although EPS was a significant contributor to the formation of large colonies in colonial Microcystis, growth rate was a dominant driving factor in this process. The findings of this study highlight that warmer temperatures and phosphorus enrichment might enhance surface Microcystis scums directly through increasing the colony size. This study also provides new insights into the mechanism of colony formation in Microcystis.

A novel Eulerian approach for modelling cyanobacteria movement: Thin layer formation and recurrent risk to drinking water intakes

Toxic cyanobacteria (CB) blooms are being reported in an increasing number of water bodies worldwide. As drinking water (DW) treatment can be disrupted by CB, in addition to long term management plans, short term operational decision-making tools are needed that enable an understanding of the temporal variability of CB movement in relation to drinking water intakes. In this paper, we propose a novel conservative model based on a Eulerian framework and compare results with data from CB blooms in Missisquoi Bay (Québec, Canada). The hydrodynamic model considered the effects of wind and light intensity, demonstrated that current understanding of cell buoyancy in relation to light intensity in full-scale systems is incomplete and some factors are yet to be fully characterized. Factors affecting CB buoyancy play a major role in the formation of a thin surface layer that could be of ecological importance with regards to cell concentrations and toxin production. Depending on velocities, wind contributes either to the accumulation or to the dispersion of CB. Lake recirculation effects have a tendency to create zones of low CB concentrations in a water body. Monitoring efforts and future research should focus on short-term variations of CB throughout the water column and the characterization of factors other than light intensity that affect cell buoyancy. These factors are critical for understanding the risk of breakthrough into treatment plants as well as the formation of surface scums and subsequent toxin production.

Influence of light and mixing regime on bloom‐forming phytoplankton in a subtropical reservoir

AbstractThe joint influence of local climatic and hydrological conditions on the vertical distribution of bloom‐forming phytoplankton was analysed for the Salto Grande Reservoir, a large and enriched subtropical system on the Uruguay River (South America). Threshold of physical factors hindering or impeding blooms was obtained and then contrasted with worldwide observations in reservoirs at similar latitudes. Inflowing discharge, water level, and wind velocity intensity interacted with temperature, producing mixing and light regimes with overriding influence on the vertical distribution of Microcystis spp., Dolichospermum spp., and Ceratium furcoides, hence affecting their maximum abundance and biomass. Cyanobacteria (Microcystis > Dolichospermum) showed the most heterogeneous distribution in the depth profile during strong thermal stratification, showing surface scums prone to horizontal displacements. C. furcoides was evenly distributed in the water column in correspondence to windy periods. Blooms of both Cyanobacteria and dinoflagellates did not occur when inflowing discharge exceeded 10,000 m3 s−1. Nutrient influence on phytoplankton vertical distribution appeared strongly subordinate to the effect of light. Highest microcystin concentrations (>WHO alert Level 2) occurred especially after blooms collapsed during highly turbulent situations.

CYANOCOST special issue on cyanobacterial blooms: synopsis—a critical review of the management options for their prevention, control and mitigation

Nuisance, toxic cyanobacterial blooms are a persistent and globally expanding problem. Prevention of blooms requires that external and internal sources of nutrients are managed to levels where development of cyanobacterial blooms is restricted. Control of blooms, in which their presence is reduced to a level where they no longer pose a risk through additional measures such as biomanipulation or artificial mixing, demands that three elements come together: (1) understanding of the key ecological traits of the dominant cyanobacteria taxa, (2) system analysis of the lake, in particular its morphometry, water and nutrient balance, (3) adequate design and execution of the management methods of choice. All three elements are important for choosing effective management interventions and predicting their outcome. Mitigation of blooms reduces the risks and harmful effects of blooms if they cannot be prevented or sufficiently controlled, methods such as harvesting of surface scums or application of cyanocides may be used in those cases where water quality improvement is urgent. Ultimately, managing cyanobacterial blooms is most effective in the context of developing a Water Safety Plan. This is a risk assessment and management approach developed by the World Health Organization and provides a platform for bringing together the stakeholders who have a say about activities in the catchment causing eutrophication. Together, they can develop and implement control measures in the chain from catchment to drinking-water offtake which effectively mitigate eutrophication and thus protect humans and the lake ecosystem services they rely on from effects of toxic cyanobacteria.

Cyanobacteria blooms in three eutrophic basins of the Great Lakes: a comparative analysis using satellite remote sensing

ABSTRACTBlooms of harmful cyanobacteria (cyanoHABs) were mapped for three eutrophic basins (western basin of Lake Erie, WBLE; Green Bay, Lake Michigan, GB; and Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, SB) in the Great Lakes from 2002 to 2013 using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) ocean colour imagery. These blooms were examined in relationship to basic meteorological and environmental parameters. Annual cyanoHAB extent trends were generated using two modified remote-sensing approaches. The first approach was a modified bio-optical chlorophyll retrieval algorithm enhanced with empirical relationships to estimate water column cyanoHABs (MCH), whereas the second approach uses near-infrared (NIR) reflectance to quantify the surface scums of cyanoHABs (SSI). The development and application of the SSI are unique products in the Great Lakes and may have generic application to ecological and public health issues. Satellite-derived cyanoHAB estimates agreed well with in situ observations (89% accuracy). The annual cyanoHAB trends (MCH and SSI) for WBLE, SB, and GB were not similar for the 2002–2013 analysis period. A recent trend of increasing cyanoHABs was noted in WBLE but not in GB or SB. Moreover, extensive and persistent surface scums were observed in WBLE but not in GB or SB. Meteorological parameters were similar among the basins; however, significant differences in spring discharge of the dominant river were observed among basins. Spring discharge was a significant predictor of cyanoHAB occurrence in WBLE but not in GB and SB. Wind-induced sediment re-suspension events were common during the bloom period in WBLE but not in GB or SB and these events were highly correlated with cyanoHAB occurrence. The differences among basins in the role of riverine discharge and re-suspension suggest local factors are more important than regional factors in controlling cyanoHAB dynamics within these three basins in the Great Lakes.

Application of molecular tools for microbial source tracking and public health risk assessment of a Microcystis bloom traversing 300 km of the Klamath River

Microcystis is a globally distributed cyanobacterium that forms dense surface scums in eutrophic freshwater bodies and is also capable of producing potent liver toxins (microcystins). Although it is not commonly observed in riverine environments, high concentrations of Microcystis cells – and microcystins – have been observed on a recurring basis in recent years throughout the Klamath River system (Oregon/California). In this study, a variety of genetic approaches were used to assess the connectivity of Microcystis populations found throughout the Klamath River. In 2012, samples were collected bi-weekly from 16 sites spanning the entire system, including all five reservoirs and Upper Klamath Lake. A newly designed QPCR assay targeting a conserved region within the c-phycocyanin β-subunit gene (cpcB) was used along with a microcystin synthetase gene (mcyE) targeting QPCR assay to quantify the spatiotemporal patterns of total and toxigenic Microcystis. These data were compared with traditional metrics, such as microscopic cell counts and analytical toxin measurements, and the public health implications are discussed. Overall, Microcystis was a minor constituent of the phytoplankton community above Copco and Iron Gate Reservoirs, although it was highly prolific within these reservoirs and our data indicate that most of these populations originate internally. Spatiotemporal variations in the proportional abundances of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), identified by 454 deep sequencing of the cpcBA genes, was used to fingerprint Iron Gate Reservoir as the source of downriver Microcystis assemblages. Throughout the study period, the Microcystis populations remained highly toxic, with total microcystin concentrations ranging from 165μg/L in Copco Reservoir to 3.6μg/L within the lower estuary (0.8km from the Pacific Ocean). These results demonstrate that large quantities of intact and toxic Microcystis cells can withstand passage through hydroelectric installations and transport over distances exceeding 300km. This finding emphasizes that public health risk assessments should consider the impact of cyanobacterial blooms even when they originate in distant upstream locations within a watershed.

Eutrophication and cyanobacteria in South Africa’s standing water bodies: A view from space

Satellite remote sensing can make a significant contribution to monitoring water quality in South African standing water bodies. Eutrophication, defined as enrichment by nutrients, and toxin-producing cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms pose a significant threat to the quality of South African surface water bodies. The status and trends of chlorophyll a (chl-a, a proxy for eutrophication), cyanobacterial blooms and cyanobacterial surface scum were determined for South Africa’s 50 largest water bodies between 2002 and 2012, using a recently developed algorithm and 10 years of data from the Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) satellite. The majority (62%) of the 50 water bodies were highly nutrient enriched or hypertrophic, while 26 had cyanobacterial blooms which posed a high health risk from surface scums. This study is the first of its kind to provide quantitative water quality information for South Africa’s water bodies from a time series of satellite remotely sensed data. We demonstrate the pivotal role that satellite remote sensing can play in greatly supplementing in-situ monitoring efforts such as the National Eutrophication Monitoring Programme. The finding that many water supply bodies are severely impacted by eutrophication and cyanobacterial blooms confirms that these remain issues of critical concern for water security and supply in South Africa.

Monitoring levels of cyanobacterial blooms using the visual cyanobacteria index (VCI) and floating algae index (FAI)

Cyanobacterial bloom is a growing environmental problem in inland waters. In this study, we propose a method for monitoring levels of cyanobacterial blooms from Landsat/ETM+ images. The visual cyanobacteria index (VCI) is a simple index for in-situ visual interpretation of cyanobacterial blooms levels, by classifying them into six categories based on aggregation (e.g., subsurface blooms, surface scum). The floating algae index (FAI) and remote sensing reflectance in the red wavelength domain, which can be obtained from Landsat/ETM+ images, were related to the VCI for estimating cyanobacteria bloom levels from the Landsat/ETM+ images. Nine field campaigns were carried out at Lakes Nishiura and Kitaura (Lake Kasumigaura group), Japan, from June to August 2012. We also collected reflectance spectra at 20 stations for different VCI levels on August 3, 2012. The reflectance spectra were recalculated in correspondence to each ETM+ band, and used to calculate the FAI. The FAI values were then used to determine thresholds for classifying cyanobacterial blooms into different VCI levels. These FAI thresholds were validated using three Landsat/ETM+ images. Results showed that FAI values differed significantly at the respective VCI levels except between levels 1 and 2 (subsurface blooms) and levels 5 and 6 (surface scum and hyperscum). This indicated that the FAI was able to detect the high level of cyanobacteria that forms surface scum. In contrast, the Landsat/ETM+ band 3 reflectance could be used as an alternative index for distinguishing surface scum and hyperscum. Application of the thresholds for VCI classifications to three Landsat/ETM+ images showed that the volume of cyanobacterial blooms can be effectively classified into the six VCI levels.

Expression profiling of the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Nodularia CCY9414 under light and oxidative stress conditions.

Massive blooms of toxic cyanobacteria frequently occur in the central Baltic Sea during the summer. In the surface scum, cyanobacterial cells are exposed to high light (HL) intensity, high oxygen partial pressure and other stresses. To mimic these conditions, cultures of Nodularia spumigena CCY9414, which is a strain isolated from a cyanobacterial summer bloom in the Baltic Sea, were incubated at a HL intensity of 1200 μmol photons m(-2) s(-1) or a combination of HL and increased oxygen partial pressure. Using differential RNA sequencing, we compared the global primary transcriptomes of control and stressed cells. The combination of oxidative and light stresses induced the expression of twofold more genes compared with HL stress alone. In addition to the induction of known stress-responsive genes, such as psbA, ocp and sodB, Nodularia cells activated the expression of genes coding for many previously unknown light- and oxidative stress-related proteins. In addition, the expression of non-protein-coding RNAs was found to be stimulated by these stresses. Among them was an antisense RNA to the phycocyanin-encoding mRNA cpcBAC and the trans-encoded regulator of photosystem I, PsrR1. The large genome capacity allowed Nodularia to harbor more copies of stress-relevant genes such as psbA and small chlorophyll-binding protein genes, combined with the coordinated induction of these and many additional genes for stress acclimation. Our data provide a first insight on how N. spumigena became adapted to conditions relevant for a cyanobacterial bloom in the Baltic Sea.

Eutrophication and cyanobacterial blooms in South African inland waters: 10 years of MERIS observations

The medium resolution imaging spectrometer full resolution (MERIS FR) archive (2002 to 2012) over South Africa has been processed with the maximum peak height (MPH) algorithm for the 50 largest standing water bodies in South Africa. Time series of chlorophyll a (chl-a), cyanobacteria and surface scum area coverage were used to establish the status, seasonality and trends for each of the water bodies. The majority (62%) of the 50 water bodies were hypertrophic (mean chl-a>30mgm−3), while 23 water bodies had intermediate to extensive cyanobacteria coverage. Cyanobacterial surface scum events posing a high health risk occurred in 26 of the water bodies in varying extents. Analysis of significant trends showed that water bodies both worsened and improved with regard to eutrophication, cyanobacteria and surface scum coverage between 2005 and 2012. Validation of the MPH algorithm using an independent in situ dataset demonstrated that gross trophic status through chl-a can be accurately determined in both eukaryote and cyanobacteria-dominant waters. Chl-a estimation in oligo/mesotrophic waters remains challenging due to a wide range of potential sources of error. This study is the first of its kind providing quantitative chl-a and phytoplankton species information in lakes from a time series of satellite remotely sensed data on a sub-continental scale, demonstrating how global analyses of changes in lake biogeochemistry might be performed in the future. It demonstrates the pivotal role that satellite remote sensing can play in supplementing in situ monitoring efforts, particularly in the developing world. The study concludes that eutrophication and cyanobacterial blooms are widespread in South African water bodies and remain issues of critical concern for water quality.

Potential factors leading to the formation of cyanobacterial scums in a mesotrophic softwater lake in Ontario, Canada

While the factors linked to the incidence of cyanobacterial blooms are well studied, the specific conditions that facilitate transition of blooms to surface scums are less understood. Three Mile Lake (TML), a mesotrophic, softwater lake in south-central Ontario, Canada, experienced cyanobacterial blooms in 2005, 2006, and 2007, but a surface scum event only occurred in 2005. Our objectives were therefore to (1) determine how phytoplankton change seasonally in relation to water quality and other environmental factors; (2) examine modern and historical water quality and meteorological data to explore possible causative factors of the 2005 surface scum; and (3) examine regional predictions of future climate (temperature and precipitation) from present to 2100 to assess the risk of future cyanobacterial scums. Our evaluation suggests that while high phosphorus concentration is a predisposition for the occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms, meteorological and hydrological conditions play an instrumental role in the actual development of surface scums. The 2005 scum event occurred during the fall period when air temperature was unusually high and wind speed and precipitation were low. Consequently, runoff from the surrounding catchment, and thus flushing, was minimal. We believe all these factors interacted to prolong thermal stratification and increase residence time, thereby promoting the proliferation of cyanobacteria and formation of surface scums. Our modeled climate data indicate that the frequency of scum occurrence will change over time as climatic change paves the way for the meteorological conditions that promote scum development.

Multidecadal time series of satellite-detected accumulations of cyanobacteria in the Baltic Sea

Abstract. Cyanobacteria, primarily of the species \\textit{Nodularia spumigena}, form extensive surface accumulations in the Baltic Sea in July and August, ranging from diffuse flakes to dense surface scums. The area of these accumulations can reach ~ 200 000 km2. We describe the compilation of a 35-year-long time series (1979–2013) of cyanobacteria surface accumulations in the Baltic Sea using multiple satellite sensors. This appears to be one of the longest satellite-based time series in biological oceanography. The satellite algorithm is based on remote sensing reflectance of the water in the red band, a measure of turbidity. Validation of the satellite algorithm using horizontal transects from a ship of opportunity showed the strongest relationship with phycocyanin fluorescence (an indicator of cyanobacteria), followed by turbidity and then by chlorophyll a fluorescence. The areal fraction with cyanobacteria accumulations (FCA) and the total accumulated area affected (TA) were used to characterize the intensity and extent of the accumulations. The fraction with cyanobacteria accumulations was calculated as the ratio of the number of detected accumulations to the number of cloud-free sea-surface views per pixel during the season (July–August). The total accumulated area affected was calculated by adding the area of pixels where accumulations were detected at least once during the season. The fraction with cyanobacteria accumulations and TA were correlated (R2 = 0.55) and both showed large interannual and decadal-scale variations. The average FCA was significantly higher for the second half of the time series (13.8%, 1997–2013) than for the first half (8.6%, 1979–1996). However, that does not seem to represent a long-term trend but decadal-scale oscillations. Cyanobacteria accumulations were common in the 1970s and early 1980s (FCA between 11–17%), but rare (FCA below 4%) during 1985–1990; they increased again starting in 1991 and particularly in 1999, reaching maxima in FCA (~ 25%) and TA (~ 210 000 km2) in 2005 and 2008. After 2008, FCA declined to more moderate levels (6–17%). The timing of the accumulations has become earlier in the season, at a mean rate of 0.6 days per year, resulting in approximately 20 days advancement during the study period. The interannual variations in FCA are positively correlated with the concentration of chlorophyll a during July–August sampled at the depth of ~ 5 m by a ship of opportunity, but interannual variations in FCA are more pronounced as the coefficient of variation is over 5 times higher.

UVB Radiation as a Potential Selective Factor Favoring Microcystin Producing Bloom Forming Cyanobacteria

Due to the stratospheric ozone depletion, several organisms will become exposed to increased biologically active UVB (280–320 nm) radiation, not only at polar but also at temperate and tropical latitudes. Bloom forming cyanobacteria are exposed to UVB radiation on a mass scale, particularly during the surface bloom and scum formation that can persist for long periods of time. All buoyant species of cyanobacteria are at least periodically exposed to higher irradiation during their vertical migration to the surface that usually occurs several times a day. The aim of this study is to assess the influence on cyanobacteria of UVB radiation at realistic environmental intensities. The effects of two UVB intensities of 0.5 and 0.99 W/m2 in up to 0.5 cm water depth were studied in vitro on Microcystis aeruginosa strains, two microcystin producing and one non-producing. After UVB exposure their ability to proliferate was estimated by cell counting, while cell fitness and integrity were evaluated using light microscopy, autofluorescence and immunofluorescence. Gene damage was assessed by TUNEL assay and SYBR Green staining of the nucleoide area. We conclude that UVB exposure causes damage to the genetic material, cytoskeletal elements, higher sedimentation rates and consequent cell death. In contrast to microcystin producers (PCC7806 and FACHB905), the microcystin non-producing strain PCC7005 is more susceptible to the deleterious effects of radiation, with weak recovery ability. The ecological relevance of the results is discussed using data from eleven years’ continuous UVB radiation measurements within the area of Ljubljana city (Slovenia, Central Europe). Our results suggest that increased solar radiation in temperate latitudes can have its strongest effect during cyanobacterial bloom formation in spring and early summer. UVB radiation in this period may significantly influence strain composition of cyanobacterial blooms in favor of microcystin producers.