Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Interactive effect of water level and flushing rate on population dynamics of a harmful cyanobacterial species: Raphidiopsis raciborskii

  • Published:
Ecotoxicology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Changes in water level and flushing rate directly affect to a large extent the biomass of harmful cyanobacteria, and drive the shift of phytoplankton composition between cyanobacteria dominance/non-dominance in eutrophic waters. Here, we gave a theoretical formula describing the combinational effect of water level and flushing rate on cyanobacterial biomass in eutrophic and well-mixed waters. We also formulated an equation predicting the water level and flushing rate at which cyanobacteria become non-dominating in such water columns. The formulae were confronted with field observations of a low-light adapted cyanobacterium in a large coastal reservoir of southern China. Our formulae demonstrate that water level and flushing rate have an interactive effect on the equilibrium biomass of low-light adapted cyanobacteria in mixed and turbid waters. The formulae were well fitted to the field observation of Raphidiopsis raciborskii population in the reservoir during four dry seasons. In agreement with the theoretical analysis, multiple regression analysis also showed that the interaction between water level and flushing rate is able to interpret the variation of R. raciborskii biomass in the water column. The two formulae are applicable for predicting the response of low-light adapted cyanobacteria to local climate change. Our findings have practical significance in designing measures against the dominance of low light-adapted cyanobacteria in reservoirs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adrian R, O’Reilly CM, Zagarese H, Baines SB, Hessen DO, Keller W, Winder M (2009) Lakes as sentinels of climate change. Limnol Oceanogr 54:2283–2297

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Antenucci JP, Ghadouani A, Burford MA, Romero JR (2005) The long-term effect of artificial destratification on phytoplankton species composition in a subtropical reservoir. Freshw Biol 50:1081–1093

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bakker ES, Hilt S (2016) Impact of water-level fluctuations on cyanobacterial blooms: options for management. Aquat Ecol 50:485–498

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berger C, Ba N, Gugger M, Bouvy M, Rusconi F, Couté A, Troussellier M, Bernard C (2006) Seasonal dynamics and toxicity of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii in lake Guiers (Senegal, West Africa). FEMS Microbiol Ecol 57:355–366

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brauer VS, Stomp M, Huisman J (2012) The nutrient-load hypothesis: patterns of resource limitation and community structure driven by competition for nutrients and light. Am Natur 179:721–740

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Briand JF, Leboulanger C, Humbert JF, Bernard C, Dufour P (2004) Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Cyanobacteria) invasion at mid-latitudes: selection, wide physiological tolerance, or global warming? J Phycol 40:231–238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burford MA, Beardall J, Willis A, Orr PT, Magalhaes VF, Rangel LM, Azevedo SM, Neilan BA (2016) Understanding the winning strategies used by the bloom-forming cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii. Harmful Algae 54:44–53

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Burford MA, Davis TW (2011) Physical and chemical processes promoting dominance of the toxic cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii. Chin J Oceanol Limnol 29:883–891

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Diehl S (2002) Phytoplankton, light, and nutrients in a gradient of mixing depths: theory. Ecology 83:386–398

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dobberfuhl DR (2003) Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii in three central florida lakes: population dynamics, controls, and management implications. Lake Reserv Manag 19:341–348

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Elliott JA (2010) The seasonal sensitivity of cyanobacteria and other phytoplankton to changes in flushing rate and water temperature. Global Change Biol 16:864–876

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Falconer IR, Humpage AR (2001) Preliminary evidence for in vivo tumour initiation by oral administration of extracts of the blue-green alga Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii containing the toxin cylindrospermopsin. Environ Toxicol 16:192–195

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Figueredo CC, Giani A (2009) Phytoplankton community in the tropical lake of Lagoa Santa (Brazil): conditions favoring a persistent bloom of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii. Limnologica 39:264–272

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gemelgo MCP, Sant’Anna CL, Tucci A, Barbosa HR (2008) Population dynamics of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Woloszynska) Seenayya & Subba Raju, a cyanobacteria toxic species, in water supply reservoirs in São Paulo, Brazil. Hoehnea 35:297–307

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goldman CR, Jassby A, Powell T (1989) Interannual fluctuations in primary production: meteorological forcing at two subalpine lakes. Limnol Oceanogr 34:310–323

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Greenberg AE (2012) Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 22nd edn. American Water Works Association and Water Pollution Control Federation, Washington, DC

  • Han B-P, Armengol J, Garcia JC, Comerma M, Roura M, Dolz J, Stras̆kraba M (2000) The thermal structure of Sau reservoir (NE: Spain): a simulation approach. Ecol Model 125:109–122

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han B-P, Virtanen M, Koponen J, Koponen J, Stras̆kraba M (1999) Predictors of light-limited growth and competition of phytoplankton in a well-mixed water column. J Theor Biol 197:439–450

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hillebrand H, Dürselen CD, Kirschtel D, Pollingher U, Zohary T (1999) Biovolume calculation for pelagic and benthic microalgae. J Phycol 35:403–424

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hoff-Risseti C, Dörr FA, Schaker PDC, Pinto E, Werner VR, Fiore MF (2013) Cylindrospermopsin and saxitoxin synthetase genes in Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii strains from Brazilian freshwater. PLoS ONE 8:e74238

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Huisman J (1999) Population dynamics of light-limited phytoplankton: microcosm experiments. Ecology 80:202–210

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huisman J, Hulot FD (2005) Population dynamics of harmful cyanobacteria. In: Huisman J, Matthijs HCP, Visser PM (Eds), Harmful cyanobacteria. Springer, Dordrecht, the Netherlands. pp 143–176

  • Huisman J, Jonker RR, Zonneveld C, Weissing J (1999) Competition for light between phytoplankton species: experimental tests of mechanistic theory. Ecology 80:211–222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Huisman J, Weissing FJ (1994) Light-limited growth and competition for light in well-mixed aquatic environments: an elementary model. Ecology 75:507–520

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Janse van Vuuren S, Kriel GP (2008) Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, a toxic invasive cyanobacterium in South African fresh waters. Afr J Aquat Sci 33:17–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jöhnk KD, Huisman J, Sharples J, Sommeijer B, Visser PM, Stroom JM (2008) Summer heatwaves promote blooms of harmful cyanobacteria. Global Change Biol 14:495–512

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • King JR, Shuter BJ, Zimmerman AP (1999) Signals of climate trends and extreme events in the thermal stratification pattern of multibasin Lake Opeongo, Ontario. Can J Fish Aquat Sci 56:847–852

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kinnear S (2010) Cylindrospermopsin: a decade of progress on bioaccumulation research. Mar Drugs 8:542–564

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lei L, Peng L, Huang X, Han B-P (2014) Occurrence and dominance of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and dissolved cylindrospermopsin in urban reservoirs used for drinking water supply, South China. Environ Monit Assess 186:3079–3090

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McGregor GB, Fabbro LD (2000) Dominance of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Nostocales, Cyanoprokaryota) in Queensland tropical and subtropical reservoirs: implications for monitoring and management. Lakes Reserv Res Manag 5:195–205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitrovic SM, Hardwick L, Dorani F (2010) Use of flow management to mitigate cyanobacterial blooms in the lower Darling River, Australia. J Plankton Res 33:229–241

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitrovic SM, Oliver RL, Rees C, Bowling LC, Buckney RT (2003) Critical flow velocities for the growth and dominance of Anabaena circinalis in some turbid freshwater rivers. Freshw Biol 48:164–174

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen A, Trolle D, Bjerring R, Søndergaard M, Olesen JE, Janse JH, Mooij WM, Jeppesen E (2014) Effects of climate and nutrient load on the water quality of shallow lakes assessed through ensemble runs by PCLake. Ecol Appl 24:1926–1944

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ohtani I, Moore RE, Runnegar MTC (1992) Cylindrospermopsin: a potent hepatotoxin from the blue-green alga Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii. J Am Chem Soc 114:7941–7942

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Padisák J (1997) Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Woloszynska) Seenayya et Subba Raju, an expanding, highly adaptive cyanobacterium: worldwide distribution and review of its ecology. Arch Hydrobiol Suppl Monograph Beitr 107:563–593

    Google Scholar 

  • Paerl HW, Huisman J (2009) Climate change: a catalyst for global expansion of harmful cyanobacterial blooms. Environ Microbiol Rep 1:27–37

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Qian SS (2017) Environmental and ecological statistics with R, 2nd edn. CRC Press, Florida

  • Recknagel F, Orr PT, Cao H (2014) Inductive reasoning and forecasting of population dynamic of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii in three sub-tropical reservoirs by evolutionary computation. Harmful Algae 31:26–34

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rigosi A, Hanson P, Hamilton DP, Hipsey M, Rusak JA, Bois J, Brookes JD (2015) Determining the probability of cyanobacterial blooms: the application of Bayesian networks in multiple lake systems. Ecol Appl 25:186–199

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Robarts RD, Zohary T (1987) Temperature effects on photosynthetic capacity, respiration, and growth rates of bloom-forming cyanobacteria. N Zeal J Mar Fresh 21:391–399

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saker ML, Thomas AD, Norton JH (1999) Cattle mortality attributed to the toxic cyanobacterium Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii in an outback region of north Queensland. Environ Toxicol 14:179–182

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • De Souza RCR, Carvalho MC, Truzzi AC (1998) Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (Wolosz.) Seenaya and Subba Raju (Cyanophyceae) dominance and a contribution to the knowledge of Rio Pequeno Arm, Billings reservoir, Brazil. Environ Toxicol 13:73–81

    Google Scholar 

  • Stras̆kraba M, Tundisi JG, Duncan A (1993) State-of-the art of reservoir limnology and water quality management. In: Straskraba M, Tundisi JG, Duncan A (Eds), Comparitive resevoir limnology and water quality management. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, the Netherlands, pp 213–288

  • Stken A, Rcker J, Endrulat T, Preussel K, Hemm M, Nixidorf UK, Wiedner C (2006) Distribution of three alien cyanobacterial species (Nostocales) in northeast Germany: Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, Anabaena bergii and Aphanizomenon aphanizomenoides. Phycologia 45:696–703

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Svirčev Z, Obradović V, Codd GA, Marjanović P, Spoof L, Damjana D, Tokodi N, Anđelka P, Nenin T, Simeunović J, Važić T, Meriluoto J (2016) Massive fish mortality and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii bloom in Aleksandrovac Lake. Ecotoxicology 25:1353–1363

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tilzer MM (1987) Light-dependence of photosynthesis and growth in cyanobacteria: implications for their dominance in eutrophic lakes. N Zeal J Mar Fresh 21:401–412

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Trenberth KE (2011) Changes in precipitation with climate change. Clim Res 47:123–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Utermöhl H (1958) Zur vervollkommnung der quantitativen phytoplankton-methodik. Int Ver Theor Angew Limnol: Mitt 9:1–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Verspagen JMH, Passarge J, Jöhnk KD, Visser PR, Peperzak L, Paul B, Laanbroek HJ, Huisman J (2006) Water management strategies against toxic microcystis blooms in the Dutch delta. Ecol Appl 16:313–327

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Visser P, Ibelings BW, Van Der Veer B, Koedood J, Mur LR (1996) Artificial mixing prevents nuisance blooms of the cyanobacterium microcystis in Lake Nieuwe Meer, the Netherlands. Freshw Biol 36:435–450

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner C, Adrian R (2009) Cyanobacteria dominance: quantifying the effects of climate change. Limnol Oceanogr 54:2460–2468

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Webster IT, Sherman BS, Bormans M, Jones J (2000) Management strategies for cyanobacterial blooms in an impounded lowland river. Regul Rivers: Res Manat 16:513–525

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilhelm S, Adrian R (2008) Impact of summer warming on the thermal characteristics of a polymictic lake and consequences for oxygen, nutrients and phytoplankton. Freshw Biol 53:226–237

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yang J, Lv H, Liu L, Yu X, Chen H (2016) Decline in water level boosts cyanobacteria dominance in subtropical reservoirs. Sci Total Environ 557:445–452

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This work was funded by a National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) grant (No. 31770507) and the Science and Technology Project of Guangzhou City (No. 201704020159). Dr. Ken Chen, an ecologist from Australia, commented and revised the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Hydrobiology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, PR China

    Quehui Tang, Lamei Lei, Li Zhao, Jiguang Gu, Lijuan Xiao & Bo-Ping Han

Authors
  1. Quehui Tang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Lamei Lei
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Li Zhao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jiguang Gu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Lijuan Xiao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Bo-Ping Han
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bo-Ping Han.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

This article does not contain any studies with animals performed by any of the authors.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Additional information

Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Supplementary information

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Tang, Q., Lei, L., Zhao, L. et al. Interactive effect of water level and flushing rate on population dynamics of a harmful cyanobacterial species: Raphidiopsis raciborskii. Ecotoxicology 30, 936–944 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-021-02351-3

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-021-02351-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation