Abstract
There are some different freshwater algae in Eutrophic reservoirs which bloom with specific environmental conditions, and some of them are cyanobacteria. In this investigation, we have cultivated microalgae present in natural water samples from a eutrophic reservoir. Variations in temperature and light were evaluated, as well as the competition among different green algae and cyanobacteria. There were three different freshwater algae growing together, Scenedesmus sp., Kirchneriella sp. and Microcystis aeruginosa, this cyanobacterium was the algae that reached the highest development and growth during the culture. While the algae grew, the concentration of toxin (microcystin-LR) increased until it reached the highest levels at 570 μg g−1. Blooms occurred at temperatures of 28 ± 1.5 °C and light cycles of longer hours of light than dark. This took place during the summer months, from June to September (in the study area). At temperatures below 18 °C, algae did not grow. Blooms were reproduced to a laboratory scale in different conditions in order to understand the development of freshwater algae, as well as to help decision-making about water supply from that reservoir.
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Acknowledgments
We thank Professor Martyn Rich (Language Centre, University of Vigo) for revising the English version and Professors Carlos Souto and Ma Eugenia López (University of Vigo) for providing necessary material.
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Highlights
• The episodes of blooms were reproduced simulating the natural growth.
• Critical phases were described in order to reduce eutrophication and toxins in drinking water.
• Microcystis aeruginosa is the dominant species in the reservoir.
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Álvarez, X., Valero, E., Cancela, Á. et al. Freshwater algae competition and correlation between their growth and microcystin production. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 21577–21583 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-7410-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-7410-x