Massive Southern Ocean phytoplankton bloom fed by iron of possible hydrothermal origin.

Primary production in the Southern Ocean (SO) is limited by iron availability. Hydrothermal vents have been identified as a potentially important source of iron to SO surface waters. Here we identify a recurring phytoplankton bloom in the high-nutrient, low-chlorophyll waters of the Antarctic Circumpolar Current in the Pacific sector of the SO, that we argue is fed by iron of hydrothermal origin. In January 2014 the bloom covered an area of ~266,000 km2 with depth-integrated chlorophyll a > 300 mg m-2, primary production rates >1 g C m-2 d-1, and a mean CO2 flux of -0.38 g C m-2 d-1. The elevated iron supporting this bloom is likely of hydrothermal origin based on the recurrent position of the bloom relative to two active hydrothermal vent fields along the Australian Antarctic Ridge and the association of the elevated iron with a distinct water mass characteristic of a nonbuoyant hydrothermal vent plume.

Effect of iron and phosphorus on the microalgae growth in co-culture.

Iron and phosphorus (P) are the important micro- and macro-nutrient for microalgae growth, respectively. However, the effect of iron and P on microalgae growth in co-culture associating with the formation of dominate algae has not been investigated before. In the current study, Anabaene flos-aquae, Chlorella vulgaris and Melosira sp. were co-cultivated under the addition of different initial iron and P to reveal the effect of iron and phosphorus on the growth of microalgae. The results showed that the mean growth rate of A. flos-aquae, C. vulgaris and Melosira was 0.270, 0.261 and 0.062, respectively, indicating that the A. flos-aquae and C. vulgaris algae are liable to be the dominant algae while the growth of Melosira was restrained when co-cultured. The ratio of Fe to P has a significant impact on the growth of microalgae and could be regarded as an indicator of algae growth. Microalgae showed a much more obvious uptake of iron compared to that of P. The information obtained in the current study was useful for the forecast of water quality and the control of microalgae bloom.

Bioprospecting microalgae from natural algal bloom for sustainable biomass and biodiesel production.

Natural algal bloom consists of promising algal species which could be a feasible option for the source of bulk biomass and biodiesel production. It has been found in five natural fresh water algal blooms (Uttar Pradesh, India), containing high nitrogen (N) (4.6 ± 0.32 mg/L) and phosphorus (P) (4.12 ± 0.29 mg/L) concentration during spring (23.9-25.9 °C) and summer season (32.0-35.0 °C). Among the isolated algae from naturally occurring bloom, Chlorella sorokiniana MKP01 exhibited highest biomass (1.02 ± 0.02 g/L) and lipid content (174.1 ± 9.6 mg/L) in untreated tap water and urea/single super phosphate (SSP) in the ratio (2:1). The biodiesel quality was assessed and found to be with the Indian and international standards. Algal bloom was artificially developed in the open pond containing 10,000 l tap water supplemented with Urea/SSP (2:1) for a consistent supply of bulk biomass, yielded 8 kg of total biomass and lipid 1.3 kg.

Nutrient limitation and enzymolysis of phosphorus in Meiliang Bay, Lake Taihu, during algal blooms.

In this study, algal growth potential tests were performed in water samples collected from six sampling sites in Meiliang Bay, Lake Taihu. The potential release of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) by enzymatic hydrolysis of enzymatically hydrolyzable phosphorus (EHP) was simultaneously evaluated. Results show that all studied regions were in highly eutrophic states, with additional nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) inputs, inducing negligible further increase in algal growth. EHP in water could be rapidly transformed into SRP, further supporting the proliferation of algal blooms. The shortest EHP mineralization time was calculated as 69 minutes; therefore, limiting specific nutrient inputs alone in extremely eutrophic lakes can have a limited effect on suppressing the proliferation of algal blooms. Methods to establish a suitable environmental fate for excessive nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients may be more effective and provide more significant results. PRACTITIONER POINTS: N and P were no longer serving as the limiting factors in Meiliang Bay. Enzymatically hydrolysable phosphorus could be hydrolyzed into soluble reactive phosphorus in a very short period during algal blooms. Both enzymatically hydrolysable phosphorus and soluble reactive phosphorus are required to be curbed in practical eutrophication control.

Phosphorus Influences the Interaction Between Toxigenic Microcystis and Chloramphenicol.

Microcystis growth and physiological responses to chloramphenicol (CAP)-stress were explored at different phosphorus (P) concentrations during 20-day exposure. Under CAP-stress, Microcystis exhibited (i) stronger total protein synthesis and antioxidant defenses at 5 mg/L P than 0.05-0.5 mg/L P in early test period (before day 8), and (ii) greater CAP-removal via biodegradation at 5 mg/L P in mid-late period. Due to above mechanisms, 5 mg/L P largely alleviated the inhibitory effect of CAP on Microcystis growth until test end, thus minimizing CAP toxicity to Microcystis, compared with 0.05-0.5 mg/L P. Moreover, microcystin-production and -release by Microcystis under CAP-stress were also P-dependent. These results suggested that under CAP-stress, although Microcystis growth was more inhibited at 0.05-0.5 mg/L P, higher microcystin-release and CAP residual at 0.05-0.5 mg/L P than at 5 mg/L P still caused eco-risks, which had important implication for risk assessment during Microcystis-dominated blooms and CAP pollution co-occurrence in different waters.

Confounding factors in algal phosphorus limitation experiments.

Assessing algal nutrient limitation is critical for understanding the interaction of primary production and nutrient cycling in streams, and nutrient diffusing substrate (NDS) experiments are often used to determine limiting nutrients such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Unexpectedly, many experiments have also shown decreased algal biomass on NDS P treatments compared to controls. To address whether inhibition of algal growth results from direct P toxicity, NDS preparation artifacts, or environmental covariates, we first quantified the frequency of nutrient inhibition in published experiments. We also conducted a meta-analysis to determine whether heterotrophic microbial competition or selective grazing could explain decreases in algal biomass with P additions. We then deployed field experiments to determine whether P-inhibition of algal growth could be explained by P toxicity, differences in phosphate cation (K vs. Na), differences in phosphate form (monobasic vs. dibasic), or production of H2O2 during NDS preparation. We found significant inhibition of algal growth in 12.9% of published NDS P experiments as compared to 4.7% and 3.6% of N and NP experiments. The meta-analysis linear models did not show enhanced heterotrophy on NDS P treatments or selective grazing of P-rich algae. Our field experiments did not show inhibition of autotrophic growth with P additions, but we found significantly lower gross primary productivity (GPP) and biomass-specific GPP of benthic algae on monobasic phosphate salts as compared to dibasic phosphate salts, likely because of reduced pH levels. Additionally, we note that past field experiments and meta-analyses support the plausibility of direct P toxicity or phosphate form (monobasic vs. dibasic) leading to inhibition of algal growth, particularly when other resources such as N or light are limiting. Given that multiple mechanisms may be acting simultaneously, we recommend practical, cost-effective steps to minimize the potential for P- inhibition of algal growth as an artifact of NDS experimental design.

Imbalanced nutrient regimes increase Prymnesium parvum resilience to herbicide exposure.

The toxigenic haptophyte Prymnesium parvum is a mixotrophic phytoplankter with an extensive historic record of forming nearly monospecific, high-biomass, ecosystem-disrupting blooms, and it has been responsible for major fish kills in brackish waters and aquaculture facilities in many regions of the world. Little is known about how this species responds to commonly occurring environmental contaminants, or how nutrient (nitrogen, phosphorus) pollution may interact with environmentally relevant pesticide exposures to affect this harmful algal species. Here, standard algal toxicity bioassays from pesticide hazard assessments were used along with modified erythrocyte lysis assays to evaluate how atrazine exposures, imbalanced nutrient supplies, and salinity interact to influence the growth and toxicity in P. parvum isolates from three different regions. In nutrient-replete media, P. parvum 96 h IC50s ranged from 73.0 to 88.3 µg atrazine L-1 at salinity 10 and from 118 to >200 µg atrazine µg L-1 at salinity 20, and the response depended on the strain and the test duration. Relative hemolytic activity, used as an indication of toxicity, was a function of herbicide exposure, nutrient availability, salinity, geographic origin, and interactions among these factors. Highest levels of hemolytic activity were measured from a South Carolina strain in low-nitrogen media with high atrazine concentrations. Herbicide concentration was related to relative hemolytic activity, although a consistent relationship between growth phase and toxicity was not observed. Overall, these findings suggest that increasing chemical contamination is helping to promote ecosystem-disruptive, strongly mixotrophic algal blooms.

Influence of Phoslock® on legacy phosphorus, nutrient ratios, and algal assemblage composition in hypereutrophic water resources.

Acceleration of eutrophication in freshwater resources can result in prolific growth of nuisance algae, notably cyanobacteria. In this research, we evaluated the ability of an in situ P binding technology (Phoslock®) to alter available water column and sediment P, and the subsequent impact on nutrient ratios and algal assemblage composition. Two golf course irrigation ponds with legacy nutrient loads and chronic cyanobacterial blooms were treated with Phoslock and monitored for 2 years post-treatment. Phoslock significantly (P < 0.05) decreased water column total P levels and shifted mobile sediment P fractions (i.e., labile, reductant-soluble, organic) to the residual fraction. Total N/P ratios (by mass) significantly increased and were sustained at over 30:1 in the Hickory Meadows irrigation pond and 100:1 in the Chockyotte irrigation pond throughout the study. Consequent changes in the algal assemblage included decreases in dominance and overall density of cyanobacteria as well as a shift away from scum-forming genera (e.g., Microcystis spp. and Anabaena [Dolichospermum] sp.) to planktonic forms (e.g., Pseudanabaena sp. and Planktolyngbya sp.). This research provides information regarding mitigation of in situ water and sediment P toward shifting nutrient ratios and altering algal assemblage composition.

Phosphorus sorption-desorption and effects of temperature, pH and salinity on phosphorus sorption in marsh soils from coastal wetlands with different flooding conditions.

Wetland soils act as a sink or source of phosphorus (P) to the overlaying water due to phosphorus sorption-desorption processes. Litter information is available on sorption and desorption behaviors of phosphorus in coastal wetlands with different flooding conditions. Laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate phosphorus sorption-desorption processes, fractions of adsorbed phosphorus, and the effects of salinity, pH and temperature on phosphorus sorption on soils in tidal-flooding wetlands (TW), freshwater-flooding wetlands (FW) and seasonal-flooding wetlands (SW) in the Yellow River Delta. Our results showed that the freshly adsorbed phosphorus dominantly exists in Occluded-P and Fe/AlP and their percentages increased with increasing phosphorus adsorbed. Phosphorus sorption isotherms could be better described by the modified Langmuir model than by the modified Freundlich model. A binomial equation could be properly used to describe the effects of salinity, pH, and temperature on phosphorus sorption. Phosphorus sorption generally increased with increasing salinity, pH, and temperature at lower ranges, while decreased in excess of some threshold values. The maximum phosphorus sorption capacity (Qmax) was larger for FW soils (256 mg/kg) compared with TW (218 mg/kg) and SW soils (235 mg/kg) (p < 0.05). The percentage of phosphorus desorption (Pdes) in the FW soils (7.5-63.5%) was much lower than those in TW (27.7-124.9%) and SW soils (19.2-108.5%). The initial soil organic matter, pH and the exchangeable Al, Fe and Cd contents were important factors influencing P sorption and desorption. The findings of this study indicate that freshwater restoration can contribute to controlling the eutrophication status of water bodies through increasing P sorption.

TiO2 nanoparticles for the remediation of eutrophic shallow freshwater systems: Efficiency and impacts on aquatic biota under a microcosm experiment.

The application of nanomaterials (NMs) in the remediation of eutrophic waters, particularly in the control of internal loading of nutrients, has been started, but limited investigations evaluated the effectiveness of these new treatment approaches and of their potential impacts on species from shallow freshwater lakes. The present work investigated, under a microcosm experiment, the application of a TiO2 nanomaterial both for reducing nutrient (mainly phosphorus and nitrogen forms) desorption and release from sediments (preventive treatment-PT) and for eliminating algal blooms (remediation treatment-RT). Furthermore, we also intended to assess the potential impacts of nano-TiO2 application on key freshwater species. The results showed the effectiveness of nano-TiO2 in controlling the release of phosphates from surface sediment and the subsequent reduction of total phosphorus in the water column. A reduction in total nitrogen was also observed. Such changes in nutrient dynamics contributed to a progressive inhibition of development of algae after the application of the NM in PT microcosms. Concerning the ability of nano-TiO2 to interact with algal cells, this interaction has likely occurred, mainly in RT, enhancing the formation of aggregates and their rapid settlement, thus reducing the algal bloom. Both treatments caused deleterious effects on freshwater species. In PT, Daphnia magna and Lemna minor showed a significant inhibition of several endpoints. Conversely, no inhibitory effect on the growth of Chironomus riparius was recorded. In opposite, C. riparius was the most affected species in RT microcosms. Such difference was probably caused by the formation of larger TiO2-algae aggregates in RT, under a high algal density, that rapidly settled in the sediment, becoming less available for pelagic species. In summary, despite the effectiveness of both treatments in controlling internal nutrient loading and in the mitigating algal bloom episodes, their negative effects on biota have to be seriously taken into account.

Assessing the impacts of phosphorus inactive clay on phosphorus release control and phytoplankton community structure in eutrophic lakes.

Addressing the challenge that phosphorus is the key factor and cause for eutrophication, we evaluated the phosphorus release control performance of a new phosphorus inactive clay (PIC) and compared with Phoslock®. Meanwhile, the impacts of PIC and Phoslock® on phytoplankton abundance and community structure in eutrophic water were also discussed. With the dosage of 40 mg/L, PIC effectively removed 97.7% of total phosphorus (TP) and 98.3% of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) in eutrophic waters. In sediments, Fe/Al-phosphorus and organic phosphorus remained stable whereas Ca-phosphorus had a significant increase of 13.1%. The results indicated that PIC may form the active overlay at water-sediment interface and decrease the bioavailability of phosphorus. The phytoplankton abundance was significantly reduced by PIC and decreased from (1.0-2.4) × 107 cells/L to (1.3-4.3) × 106 cells/L after 15 d simultaneous experiment. The phytoplankton community structure was also altered, where Cyanobacteria and Bacillariophyceae were the most inhibited and less dominant due to their sensitivity to phosphorus. After PIC treatment, the residual lanthanum concentration in water was 1.44-3.79 µg/L, and the residual aluminium concentration was low as 101.26-103.72 µg/L, which was much less than the recommended concentration of 200 µg/L. This study suggests that PIC is an appropriate material for phosphorus inactivation and algal bloom control, meaning its huge potential application in eutrophication restoration and management.

Influence of alum on cyanobacterial blooms and water quality of earthen fish ponds.

Eruption of blue-green algal blooms occurs frequently in eutrophic lakes and fish ponds, with associated unpleasant odor and horrid scums. In the present study, we conducted a pre-test experiment in 3 m(3) outdoor concrete ponds to determine the optimum concentration of aluminum sulfate (alum) required for reduction of the cyanobacterial blooms without negative effect on fish growth. As a consequence, 10 mg L(-1) alum was named as the optimum concentration that was applied in 1000 m(3) earthen fish ponds. Obtained results showed that Secchi disc values significantly increased from 10 to 24 cm after 14 days of alum application. Alum-treated ponds showed a reduction in total phytoplankton counts by 94 and 96% compared to the corresponding controls after 10 and 14 days, respectively. Abundance of blue-green algae in the treated ponds was decreased by 98% compared to the corresponding control after 14 days of alum application. Consequently, dissolved oxygen, pH, total phosphorus, orthophosphate, and chlorophyll "a" content declined significantly. Our study revealed that using 10 mg L(-1) of alum is an effective way to control cyanobacterial blooms in eutrophic waters, especially in fish ponds, without negative effect in water quality.

Effects of Fructus ligustri lucidi on the growth, cell integrity, and metabolic activity of the Microcystis aeruginosa.

Agricultural waste has been used in the treatment of cyanobacterial bloom because of its environmental friendly and cost-efficient characteristics. In this work, the effects of Fructus ligustri lucidi (FLL) on the growth inhibition, physiological properties, algicidal property, and cell ultrastructure of Microcystis aeruginosa were investigated for the first time. The alga was efficiently inhibited by FLL at the dosages from 0.25 to 4.0 g L(-1), and the Chl-a fluorescence and metabolic activity of cells also declined gradually. During 25 days incubation time, the inhibition ratio of 0.25 g L(-1) dosage increased from 8 to 68 %, the percentage of intact cells decreased from 94.4 to 59.8 %, the inhibition ratio of 2.0 and 4.0 g L(-1) dosages was nearly 100 %, and the cell membranes were completely broken. The results of Chl-a, propidium iodide (PI) staining, fluorescein diacetate (FDA) staining, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) assays were consistent with that of growth inhibition tests. The new medium test with the PI staining test suggested that FLL may act as an algicidal agent which can inhibit the growth of M. aeruginosa in the acute time. Consequently, FLL could be an excellent choice in the treatment of eutrophic water.

Growth inhibition of bloom forming cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa by green route fabricated copper oxide nanoparticles.

The cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa can potentially proliferate in a wide range of freshwater bionetworks and create extensive secondary metabolites which are harmful to human and animal health. The M. aeruginosa release toxic microcystins that can create a wide range of health-related issues to aquatic animals and humans. It is essential to eliminate them from the ecosystem with convenient method. It has been reported that engineered metal nanoparticles are potentially toxic to pathogenic organisms. In the present study, we examined the growth inhibition effect of green synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles against M. aeruginosa. The green synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles exhibit an excitation of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) at 270 nm confirmed using UV-visible spectrophotometer. The dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis revealed that synthesized nanoparticles are colloidal in nature and having a particle size of 551 nm with high stability at -26.6 mV. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis shows that copper oxide nanoparticles are spherical, rod and irregular in shape, and consistently distributed throughout the solution. The elemental copper and oxide peak were confirmed using energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDAX). Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy indicates the presence of functional groups which is mandatory for the reduction of copper ions. Besides, green synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles shows growth inhibition against M. aeruginosa. The inhibition efficiency was 31.8 % at lower concentration and 89.7 % at higher concentration of copper oxide nanoparticles, respectively. The chlorophyll (a and b) and carotenoid content of M. aeruginosa declined in dose-dependent manner with respect to induction of copper oxide nanoparticles. Furthermore, we analyzed the mechanism behind the cytotoxicity of M. aeruginosa induced by copper oxide nanoparticles through evaluating membrane integrity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm) level. The results expose that there is a loss in membrane integrity with ROS formation that leads to alteration in the Δψm, which ends up with severe mitochondrial injury in copper oxide nanoparticles treated cells. Hence, green way synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles may be a useful selective biological agent for the control of M. aeruginosa.

Lake eutrophication and its implications for organic carbon sequestration in Europe.

The eutrophication of lowland lakes in Europe by excess nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) is severe because of the long history of land-cover change and agricultural intensification. The ecological and socio-economic effects of eutrophication are well understood but its effect on organic carbon (OC) sequestration by lakes and its change overtime has not been determined. Here, we compile data from ~90 culturally impacted European lakes [~60% are eutrophic, Total P (TP) >30 µg P l(-1) ] and determine the extent to which OC burial rates have increased over the past 100-150 years. The average focussing corrected, OC accumulation rate (C ARFC ) for the period 1950-1990 was ~60 g C m(-2) yr(-1) , and for lakes with >100 µg TP l(-1) the average was ~100 g C m(-2) yr(-1) . The ratio of post-1950 to 1900-1950 C AR is low (~1.5) indicating that C accumulation rates have been high throughout the 20th century. Compared to background estimates of OC burial (~5-10 g C m(-2) yr(-1) ), contemporary rates have increased by at least four to fivefold. The statistical relationship between C ARFC and TP derived from this study (r(2) = 0.5) can be used to estimate OC burial at sites lacking estimates of sediment C-burial. The implications of eutrophication, diagenesis, lake morphometry and sediment focussing as controls of OC burial rates are considered. A conservative interpretation of the results of the this study suggests that lowland European meso- to eutrophic lakes with >30 µg TP l(-1) had OC burial rates in excess of 50 g C m(-2) yr(-1) over the past century, indicating that previous estimates of regional lake OC burial have seriously underestimated their contribution to European carbon sequestration. Enhanced OC burial by lakes is one positive side-effect of the otherwise negative impact of the anthropogenic disruption of nutrient cycles.

Utilization of water chestnut for reclamation of water environment and control of cyanobacterial blooms.

Overgrowth of water chestnut (Trapa spp.) is a regional problem throughout Asia and North America because of waterway blockage and water fouling upon decomposition. In the present study, we investigated the potential of water chestnut to control cyanobacterial blooms, via a high content of phenolic compounds. In addition, we assessed the impact of biomass harvesting and crude extract application on nutrient balance. We showed that the floating parts of water chestnut contained high concentrations of total phenolics (89.2 mg g(-1) dry weight) and exhibited strong antioxidant activity (1.31 mmol g(-1) dry weight). Methanol-extracted phenolics inhibited growth of Microcystis aeruginosa; the half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of the extracted phenolics was 5.8 mg L(-1), which was obtained from only 103 mg L(-1) of dry biomass (the floating and submerged parts). However, the crude extracts also added important quantities of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (1.49, 1.05, and 16.3 mg g(-1), respectively; extracted dry biomass weight basis); therefore, in practice, nutrient removal before and/or after the extraction is essential. On the other hand, biomass harvesting enables recovery of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium from the water environment (23.1, 2.9, and 18.7 mg g(-1), respectively; dry biomass weight basis). Our findings indicate that water chestnut contains high concentrations of phenolics and exhibits strong antioxidant activity. Utilization of these resources, including nutrients, will contribute to reclamation of the water environment, and also to disposal of wet biomass.

[Allelopathic effect of Nelumbo nucifera stem and leaf tissue extract on the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa and Scenedesmus quadricanda].

Effects of Nelumbo nucifera stem and leaf tissue extract on the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa and Scenedesmus quadricanda were studied to verify its potential in entriphication control. Five concentrations of Nelumbo nucifera stem and leaf tissue extract were chosen to compare their inhibitory effects on the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa and Scenedesmus quadricanda. The result showed that the leaf extract inhibited the algae bloom more effectively than the stem extract on the whole. When the leaf extract normality was 25 g x L(-1), the highest inhibition rate of Microcystis aeruginosa and Scenedesmus quadricanda was 71.33% and 78.14%, respectively, while for the stem extract, the values were 49.78% and 52.14%. Propanamide was found in both the stem and leaf tissue extracts of Nelumbo nucifera by GC-MS analysis, with concentrations of 1.1 mg x L(-1) and 0.2 mg x L(-1), respectively. The EC50 values of the two kinds of algae were calculated by the probability method.

Ammonium treatments to suppress toxic blooms of Prymnesium parvum in a subtropical lake of semi-arid climate: results from in situ mesocosm experiments.

Prymnesium parvum is a haptophyte alga that forms toxic, fish-killing blooms in a variety of brackish coastal and inland waters. Its abundance and toxicity are suppressed by ammonium additions in laboratory cultures and aquaculture ponds. In a cove of a large reservoir (Lake Granbury, Texas, USA) with recurring, seasonal blooms of P. parvum, ammonium additions were tested in mesocosm enclosures for their ability to suppress blooms and their effects on non-target planktonic organisms. One experiment occurred prior to the peak abundance of a P. parvum bloom in the cove, and one encompassed the peak abundance and decline of the bloom. During 21-day experiments, weekly doses raised ammonium concentrations by either 10 or 40 µM. The added ammonium accumulated in experimental mesocosms, with little uptake by biota or other losses. Effects of ammonium additions generally increased over the course of the experiments. The higher ammonium dose suppressed the abundance and toxicity of P. parvum. The biomass of non-haptophyte algae was stimulated by ammonium additions, while positive, negative and neutral effects on zooplankton taxa were observed. Low ammonium additions insufficient to control P. parvum exacerbated its harmful effects. Our results indicate a potential for mitigating blooms of P. parvum with sufficient additions of ammonium to coves of larger lakes. However, factors excluded from mesocosms, such as dilution of ammonium by water exchange and sediment ammonium uptake, could reduce the effectiveness of such additions, and they would entail a risk of eutrophication from the added nitrogen.

Periphyton responses to nutrient and atrazine mixtures introduced through agricultural runoff.

Agricultural runoff often contains pollutants with antagonistic impacts. The individual influence of nutrients and atrazine on periphyton has been extensively studied, but their impact when introduced together and with multiple agricultural pollutants is less clear. We simulated a field-scale runoff pulse into a riverine wetland that mimicked pollutant composition typical of field runoff of the Mississippi River Alluvial Plain. Periphyton biomass and functional responses were measured for 2 weeks along a 500 m section. Additionally, laboratory chamber assays were used to identify potential periphyton changes due to nutrients, atrazine, and their interactions. Generally, nutrients stimulated, and atrazine reduced chlorophyll a (Chl a) in chambers. In the wetland, nutrient and atrazine relationships with periphyton were weaker, and when found, were often opposite of trends in chambers. Total nitrogen (TN) was inversely related to Chl a, and total phosphorus was inversely related to respiration (R) rates. Atrazine (10-20 µg L(-1) in the wetland) had a positive relationship with ash-free dry mass (AFDM), and weakened the relationship between TN and AFDM. Wetland periphyton biomass was better correlated to total suspended solids than nutrients or atrazine. Periphyton function was resilient as periphyton gross primary production (GPP)/R ratios were not strongly impacted by runoff. However, whole-system GPP and R decreased over the 2-week period, suggesting that although periphyton metabolism recovered quickly, whole-system metabolism took longer to recover. The individual and combined impacts of nutrients and atrazine in complex pollutant mixtures can vary substantially from their influence when introduced separately, and non-linear impacts can occur with distance downstream of the pollutant introduction point.

Effect of black wattle (Acacia mearnsii) extract on blue-green algal bloom control and plankton structure optimization: a field mesocosm experiment.

A field mesocosm experiment was conducted at the Three Gorges Reservoir to investigate the utility of black wattle extract in controlling blue algal blooms. The mesocosm experiment was divided into two parts: (1) a short-term test to evaluate how black wattle extract inhibits algal blooms in an emergency and (2) a long-term test to evaluate how black wattle extract maintains water quality and prevents algal blooms over a 1-year period. In the short-term test, the results showed that 3 to 4 mg L(-1) black wattle extract could reduce algal biomass in 1 week, whereas serious algal blooms occurred in the untreated control mesocosm. More importantly, the long-term test suggested that black wattle extract played a significant role in plankton structure optimization at lower concentrations of 1 to 2 mg L(-1). In this test, phytoplankton diversity increased, with the dominant species shifting from cyanobacteria to diatoms and other algae. Meanwhile, as water quality improved through the presence of plant extract treatment, the numbers of smaller zooplankton decreased and larger species increased. Therefore, this investigation founded a novel nature plant agent that not only has good effects on algal bloom control, but also restores the aquatic ecosystem.