Roles of Nutrient Limitation on Western Lake Erie CyanoHAB Toxin Production.

Cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom (CyanoHAB) proliferation is a global problem impacting ecosystem and human health. Western Lake Erie (WLE) typically endures two highly toxic CyanoHABs during summer: a Microcystis spp. bloom in Maumee Bay that extends throughout the western basin, and a Planktothrix spp. bloom in Sandusky Bay. Recently, the USA and Canada agreed to a 40% phosphorus (P) load reduction to lessen the severity of the WLE blooms. To investigate phosphorus and nitrogen (N) limitation of biomass and toxin production in WLE CyanoHABs, we conducted in situ nutrient addition and 40% dilution microcosm bioassays in June and August 2019. During the June Sandusky Bay bloom, biomass production as well as hepatotoxic microcystin and neurotoxic anatoxin production were N and P co-limited with microcystin production becoming nutrient deplete under 40% dilution. During August, the Maumee Bay bloom produced microcystin under nutrient repletion with slight induced P limitation under 40% dilution, and the Sandusky Bay bloom produced anatoxin under N limitation in both dilution treatments. The results demonstrate the importance of nutrient limitation effects on microcystin and anatoxin production. To properly combat cyanotoxin and cyanobacterial biomass production in WLE, both N and P reduction efforts should be implemented in its watershed.

The Influence of Ship Waves on Sediment Resuspension in the Large Shallow Lake Taihu, China.

Sediment resuspension induces endogenous nutrient release in shallow lakes, which has been demonstrated to be associated with eutrophication. In addition to natural wind-driven resuspension, navigable shallow lakes (such as Lake Taihu, China) also experience resuspension from human activities, such as ship waves. Both processes determine the intensity, frequency, and duration of sediment resuspension, and may consequently affect the pattern of cyanobacteria blooms in the lake. In this study, acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV), Optical Backscatter Sensor (OBS), and temperature wave tide gauge (instrument model :RBR duo TD|wave) were placed in an observation platform in the lake to obtain high-frequency flow velocities, suspended sediment concentration (SSC), and wave parameters before, during, and after a cargo ship passed by. We found that the ship wave disturbance intensity is greatly influenced by the draft depth. The movement generated by ship disturbance is primarily horizontal rather than vertical. Compared with the wind-induced wave, the disturbance caused by the ship waves has a high intensity, short duration, and narrow range of influence. The maximum total shear stress under ship disturbance can reach 9~90 times the critical shear stress under a natural state. Therefore, the effect of ship waves on sediment resuspension near the channel of Lake Taihu is much greater than that of wind-induced waves. These findings represent an important step towards understanding the quantitative relationship between ship wave disturbance and sediment resuspension, and lay the foundation for future research in order to understand and control the eutrophication of shallow lakes.