Cyanobacterial Abundance and Microcystin Profiles in Two Southern British Lakes: The Importance of Abiotic and Biotic Interactions
Freshwater cyanobacteria blooms represent a risk to ecological and human health through induction of anoxia and release of potent toxins; both conditions require water management to mitigate risks. Many cyanobacteria taxa may produce microcystins, a group of toxic cyclic heptapeptides. Understanding...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-08-01
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| Series: | Toxins |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/12/8/503 |
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| author | David M. Hartnell Ian J. Chapman Nick G. H. Taylor Genoveva F. Esteban Andrew D. Turner Daniel J. Franklin |
| author_facet | David M. Hartnell Ian J. Chapman Nick G. H. Taylor Genoveva F. Esteban Andrew D. Turner Daniel J. Franklin |
| author_sort | David M. Hartnell |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Freshwater cyanobacteria blooms represent a risk to ecological and human health through induction of anoxia and release of potent toxins; both conditions require water management to mitigate risks. Many cyanobacteria taxa may produce microcystins, a group of toxic cyclic heptapeptides. Understanding the relationships between the abiotic drivers of microcystins and their occurrence would assist in the implementation of targeted, cost-effective solutions to maintain safe drinking and recreational waters. Cyanobacteria and microcystins were measured by flow cytometry and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry in two interconnected reservoirs varying in age and management regimes, in southern Britain over a 12-month period. Microcystins were detected in both reservoirs, with significantly higher concentrations in the southern lake (maximum concentration >7 µg L<sup>−1</sup>). Elevated microcystin concentrations were not positively correlated with numbers of cyanobacterial cells, but multiple linear regression analysis suggested temperature and dissolved oxygen explained a significant amount of the variability in microcystin across both reservoirs. The presence of a managed fishery in one lake was associated with decreased microcystin levels, suggestive of top down control on cyanobacterial populations. This study supports the need to develop inclusive, multifactor holistic water management strategies to control cyanobacterial risks in freshwater bodies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:55:42Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2ccacbc709ad48dfbcf71e64e72b3856 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6651 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:55:42Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Toxins |
| spelling | doaj.art-2ccacbc709ad48dfbcf71e64e72b38562023-11-20T09:11:40ZengMDPI AGToxins2072-66512020-08-0112850310.3390/toxins12080503Cyanobacterial Abundance and Microcystin Profiles in Two Southern British Lakes: The Importance of Abiotic and Biotic InteractionsDavid M. Hartnell0Ian J. Chapman1Nick G. H. Taylor2Genoveva F. Esteban3Andrew D. Turner4Daniel J. Franklin5The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), The Nothe, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UKCentre for Ecology, Environment and Sustainability, Faculty of Science & Technology, Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset BH12 5BB, UKThe Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), The Nothe, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UKCentre for Ecology, Environment and Sustainability, Faculty of Science & Technology, Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset BH12 5BB, UKThe Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), The Nothe, Barrack Road, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 8UB, UKCentre for Ecology, Environment and Sustainability, Faculty of Science & Technology, Bournemouth University, Fern Barrow, Poole, Dorset BH12 5BB, UKFreshwater cyanobacteria blooms represent a risk to ecological and human health through induction of anoxia and release of potent toxins; both conditions require water management to mitigate risks. Many cyanobacteria taxa may produce microcystins, a group of toxic cyclic heptapeptides. Understanding the relationships between the abiotic drivers of microcystins and their occurrence would assist in the implementation of targeted, cost-effective solutions to maintain safe drinking and recreational waters. Cyanobacteria and microcystins were measured by flow cytometry and liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry in two interconnected reservoirs varying in age and management regimes, in southern Britain over a 12-month period. Microcystins were detected in both reservoirs, with significantly higher concentrations in the southern lake (maximum concentration >7 µg L<sup>−1</sup>). Elevated microcystin concentrations were not positively correlated with numbers of cyanobacterial cells, but multiple linear regression analysis suggested temperature and dissolved oxygen explained a significant amount of the variability in microcystin across both reservoirs. The presence of a managed fishery in one lake was associated with decreased microcystin levels, suggestive of top down control on cyanobacterial populations. This study supports the need to develop inclusive, multifactor holistic water management strategies to control cyanobacterial risks in freshwater bodies.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/12/8/503flow cytometryliquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)cyanotoxinsrisk assessmentmanagement strategiesmodelling |
| spellingShingle | David M. Hartnell Ian J. Chapman Nick G. H. Taylor Genoveva F. Esteban Andrew D. Turner Daniel J. Franklin Cyanobacterial Abundance and Microcystin Profiles in Two Southern British Lakes: The Importance of Abiotic and Biotic Interactions Toxins flow cytometry liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) cyanotoxins risk assessment management strategies modelling |
| title | Cyanobacterial Abundance and Microcystin Profiles in Two Southern British Lakes: The Importance of Abiotic and Biotic Interactions |
| title_full | Cyanobacterial Abundance and Microcystin Profiles in Two Southern British Lakes: The Importance of Abiotic and Biotic Interactions |
| title_fullStr | Cyanobacterial Abundance and Microcystin Profiles in Two Southern British Lakes: The Importance of Abiotic and Biotic Interactions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cyanobacterial Abundance and Microcystin Profiles in Two Southern British Lakes: The Importance of Abiotic and Biotic Interactions |
| title_short | Cyanobacterial Abundance and Microcystin Profiles in Two Southern British Lakes: The Importance of Abiotic and Biotic Interactions |
| title_sort | cyanobacterial abundance and microcystin profiles in two southern british lakes the importance of abiotic and biotic interactions |
| topic | flow cytometry liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) cyanotoxins risk assessment management strategies modelling |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/12/8/503 |
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