Identification and Preventative Treatment of Overwintering Cyanobacteria in Sediments: A Literature Review

Abstract

Freshwaters can experience growths of toxin-producing cyanobacteria or harmful algal blooms (HABs). HAB-producing cyanobacteria can develop akinetes, which are thick-enveloped quiescent cells akin to seeds in vascular plants or quiescent colonies that overwinter in sediment. Overwintering cells produce viable seed beds for HAB resurgences and preventative treatments may diminish HAB intensity. The purpose of this literature review was to identify (1) environmental factors triggering germination and growth of overwintering cells, (2) sampling, identification, and enumeration methods, and (3) feasibility of preventative algaecide treatments. Conditions triggering akinete germination (light 0.5 mol ms, temperature 22-27) differ from conditions triggering overwintering Microcystis growth (temperature 15-30, nutrients, mixing). Corers or dredges are used to collect surficial (0-2 cm) sediment layers containing overwintering cells. Identification and enumeration via microscopy are aided by dilution, sieving, or density separation of sediment. Grow-out studies simulate environmental conditions triggering cell growth and provide evidence of overwintering cell viability. Lines of evidence supporting algaecide efficacy for preventative treatments include (1) field studies demonstrating scalability and efficacy of algaecides against benthic algae, (2) data suggesting similar sensitivities of overwintering and planktonic Microcystis cells to a peroxide algaecide, and (3) a mesocosm study demonstrating a decrease in HAB severity following preventative treatments. This review informs data needs, monitoring techniques, and potential efficacy of algaecides for preventative treatments of overwintering cells.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 15, 2022
Accession Number
AD1177106

Entities

People

  • Alyssa J. Calomeni
  • Andrew D McQueen
  • Ciera M. Kinley-baird
  • Gerard A. Jr Clyde

Organizations

  • Engineer Research and Development Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Army Corps Of Engineers
  • Biodegradation
  • Case Studies
  • Chemistry
  • Cyanobacteria
  • Detection
  • Ecology
  • Ecotoxicology
  • Engineers
  • Environmental Pollution
  • Environmental Protection
  • Light Sources
  • Literature Surveys
  • Microbiology
  • Microscopy
  • Monitoring
  • Particle Size
  • Particles
  • Phytoplankton
  • Sampling
  • Water Quality

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Neurotrauma and Rehabilitation Medicine.