"A. M. Trimbee was supported while doing this work by a grant from Alberta Environment Research Trust and the work was supported by an operating grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and a contract from the Research Management Division of Alberta Environment to E. E. Prepas."https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03680770.1987.1189792

Prepas, E. E.

Trimbee, A. M.

SIL Proceedings 1922-2010

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Verh. Internat. Verein. LirnnoL 23 220-226 Stuttgart, Januar 1988 The effect of oxygen depletion on the timing and magnitude of blue-green algal blooms A. M. TRIMBEE and E. E. PREPAS With 2 figures and 2 tables in the text Introduction In lakes, blue-green may form surface scums, produce unpleasant tastes and odors, and are an unsatisfactory food source for many organisms higher in the trophic structure (REYNOLDS & W ALSBY 1975, KEATING 1978, IioRNE 1979). Hypotheses to explain the success of blue-green algae in-clude: 1) the excretion of organic compounds that suppress growth of other algae (MURPHY et al. 1976, KEATING 1978), 2) the minimization of mortality through an immunity to grazing by zoo-plankton (PORTER 1973, KALFF & KNOECHEL 1978) and 3) superior uptake kinetics for inorganic car-bon (KING 1970, SHAPIRO 1973, 1984). More recently, the competitive advantage of blue-green algae under conditions of nitrogen limitation (FLETT et al. 1980, SCHINDLER 1977, SMITH 1983, 1986) has been emphasized. However, TruMBEE & PREPAS (1987) have shown that for many lakes, total phos-phorus (TP) may be as good or a better indicator of the relative biomass of blue-green algae than total nitrogen (TN) or TN: TP ratios. Variance in TP accounted for 63 % of the variance in the rel-ative biomass of blue-green algae. A substantial portion of the variance (37 %) in the relative bio-mass of blue-green algae is still unaccounted for. To understand the factors controlling maximum blue-green algal biomass, we focused on pro-cesses leading up to the bloom rather than the bloom itself. Recruitment can be very important for blue-green algal blooms in comparison to other algal blooms (TRIMBEE & HARRIS 1984). With the possible exception of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (LYNCH & SHAPIRO 1981, TruMBEE & HARRIS 1984), the recruitment of benthic overwintering colonies or filaments of blue-green algae, is enhanced by anoxic conditions over lake sediments (REYNOLDS et al. 1981, TruMBEE & HARRIS 1984). Anoxic con-ditions should favor the development of blue-green algal blooms. In addition, anoxic conditions over lake sediments may results in increased TP concentrations in the hypolimnion (PREPAS & VICKERY 1984). When lake mixing occurs, this accumulated TP is transferred to the epilimnion (R1LEY & PREPAS 1984) and promotes algal growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the timing and extent of oxygen depletion over lake sediments could serve as predictors of the tim-ing and magnitude of summer blue-green algal blooms in freshwater North temperate lakes. Data on the extent of oxygen depletion over lake sediments, mean depth, trophogenic total phosphorus and the relative biomass of blue-green algae were collected from thirty-nine lakes. Materials and methods Information on spring and summer (May to September) euphoric or epilimnetic blue-green algal biomass and total phytoplankton biomass or the relative biomass of blue-green algae, total phos-phorus (TP), mean depth (z) and depth to 20 % dissolved oxygen saturation in rhe deepest part of the lake were obtained from twenty-two Canadian lakes, 16, 3, and 3 in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario; six American lakes, 5 in New York State, 1 in Wisconsin; and four Swedish lakes. Data for the Alberta lakes were obtained from R. S. ANDERSON, D. BELIVEAU, A. FuRNELL and P. MITCHELL unpublished data, Alberta Environment; A. TRIMBEE and E. E. PREPAS unpublished data and from PREPAS & TREW (1983) and TREW et al. (1981). These lakes were sampled from 5 to 11 times over the spring and summer. Data for the Saskatchewan lakes were obtained from TREW (1985; unpublished data, Alberta Environment). These lakes were sampled only once in early August 1984. Data for the Ontario lakes were obtained from NALEWAJKO et al. (1981), TRIMBEE(1983; unpublished) and CHRIS· TIE (1974). Data for the New York lakes were obtained from ScHAFFER & OGLESBY (1978), BAN-0368-0770/88/0023-0220 $ 1.75 1988 E. Schweizerbart'sd1e Verlagsbuchhandlung, D-7000 Stuttgart I A. M. Trimbee & E. E. Prepas, Oxygen depletion 221 NISTER & BuBECK (1978), HARR et al. (1978) and AuLENBACH et al. (1978). Data for the Wisconsin lake were from BROCK (1986) and for the Swedish lakes were from CovENEY et al. (1977), ENELL (1980) and WILLEN (1975). We calculated an index of the relative potential for blue-green algal recruitment from lake sed-iments based on the assumptions that: I. as lake mean depth increase, the relative proportion of lake sediment area to volume decreases. The recruitment of blue-green algae should therefore decrease as lake mean depth increases. 2. as the proportion of lake sediments overlain by oxic water increases, the recruitment of blue-green algae should decrease. To estimate the proportion of lake sediments in contact with oxic water, the depth to low dissolved oxygen levels (ie < 20 % dissolved oxygen saturation or < 2 mg · 1- 1 0 2) was divided by the maximum lake depth. We used 2 mg · 1·- 1 0 2 to represent an-oxic conditions because lower dissolved oxygen levels could not be accurately measured with the meters used to collect the data. These two assumptions were combined to yield an index (OXYD, m) of the relative potential for recruitment of blue-green algae: OXYD = proportion of sediments overlain by oxic water* z (1) We predicted that recruitment and therefore the relative biomass of blue-green algae would be in-versely correlated to the average OXYD. To approximate a normal distribution, the relative blue-green algal biomass was transformed: BG Index In [%BG/(100-%BG)], (2) where %BG is the percent of the total phytoplankton biomass made up to blue-green algae. BG index can range from -4.595 (%BG 1) to 4.595 (%BG= 99). OXYD values were transformed to log10 to stabilize the variance, linearize the data and to improve the distribution. Results We evaluated whether our index of the potential for blue-green algal recruitment from lake sediments could be used to predict the relative biomass of blue-green algae. A significant correlation was observed between the average May to September OXYD and the relative biomass of blue-green algae (r = -0.57, p < 0.001) (Fig. 1). A significant correlation was also observed between z and the relative biomass of blue-green algae (r = -0.58, p <0.001). In thirteen of the thirty-nine lakes examined, the lake sediments were always overlain by well oxygenated water and the average OXYD was equal to z (Table 1). In four of these lakes, z was < 5 m. In these shallow lakes, which may mix intermittently, it is pos-sible that anoxic conditions developed over lake sediments but they were missed due to the sampling interval. In the other twenty-six lakes examined, oxygen depletion over lake sediments was observed and therefore the average OXYD was <z (Table2). In these lakes, three patterns were observed: 1. Blue-green algal biomass increased as OXYD decreased: even though trophogenic total phosphorus (TP) did not increase until after maximum blue-green algal biomass occurred. This pattern was observed in highly stratified lakes such as Ethel Lake, Al-berta (Fig. 2) or lakes where TP levels did not increase in the hypolimnion in response to oxygen depletion over lake sediments (e.g. Guelph Lake, Ontario). We defined a TP increase as a 20% elevation over June levels. 2. Blue-green algal biomass increased as OXYD decreased prior to an increase in TP in the trophogenic zone. Increased TP levels in the trophogenic zone occurred at or prior to the date that the maximum blue-green algal biomass was observed. 3. Blue-green algal biomass increased coincident with a decrease in OXYD and an in-crease in TP in the trophogenic zone. 222 III. Lakes. 1. North America 4.0 3.0 • !!."39 • r.•0.60 2.0 • • • 1.0 • • • x LU 0 0 ~ • • • • .. C> ID -1.0 • • • • • • • • • • • .. • • • -2.0 • • -3.0 • -4.0 • • -5.0 o.5 1.0 1.5 log OXYD Fig. 1. Relation between the average May to September relative potential for blue-green algal re-cruitment from lake sediments (OXYD, m) and the average relative blue-green algal biomass (BG Index). Table 1. Study lakes with no evidence for oxygen depletion over lake sediments in the deepest part of the lake in summer. Mean depth (z) and average relative biomass of blue-green algae(% BG) are indicated. ··--···--··--··--··--··---Lake Year Location %BG z Lepine 84 Sask., CAN 1 4.2 Nakamun 83 Alta., CAN 72 4.5 Isle 83 Alta., CAN 55 4.5 Gull 83 Alta., CAN 21 4.9 Hjalmaren 72 Sweden 43 6.1 Malaren 72 Sweden 23 13.0 Hemlock 73 N.Y., USA 11 13.6 Pierce 84 Sask., CAN 22 22.8 Owasco 84 N.Y., USA 18 29.3 Vanern 72 Sweden l 27.0 Vattern 72 Sweden 1 39.0 Skaneateles 73 USA 4 43.5 The onset of oxygen depletion over lake sediments, with or without a concomitant phosphorus release into the trophogenic zone triggered the development of blue-green algae in lake phytoplankton. The relative biomass of blue-green algae was very high (x 65 °/o) in lakes where oxygen depletion resulted in almost immediate increases in trophogenic TP (Group3, Table2). Maximum blue-green algal biomass occurred from 1 A. M. Trimbee & E. E. Prepas, Oxygen depletion 223 Table 2. Study lakes where oxygen depletion occurred over lake sediments in the deepest part of the lake in the summer. OXYD refers to the average depth to < 20 % dissolved oxygen saturation or < 2 mg· I- 1 0 2 divided by the maximum depth multiplied by mean depth (z). %BG is the average relative blue-green algal biomass. LAG is the length of rime between the date that the average OXYD was reached and the date that the maximum blue-green algal biomass was observed. For la-kes in group 1, blue-green algal biomass increased as OXYD decreased: trophogenic total phospho-rus (TP) levels remained unchanged. For lakes in group 2, blue-green algal biomass increased as OXYD decreased prior to an increase in trophogenic TP. For lakes in group 3, blue-green algal bio-mass increased coincident with a decrease in OXYD and an increase in trophogenic TP. Lake Year Location %BG z (m) OXYD LAG a) Group 1 Amisk 84 Alta., CAN 35 10.7 6.6 4 Bysjon 75 Sweden 94 3.6 2.3 4 Ethel 81 Alta., CAN 38 6.6 2.3 10 Ethel 82 Alta., CAN 16 6.6 3.3 10 Ethel 83 Alta., CAN 23 6.6 3.3 ~9 Guelph 81 Ont., CAN 70 4.1 3.4 12 Island S. 83 Alta., CAN 18 5.2 3.9 11 Lake-on-the-mountain 70 Ont., CAN 67 10.0 7.6 4,7 Mendota 78 Wisc., USA 57 12.4 7.7 8 Mendota 80 Wisc., USA 65 12.4 8.1 1,4 Mendota 81 Wisc., USA 41 12.4 8.1 6 b) Group 2 Battle 83 Alta., CAN 38 5.5 5.4 5 Baptiste S. 83 Alta., CAN 51 12.7 8.4 7 c) Group 3 Baptiste N. 83 Alta., CAN 24 5.9 4.1 8 Buck 83 Alta., CAN 57 6.2 5.8 7 Heart 73 Ont., CAN 93 4.5 3.8 8 LaBiche 79 Alta., CAN 81 8.4 8.0 7 LaNonne 79 Alta., CAN 71 7.6 5.2 ~10 Nakarnun 79 Alta., CAN 87 4.5 3.8 2: 15 Pine 79 Alta., CAN 26 6.0 5.2 2: 10 Tucker 81 Alta., CAN 88 2.9 2.7 3 Wizard 79 Alta., CAN 55 5.0 3.7 7 d) Unclassified lakes (no seasonal TP data or !l < 5) Canadarago 68 N.Y., USA 54 10.0 7.8 Des Isles 84 Sask., CAN 12 14.1 10.6 Hilda 81 Alta., CAN 34 6.2 2.8 Irondequoit B. 71 N.Y., USA 56 6.8 3.0 4 72 USA 37 8.0 4.4 8 to 15 weeks after the date that OXYD reached the average May to September value (Table2). In some cases, the time lag is a minimum value, since it was not known wheth-er blue-green algal biomass had peaked by the last sample date. Discussion Aeration of the hypolimnion or destratification of the water column to decrease blue-green algal blooms has been suggested and tried with variable success many times (e.g., NICHOLLS et al. 1980, HORNE 1979). The rationale has usually been to neutralize the buoyancy advantage of blue-green algae in stable water columns, to increase C02 or to 224 Ill. Lakes. L North America ETHEL 1981 4.0-r---.-----------.... 1.0 ~5 -i4 .s gi3 0 ~2 ~ I (l) 0 30\ I I I I I I 20 1--~- ...... M J M J J A s Fig. 2. Seasonal pattern of the relative pot-ential for blue-green algal recruitment from lake sediments (OXYD, m), trophogenic total phosphorus (TP) and blue-green algal biomass J A s in a highly, thermally statified lake. reduce the sediment release of nutrients such as phosphorus or iron. In many cases, aera-tion is done after the bloom is already present. Our results suggest that aeration of the lake sediments should be done before blue-green algae are abundant. In some lakes, in-creases in blue-green algae were observed after the onset of oxygen depletion over lake sediments and prior to increases in total phosphorus in the trophogenic zone. While our data set is small, the significant relation between OXYD and the BG Index, suggests that the relative potential for blue-green algal recruitment, influences the relative biomass of blue-green algae. This is consistent with observations that dissolved oxygen depletion over the sediments favors the recruitment of blue-green algae. Further research is needed into the factors affecting recruitment of blue-green algae and the effect of altered recruit-ment on the eventual maximum standing crop of blue-green algae. Acknowledgements We thank D. 0. TREw, P. MrrcHELL, R. S. ANDERSON, D. BELIVEAU and A. FuRNELL (Alberta En-vironment, Pollution Control Division, Water Quality Control Branch) for the use of their unpub-lished data and P. CHAMBERS for commenting on a draft of this manuscript. A. M. TRIMBEE was sup-ported while doing this work by a grant from Alberta Environment Research Trust and the work was supported by an operating grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council and a contract from the Research Management Division of Alberta Environment to E. E. PREPAS. References AuLENllACH, D. B., CLESCERI, N. L. & FERRIS, J. J., 1978: Limnology of Saratoga Lake. In: J. A. BLOOMFIELD (ed.) Lakes of New York State. Vol. III: Ecology of the Lakes of East-Central New York: 265-390. Academic Press. A. M. Trimbee & E. E. Prepas, Oxygen depletion 225 BANNISTER, T. T. & BlIBECK, R. C., 1978: Limnology of Irondequoit Bay, Monroe county, New York. - In: J. A. BLOOMFIELD (ed.) Lakes of New York State. Vol. II: Ecology of the Lakes of Western New York: 106-223. Academic Press. BROCK, T. D., 1986: A eutrophic lake, Lake Mendota, Wisconsin. -Ecological Studies 55, Springer-Verlag. CHRISTIE, A. E., 1974: Nutrient enrichment studies in a marl lake: Lake-on-the-mountain, Prince Edward County. - Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Research Report W 48. CovENEY, M. F., CRONRERG, G., ENELL, M., LARSSON, K. & OLOFSON, L., 1977: Phytoplankton, zoo-plankton and bacteria-standing crop and production relationships in a eutrophic lake. -Oikos 29: 5-21. ENELL, M., 1980: The phosphorus economy of a small lake in Scania, South Sweden. - Ph. D. thesis. Institute of Limnology, Univ. of Lund. FLETT, R. J., SCHINDLER, D. W., HAMILTON, R. D. & CAMPBELL, N. E. R., 1980: Nitrogen fixation in Canadian Precambrian Shield lakes. - Can.]. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 37: 494-505. HARR, T. E., FuHs, G. W., GREEN, D. M., HETLING, L. J., SMITH, S. B. & ALLEN, S. P., 1978: Limno-logy of Canadarago Lake. - In: J. A. BLOOMFIELD (ed.) Lakes of New York State. Vol. III. Ecol-ogy of the Lakes of East-Central New York: 130-265. Academic Press. HoRNE, A. J., 1979: Management of lakes containing N1 fixing blue-green algae. -Arch. Hydrobial. Beih. Ergebn. Limnol. 13: 133-144. KALFF, J. & KNOECHEL, R., 1978: Phytoplankton and their dynamics in oligotrophic and eutrophic lakes. Annu. Rev. Ecol. Syst. 9: 475-495. KEATING, K. I., 1978: Blue-green algal inhibition of diatom growth: transition from mesotrophic to eutrophic community structure. Science (Wash., DC) 199: 971-973. KING, D., 1970: The role of carbon in eutrophication. - ]. Water Pollut. Control. Fed. 42: 2035-2051. LYNCH, M. & SHAPIRO,]., 1981: Predation, enrichment and phytoplankton community structure. -Limnol. Oceanogr. 26: 86-102. MURPHY, T. P., LEAN, D. R. S. & NALEWAJKO, C., 1976: Blue-green algae: Their excretion of iron-selective chelators enables them to dominate other algae. Science (Wash., DC) 192: 900-902. 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A. & LEEDALE, F., 1981: On the annual cycle of the blue-green alga Microsystis aeriiginosa KOTZ. emend ELENKIN. - Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Land. B. 292: 419-477. RILEY, E.T. & PREPAS, E. E., 1984: Role of internal phosphorus loading in two, shallow, productive lakes in Alberta, Canada. Can.]. Fish. Aqiiat. Sci. 41: 845-855. SCHAFFER, W.R. & 0Gl.£S8Y, R. T., 1978: Limnology of eight finger lakes: Hemlock, Candice, He-meoye, Keuka, Seneca, Owasco, Skaneateles and Otisco. - In: J. A. BLOOMFIELD (ed.) Lakes of New York State. Vol. I. Ecology of the Finger Lakes: 313-470. Academic Press. SCHINDLER, D. W., 1977: Evolution of phosphorus limitation in lakes. - Science (Wash., DC) 195: 260-262. SHAPIRO, J., 1973: Blue-green algae: why they become dominant. - Science (Wash., DC) 179: 382-384. 1984: Blue-green algal dominance in lakes: the role and management significance of pH and C02 • - Int. Revue ges. Hydrobial. 69: 765-780. 15 Verh. Imcrnat. Verein. Limnol. Bd. 23 226 III. Lakes. 1. North America SMITH, V. H., 1983: Low nitrogen to phosphorus ratios favor dominance by blue-green algae in lake phytoplankton. Science (Wash., DC) 221: 669-671. 1986: Light and nutrient effects on the relative biomass of blue-green algae in lake phyto-plankton. - Can. f. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 43: 148-153. TRIMBEE, A. M., 1983: The phytoplankton dynamics of a small reservoir. - Ph.D. thesis, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario. TRIMBEE, A. M. & HARRIS, G. P., 1984: Phytoplankton dynamics of a small reservoir: use of sed-imentation traps to quantify the loss of diatoms and recruitment of summer bloom-forming blue-green algae. - J. Plankton Res. 5: 897-918. TRIMBEE, A. M. & PREPAS, E. E., 1987: Evaluation of total phosphorus as a predictor of the relative importance of blue-green algae with emphasis on Alberta lakes. - MS in press. TREW, D. 0., YoNGE, E. I. & KAMINSKI, R. P., 1981: A trophic assessment of nine lakes in the Cold Lake Region. Alberta Environment Interim Report. 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The effect of oxygen depletion on the timing and magnitude of blue-green algal blooms

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The effect of oxygen depletion on the timing and magnitude of blue-green algal blooms

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