Phosphorus addition reverses the positive effect of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on the toxic cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa

Title
Phosphorus addition reverses the positive effect of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on the toxic cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa
Publication Type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2012
Authors

Sarnelle O, White JD, Horst GP, Hamilton SK

Journal
Water Research
Volume
46
Pagination
3471-3478
ISBN Number
0043-1354
Keywords

Microcystis, cyanobacteria, phosphorus, Dreissena polymorpha, eutrophication, Harmful algal bloom, HAB, grazing, Zebra mussel, blue-green-algae, low-nutrient lakes, hudson river, relative biomass, filtration-rate, great-lakes, new-york, phytoplankton, dominance, invasion, freshwater, California, USA, 25m3

Abstract

We tested the hypothesis that zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) have positive effects on the toxin-producing cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa, at low phosphorus (P) concentrations, but negative effects on M. aeruginosa at high P, with a large-scale enclosure experiment in an oligotrophic lake. After three weeks, mussels had a significantly positive effect on M. aeruginosa at ambient P (total phosphorus, TP similar to 10 mu g L-1), and a significantly negative effect at high P (simulating a TP of similar to 40 mu g L-1 in lakes). Positive and negative effects were strong and very similar in magnitude. Thus, we were able to ameliorate a negative effect of Dreissena invasion on water quality (i.e., promotion of Microcystis) by adding P to water from an oligotrophic lake. Our results are congruent with many field observations of Microcystis response to Dreissena invasion across ecosystems of varying P availability. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Date of Published
Jul
Accession Number
WOS:000304850600003
Type of Article
Article
Alternate Journal
Water Res.