Investigations of the characteristics and mode of action of an algalytic bacterium isolated from Tai Lake

An algalytic bacterium provisionally designated as TL1 was isolated from Tai Lake, a large freshwater lake in the Yangtze Delta plain on the border of the Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces and close to Wuxi city in the People's Republic of China. Strain TL1 was identified as Achromobacter sp. based on its biophysical and biochemical properties and the analysis of its 16S rRNA sequence. Microcystis aeruginosa, which is the most common toxic cyanobacterium in eutrophic freshwater, could be decomposed by strain TL1. The results showed that after inoculation with the algalytic bacterium, the content of chlorophyll-a, maximum PSII quantum yield, and maximum electron transport rates of the alga decreased sharply. At first, the algal cells enhanced the activities of some antioxidative enzymes, but subsequently, the activities of antioxidative enzymes fell sharply once damage of the algal cells was achieved. The filtrate from strain TL1 culture suspension, after autoclaving and treatments with proteinase K, strongly inhibited algal growth, indicating that the lytic metabolites were extracellular and thermostable, not a protein.

Ecological Assessment of Lentic Water Bodies of Bangalore

The restoration, conservation and management of water resources require a thorough understanding of what constitutes a healthy ecosystem. Monitoring and assessment provides the basic information on the condition of our waterbodies. The present work details the study carried out at two waterbodies, namely, the Chamarajasagar reservoir and the Madiwala Lake. The waterbodies were selected on the basis of their current use and locations. Chamarajasagar reservoir serves the purpose of supplying drinking water to Bangalore city and is located on the outskirts of the city surrounded by agricultural and forest land. On the other hand, Madiwala lake is situated in the heart of Bangalore city receiving an influx of pollutants from domestic and industrial sewage. Comparative assessment of the surface water quality of both were carried out by instituting the various physico–chemical and biological parameters. The physico-chemical analyses included temperature, transparency, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, alkalinity, total hardness, calcium hardness, magnesium hardness, nitrates, phosphates, sodium, potassium and COD measurements of the given waterbody. The analysis was done based on the standard methods prescribed (or recommended) by (APHA) and NEERI. The biological parameter included phytoplankton analysis. The detailed investigations of the parameters, which are well within the tolerance limits in Chamarajasagar reservoir, indicate that it is fairly unpolluted, except for the pH values, which indicate greater alkalinity. This may be attributed to the natural causes and the agricultural runoff from the catchment. On the contrary, the limnology of Madiwala lake is greatly influenced by the inflow of sewage that contributes significantly to the dissolved solids of the lake water, total hardness, alkalinity and a low DO level. Although, the two study areas differ in age, physiography, chemistry and type of inflows, they still maintain a phytoplankton distribution overwhelmingly dominated by Cyanophyceae members,specifically Microcystis aeruginosa. These blue green algae apparently enter the waterbodies from soil, which are known to harbour a rich diversity of blue green flora with several species common to limnoplankton, a feature reported to be unique to the south Indian lakes.Chamarajasagar water samples revealed five classes of phytoplankton, of which Cyanophyceae (92.15 percent) that dominated other algal forms comprised of one single species of Microcystis aeruginosa. The next major class of algae was Chlorophyceae (3.752 percent) followed by Dinophyceae (3.51 percent), Bacillariophyceae (0.47 percent) and a sparsely available and unidentified class (0.12 percent).Madiwala Lake phytoplankton, in addition to Cyanophyceae (26.20 percent), revealed a high density of Chlorophyceae members (73.44 percent) dominated by Scenedesmus sp.,Pediastrum sp., and Euglena sp.,which are considered to be indicators of organic pollution. The domestic and industrial sewage, which finds its way into the lake, is a factor causing organic pollution. As compared to the other classes, Euglenophyceae and Bacillariophyceae members were the lowest in number. Thus, the analysis of various parameters indicates that Chamarajasagar reservoir is relatively unpolluted except for the high percentage of Microcystis aeruginosa, and a slightly alkaline nature of water. Madiwala lake samples revealed eutrophication and high levels of pollution, which is clarified by the physico–chemical analysis, whose values are way above the tolerance limits. Also, the phytoplankton analysis in Madiwala lake reveals the dominance of Chlorophyceae members, which indicate organic pollution (sewage being the causative factor).

Assessment Method for Leaf Litters Allelopathic Effect on Cyanobacteria

A new bioassay technique combining leaf disk and softagar over-layer methods was developed to investigate the allelopathic effect of deciduous leaf litters on the growth of cyanobacteria ( Microcystis aeruginosa Kütz.). Bioactive substances exuded from leaf disks caused inhibitory plaques on the agar plate containing cyanobacteria , and the rate of diffusion depended on the specific leaf disk area. Most of the leaf litters collected around reservoirs in Japan showed inhibitory activity to M. aeruginosa , with Rhus trichocarpa Miq., Quercus variabilis Blume and Mallotus japonicus (Thunb.) Muell. Arg. being the strongest among the 22 tested species.(PDF has 4 pages.)

Characterizing a cyanobacterial bloom in western Lake Erie using satellite imagery and meteorological data

The distribution and intensity of a bloom of the toxic cyanobacterium, Microcystis aeruginosa, in western Lake Erie was characterized using a combination of satellite ocean-color imagery, field data, and meteorological observations. The bloom was first identified by satellite on 14 August 2008 and persisted for more than 2 months. The distribution and intensity of the bloom was estimated using a satellite algorithm that is sensitive to near-surface concentrations of M. aeruginosa. Increases in both area and intensity were most pronounced for wind stress less than 0.05 Pa. Area increased while intensity did not change for wind stresses of 0.05–0.1 Pa, and both decreased for wind stress greater than 0.1 Pa. The recovery in intensity at the surface after strong wind events indicated that high wind stress mixed the bloom through the water column and that it returned to the surface once mixing stopped. This interaction is consistent with the understanding of the buoyancy of these blooms. Cloud cover (reduced light) may have a weak influence on intensity during calm conditions. While water temperature remained greater than 15°C, the bloom intensified if there were calm conditions. For water temperature less than 15°C, the bloom subsided under similar conditions. As a result, wind stress needs to be considered when interpreting satellite imagery of these blooms.

The comparison of inhibitory effects of barley and rice straws to control of algae and aquatic weeds in fish ponds

Bioassays were carried out to consider the relative effect of barley and rice straw extracts on the growth of 12 problematic freshwater algae. The laboratory results demonstrated that growth of Microcystis aeruginosa; Aphanizomenon flos–aquae, Anabaena flos–aquae, Synura petersenii, and Dinobryon sertularia were all inhibited, whereas Oscillatoria tenuis, Asterionella formosa, Spirogyra sp., and Hydrodictyon reticulatum grown were stimulated by the barley straw extract. No significant effect was also found on the growth of Chlorella kessleri, Scenedesmus subspicatus, and Navicula pelliculosa.

金藻吞噬微囊藻产生的无毒变异株与产毒原始株的比较

分别从喂食三株原始产毒铜绿微囊藻Microcystis aeruginosa(AC、DS和PCC 7820)的金藻Poterioochromonassp.培养物中获得三株藻,以Nest PCR方法(引物对CC/CG和CH/CI)确定此三株藻均为微囊藻属藻株。HPLC测试结果显示这三株藻均不产生微囊藻毒素。显示Poterioochromonassp.具有将产毒微囊藻转化为无毒微囊藻的能力。比较产毒原始株与无毒变异株的生理特性发现,变异株的类胡萝卜素/叶绿素比值高于原始株;而光反应曲线结果表明,变异株的PSⅡ

滇池入湖河流大清河河口段浮游藻类格局研究

2006年7月至2007年12月对大清河3个样点的浮游藻类组成及密度、浮游叶绿素a浓度等指标进行逐月监测。共观察到浮游藻类65个分类单元,计53个属。所有样点的平均藻类密度是1.23×108 ind.L-1,最高密度为1.39×109 ind.L-1,最低密度为3.21×105 ind.L-1。铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)为绝对优势种,监测期间其平均相对丰度为92.23%。随着离湖距离的增加,浮游藻类总密度、铜绿微囊藻的百分含量明显降低,而香农-威纳(Shannon-Wien

环境因子对铜绿微囊藻7820胞外多糖的影响

研究了多种环境因子对铜绿微囊藻7820可溶性胞外多糖(extracellular polysaccharide,EPS)合成的影响.在18 d内,较高浓度的NO3-,较高的pH和光强,均显著提高了EPS的合成,其中,NO3-对EPS的合成影响最大,其最大产率为5.255μg.L-1.d-1.而KH2PO4,CaCl2,MgSO4等大量元素、以及微量元素FeCl3和EDTA对EPS的合成无明显影响;除在实验后期20℃时EPS有较大增加外,温度对其无明显影响.在各种环境因子影响下,EPS产量均随时间延长而增加

三种水华蓝藻对不同磷浓度生理响应的比较研究

本实验研究了铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa FACHB469)、水华鱼腥藻(Anabaena flos-aquae FACHB245)和浮游颤藻(Oscillatoria planctonicaFACHB708)对磷浓度变化的生理响应。结果表明,在缺磷条件下,A. flos-aquae对低磷环境的适应能力较强,O. planctonica其次,M. aeruginosa最差;在磷充足条件,微囊藻对磷过量吸收的能力明显高于其他两种蓝藻。三种蓝藻胞外碱性磷酸酶活性(APA)与培养基中

二种淡水微囊藻rDNA16S-235基因间隔区的序列测定与分析

本研究采用ＰＣＲ及序列测定的方法，对我国淡水铜绿微囊藻有毒株（Ｍ８６４１）和另一低毒的种类惠氏微囊藻（Ｍ５７４）ｒＤＮＡ１６Ｓ－２３Ｓ基因间隔区进行了序列的测定和分析，结果表明：ｒＤＮＡ１６Ｓ－２３Ｓ基因间隔区可以作为一个精细且稳定的指标，用于微囊藻的分类和鉴定。并从分子水平提出了铜绿微囊藻与惠氏微囊藻在种系发生上有较近缘的关系。本文首次对微囊藻属Ｍｉｃｒｏｃｙｓｔｉｓ　ｒＤＮＡ基因间隔区全序列作了报道，为微囊藻属的鉴定及系统学研究提供了分子基础。

铜绿微囊藻毒株M.8641的毒素

M.8641是从武汉东湖分离培养的一株有毒的铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa),它产生两种环状短肽肝毒素。经凝胶过滤及HPLC等过程纯化,Waters Pico Tag系统测定,其主毒素(毒素Ⅰ)的氨基酸组成为:Glu(1),β-Masp(1),Ala(Ⅰ),Arg(2),Mdha(1),FAB-MS和MS/MS测定分子量为m/z1038,元素组成为C_(49)H_(76)O_(12)N_(13)。毒素Ⅱ的氨基酸组成,除一分子Arg为Leu取代外,其余与毒素Ⅰ相同,分子量m/z 9

中国新记录蓝藻——绿色微囊藻及其毒性的初步研究

<正> 蓝藻植物中的微囊藻属(Microcystis),是存在于湖泊、池塘、水库等环境中普生性藻类,其中一些种类能产生毒素。到目前为止,对铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)及其它的毒性研究国内外都进行了大量的工作;但对绿色微囊藻(Microcystis viridis)的形态描述、生态特性及

铜绿微囊藻的某些生长特性及毒性的研究

<正> 藻类毒素的研究随着有毒藻类对人类的危害加剧,越来越受到各国的重视和深入研究。铜绿微囊藻(Microcystis aeruginosa)是世界许多地方报到最多的有毒藻类,对导致其毒素产生的因子及产毒机理的研究,几十年来在温度、pH值、生长年龄、光照强度、质粒、伪空胞与铜绿微囊藻毒性关系做了大量工作,但是对营养元素

Mechanism study on the frequent variations of cell-bound microcystins in cyanobacterial blooms in Lake Taihu: Implications for water quality monitoring and assessments

Although Microcystis-based toxins have been intensively studied, previous studies using laboratory cultures of Microcystis strains are difficult to explain the phenomenon that microcystin concentrations and toxin variants in natural blooms differ widely and frequently within a short-term period. The present study was designed to unravel the mechanisms for the frequent variations of intracellular toxins related to the differences in cyanobacterial colonies during bloom seasons in Lake Taihu, China. Monitoring of Microcystis colonies during warm seasons indicated that the variations in microcystins in both concentrations and toxin species were associated with the frequent alteration of Microcystis colonies in Lake Taihu. High concentration of microcystins in the blooms was always associated with two Microcystis colonies, Microcystis flos-aquae and Microcystis aeruginosa, whereas when Microcystis wesenbergii was the dominant colonial type, the toxin production of the blooms was low. Additionally, environmental factors such as temperature and nutrition were also shown to have an effect on the toxin production of the blooms, and may also potentially influence the Microcystis species present. The results of the present study provides insight into a new consideration for quick water quality monitoring, assessment and risk alert in cyanobacterium- and toxin-contaminated freshwaters, which will be beneficial not only for water agencies but also for public health. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Microcystin-RR induces physiological stress and cell death in the cyanobacterium Aphanizomenon sp DC01 isolated from Lake Dianchi, China

The phytoplankton community in Lake Dianchi (Yunnan Province, Southwestern China) is dominated in April by a bloom of Aphanizomenon, that disappears Suddenly and is displaced by a Microcystis bloom in May. The reasons for the rapid bloom disappearance phenomenon and the temporal variability in the composition of phytoplankton assemblages are poorly understood. Cell growth, ultrastructure and physiological changes were examined in cultures of Aphanizomenon sp. DC01 isolated from Lake Dianchi exposed to different closes of rnicrocystin-RR (MC-RR) produced by the Microcystis bloom. MC-RR concentrations above 100 mu g L-1 markedly inhibited the pigment (chlorophyll-a, phycocyanin) synthesis and caused an increase of soluble carbohydrate and protein contents and nitrate reductase activity of toxin-treated blue-green algae. A drastic. reduction in photochemical efficiency of PSII (Fv/Fm) was also found. Morphological examinationn showed that the Aphanizomenon filaments disintegrated and file cells lysed gradually after 48 h Of toxin exposure. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that cellular inclusions of stressed cells almost leaked out completely and the cell membranes were grossly damaged. These findings demonstrate the allelopathic activity of Microcystis aeruginosa inducing physiological stress and cell death of Aphanizomenon sp. DC01 Although the active concentrations of microcystin were rather high, we propose that microcystin may function as allelopathic Substance due to inhomogeneous toxin concentrations close to Microcystis cells. Hence, it may play a role in species Succession of Aphanizomenon and Microcystis in Lake Dianchi.