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Understanding the effect of salinity tolerance on cyanobacteria associated with a harmful algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee, Florida

Scientific Investigations Report 2018-5092
Prepared in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
By: , , , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20185092

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  • Document: Report (3.87 MB pdf)
  • Data Releases:
    • USGS data release - Velocity test data for assessing the effect of salinity tolerance on cyanobacteria associated with a harmful algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee, Florida, July 10 to 13, 2017
    • USGS data release - Microcystin, chlorophyll, and cell-count data for assessing the effect of salinity tolerance on cyanobacteria associated with a harmful algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee, Florida, July 9 to 17, 2017
    • USGS data release - Velocity test data for assessing the effect of salinity tolerance on cyanobacteria associated with a harmful algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee, Florida, July 10 to 13, 2017
  • Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core

Abstract

In an effort to simulate the survival of cyanobacteria as
they are transported from Lake Okeechobee to the estuarine
habitats that receive waters from the lake, a bioassay
encompassing a range of salinities was performed. An overall
decline in cyanobacteria health in salinity treatments greater
than 18 practical salinity units (psu) was indicated by loss of
cell membrane integrity based on SYTOX® Green staining,
but this loss varied by the kind of cyanobacteria present.
Microcystis aeruginosa was tolerant of salinities up to 18 psu;
however, higher salinities caused leaking of microcystin from
the cells. Dolichospermum circinale, another common bloomformer
in this system, did not tolerate salinities greater than
7.5 psu. Stimulation of mucilage production was observed and
is likely a mechanism used by both species to protect organism
viability. At 7.5 psu, microcystin increased relative to
chlorophyll-a, providing some evidence of biosynthesis when
M. aeruginosa is exposed to this salinity. This study indicates
that as freshwater cyanobacteria are transported to brackish
and marine waters, there will be a loss of membrane integrity
which will lead to the release of cellular microcystin into the
surrounding waterbody. Additional research would be needed
to determine the exact effect of salinity on this relationship.

Suggested Citation

Rosen, B.H., Loftin, K.A., Graham, J.L., Stahlhut, K.N., Riley, J.M., Johnston, B.D., and Senegal, S., 2018, Understanding the effect of salinity tolerance on cyanobacteria associated with a harmful algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee, Florida: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2018–5092, 32 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20185092.

ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)

ISSN: 2328-031X (print)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Acknowledgments
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Summary and Conclusions
  • References
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Understanding the effect of salinity tolerance on cyanobacteria associated with a harmful algal bloom in Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Series title Scientific Investigations Report
Series number 2018-5092
ISBN 978-1-4113-4247-7
DOI 10.3133/sir20185092
Year Published 2018
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Southeast Regional Director's Office
Description Report: viii, 32 p.; Data releases
Country United States
State Florida
Other Geospatial Lake Okeechobee
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details