Impact of submerged macrophytes on growth and 2-MIB release risk of Pseudanabaena sp.: From field monitoringa to cultural experiments

Abstract

The off-flavor compound 2-methylisoborneol (2-MIB) is generally associated with the proliferation and metabolism of filamentous cyanobacteria in shallow freshwater ecosystems. Here field monitoring in East Taihu Lake from July to October 2021, along with cultural experiments, was conducted to determine the impact of submerged macrophytes on the growth and 2-MIB production of filamentous cyanobacteria. Pseudanabaena sp. was identified as the 2-MIB producer with the highest detection rate (100%) and correlation coefficient (R=0.68, p < 0.001). The 2-MIB concentration and algal growth in the macrophyte-dominated zones were markedly decreased compared with those in the phytoplankton-dominated zone. Five submerged macrophytes classified into flat-leaf type (Vallisneria natans and Potamogeton crispus) and thin-leaf type (Hydrilla verticillata, Ceratophyllum demersum, and Myriophyllum spicatum) exhibited strong inhibition effects against Pseudanabaena sp.: Overall inhibition efficiencies (IEs) of 92.7% ± 6.8% and 92.7% ± 8.4% for cell growth and 2-MIB production were achieved, respectively. Moreover, the thin-leaf macrophytes exhibited significant higher IEs for cell growth (94.0% vs. 84.7%) and 2-MIB production (99.4% vs. 82.6%) than the flat-leaf macrophytes and can be selected as pioneer species in controlling odor problems. Nutrient uptake, increasing water clarity, shading effects, and allelopathic effects of the submerged macrophytes were found to be the dominant inhibition mechanisms.

Keywords: 2-methylisoborneol; Filamentous cyanobacteria; Photosynthetic capacity; Shallow lakes; Submerged macrophytes.