Dynamics of Blue-Green Algal ('Microcystis aeruginosa') Blooms in the Lower Neuse River, North Carolina: Causative Factors and Potential Controls

摘要

The physiological ecology of nuisance blue-green algal blooms to environmental features of the lower Neuse River in North Carolina. Both field and laboratory monitoring efforts and experiments were carried out on a continuous basis from 1981 until 1986 in order to assess the linkage between periodicity and magnitudes of nutrient inputs (loadings) as well as amenable physical conditions. Responsible for bloom development and persistence during hydrologically diverse years. Variable hydrological conditions, particularly evident as wet vs. dry spring-summer months, played a crucial role in determining bloom potentials in respective years. Both adequate nutrient (specifically nitrogen) loading during wet spring months as well as subsequent low discharge (low flushing) conditions in summer-fall months played joint roles in dictating the magnitudes and persistence of blooms. Excessive phosphorus loadings should also be reduced by at least 50% as part of a long-term management strategy for the lower Neuse River.