Impact of Cyanobacterial Metabolites on Water Quality

摘要

The project studied natural blooms and lab cultures of Microcystis aeruginosa andAphanizomenon flos-aquae which produce hepatotoxins, neurotoxins and other potential inhibitors. Cell and water extracts from blooms and lab cultures were assayed on several species of filter-feeding cladocerans of the Genus Daphnia, which normally occur with blooms of cyanobacteria. Metabolites associated with blooms of Microcystis aeruginosa and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae inhibited feeding activity in a concentration dependent manner, reduced egg production, diminished lipid reserves, and altered vertical migration behavior in Daphnia. The results show a lowered efficiency of energy conversion between the cyanobacterial procedures and primary consumers which impact higher trophic levels of the food web.