Cyanobacteria species dominance and diversity in three Australian drinking water reservoirs

The objective of this study was to identify correlations between environmental variables and cyanobacterial diversity, succession and dominance in three Australian water supply reservoirs. We assessed up to 15 years of in-lake water quality monitoring data from Lake Wivenhoe and Lake Tingalpa (Queensland), and Lake Myponga (South Australia). Lakes Wivenhoe and Tingalpa, subject to a subtropical climate, had higher cyanobacterial richness than Lake Myponga in temperate South Australia. Richness in the subtropical lakes was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with total cyanobacteria biomass, and cyanobacteria biovolume > 0.03 mm(3)/l (Alert level 1; World Health Organization) was often composed of multiple cyanobacteria species. Peaks in total cyanobacteria biomass and diversity occurred in all three lakes from late spring to early autumn. Unicellular picocyanobacterial dominance was negatively correlated (P < 0.05) with total nitrogen while dominance of colonial and filamentous species with larger cells (e.g. Microcystis spp., Raphidiopsis spp., Dolichospermum circinale) was positively correlated (P < 0.05) with total phosphorus. Among the species with larger cells, diazotrophic D. circinale often dominated when total nitrogen was at low concentrations. Our results support decision making for selecting cyanoHAB control strategies based on single- or multi-species dominance and reinforce that new monitoring technologies could support species-level assessments.

Automated summary

This study identifies correlations between environmental variables and cyanobacterial diversity, succession, and dominance in three Australian water supply reservoirs. The findings show that subtropical lakes have higher cyanobacterial richness compared to temperate lakes. The study also highlights the importance of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in determining the dominance of different cyanobacterial species. The results provide valuable insights for decision making and underscore the potential of new monitoring technologies for species-level assessments.