Potential effects of Cladophora oligoclora Decomposition: Microhabitat variation and Microcystis aeruginosa growth response

Excessive proliferation of filamentous green algae (FGA) is a new ecological problem in lake systems that have not yet reached a steady state. However, knowledge on how FGA decomposition affects the physical and chemical properties of microhabitats, and whether FGA decomposition stimulates the growth of harmful microalgae in the same niche and promotes the formation of harmful algal blooms remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the decomposing effect of a typical FGA, Cladophora oligoclora, on the density and photosynthetic capacity of Microcystis aeruginosa. C. oligoclora decomposition was characterized under different conditions, namely, unshaded and aerobic, unshaded and anoxic, shaded and anaerobic, and shaded and anoxic, which represented different environmental states in the sedimentation process of decaying C. oligoclora mats from water surface to sediment. The shaded and anaerobic treatment significantly decreased the dissolved oxygen and pH of the culture medium by 66.48 % and 7.21 %, respectively, whereas the conductivity and total organic carbon increased by 71.17 and 70.19 times compared with the control group, respectively. This indicated that the decomposing C. oligoclora deposited at the bottom under dark and anaerobic conditions in natural waters had the greatest impact on the lake environment. Further, the cell density of M. aeruginosa was higher than that in the control group with low concentration (10 % of decomposing solution), whereas the cell density and photosyn-thetic activity decreased significantly at high concentration of the decomposing solution. Fatty acids and phenolic acids were identified as the main Cyanobacteria-inhibiting active substances in the organic acid com-ponents of the decomposing solution. Furthermore, phenol, 4 -methyl-and indole compounds were active organic lipophilic compounds in the residue and solution of decomposing C. oligoclora were difficult to degrade. Our findings will be valuable for understanding the succession relationships between FGA and cyanobacteria, which have the same niche in lake ecosystems.

Automated summary

This study investigated the decomposing effect of filamentous green algae Cladophora oligoclora on the density and photosynthetic capacity of Microcystis aeruginosa. The results showed that the decomposition of Cladophora oligoclora could significantly impact the water environment, especially under dark anaerobic conditions, potentially causing greater effects on lake ecosystems.