Nuisance phytoplankton blooms in coastal, estuarine, and inland waters1

• DOI: 10.4319/lo.1988.33.4part2.0823
• Publication Date: 2016-08-09T02:24:42Z
• Authors: Hans W. Paerl
• Keywords: Bloom; Fish kill

Multiple interacting physical, chemical, and biotic factors, in proper combination, lead to the development persistence of nuisance algal blooms. Upon examining combinations environmental conditions most likely elicit blooms, commonalities analog situations become more apparent among coastal marine (dinoflagellate‐dominated), estuarine (dinoflagellate‐ cyanobacteria‐dominated), freshwater (cyanobacteria‐dominated) ecosystems. A combination following hydrological, factors will bloom‐sensitive waters: a horizontally distinct water mass; vertically stratified column; warm weather conditions, as typified by dry monsoon tropical climates summer seasons temperate zones; high incident photosynthetically active radiation (PAR); enhanced allochthonous organic matter loading (both DOC POC); inorganic nutrient (nitrogen and/or phosphorus); adequate availability essential metals, supplied terrigenous inputs or upwelling; underlying sediments physically nutritionally suitable “seed beds” for resting cysts akinetes; algal‐bacterial synergism, which exhibits positive impacts on phycosphere cycling; algal‐micrograzer (protists rotifers) also enhances cycling without consumption filamentous colonial taxa; selective (for non‐nuisance taxa) activities macrograzers (crustacean zooplankton, larval fish). Nuisance bloom taxa share numerous additional physiological ecological characteristics, including limited heterotrophic capabilities, degrees motility, toxicity. Given such set commonalities, it would appear useful timely identify address generally applicable criteria deeming body “bloom sensitive” incorporate into design quality management strategies both habitats.