Skip to main content
Log in

Simulation of vertical position of buoyancy regulating Microcystis aeruginosa in a shallow eutrophic lake

  • Published:
Aquatic Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract:

Vertical distributions of the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa are examined in a shallow lake in relation to mixing and thermal stratification over three days. A model of buoyancy regulation by Microcystis aeruginosa, applicable for turbulent environments, is coupled with a one-dimensional hydrodynamic model. The coupled model is applied to Thomsons Lake in Western Australia to examine the relationship between buoyancy regulation and the daily stratification/destratification cycle. The vertical distribution of Microcystis aeruginosa in Thomsons Lake depends on the carbohydrate ballast dynamics and the colony size. When thermal stratification occurs, all the simulations show a similar general pattern of diurnal vertical migration of the Microcystis aeruginosa colonies. The colonies accumulate at the surface during the night and in the morning the colonies lose buoyancy, which leads to a reduction by \( \sim \) 50% in colony concentration in the top 0.2—0.3 m of the water column. Afternoon winds redistribute the population over the entire water column. When the lake is fully mixed, the vertical migration pattern of the Microcystis aeruginosa colonies may be affected, depending on the colony size and the intensity of the mixing.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Received 20 October 1999; revised manuscript accepted 7 September 2000.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Wallace, B., Bailey, M. & Hamilton, D. Simulation of vertical position of buoyancy regulating Microcystis aeruginosa in a shallow eutrophic lake. Aquat. sci. 62, 320–333 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00001338

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00001338

Navigation