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Investigations of the temporal variation of cyanobacterial and other phytoplanktonic cells at the offtake of a large reservoir, and their survival following passage through it

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Abstract

The survival and subsequent growth potential of Anabaena spp. and other filamentous cyanobacteria and the cells of Aulacoseira spp. (diatom) and Ceratium hirundinella (dinoflagellate) following passage through the Multi Level Inlet Tower (MLIT) and offtake works at Chaffey Reservoir in New South Wales, Australia was investigated in late summer. The study aimed to test whether the phytoplankton cells were destroyed or otherwise rendered less viable during passage through the outlet works. The reservoir was strongly thermally stratified with a shallow surface mixed layer, which contributed to considerable temporal variability in the numbers of phytoplankton cells present immediately opposite the intake portal of the outlet works. To compensate, considerable replicate sampling was undertaken both upstream and downstream of the MLIT. Results indicate limited destruction of cyanobacteria, with fewer cells present immediately downstream compared to upstream. Greater destruction of cells was indicated at lower mean daily discharge rates compared to higher discharge rates. Filament lengths of both cyanobacteria and Aulacoseira were also reduced during passage. There was no apparent reduction in Ceratium cell number. Laboratory incubation studies on surviving cells collected downstream indicated no impairment on the viability of any taxa. Calculations of rates-of-strain likely to be experienced by the phytoplankton as they transited through the offtake revealed very high stress being applied to the filaments and cells at the valve, and within the spillway sections of the works. These were several orders of magnitude greater than published values shown to disrupt cells and filaments, and to impair viability for subsequent growth in laboratory studies. However, exposure times to the high rates-of-strain at Chaffey Reservoir were brief, which may reduce the impacts of the high turbulence. The conclusions were that unless cyanobacterial cell destruction during passage through an outlet works can be shown to be more effective at larger reservoirs, the withdrawal of warm, cyanobacterial infested waters from close to the surface is unlikely to provide an acceptable management action for the prevention of cold water pollution downstream.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the State Water Corporation staff at Chaffey Reservoir (Greg Walker, Nick Burr and Paul Guihot) for their assistance during the conduct of the experiment. Richard Gardiner (DECC) provided field assistance and Hugh Jones (DNR) statistical assistance. Algal counts were undertaken by Derek Cannon (Phyto-ID). We thank Gillian Dunkerley, Gavin Doyle and Tim Pritchard (DECC) and Russell Preece (DNR) for useful discussion. We thank Rod Oliver (MDFRC) and Simon Mitrovic (DWE) for providing critical review on an early draft of the manuscript. The views and conclusions of the article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official policies, either expressed or implied, by the respective organisation.

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  1. Brian Sanderson

    Present address: , 15 Beckwith Street, Wolfville, NS, Canada, B4P 1R3

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW, PO Box A290, Sydney South, NSW, 1232, Australia

    Timothy Ingleton, Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Brian Sanderson & Ronald Patra

  2. Institute for Water and Environmental Resource Management and Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, PO Box 123, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia

    Catriona M. O. Macinnis-Ng

  3. State Water Corporation, PO Box 3720, Parramatta, NSW, 2124, Australia

    Bruce Hindmarsh

  4. Aquatic Sciences Unit, Department of Water and Energy, PO Box 3720, Parramatta, NSW, 2124, Australia

    Lee Clifford Bowling

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  1. Timothy Ingleton
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Correspondence to Lee Clifford Bowling.

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Ingleton, T., Kobayashi, T., Sanderson, B. et al. Investigations of the temporal variation of cyanobacterial and other phytoplanktonic cells at the offtake of a large reservoir, and their survival following passage through it. Hydrobiologia 603, 221–240 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-007-9274-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-007-9274-z

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