Trace Metal Concentration in a Temperate Freshwater Reservoir Seasonally Subjected to Blooms of Toxin-Producing Cyanobacteria

In situ interactions between cyanobacteria and metals were studied at Torro reservoir (TA cent mega River, North Portugal). The metal content of water and sediments from the reservoir was monitored monthly at Marco de Canaveses (seasonally subjected to toxic blooms of Microcystis aeruginosa) and upstream at Amarante (no blooms recorded), for 16 months. During the 16 months of the study period, M. aeruginosa bloomed twice at Marco de Canaveses, firstly forming a scum, and later with colonies scattered throughout the reservoir. Metals Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb and Zn were analysed in the sediment and in the water column. Cu-binding ligands in water were also determined. When no blooms were taking place, average metal levels for water and sediment were not statistically different at both locations. Therefore, it was considered that the absence of cyanobacteria blooms at Amarante was not due to differences in metal content. When blooms were taking place at Marco de Canaveses, a significant increase of metal levels in the sediment occurred simultaneously. Sediment quality guidelines showed that during this period, Cu and Pb concentrations (32.3 and 43.2 mg kg(-1), respectively) were potentially toxic. However, quantification of the exchangeable metal fraction indicated that these metals were probably not bioavailable. Concentration of Cu-binding ligands in water was higher during the blooms, indicating that cyanobacteria are capable of changing the metal speciation in situ in a reservoir.