Article
Environmental Sciences
Eugin Bornman, Daniel A. Lemley, Janine B. Adams, Nadine A. Strydom
Summary: Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have a negative impact on the abundance of the estuarine-dependent fish species Mugil cephalus in Sundays Estuary. The presence of HAB species Heterosigma akashiwo alters the dissolved oxygen levels in the estuary, resulting in unfavorable conditions for the fish. The study suggests that unsustainable agricultural fertilization could lead to more severe and frequent HABs, causing a decline in fish nursery quality.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anqiang Yang, Richard G. J. Bellerby, Yanna Wang, Xiaoshuang Li
Summary: The study revealed that the growth of Heterosigma akashiwo varied under different phosphate and nitrate concentrations, with phosphate concentration having a greater impact on total growth. The cellular nitrogen-to-phosphorus ratio was influenced by the initial N:P ratio and allocation strategy. These findings provide valuable insights for coastal water management and marine ecological management.
Review
Oceanography
Nina Nemcek, Melissa Hennekes, Akash Sastri, R. Ian Perry
Summary: A chemotaxonomic approach using HPLC was used to study the phytoplankton composition in the Salish Sea. This method provided a more comprehensive view of the phytoplankton community compared to microscopy. The study identified nine taxonomic groups and four phytoplankton functional types, and found significant seasonal and interannual variations in phytoplankton composition. The findings contribute to our understanding of the dynamics and spatial distribution of phytoplankton in the Salish Sea.
PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Taryn Smit, Daniel A. Lemley, Janine B. Adams, Nadine A. Strydom
Summary: This study conducted in a warm-temperate South African estuary reveals that harmful algal blooms can alter the population dynamics of dominant larval fish and zooplankton species, particularly during bloom phases where there is a mismatch between prey and predator densities. The impacts of recurrent harmful algal blooms on estuarine ecosystem function are highlighted, emphasizing the importance of understanding the fine-scale consequences of these events in a future of intensifying eutrophication.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xuanyue Li, Zehong Lin, Meiyi Yuan, Ling Zhao, Pinghe Yin
Summary: In this study, the effect of extracellular algicidal compounds (EACs) on the harmful algal species Heterosigma akashiwo (H. akashiwo) was investigated using a combination of metabolomics and physiological analyses. The results showed that the EACs caused excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the algal cells, leading to stress responses and eventually cell death. These findings provide insights into the underlying mechanism of the algicidal process and the application of metabolomics in algal research.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Taryn Smit, Daniel Alan Lemley, Eugin Bornman, Janine Barbara Adams, Nadine Amelia Strydom
Summary: Eutrophication and harmful algal blooms (HABs) are increasing globally and pose a threat to larval fishes that rely on estuarine nursery habitats. This study investigated the effects of HABs on the environmental conditions and larval fish assemblage in a warm temperate nursery area. Findings suggest that HABs have negative impacts on the environmental conditions and larval fish assemblage, which have important implications for the early development of fishes.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Taryn Smit, Catriona Clemmesen, Daniel A. Lemley, Janine B. Adams, Eugin Bornman, Nadine A. Strydom
Summary: This study presents a novel approach to evaluate the impact of harmful algal blooms (HABs) on the growth and body condition of estuarine resident fish larvae. It found that varying intensity levels, duration, and frequency of high-nutrient blooms significantly decreased the nutritional condition and growth of larval roundherring, impacting recruitment success and estuarine food webs.
JOURNAL OF PLANKTON RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hiroto Kaneko, Romain Blanc-Mathieu, Hisashi Endo, Samuel Chaffron, Tom O. Delmont, Morgan Gaia, Nicolas Henry, Rodrigo Hernandez-Velazquez, Canh Hao Nguyen, Hiroshi Mamitsuka, Patrick Forterre, Olivier Jaillon, Colomban de Vargas, Matthew B. Sullivan, Curtis A. Suttle, Lionel Guidi, Hiroyuki Ogata
Summary: There is a significant association between viral community composition and carbon export efficiency on a global scale, with viruses predicted to infect ecologically important hosts playing a crucial role in this process. These findings suggest that viruses likely act in the carbon pump process at a large scale in a manner dependent on their hosts and ecosystem dynamics.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anupam Sengupta, Jayabrata Dhar, Francesco Danza, Arkajyoti Ghoshal, Sarah Mueller, Narges Kakavand
Summary: In this study, the researchers discovered that bloom-forming raphidophytes use cytoplasmic lipid droplets (LDs) to regulate their vertical migration and restore swimming traits through active reconfiguration of LD size and coordinates. This finding expands our understanding of microbial strategies in nutrient-limited oceans.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Huanxin Zhang, Yumiao Zhou, Qiang Kong, Wenlong Dong, Zhihao Lin
Summary: Petroleum hydrocarbons can act as a carbon source for marine phytoplankton, leading to algal outbreaks or harmful algal blooms due to high-acid crude oil pollution events. Naphthenic acids are the primary acidic component of crude oil, posing a threat due to their high diffusivity and strong destructive properties. The study found a clear concentration-dose relationship in the toxic effect of NAs on the target organism, highlighting the importance of understanding the mechanism for ecological risk prediction and avoidance.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Nanjing Ji, Zhenzhen Zhang, Lei Chen, Xueyao Yin, Xin Shen
Summary: Phosphorus is an important macronutrient for phytoplankton growth but can frequently be scarce in certain parts of the ocean. Phytoplankton have evolved various strategies to cope with phosphorus deficiency, including the utilization of different phosphorus sources. This study examined the physiological and molecular responses of the harmful algal bloom species Heterosigma akashiwo to the utilization of polyphosphate (polyP) and coping with phosphorus deficiency. The results showed that H. akashiwo can efficiently utilize certain inorganic polyphosphates to support its growth, and under phosphorus-deficient conditions, genes related to phosphorus transport, dissolved organic phosphorus utilization, sulfolipid synthesis, and energy production were significantly upregulated.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sophia Ouaissa, Francisco Gomez-Jakobsen, Lidia Yebra, Isabel Ferrera, Enrique Moreno-Ostos, Maria Dolores Belando, Juan M. Ruiz, Jesus M. Mercado
Summary: The Mar Menor coastal lagoon has experienced severe degradation caused by nutrient pollution over the past three decades. The bloom of cyanobacteria in 2015 resulted in a significant ecological change. Our analysis reveals that the phytoplankton in the years 2016-2021 did not exhibit a seasonal variability pattern, with diatoms dominating the community and occasionally reaching high abundance levels above 10^7 cells L-1 along with chlorophyll a concentrations exceeding 20 μg L-1. The taxonomic composition, temporal variation patterns, and cell abundance of phytoplankton during this period differed significantly from the data prior to 2015, indicating a profound change in the trophic status of the lagoon.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yangjie Sheng, Jingting Cai, Zhenxiong Yang, Hong Du, Ran Bi, Wenhua Liu, Ping Li
Summary: Micro-and nano-plastics have negative impacts on harmful algal species. This study found that 80 nm polystyrene MNPs inhibited algal growth, while 1 μm MNPs increased chlorophyll a content. H. akashiwo can defend against MNPs stress by upregulating gene expression.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Nanjing Ji, Xueyao Yin, Yujiao Chen, Yifan Chen, Mingyang Xu, Jinwang Huang, Yuefeng Cai, Xin Shen
Summary: In this study, a full-length transcriptome of the harmful algal species Heterosigma akashiwo was obtained using single-molecule real-time sequencing. A total of 45.44 Gb of subread bases were generated, resulting in 16,668 unigenes after data processing. Among the annotated unigenes, phosphorus and nitrogen metabolism genes were the most detected. Additionally, putative transcription factors, long non-coding RNAs, and simple sequence repeats were also predicted. This study provides a valuable reference transcriptome for understanding the molecular mechanism of H. akashiwo blooms.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wei Zou, Guangwei Zhu, Hai Xu, Mengyuan Zhu, Yunlin Zhang, Boqiang Qin
Summary: Eutrophication and algal blooms are significant environmental challenges for lakes worldwide. This study examined the relationships between nutrient levels (total nitrogen and total phosphorus) and chlorophyll a in Chinese Lake Taihu from 2005 to 2020. The results showed robust linear relationships, and recommended nutrient thresholds for the lake. Additionally, the study found that factors such as temperature, water level, wind speed, nitrogen to phosphorus ratio, and grazing influenced the sensitivity of chlorophyll a to nutrients, and atmospheric stilling was identified as a key climatic factor affecting algal blooms in Lake Taihu.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Correction
Biology
Gavin M. Rishworth, Janine B. Adams, Matthew S. Bird, Nicola K. Carrasco, Andreas Danhardt, Jennifer Dannheim, Daniel A. Lemley, Pierre A. Pistorius, Gregor Scheiffarth, Helmut Hillebrand
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Taryn Smit, Daniel A. Lemley, Janine B. Adams, Nadine A. Strydom
Summary: This study conducted in a warm-temperate South African estuary reveals that harmful algal blooms can alter the population dynamics of dominant larval fish and zooplankton species, particularly during bloom phases where there is a mismatch between prey and predator densities. The impacts of recurrent harmful algal blooms on estuarine ecosystem function are highlighted, emphasizing the importance of understanding the fine-scale consequences of these events in a future of intensifying eutrophication.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Monique Nunes, Daniel A. Lemley, Janine B. Adams
Summary: Nutrient pollution is causing the spread of invasive aquatic plants in various water bodies. This study examined the response of aquatic macrophytes in two estuaries with different nutrient inputs. The study found that effluent discharge from wastewater treatment plants promoted the establishment of invasive alien aquatic plants in one estuary, while nutrient pulses associated with high rainfall changed the composition of macrophytes in the other estuary.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Johan Wasserman, Daniel A. Lemley, Janine B. Adams
Summary: This study used a microcosm experiment to investigate the potential of using stormwater to restore abandoned saltpans and address stormwater management and saltpan abandonment issues. The results showed that diverse primary producer communities could assimilate nutrients from stormwater, leading to an oligotrophic state.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MARINE BIOLOGY AND ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniel A. Lemley, Chuene P. Lakane, Susan Taljaard, Janine B. Adams
Summary: This study investigates the efficiency of nutrient removal in a constructed wetland used to treat urban runoff. The findings show low removal efficiency for dissolved inorganic nutrient (DIN), but high efflux of dissolved inorganic phosphate (DIP). Due to short water residency and increased flow volume, the surface area of the wetland needs to be increased to cope with the current daily inputs.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Monique Nunes, Daniel A. Lemley, Janine B. Adams
Summary: This study investigated the response of primary producers to cumulative regulating factors, and found the ecological characteristics of phytoplankton, such as chlorophyll-a concentration and abundance of invasive aquatic plants, under different seasons and environmental conditions.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF AQUATIC SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Johan Wasserman, Janine B. Adams, Daniel A. Lemley
Summary: Saltpans around the world are increasingly being abandoned, resulting in the loss of ecosystem services. A study in South Africa found that the desertion of a saltpan led to a sharp decrease in waterbird abundance and diversity. By using stormwater inflow, the wetland function of the saltpan can be restored, improving estuary health and providing additional ecosystem services. However, strategic management is required for this novel hypersaline stormwater wetland.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF AQUATIC SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Susan Taljaard, Daniel A. Lemley, Lara van Niekerk
Summary: This article proposes a method for evaluating water quality in estuaries in data-limited environments. By increasing spatial and temporal resolution, the method improves the usefulness and repeatability of assessing ecological and socio-economic impacts. The method utilizes hydrological simulations and water quality matrices to assess seasonal and exceedance patterns. It is considered a systematic and transparent process for evidence-based management interventions.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniel A. Lemley, Lucienne R. D. Human, Gavin M. Rishworth, Emily Whitfield, Janine B. Adams
Summary: Anthropogenic nutrient loading from urbanised coastal watersheds can negatively impact downstream estuarine ecosystems. This study focuses on the Swartkops Estuary in South Africa, which suffers severe water quality alterations due to the discharge of substantial inorganic nutrient loads from upstream wastewater treatment works and a stormwater canal. The study aims to understand the drivers of phytoplankton community dynamics, including harmful algal blooms (HABs), in the estuary. The results suggest that drought conditions, altered hydrodynamics, and anthropogenic nutrient loading contribute to the frequent occurrence of HABs in the estuary.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Monique Nunes, Daniel A. Lemley, Janine B. Adams
Summary: This study investigated the benthic diatom community structure in two eutrophic, microtidal estuaries impacted by wastewater effluent discharges. The results showed that nutrient loading was the primary stressor, while salinity and river inflow were secondary stressors. The study highlights the importance of managing microtidal, low-inflow estuaries towards a natural dynamic state.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eugin Bornman, Daniel A. Lemley, Janine B. Adams, Nadine A. Strydom
Summary: Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have a negative impact on the abundance of the estuarine-dependent fish species Mugil cephalus in Sundays Estuary. The presence of HAB species Heterosigma akashiwo alters the dissolved oxygen levels in the estuary, resulting in unfavorable conditions for the fish. The study suggests that unsustainable agricultural fertilization could lead to more severe and frequent HABs, causing a decline in fish nursery quality.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Taryn Smit, Catriona Clemmesen, Daniel A. Lemley, Janine B. Adams, Eugin Bornman, Nadine A. Strydom
Summary: This study presents a novel approach to evaluate the impact of harmful algal blooms (HABs) on the growth and body condition of estuarine resident fish larvae. It found that varying intensity levels, duration, and frequency of high-nutrient blooms significantly decreased the nutritional condition and growth of larval roundherring, impacting recruitment success and estuarine food webs.
JOURNAL OF PLANKTON RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Taryn Smit, Daniel Alan Lemley, Eugin Bornman, Janine Barbara Adams, Nadine Amelia Strydom
Summary: Eutrophication and harmful algal blooms (HABs) are increasing globally and pose a threat to larval fishes that rely on estuarine nursery habitats. This study investigated the effects of HABs on the environmental conditions and larval fish assemblage in a warm temperate nursery area. Findings suggest that HABs have negative impacts on the environmental conditions and larval fish assemblage, which have important implications for the early development of fishes.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
P. Nodo, A. -R. Childs, P. Pattrick, D. A. Lemley, N. C. James
Summary: Coastal ecosystems are facing challenges such as eutrophication and hypoxia. This study in the Swartkops and Sundays estuaries observed the impact of low dissolved oxygen and hypoxic events on fish species richness, diversity, and distribution.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Water Resources
G. C. Bate, D. A. Lemley, M. Nunes, J. B. Adams
Summary: A survey conducted along the subtropical east coast of South Africa revealed significant variations in the concentration of total nitrogen, phosphorus, and phytoplankton biomass in water flowing from micro-systems to the ocean. The high phytoplankton growth was attributed to pollutants resulting from land-use activities in the densely populated coastal region. Most of the micro-systems with a modified peri-catchment above 80% showed enrichment of both total nitrogen and phosphorus. These small systems, although individually insignificant, contribute significantly to freshwater inflow and nutrient supply in the marine environment along the coastline.