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Projects / Programmes source: ARIS

CONTROL OF HARMFUL CYANOBACTERIA BLOOM IN FRESH-WATER BODIES

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Research activity

Code Science Field Subfield
1.08.00  Natural sciences and mathematics  Control and care of the environment   

Code Science Field
B260  Biomedical sciences  Hydrobiology, marine biology, aquatic ecology, limnology 

Code Science Field
1.05  Natural Sciences  Earth and related Environmental sciences 
Keywords
Eutroficated water bodies, cyanobacteria, harmful blooming, cyanotoxins, long distance circulation, lytic cycle of cyanobacteria, energy autonomous platform
Evaluation (rules)
source: COBISS
Evaluation of bibliographic research performance indicators according to ARIS methodology
Citations Citations for bibliographic records in COBIB.SI that are linked to records in citation databases
source: WoS source: Scopus source: COBISS
Researchers (8)
no. Code Name and surname Research area Role Period No. of publications
1.  22616  PhD Tina Eleršek  Biology  Researcher  2013 - 2016  260 
2.  25506  PhD Neža Finžgar  Plant production  Researcher  2013 - 2016  86 
3.  34406  PhD Maša Jelušič  Plant production  Junior researcher  2013  17 
4.  08259  PhD Domen Leštan  Plant production  Head  2013 - 2016  408 
5.  35228  PhD Tinkara Rozina  Control and care of the environment  Researcher  2013 - 2016  49 
6.  07736  PhD Bojan Sedmak  Biochemistry and molecular biology  Researcher  2013 - 2016  232 
7.  17780  Viljem Šijanec    Technical associate  2014 - 2016  0 
8.  31993  PhD David Voglar  Control and care of the environment  Junior researcher  2013  19 
Organisations (3)
no. Code Research organisation City Registration number No. of publications
1.  0105  National Institute of Biology  Ljubljana  5055784  13,299 
2.  0481  University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty  Ljubljana  1626914  66,901 
3.  3031  ENVIT okoljske tehnologije in inženiring d.o.o. (Slovene)  Komenda  3668541  182 
Abstract
Occurrence of toxic cyanobacteria bloom is rapidly increasing worldwide because of increasing nutrient input into water bodies and rising temperatures due to the climate change. World Health Organization and national legislatures advise different safety measures including monitoring and control of cyanobacteria bloom. Proposal of new directive of European Parliament and European Counsel also stresses the importance phytoplankton occurrence monitoring. In Slovenia was cyanobacteria bloom detected in at least 35 surface water bodies in a period from 1995 to 2001. The most endangered are Blejsko, Velenjsko, Dvojno triglavsko, Šmartinsko, Slivniško, Perniško, Lendavsko, Gajševsko and Ptujsko lakes, water accumulations Klivnik, Mavčiče in Vrhovo and in some smaller water bodies.    During summer months cyanobacteria rapidly expand their population in warm, slow-moving waters and can completely predominate in lakes and reservoirs. They can actively regulate their position in the water column through buoyancy control, to make maximum use of sunlight and nutrients at optimal times and thus have ecological advantage over other algae. Some of the most potent toxins known as cyanotoxins are produced by cyanobacteria. Eventually, natural causes lead to a gradual collapse of the bloom and release of toxins into the water. Cyanotoxins are hepatotoxic, neurotoxic, dermatotoxic, genotoxic for higher organisms and cause general inhibition of protein synthesis. The highest risk for human health is genotoxicity of microcystins and their effect on internal organs of higher organisms. Although animal illness and deaths have been reported worldwide since the late 1800s, it has only been since around the late 1990s that the drinking water industry and the general public have begun to really understand the negative impact of cyanotoxins on public and environmental health. The first essential measure to prevent occurrence of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins is to curb water eutrofication. Further conventional water treatments such are precipitation, coagulation, flocculation, chlorination, addition of CuSO With this project we are proposing two innovative approaches towards prevention of toxic cyanobacteria bloom, both are based on ecological characteristics of cyanobacteria. We will investigate efficiency of long distance surface circulation, a preventive measure which de-stratify temperature layers of water body and hydrologicaly disturbs cyanobacteria but does not cause cell death and release of toxins. Second method is based on strategic triggering of lytic cycle of lysogenic cyanobacteria in a space-separated parts of population and release of viruses which cause epidemic of the weakened cyanobacteria population. We are proposing oxidation of cellular membranes with hydroxylic radicals and H Controlling toxic cyanobacteria bloom becomes the critical issue of water body management and will be addressed in the proposed project in technical innovative, ecologically holistic manner. Consortium of public and private research organizations ensures efficient science and technology transfer for future application and technology commercialization in general interest of human health and environment protection. Multidisciplinary team of highly qualified biologists, biochemist, ecologist, environmental engineers and technical physist promises synergy in experimental approach.
Significance for science
The existing methods of phytoplankton measurement lacks of efficient time- and space monitoring capabilities. Sensors in built into measurement chamber, which was developed for sampling in the water column, enables in vivo measurement of fluorescence of the photosynthetic pigments and ensures for rapid detection of changes in the studied water body. Method was developed for simultaneous detection of cyanobacteria (micro-particles in suspension) and their morphological and physiological traits. Average sample was exposed to modulated pulse emissions of adequate wavelength at slow, constant flow across the sensor. The total peak area of detected signal represent number of particles while the amplitude and shape of signal, which distinguish from the average, carry information on size, aggregation and physiological state of organisms. Cyanobacterial blooms in water bodies is a serious threat to the environment. The electrochemical treatment resulted in loss of buoyancy regulation in cyanobacteria, cell proliferation arrest and finally to cell-death. Microcystis are one of the most toxic and frequent pollutants of freshwater bodies. The effectiveness of microcystin degradation by electrochemical oxidation was demonstrated. The degradation products did not inhibit protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) as indicator of toxicity. Simultaneous detection and control of cyanobacteria populations in fresh-water bodies using autonomous robotic vessel was demonstrated.
Significance for the country
World Health Organization and national legislatures advise different safety measures including monitoring and control of cyanobacteria bloom. In Slovenia was cyanobacteria bloom detected in at least 35 surface water bodies in a period from 1995 to 2001. The most endangered are Blejsko, Velenjsko, Dvojno triglavsko, Šmartinsko, Slivniško, Perniško, Lendavsko, Gajševsko and Ptujsko lakes, water accumulations Klivnik, Mavčiče in Vrhovo and some smaller water bodies. Eventually, natural causes lead to a gradual collapse of the blooms. The cells are lysed, and release all of their toxins into the water. Bloom collapses are therefore often associated with massive fish mortality. An event in Pirniško Lake in 2010 which resulted in the death of fish and wild birds is well known to the general public in Slovenia. Well known is also warning example of invasion of microcystins into water storages near Drava River in autumn 1997. There are at least twelve potentially toxic cyanobacteria species in Slovenian waters, only few however, occurs massively. The most potentially toxic for bathing waters are Microcystis aeruginosa and Planktothrix rubescens. M. aeruginosa blooms on the surface of the water bodies, while P. rubescens blooms in metalimnion. This is also the specie of cyanobacteria which blooms in Lake Bled in a sprig or autumn. Since Lake Bled is used for recreational purposes blooms and released microcystins present significant potential hazard. Current measures to control of cyanobacteria bloom are invasive (use of peroxide, CuSO4, chlorination, ultrasound) or not efficient for large water bodies (filtration). As alternative and result of this project a robotic vessel for autonomous, environmentally friendly detection and control of cyanobacteria populations in large water bodies is now at hand.
Most important scientific results Annual report 2014, 2015, final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results Annual report 2013, 2014, 2015, final report
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