Thesis (MSc (Paraclinical Sciences))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print format.

MENVSC / Department of Ecology and Resource Management / See the attached abstract below

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Nuisance blue-green algal blooms contribute to aesthetic degradation of water resources and produce toxins that can have serious adverse human health effects. Current field-based methods for detecting blooms are costly and time consuming, delaying management decisions. Remote sensing techniques which utilize the optical properties of blue-green algal pigments (chlorophyll a and phycocyanin) can provide rapid detection of blue-green algal distribution. Coupled with physical and chemical data from lakes, remote sensing can provide an efficient method for tracking cyanobacteria bloom occurrence and toxin production potential to inform long-term management strategies. In-situ field reflectance spectra were collected at 54 sampling sites on two turbid, productive Indianapolis reservoirs using ASD Fieldspec (UV/VNIR) spectroradiometers. Groundtruth samples were analyzed for in-vitro pigment concentrations and other physical and chemical water quality parameters. Empirical algorithms by Gitelson et al. (1986, 1994), Mittenzwey et al. (1991), Dekker (1993), and Schalles et al. (1998), were applied using a combined dataset divided into a calibration and validation set. Modified semi-empirical algorithms by Simis et al. (2005) were applied to all field spectra to predict phycocyanin concentrations. Algorithm accuracy was tested through a least-squares regression and residual analysis. Results show that for prediction of chlorophyll a concentrations within the range of 18 to 170 ppb, empirical algorithms yielded coefficients of determination as high as 0.71, RMSE 17.59 ppb, for an aggregated dataset (n=54, p<0.0001). The Schalles et al. (2000) empirical algorithm for estimation of phycocyanin concentrations within the range of 2 to 160 ppb resulted in an r2 value of 0.70, RMSE 23.97 ppb (n=48, p<0.0001). The Simis et al. (2005) semi-empirical algorithm for estimation of chlorophyll a and phycocyanin concentrations yielded coefficients of determination of 0.69, RMSE 20.51 ppb (n=54, p<0.0001) and 0.85, RMSE 24.61 pbb (n=49, p<0.0001), respectively. Results suggest the Simis et al. (2005) algorithm is robust, where error is highest in water with phycocyanin concentrations of less than 10 ppb and in water where chlorophyll a dominates (Chl:PC>2). A strong correlation between measured phycocyanin concentrations and blue-green algal biovolume measurements was also observed (r2=0.95, p<0.0001).

No description available.

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2005. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Several genera of cyanobacteria produce a range of toxins. The increased rate of eutrophication of surface fresh waters due to anthropogenic inputs has resulted in more frequent and severe cyanobacterial bloom events. Such bloom events make impoundments unsuitable for recreational use and increase the cost of production of potable water due to the necessity for removal of toxins released from cells during the purification process. Microcystis aeruginosa is the major freshwater bloom-forming toxic cyanobacterium. Concentrations of the hepatotoxin, microcystin, are highly variable in blooms. Published literature on environmental conditions leading to increased microcystin production was often contradictory and in many cases did not consider all relevant parameters. However, environmental nitrogen and phosphorus, temperature and light, and growth rate were implicated in regulation of toxin content. The purpose of this work was therefore to investigate environmental factors (specifically nitrogen and phosphorus) and cellular activities (specifically carbon fixation and nitrogen uptake rates and growth rate) involved in the modulation of microcystin production in M. aeruginosa in order to clarify the role of these parameters, and in an attempt to identify regulatory mechanisms for microcystin production. Environmental nitrogen, phosphorus and growth rate were shown to co-modulate microcystin production in M. aeruginosa. Adequate phosphorus is required for photosynthetic carbon fixation. Phosphorus uptake by M. aeruginosa is strongly correlated with carbon fixation rate. Although microcystin content increased with increasing nitrogen:phosphorus ratios in culture medium, under phosphorus limitation microcystin content was lower irrespective of nitrogen concentrations. This observation and the requirements for fixed carbon for nitrogen assimilation therefore prompted investigation of the effects of cellular carbon fixation and nitrogen uptake in the modulation of microcystin production. Microcystin production was found to be enhanced when nitrogen uptake rate relative to carbon fixation rate was higher than that required for balanced growth. The cellular nitrogen:carbon ratio above which microcystin concentrations increased substantially, corresponded to the Redfield ratio for balanced growth. Investigation of potential regulatory mechanisms involving the cyanobacterial nitrogen regulator, NtcA, yielded putative NtcA binding sites indicative of repression in the microcystin synthetase gene cluster. In culture, the polypeptide synthetase module gene, mcyA, and ntcA were inversely expressed as a function of carbon-fixation:nitrogen-uptake potential. However, no increase or decrease in microcystin production could be linked to either glutamine, glutamate or a-ketoglutarate, metabolites that are involved in regulation of ntcA. The role of NtcA in regulation of microcystin production could therefore not be confirmed. In conclusion, these data suggest that microcystin production is metabolically regulated by cellular C:N balance and specific growth rate. The primary importance of nitrogen and carbon was demonstrated by a simple model where only nitrogen uptake, carbon fixation and growth rate were used to predict microcystin levels. The model also explains results previously described in literature. Similarly, an artificial neural network model was used to show that the carbon fixation dependence on phosphorus allows accurate prediction of microcystin levels based on growth rate and environmental nitrogen and phosphorus. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Verskeie genera van sianobakterieë produseer 'n verskeidenheid van toksiene. Die toename in die tempo van eutrofikasie van varswater oppervlaktes as gevolg van antropogeniese insette veroorsaak al hoe meer en al hoe erger sianobakteriële infestasies. Dit veroorsaak probleme vir ontspanninggebruik van hierdie waters en verhoog die koste van produksie van drinkbare water as gevolg van die noodsaak om die toksiene wat deur die selle gedurende die suiweringsproses vrygelaat word te verwyder. Microcystis aeruginosa is die belangrikste varswater bloeisel-vormende toksiese sianobakterium. Die konsentrasie van die hepatotoksien mikrosistien is hoogs varieerbaar in sulke bloeisels. Gepubliseerde literatuur oor die omgewingskondisies wat lei na verhoogde mikrosistienproduksie is dikwels weersprekend en neem in vele gevalle nie al die relevante parameters in ag nie. Desnieteenstaande word omgewingstikstof, fosfor, temperatuur en lig, asook groeisnelheid, geïmpliseer in die regulering van toksieninhoud. Die doel van hierdie navorsing was dus om omgewingsfaktore (spesifiek stikstof en fosfor) en sellulêre aktiwiteite (spesifiek koolstoffiskering en die snelheid van stikstofopname en van groei) betrokke by die modulering van mikrosistienproduksie in M. aeruginosa te ondersoek in 'n poging om die rol van hierdie parameters te verstaan en om regulatoriese meganismes vir mikrosistienproduksie te identifiseer. In hierdie studie is aangetoon dat omgewingstikstof en fosfor sowel as groeisnelheid mikrosistienproduksie in M. aeruginosa ko-moduleer. Genoegsame fosfor word benodig vir fotosintetiese koolstoffiksering. Fosforopname deur M. aeruginosa korreleer sterk met die snelheid van koolstoffiksering. Alhoewel mikrosistieninhoud toegeneem het met 'n toename in die stikstof:fosfor verhouding in die kultuurmedium, was die mikrosistieninhoud onder kondisies van fosforlimitering laer ongeag die stikstofkonsentrasie. Hierdie waarneming, tesame met die noodsaak van gefikseerde koolstof vir stikstofassimilering, het gelei na 'n studie van die effekte van sellulêre koolstoffiksering and stikstofopname op die modulering van mikrosistienproduksie. Dit is gevind dat mikrosistienproduksie verhoog was wanneer die snelheid van stikstofopname relatief tot die snelheid van koolstoffiksering hoër was as die waarde wat benodig word vir gebalanseerde groei. Die sellulêre stikstof:koolstof verhouding waarbo mikrosistienkonsentrasies beduidend verhoog is stem ooreen met die Redfield verhouding vir gebalanseerde groei. 'n Ondersoek na potensiële reguleringsmeganismes waarby die sianobakteriële stikstofreguleerder NtcA betrokke is het gelei na die ontdekking van moontlike NtcA bindingseteis; dit kan dui op die repressie van die mikrosistiensintetase geengroepering. Onder kultuurkondisies is gevind dat die geen vir die polipeptiedsintetase module, mcyA, en ntcA omgekeerd uitgedruk word as 'n funksie van koolstofopname:stikstofopname potensiale. Geen toename of afname in mikrosistienproduksie kon egter gekoppel word aan óf glutamien, óf glutamaat, óf a-ketoglutaraat nie, metaboliete wat betrokke is by die regulering van ntcA. Die rol van NtcA in die regulering van mikrosistienproduksie kon dus nie bevestig word nie. Die gevolgtrekking is dus gemaak dat mikrosistienproduksie metabolies gereguleer word deur die C:N balans en die spesifieke groeisnelheid. Die primêre belang van stikstof en koolstof is gedemonstreer deur 'n eenvoudige model waarin slegs stikstofopname, koolstoffiksering en groeisnelheid gebruik word om mikrosistienvlakke te voorspel. Die model verklaar ook resultate wat tevore in die literatuur beskryf is. Soortgelyk is 'n artifisiële neurale netwerkmodel gebruik om te toon dat die afhanklikheid van koolstoffiksering van fosfor akkurate voorspelling van mikrosistienvlakke gebaseer of groeisnelheid en omgewingstikstof en fosfor moontlik maak.

O crescimento acelerado da aqüicultura no estado de São Paulo, ou seja, a implantação de pesque-pagues e pisciculturas pode estar causando uma série de problemas ambientais. A contribuição para o processo de eutrofização é uma das conseqüências desses empreendimentos, pois tanto os tanques utilizados na piscicultura como os afluentes em torno desses estabelecimentos, estão sendo eutrofizados pelo excesso de nutrientes. Uma das conseqüências da eutrofização é o aparecimento de florações de cianobactérias, e a principal preocupação está nas toxinas liberadas por estas cianobactérias, que se ingeridas pelos seres humanos e animais, podem causar efeitos de intoxicação, como fraqueza, cefaléia, vômito e dependendo da concentração ingerida pode levar à morte. Desta forma é necessário que haja um programa de controle da qualidade da água dos tanques e reservatórios e também dos peixes que ali são criados, pois florações de cianobactérias vêm sendo encontradas em diversos corpos d\'água. Este estudo teve como foco a determinação da cianotoxina microcistina-LR, empregando técnicas como a extração em fase sólida e a cromatografia líquida para a detecção e quantificação da microcistina-LR em amostras de florações de cianobactérias. Os testes feitos com a extração em fase sólida demonstraram que esse procedimento não se faz necessário para todas as amostras, pois houve casos em que não se obteve diferença nos picos interferentes mais próximos ao tempo de retenção do analito de estudo. Como as matrizes desse tipo de amostras são muito complexas e variam muito conforme o meio em que se encontram, recomenda-se que sejam avaliados caso à caso a necessidade de se promover a extração em fase sólida, pois o mesmo é um processo que demanda um tempo maior de análise e conseqüente aumento nos custos. Foi determinado e validado um método cromatográfico considerado capaz de fornecer dados reproduzíveis e confiáveis, por meio de testes de seletividade, limite de detecção e de quantificação, linearidade, precisão, exatidão e recuperação, conforme critérios de aceitação da Resolução n°899 de 2003, da ANVISA. O limite de detecção do método ficou estipulado em 0,1 µg mL-1, e o limite inferior de quantificação em 0,5 µg mL-1, determinados conforme a relação sinal-ruído proposta pelo Guia de Validação de Métodos Bioanalíticos da ANVISA. A quantificação da microcistina-LR foi feita utilizando o método de superposição de matriz, que minimiza e/ou compensa o efeito de matriz ou de possíveis interferentes presentes na amostra, e a curva analítica obtida y = 1,5888+21,849 x, com um coeficiente de correlação de 0,997 mostra uma boa linearidade. Foram analisadas amostras de florações de cianobactérias, coletadas em pesque-pagues e pisciculturas situadas na região do Alto Mogi (subdivisão da bacia do Mogi Guaçu), conforme o método de extração e análise estudado. / The rapid growth of aquaculture in the state of São Paulo may be causing a number of environmental problems. The contribution to the eutrophication process is among the consequences of these undertakings, given that the tanks used in fish farming as well as the changes around these establishments are becoming eutrophic systems due to excessive nutrients. A frequent consequence of eutrophication in waters is the massive development of cyanobacteria.The occurrence of these blooms induces severe problems, as Microcystis aeruginosa, the most widespread distributed cyanobacteria, which can produce microcystin-LR. Toxic effects of MC have been described in liver, lungs, stomach, and intestine. Deaths in wildlife, livestock and human beings were also associated with microcystin exposition, which can occur directly by ingestion, inhalation, contact, intravenous inoculation of contaminated water (hemodialysis) or indirectly, by the consumption of animals, as fish and mollusks, the major ingestors of cyanobacteria and its toxins. Thus we need a program to control the quality of water tanks and reservoirs and also the fish breeded there, as cyanobacteria blooms have been found in various water bodies. This study focused on the determination of the cyanotoxins microcystin-LR, using techniques such as solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography for the detection and quantification of microcystin-LR in samples of cyanobacteria blooms. Tests performed with solid phase extraction showed that this procedure is not necessary for all the samples because there were cases where no difference was obtained in interfering peaks near the retention time of the analyte studied. As the parent of such samples are very complex and vary greatly, because the extracts contained too much coextrated material that interfered in the LC-UV detection, and depending on the way in which it is recommended to be assessed, case by case, the solid phase extraction needs to be promoted, because it is a process that demands a longer period of analysis and consequently an increase in costs. A liquid chromatography method was established and validated, which is deemed capable of providing reproducible and reliable data, by testing for selectivity, limit of detection and quantification, linearity, precision, accuracy and recovery, in accordance with the acceptance criteria of Resolution No. 899 of 2003 of ANVISA. The detection limit of the method was set at 0.1 µg mL-1, and the lower limit of quantification at 0.5 µg mL-1 determined according to the signal to noise ratio proposed by the Validation Guide of Bioanalytical Methods, ANVISA. Quantification of microcystin-LR was performed using the matrix-matched method, which minimizes and/or offsets the effect of possible matrix interference or present in the sample. The analytical curve obtained y = 1.5888 + 21.849 x, with a coefficient of correlation of 0.997 shows a good linearity. Real aquaculture samples were analyzed that were detected and quantified according to the method developed.

Cianobactérias são micro-organismos procarióticos fotoautotróficos que apresentam ampla variedade morfológica e metabólica, o que favorece sua colonização nos mais diversos tipos de ambientes. Essa versatilidade favorece a sua utilização em inúmeras aplicações biotecnológicas em áreas como agricultura, energia, nutrição e tratamento de efluentes. Com o aumento da demanda energética e de alimentos, as cianobactérias são consideradas alternativas mais sustentáveis para a biossíntese de produtos de interesse industrial. Nesse contexto, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o crescimento de cianobactérias em meios suplementados com vinhaça e seus efeitos na produção de lipídios e na composição de ácidos graxos, visando a produção de biodiesel. Para tanto, onze linhagens de cianobactérias isoladas de amostras de água coletadas em rios da Amazônia foram identificadas morfologicamente e geneticamente como pertencentes à quatro ordens - Nostocales, Chroococciodipsidales, Synecoccocales e Oscillatoriales. Essas linhagens tiveram o seu crescimento avaliado em meios de cultivo suplementados com vinhaça (1, 2,5, 5 e 10% v/v) e em vinhaça diluída em água ultrapura (2,5, 5 e 10% v/v). Todas as linhagens foram capazes de crescer nas concentrações testadas, porém, nas concentrações mais elevadas de vinhaça, observou-se a inibição do crescimento e/ou o aumento da proliferação de contaminantes heterotróficos. Nas diluições de vinhaça em água ultrapura, nenhuma linhagem apresentou crescimento. Duas linhagens foram selecionadas para análises subsequentes devido ao rápido crescimento (Planktothrix mougeotii CMAA1564) e ao perfil de ácidos graxos favoráveis à produção de biodiesel (Amazoninema brasiliense CMAA1602, gênero inédito). Essas linhagens tiveram seu crescimento investigado nos meios BG11, BG11+1% e BG11+2,5% de vinhaça utilizando os métodos gravimétrico (biomassa seca) e espectrofométrico (densidade ótica - DO680nm e DO750nm), para a identificação das fases de crescimento. As maiores taxas de produtividade lipídica e de biomassa foram observadas nas biomassas coletadas na fase log em meio suplementado com vinhaça a 1%, com destaque para P. mougeotii CMAA1564 (3,18 e 35,87 mg L-1 dia-1, respectivamente). A análise do perfil de ácidos graxos das frações lipídicas mostrou a predominância dos ácidos graxos saturados e monoinsaturados nos óleos das biomassas cultivadas em meio com vinhaça, sendo majoritários os ácidos palmítico, palmitoleico, oleico e alfa-linolênico. A partir da composição de ácidos graxos das frações lipídicas foi possível estimar 11 parâmetros de qualidade do biodiesel derivado dessa matéria-prima lipídica. A maioria das propriedades avaliadas estavam de acordo com as especificações de qualidade do biodiesel estabelecidas na legislação nacional e internacional, com exceção para a viscosidade cinemática que apresentou valores inferiores. Esses resultados são promissores visto a oportunidade de exploração da biodiversidade de cianobactérias ainda pouco estudada para fins biotecnológicos. Essa pesquisa demonstra a viabilidade de utilização do conteúdo lipídico desses organismos como matéria-prima lipídica alternativa para a produção de biodiesel / Cyanobacteria are photoautotrophic prokaryotes that show a wide morphological and metabolic variety, which favors the colonization of the most diverse types of environments. This versatility reflects in its numerous biotechnological applications in areas such as agriculture, energy, nutrition and effluent treatment. With the increasing in energy and food demand, cyanobacteria are considered a more sustainable alternative for the biosynthesis of products of industrial interest. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cyanobacteria growth in media supplemented with vinasse and its effect on lipid production and fatty acid composition, with focus on biodiesel production. So, eleven cyanobacterial strains from water samples from Amazonian rivers were morphologically and genetically identified as belonging to four orders - Nostocales, Chroococciodipsidales, Synecoccocales e Oscillatoriales. These strains had their growth evaluated in culture media supplemented with vinasse (1, 2,5, 5 and 10% v/v) and in vinasse diluted in ultrapure water (2,5, 5 and 10% v/v). All strains were able to grow at the concentrations tested, however, at higher vinasse concentrations, growth inhibition and/or higher heterotrophic contaminants proliferation was observed. In vinasse diluted in ultrapure water, none of them were able to grow. Two cyanobacterial strains were selected for subsequent analysis due to rapid growth (Planktothrix mougeotii CMAA1564) and favorable fatty acid profile for biodiesel production (Amazoninema brasiliense CMAA1602, a new genus). Then, these strains had their gowth investigated in the media BG11, BG11+1% and BG11+2,5% of vinasse using the gravimetric (dry biomass) and spectrophotometric (optical density - OD680nm e OD750nm) methods, for growth phases identification. The highest lipid and biomass productivities were observed in the biomass collected in the log phase in medium supplemented with 1% of vinasse, wtith the highest values observed for the P. mougeotii CMAA1564 (3,18 e 35,87 mg L-1 dia-1, respectively). The fatty acid profile of the lipid fraction showed the predominance of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids in the oils of biomass grown in vinasse medium, with palmitic, palmitoleic, oleic and alpha-linolenic acids being the majority. From the fatty acid composition of the oils, it was possible to estimate eleven quality parameters of the biodiesel derived from these lipid feedstocks. Most of the properties evaluated werein accordance with the biodiesel quality specification estabilished in the national and international legislation, except for the kinematic viscosity that presented lower values. These results are promising given the opportunity for exploiting the underestimated cyanobacteria diversity for biotechnological purposes. This research shows the feasibility of using the lipid content of these organisms as an alternative lipid feedstock for biodiesel production

Os três reservatórios rasos e em série localizam-se no Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga (PEFI), região sudoeste do município de São Paulo, numa unidade de conservação que abriga as nascentes do histórico riacho do Ipiranga. O primeiro reservatório recebe água do Lago das Garças, um sistema artificial eutrófico, onde já foram detectadas florações de cianobactérias potencialmente tóxicas e com problemas ecológicos, sanitários e estéticos. Objetivo. Analisar a variação sazonal da comunidade fitoplanctônica de três reservatórios rasos subseqüentes a um lago hipereutrófico localizado no município de São Paulo/SP, visando avaliar a qualidade da água durante o sistema em série. Material e Métodos. As coletas foram realizadas trimensalmente durante o período de um ano (outubro/2005 a julho/2006), em uma estação de amostragem em cada um dos três reservatórios e a duas profundidades: superfície e fundo. Foram determinadas variáveis morfométricas (área superficial, perímetro, comprimento máximo e profundidade), climatológicas (temperatura do ar e precipitação), físicas e químicas (temperatura da água, transparência, zona eufótica, pH, condutividade, turbidez, oxigênio dissolvido, demanda bioquímica de oxigênio, fósforo total e ortofosfato, nitrogênio total e amoniacal), biológicas (coliformes totais e termotolerantes, clorofila-a, feofitina, composição florística, densidade total, biovolume, estimativa do número de células e espécies descritoras) e aplicações de índices biológicos. Na análise qualitativa foi empregada a rede de malha de 20 µm e identificação em microscópio óptico binocular com câmara clara. Na análise quantitativa, foi utilizado a garrafa coletora e método de sedimentação em câmara de volume definido e contagem em microscópio invertido. A ordenação dos dados foi realizada por meio da análise de componentes principais (ACP) e análise de correspondência canônica (ACC). Resultados. Como conseqüência da floração de cianobactérias registradas nos três reservatórios, foram identificados 125 táxons distribuídos em 12 classes. A classe com maior representatividade foi Chlorophyceae com 38,8%, seguida por Cyanobacteria (23,8%), Euglenophyceae (8,7%), Cryptophyceae (6,3%), Zygnemaphyceae (5,5%), Bacillariophyceae (4,7%) e 11,1% para as demais classes (Chrysophyceae, Coscinodiscophyceae, Dinophyceae, Xanthophyceae, Craspedomonadophyceae e Fragilariophyceae). Os táxons que apresentaram 100% de freqüência foram: Microcystis aeruginosa, Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, Planktothrix agardhii (Cyanobacteria). As espécies descritoras que podem ser consideradas como bioindicadoras de poluição foram Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii e Chroococcus minutus, que juntas contribuíram com 79,4% de toda densidade deste estudo. Conclusões. A comunidade fitoplanctônica respondeu sazonalmente às estações do ano, predominando a classe Cyanophyceae na primavera e a classe Chlorophyceae nas demais estações e não houve melhoria na qualidade da água durante a série. / The three shallow cascading reservoir system are located in Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga (PEFI) Biological Reserve in the southern of São Paulo city where located headwater Ipiranga Stream. The first reservoir is linked to Lago das Garças, a shallow and eutrophic environment, where have become frequent blooms of Cyanobacteria that produce aggressive toxins which cause problems to environment and public health. Objective. This study aimed to analyze the sazonal variation of the phytoplankton community of three shallow cascading reservoir system subsequent of a eutrophic lake and avaliated the water quality. Material and Methods. Samples were collected quarterly during the period of one year (October/2005 to July/2006), in the deepest part of the each lake, in two depths. Morphometric variables (superficial area, perimeter, maximum length and depth), climatic variables (air temperature and precipitation), physical and chemical variables (water temperature, transparence of water, euphotic zone, pH, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, nutrients), biological variables (total and fecal coliforms, chlorophyll-a, pheopigments, species composition, density, biovolume, cells number and descriptions species) were determined. Qualitative samples were collected at the surface using planktonic net (20 µm) and identificated using a binocular optic microscope. Quantitative samples were obtained by collecting bottle and counting in inverted microscope. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied to calculate the correlations between biological and environmental data. Results. The phytoplankton community was composed of 125 taxons distributed in 12 classes: Chlorophyceae (38,8%) was the main class regarding species richness and density, followed by the Cyanobacteria (23,8%), Euglenophyceae (8,7%), Cryptophyceae (6,3%), Zygnemaphyceae (5,5%), Bacillariophyceae (4,7%) and 11,1% for others classes (Chrysophyceae, Coscinodiscophyceae, Dinophyceae, Xanthophyceae, Craspedomonadophyceae and Fragilariophyceae). Taxons that had appeared during all study are: Microcystis aeruginosa, Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, Planktothrix agardhii (Cyanobacteria). Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and Chroococcus minutus are descriptions species and they can be considered bioindicator of pollution because their density are elevated (79,4% of total density). Conclusions. The phytoplankton community as well as the environmental variables responded to the seasonality, predominance of Cyanophyceae in spring and Chlorophyceae in others stations. It didn’t have improvement in the quality of the water during the serie.

Os três reservatórios rasos e em série localizam-se no Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga (PEFI), região sudoeste do município de São Paulo, numa unidade de conservação que abriga as nascentes do histórico riacho do Ipiranga. O primeiro reservatório recebe água do Lago das Garças, um sistema artificial eutrófico, onde já foram detectadas florações de cianobactérias potencialmente tóxicas e com problemas ecológicos, sanitários e estéticos. Objetivo. Analisar a variação sazonal da comunidade fitoplanctônica de três reservatórios rasos subseqüentes a um lago hipereutrófico localizado no município de São Paulo/SP, visando avaliar a qualidade da água durante o sistema em série. Material e Métodos. As coletas foram realizadas trimensalmente durante o período de um ano (outubro/2005 a julho/2006), em uma estação de amostragem em cada um dos três reservatórios e a duas profundidades: superfície e fundo. Foram determinadas variáveis morfométricas (área superficial, perímetro, comprimento máximo e profundidade), climatológicas (temperatura do ar e precipitação), físicas e químicas (temperatura da água, transparência, zona eufótica, pH, condutividade, turbidez, oxigênio dissolvido, demanda bioquímica de oxigênio, fósforo total e ortofosfato, nitrogênio total e amoniacal), biológicas (coliformes totais e termotolerantes, clorofila-a, feofitina, composição florística, densidade total, biovolume, estimativa do número de células e espécies descritoras) e aplicações de índices biológicos. Na análise qualitativa foi empregada a rede de malha de 20 µm e identificação em microscópio óptico binocular com câmara clara. Na análise quantitativa, foi utilizado a garrafa coletora e método de sedimentação em câmara de volume definido e contagem em microscópio invertido. A ordenação dos dados foi realizada por meio da análise de componentes principais (ACP) e análise de correspondência canônica (ACC). Resultados. Como conseqüência da floração de cianobactérias registradas nos três reservatórios, foram identificados 125 táxons distribuídos em 12 classes. A classe com maior representatividade foi Chlorophyceae com 38,8%, seguida por Cyanobacteria (23,8%), Euglenophyceae (8,7%), Cryptophyceae (6,3%), Zygnemaphyceae (5,5%), Bacillariophyceae (4,7%) e 11,1% para as demais classes (Chrysophyceae, Coscinodiscophyceae, Dinophyceae, Xanthophyceae, Craspedomonadophyceae e Fragilariophyceae). Os táxons que apresentaram 100% de freqüência foram: Microcystis aeruginosa, Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, Planktothrix agardhii (Cyanobacteria). As espécies descritoras que podem ser consideradas como bioindicadoras de poluição foram Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii e Chroococcus minutus, que juntas contribuíram com 79,4% de toda densidade deste estudo. Conclusões. A comunidade fitoplanctônica respondeu sazonalmente às estações do ano, predominando a classe Cyanophyceae na primavera e a classe Chlorophyceae nas demais estações e não houve melhoria na qualidade da água durante a série. / The three shallow cascading reservoir system are located in Parque Estadual das Fontes do Ipiranga (PEFI) Biological Reserve in the southern of São Paulo city where located headwater Ipiranga Stream. The first reservoir is linked to Lago das Garças, a shallow and eutrophic environment, where have become frequent blooms of Cyanobacteria that produce aggressive toxins which cause problems to environment and public health. Objective. This study aimed to analyze the sazonal variation of the phytoplankton community of three shallow cascading reservoir system subsequent of a eutrophic lake and avaliated the water quality. Material and Methods. Samples were collected quarterly during the period of one year (October/2005 to July/2006), in the deepest part of the each lake, in two depths. Morphometric variables (superficial area, perimeter, maximum length and depth), climatic variables (air temperature and precipitation), physical and chemical variables (water temperature, transparence of water, euphotic zone, pH, conductivity, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, nutrients), biological variables (total and fecal coliforms, chlorophyll-a, pheopigments, species composition, density, biovolume, cells number and descriptions species) were determined. Qualitative samples were collected at the surface using planktonic net (20 µm) and identificated using a binocular optic microscope. Quantitative samples were obtained by collecting bottle and counting in inverted microscope. Multivariate statistical analysis was applied to calculate the correlations between biological and environmental data. Results. The phytoplankton community was composed of 125 taxons distributed in 12 classes: Chlorophyceae (38,8%) was the main class regarding species richness and density, followed by the Cyanobacteria (23,8%), Euglenophyceae (8,7%), Cryptophyceae (6,3%), Zygnemaphyceae (5,5%), Bacillariophyceae (4,7%) and 11,1% for others classes (Chrysophyceae, Coscinodiscophyceae, Dinophyceae, Xanthophyceae, Craspedomonadophyceae and Fragilariophyceae). Taxons that had appeared during all study are: Microcystis aeruginosa, Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, Planktothrix agardhii (Cyanobacteria). Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii and Chroococcus minutus are descriptions species and they can be considered bioindicator of pollution because their density are elevated (79,4% of total density). Conclusions. The phytoplankton community as well as the environmental variables responded to the seasonality, predominance of Cyanophyceae in spring and Chlorophyceae in others stations. It didn’t have improvement in the quality of the water during the serie.

The ability to regulate buoyancy (sinking and floating) using cellular gas vesicles is a unique characteristic that allows many common bloom-forming cyanobacteria to accumulate at water surfaces and dominate systems. Typical control and management strategies include nutrient manipulation and phosphorus reduction, which are effective but do not reduce the advantage of buoyancy control. Since buoyancy control is based upon a mechanism that is driven by photosynthesis along with environmental conditions that trigger vesicle formation and ion exchange, buoyancy regulation can be influenced by manipulating extracellular conditions. In this study I manipulated extracellular conditions using wetland water and additions of potassium, sodium, and calcium in small-scale lab experiments and larger scale, near-lake containers with Aphanizomenon flos-aquae from Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon. The results indicate a target mixture of 10% wetland water reduces surface accumulation, increases cellular turgor pressure (a measure of the ability of gas vesicle forming cells to control buoyancy), and leads to fewer rafts at the surface of the water column. By adding ions at the same concentration as the target wetland mixture, similar results were found. This research represents the basis of a possible strategy for mitigating surface blooms of buoyant cyanobacteria in lakes using wetland water and/or ion additions that could be used in tandem with nutrient manipulation and phosphorus reduction.