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Sudden Mortality of a Massive Phytoplankton Bloom

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 June 2017

Claude E. Boyd ,
E. E. Prather  and
Ronald W. Parks
Claude E. Boyd
Affiliation:
Auburn Univ. Agr. Exp. Sta., Dep. Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn, AL 36830
E. E. Prather
Affiliation:
Auburn Univ. Agr. Exp. Sta., Dep. Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn, AL 36830
Ronald W. Parks
Affiliation:
Auburn Univ. Agr. Exp. Sta., Dep. Fisheries and Allied Aquacultures, Auburn, AL 36830
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Abstract

A dense bloom of the blue-green alga, Anabaena variabilis Kuetzing suddenly died in a pond heavily stocked with channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus L.). Low light intensity caused the formation of gas vacuoles in A. variabilis. The buoyant filaments accumulated at the surface in large numbers during a period of calm, warm weather. Light injury to cells in the surface scum apparently triggered the mass mortality of phytoplankton. Decomposition of dead algae quickly resulted in depletion of dissolved oxygen. Concentrations of CO2 and ammonia increased to high levels and the pH declined following the phytoplankton die-off. A period of 7 days was required for re-establishment of a phytoplankton community and little improvement in water quality occurred until high densities of healthy phytoplankters were present. Massive mortality of fish was prevented by pumping oxygenated water into the pond at two sites and by mechanically agitating surface water in a limited area.

Type
Research Article
Information
Weed Science , Volume 23 , Issue 1 , January 1975 , pp. 61 - 67
Copyright
Copyright © 1975 by the Weed Science Society of America 

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References

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