In-situ control of filamentous odor-producing cyanobacteria based on underwater light lowering technology in source water reservoirs: mechanism and strategy development

Ming Su
Last updated on Jun 15, 2022 project
Proposal Plan

Project Information

  • From: the National Science Foundation of China
  • Founding: ￥0.60 M
  • Host: Ming Su
  • Period: Jan, 2019 - Dec, 2022
  • Grant No.: 51878649

Abstract

The off-flavour problems caused by filamentous cyanobacteria in source water reservoirs have been frequently recorded in China, some of these cyanobacterial strains are able to produce 2-Methylisoborneol (2-MIB), an earthy/musty odorant. 2-MIB, with an extremely low odor threshold can not be effectively removed by conventional water treatment process, and thus threatens water supply safety. This project explores the growth and odor characteristics of typical filamentous odor-producing cyanobacteria under different light conditions at different intensity level and spectrum distribution, as well as the competition with bloom forming cyanobacteria. By combining the results from lab culture studies and on-site simulation experiments, the light thresholds for restricting cyanobacterial growth was determined. Based on these results, hydraulic regulating strategy is expected to be developed to control underwater light conditions for different type of reservoirs, and a hydraulic model can be construct according to boundary conditions of targeting reservoirs. This hydraulic model can be subsequently used to simulate various scenes with different hydraulic measures and to compute the distribution of underwater light climate, which can be used to elect the best feasible hydraulic measure according to light thresholds of different strains. The research consists of light response mechanism exploration for various typical odorous filamentous cyanobacteria, and hydraulic measures development for different types of reservoirs with different turbidity level, herein two case studies for the low turbid Miyun Reservoir and high turbid Qingcaosha Reservoir will be performed for developing respective control strategies.

Odor-producing cyanobacteria Control 2-MIB Light competition Filamentous cyanobacteria Odor State Founded
Ming Su
Ming Su
Associate Professor of Environmental Engneering

My research interest is water quality problems in drinking water bodies, with a focus on harmful algal blooms and associated taste & odor problems.

Publications

Early warning of MIB episode based on gene abundance and expression in drinking water reservoirs
Cellular 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) yield of cyanobacteria varies under different conditions according to culture studies and field …
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Biosynthesis of 2-methylisoborneol is regulated by chromatic acclimation of *Pseudanabaena*
Cyanobacteria can sense different light color by adjusting the components of photosynthetic pigments including chlorophyll a (Chl a) , …
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Light-dominated selection shaping filamentous cyanobacterial assemblages drives odor problem in a drinking water reservoir
Filamentous cyanobacteria have substantial niche overlap, and the causal mechanism behind their succession remains unclear. This has …
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Driving forces for the growth of MIB-producing *Planktothricoides raciborskii* in a low-latitude reservoir
In this study, a MIB episode in a low-latitude drinking water reservoir was investigated. Filamentous cyanobacteria strain Planktothricoides raciborskii was isolated and identified as the main MIB producer in this reservoir. Based on the culturing experiments and in-situ verification, the physiological characteristics of P. raciborskii was explored, and the following conclusions can be drawn: (1) P. raciborskii could grow under a low nutrient condition (TN: 800 μg L$^{-1}$, TP: 10 μg L$^{-1}$), but favored moderate light intensity (54 μmol photon m$^{−2}$⋅s$^{−1}$) and high tempera- ture (30 °C); (2) The long period of high temperature might have inhibited the growth of the bloom-forming Limnothrix and Aphanizomenon, creating the opportunity for the continuous growth of P. raciborskii. (3) The MIB synthesis and extracellular release could be enhanced by high light and temperature, posing a greater risk to water plants in low latitude regions.
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Evaluation of the MIB-producing potential based on real-time qPCR in drinking water reservoirs
Regarding the frequently observed odor problem caused by MIB in source water, the qPCR-based method can be used for rapid screening diagnosis. The mic gene is the premise for MIB synthesis, while the nucleotide base sequences are different among different MIB-producing strains. Published primer sets failed to amplify some mic gene sequences, especially several newly isolated strains, hence we designed a new primer set (MIBQSF/R) that works for all mic genes. The updated qPCR method was validated using pure culture collections and environmental samples collected from 9 reservoirs/lakes across China. This method offers a tool to evaluate MIB-producing potential and assess the risk of MIB occurrence in source water.
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Ecological niche and in-situ control of MIB producers in source water
Odor problems in source water caused by 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) have been a common issue in China recently, posing a high risk to …
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Ecological niche and in-situ control of MIB producers in source water
Identification of MIB producers and odor risk assessment using routine data: A case study of an estuary drinking water reservoir
Identification of MIB(2-methylisoborneol)-producing cyanobacteria in source water has been a big challenge for reservoir authorities …
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Identification of MIB producers and odor risk assessment using routine data: A case study of an estuary drinking water reservoir
A Warm Summer is Unlikely to Stop Transmission of COVID‐19 Naturally
The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) showed various transmission rate (Rt) across different regions. The determination …
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A Warm Summer is Unlikely to Stop Transmission of COVID‐19 Naturally
Light as a possible regulator of MIB-producing Planktothrix in source water reservoir, mechanism and in-situ verification
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Production and fate of fishy odorants produced by two freshwater chrysophyte species under different temperature and light conditions
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Succession and interaction of surface and subsurface cyanobacterial blooms in oligotrophic/mesotrophic reservoirs: a case study in Miyun Reservoir
Subsurface cyanobacterial blooms, are a significant source of odor problems in source water and have been recorded in many …
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Succession and interaction of surface and subsurface cyanobacterial blooms in oligotrophic/mesotrophic reservoirs: a case study in Miyun Reservoir