Ecological characteristics of phytoplankton and in-situ control mechanisms of odor-producing cyanobacteria in source water reservoirs

Min Yang, Ming Su, qi-zhang, haifeng-zhang, honggang-zhang, Jinping Lu, Tengxin Cao
Last updated on Jun 15, 2022 project
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Project Information

  • From: the National Science Foundation of China
  • Founding: ￥3.00 M
  • Host: Min Yang
  • Period: Jan, 2021 - Dec, 2025
  • Grant No.: 5203000591

Abstract

The taste & odor (T&O) problems caused by typical earthy-smelly odorant MIB (2-methylisopropanol) are frequently observed in source water reservoirs, it has become an essential water quality issue regarding the drinking water safety in China. Filamentous cyanobacteria have been identified as the main producers of MIB in surface water. MIB removal in drinking water plant is limited even by advanced treatment process, hence it has great potential to solve the odor problem by controlling the growth of odor producing cyanobacteria (OPC) in source water. Preliminary study revealed that the sub-surface and deep layer in the water column is the preferred niche for OPC, the underwater light turns to be a key driver of them. This project proposed an in-situ control strategy based the ecological characteristics of OPC. The temporal and spatial distribution of the dominant cyanobacteria and OPC will be investigated in various reservoirs in China, and the relationship between their growth and environmental factors as well as the competition with dominant cyanobacteria will be identified by both pure and mix culture experiments in laboratory; the key driving factors to control the OPC will be subsequently sorted out. Coupled with the growth model of OPC, the hydrodynamic model in a particular reservoir will be established, and the control mechanism and strategy based on the ecological characteristics of OPC will finally proposed as the main output of this project. This study can improve the knowledge of OPC, and can open a new approach to solved the odor problem in drinking water.

drinking water sources taste and odor Odor-producing cyanobacteria in-situ control underwater light non-State Founded
Min Yang
Min Yang
Professor of Environmental Engneering, Vice Director of RCEES, CAS
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.

Jinping Lu
Jinping Lu
Ph. D. Student
Tengxin Cao
Tengxin Cao
Ph. D. Student

Publications

MIB-derived odor management based upon hydraulic regulation in small drinking water reservoirs: principle and application
The musty odorant (2-methylisoborneol, MIB) is prevalent in source water reservoirs and has become one of the major challenges for …
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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