Denitrification shifted autotroph-heterotroph interactions in Microcystis aggregates.

Denitrification is the most important process for nitrogen removal in eutrophic lakes and was mostly investigated in lake sediment. Denitrification could also be mediated by cyanobacterial aggregates, yet how this process impacts nitrogen (N) availability and the associated autotroph-heterotroph relationships within cyanobacterial aggregates has not been investigated. In this study, incubation experiments with nitrate amendment were conducted with Microcystis aggregates (MAs).

Nitrogen availability affects the dynamics of Microcystis blooms by regulating the downward transport of biomass.

Nitrogen availability is one of the key factors affecting the dynamics of non-diazotrophic cyanobacterial blooms in eutrophic lakes. While previous studies mainly focused on the promoting effect of nitrogen on the growth of cyanobacteria, this study aimed to investigate the role of nitrogen availability in the downward transport of biomass and its effects on the dynamics of Microcystis blooms. We performed field enclosure experiments which demonstrated that nitrogen availability negatively affects the downward transport of biomass.

The nitrogen reduction in eutrophic water column driven by Microcystis blooms.

During the bloom seasons, the dissolved inorganic nitrogen declines, which results in the occurrence of nitrogen limitation. It is unclear where the nitrogen goes. Our enclosure experiments and batch tests suggested that Microcystis blooms could significantly reduce the nitrogen in water bodies and the key mechanisms for the nitrogen reduction in different layers were different.

The secretion of organics by living Microcystis under the dark/anoxic condition and its enhancing effect on nitrate removal.

Recent studies indicated that the algal decomposition produces particulate and dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and can enhance denitrification in eutrophic lakes. However, the effects of the living cyanobacteria on nitrogen cycling in eutrophic lakes were still an unknown question. This study explores a new underlying mechanism of nitrate removal which is driven by living Microcystis.