Unusual massive phytoplankton bloom in the oligotrophic Lake Tanganyika

Algal bloom; Anabaena flos-aquae; Chroococcus limneticus; Dolichospermum flosaquae; East African Great Lakes; Limnococcus limneticus; Phytoplankton; Secondary upwelling

Abstract :

[en] Background and aims – Massive algae growth resulting in a phytoplankton bloom is a very rare event in the meromictic and oligotrophic Lake Tanganyika. Such a bloom was observed in the north of the lake in September 2018. Phytoplankton species composition during this bloom is compared to a documented bloom in 1955, and to the composition in September 2011–2013. Meteorological observations suggest hydrodynamics could explain the occurrence of the 2018 bloom. Material and methods – Phytoplankton net samples were taken in the pelagic and littoral zone near Uvira during five consecutive days of the bloom in 2018. For the period 2011–2013, quantitative phytoplankton samples were obtained during a weekly sampling at the same sites. Samples were analysed with an inverted microscope and relative abundances of the algal species were compared. Key results – Dolichospermum flosaquae (Cyanobacteria) initially dominated the bloom followed by high relative abundance of Limnococcus limneticus (Cyanobacteria) on the third sampling day in September 2018. In the pelagic zone an increase of Nitzschia asterionelloides (Bacillariophyta), and Dictyosphaerium and Lobocystis (Chlorophyta) was observed while in the littoral zone increasing abundances of dinophytes were noted. Dolichospermum flosaquae was also responsible for the bloom reported in 1955, but was only sporadically observed in the 2011–2013 samples. Although Limnococcus limneticus was present in 2011–2013, it never reached relative abundances as high as during the 2018 bloom. Meteorological data indicate that 2018 experienced different conditions compared to previous years: strong south-east winds from May to September with a more eastern direction of the wind, and a well-marked drop in atmospheric pressure between August and September. Conclusion – After a very windy season, the combination of strong hydrodynamics, calmer lake conditions, and high solar radiation and air temperature in September 2018 was favourable for a massive Cyanobacteria bloom in the north of Lake Tanganyika. © 2021 Christine Cocquyt, Pierre-Denis Plisnier, N’sibula Mulimbwa, Muderhwa Nshombo.

Disciplines :

Aquatic sciences & oceanology

Author, co-author :

Cocquyt, C.; Meise Botanic Garden, Research Department, Belgium

Plisnier, Pierre-Denis ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département d'astrophysique, géophysique et océanographie (AGO) > Chemical Oceanography Unit (COU)

Mulimbwa, N.; Centre de Recherche en Hydrobiologie – CRH-Uvira, Democratic Republic Congo

Nshombo, M.; Centre de Recherche en Hydrobiologie – CRH-Uvira, Democratic Republic Congo, Université Officielle de Bukavu, Democratic Republic Congo

Language :

English

Title :

Unusual massive phytoplankton bloom in the oligotrophic Lake Tanganyika

Publication date :

2021

Journal title :

Plant Ecology and Evolution

ISSN :

2032-3913

eISSN :

2032-3921

Publisher :

Societe Royale de Botanique de Belgique

Volume :

154

Issue :

Pages :

351 - 361

Peer reviewed :

Peer reviewed

Funding text :

The project CHOLTIC (“Cholera outbreaks at Lake Tanganyika induced by climate change?”) was financed by the Belgian Science Policy (project SD/AR/04A). Many thanks are due to the collaborators of the Centre de Recherche en Hydrobiologie – CRH-Uvira (D.R. Congo) for carrying out the phytoplankton sampling on Lake Tanganyika. Paul Hamilton and an anonymous reviewer are thanked for their constructive comments that helped to improve the manuscript.

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since 17 September 2022

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