1. Effects of the interaction between nutrient concentration and DIN:SRP ratio on geosmin production by freshwater biofilms.
- Author
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Espinosa, Carmen, Abril, Meritxell, Ponsá, Sergio, Ricart, Marta, Vendrell-Puigmitjà, Lídia, Ordeix, Marc, Llenas, Laia, and Proia, Lorenzo
- Abstract
The global increase of cyanobacterial blooms occurrence has been associated with the presence of compounds that generate earthy and musty odor in freshwater systems, among which geosmin stands out. The lack of information on the factors associated to geosmin production by benthic organisms has driven the development of this study, whose main goal is to determine the effects of nutrient concentration and DIN:SRP ratio on geosmin formation and release. The experiment was performed in 18 microcosms under controlled conditions for 21 days, using a natural biofilm suspension from Ter river (NE, Spain) to promote biofilm settlement. Six treatments were set crossing three DIN:SRP ratios (A = 4:1, B = 16:1 and C = 64:1) with two nutrient concentrations (Low and High). After 7 days of experiment, geosmin was detected in biofilm, being higher under high nutrient concentration and low DIN:SRP ratio conditions. In this treatment, geosmin in biofilm reached its maximum concentration at day 16 (3.8 ± 0.9 ng/mg), decreasing at the end of the experiment (21d) due to cyanobacteria detachment and geosmin release into the water (136 ± 6 ng/L). Overall, this experimental study showed that high nutrient concentration and low DIN:SRP ratio favored the Oscillatoria genus development within biofilm communities, generating the optimal conditions for geosmin production. The interaction between these two factors was demonstrated to be a potential driver of benthic geosmin production and release, and should be monitored and controlled in rivers exploited for drinking water purposes. Unlabelled Image • Geosmin episodes are associated with benthic and planktonic cyanobacterial blooms. • Low DIN:SRP ratio and high nutrient concentration favor Oscillatoria sp. development. • Oscillatoria sp. produces geosmin under low DIN:SRP ratio and high nutrient conditions. • Phosphorus concentration is a key factor in geosmin production by benthic cyanobacteria. • Changes in DIN:SRP due to climate change and human pressures favor geosmin production potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2021
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