Molecular Fingerprinting of Cyanobacteria from River Biofilms as a Water Quality Monitoring Tool

Abstract

Benthic cyanobacterial communities from Guadarrama River (Spain) biofilms were examined using temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE), comparing the results with microscopic analyses of field-fixed samples and the genetic characterization of cultured isolates from the river. Changes in the structure and composition of cyanobacterial communities and their possible association with eutrophication in the river downstream were studied by examining complex TGGE patterns, band extraction, and subsequent sequencing of 16S rRNA gene fragments. Band profiles differed among sampling sites depending on differences in water quality. The results showed that TGGE band richness decreased in a downstream direction, and there was a clear clustering of phylotypes on the basis of their origins from different locations according to their ecological requirements. Multivariate analyses (cluster analysis and canonical correspondence analysis) corroborated these differences. Results were consistent with those obtained from microscopic observations of field-fixed samples. According to the phylogenetic analysis, morphotypes observed in natural samples were the most common phylotypes in the TGGE sequences. These phylotypes were closely related to Chamaesiphon, Aphanocapsa, Pleurocapsa, Cyanobium, Pseudanabaena, Phormidium, and Leptolyngbya. Differences in the populations in response to environmental variables, principally nutrient concentrations (dissolved inorganic nitrogen and soluble reactive phosphorus), were found. Some phylotypes were associated with low nutrient concentrations and high levels of dissolved oxygen, while other phylotypes were associated with eutrophic-hypertrophic conditions. These results support the view that once a community has been characterized and its genetic fingerprint obtained, this technique could be used for the purpose of monitoring rivers.

Spatial and temporal variation in microcystin occurrence in wadeable streams in the southeastern United States

“…These findings are consistent overall with previous work linking habitat stability, warmer water temperature, and greater nutrient availability with growth of potential toxin‐producing cyanobacteria, along with light and grazing pressure . The negative correlation to maximum TN:TP and the positive correlation to minimum water temperature are consistent with previous reports of the importance of nutrient availability, nutrient ratios, and temperature on phytoplankton/periphyton growth and toxin production . The negative correlation between microcystin concentrations and maximum fluvial discharge is consistent with dilution or scouring of benthic communities at high flow .…”

“…Significant (a ¼ 0.05) Spearman rho correlations were observed between microcystin concentrations measured during the June 2014 synoptic and the maximum discharge (p ¼ 0.0048; r ¼ -0.328), maximum ratio of total nitrogen to total phosphorus (maximum TN:TP; p ¼ 0.0381; r ¼ -0.243), and minimum water temperature (p < 0.001; r ¼ 0.382) observed during the antecedent water-quality assessment window (Table 3). These findings are consistent overall with previous work linking habitat stability, warmer water temperature, and greater nutrient availability with growth of potential toxin-producing cyanobacteria, along with light and grazing pressure [11,[46][47][48][49][50][51]. The negative correlation to maximum TN: TP and the positive correlation to minimum water temperature are consistent with previous reports of the importance of nutrient availability, nutrient ratios, and temperature on phytoplankton/periphyton growth and toxin production [1,11,[47][48][49][50][51].…”

Microbial mats as shelter microhabitat for amphipods in an intermittent karstic spring

“…P. favosum, which is included into group VII, is attributed with isodiametric cells, trichomes shortly attenuated towards the trichome ends, and the presence of well-developed calyptrate apical cells. The ecotype-based differences between P. favosum and P. autumnale, where the former is a stenothermal species inhabiting cold oligotrophic streams and rivers , while the other is typical for meso-to eutrophic waters (Izaguirre et al, 2001;Palińska and Marquardt 2007;Strunecky et al, 2010;Hasler et al, 2012;Du, 2013;Loza et al, 2013) corresponded to morphological observations of species forming mats, as well as habitat characteristics of the Krčić Spring.…”

Primary Producers and Anthropic Signs Related to the Flood Plain Soils of the Tablas de Daimiel Wetland

“…The availability of phosphates and nitrates are important factors that favour the abundance of cyanobacteria in wetlands [59] and our sample with a high abundance and diversity of cyanobacteria is included in group 1 and had the highest concentration of P. The highest concentration of N appears to be related with the abundance of cyanobacteria from the Oscillatoriales order (filamentous without heterocyst). Increases of this type of cyanobacteria, filamentous without heterocysts (from Oscillatoriales order) were obtained in other aquatic systems like rivers, where diversity is clearly related to the nutrient concentration [69] indicating a clear relation of these cyanobacteria to high nitrogen concentrations.…”