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Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Characterization of Aquatic Biofilms with Flow Cytometry

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Published on: June 6, 2018

A qPCR method to quantify bioavailable phosphorus using indigenous aquatic species.

Yanan Yang¹, Jianghua Yang¹, Xiaowei Zhang¹

¹State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing, 210023 China.

Environmental Sciences Europe

|September 18, 2018

Summary

A new quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) bioassay effectively measures bioavailable phosphorus (BAP), crucial for assessing aquatic eutrophication. This method offers a promising tool for environmental monitoring of phosphorus levels.

Keywords:

Algae bloom Alkaline phosphatase Bioreporters Cyanobacteria Eutrophication Phosphate transporter genes

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Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Molecular Biology
Ecology

Background:

Bioavailable phosphorus (BAP) is key to understanding eutrophication in aquatic ecosystems.
Accurate measurement of BAP is essential for assessing water quality.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR)-based bioassay for measuring BAP.
To utilize the indigenous cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. for this bioassay.

Main Methods:

Designed primers targeting alkaline phosphatase (phoA/phoA-like) and phosphate transporter (pst1) genes in Anabaena.
Validated primer specificity and efficiency using gel electrophoresis and real-time PCR.
Applied the developed qPCR bioassay to analyze water samples from Lake Tai.

Main Results:

The developed primers successfully quantified BAP in water samples.
The pst1 gene showed a linear measurement range of 0.125-2.00 mg/L after 2h incubation.
BAP levels in Lake Tai water samples ranged from 0.239-0.459 mg/L.

Conclusions:

The qPCR-based bioassay is a viable and promising tool for biomonitoring phosphorus bioavailability.
This method provides a sensitive approach to quantify BAP in aquatic environments.
The study successfully demonstrated the application of the assay in a real-world eutrophic lake.