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Data-driven insights into Microcystis dominance: Multi-lake analysis for water management
Edoardo Bertone1, Benny Zuse Rousso2, John C Wells3
1School of Engineering and Built Environment & Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Parklands Drive, QLD, 4222, Australia.
Water Research
|November 12, 2025
Summary
Harmful cyanobacterial blooms are driven primarily by total phosphorus (TP), with nitrogen and site-specific factors also influencing Microcystis dominance in drinking water reservoirs. Effective management requires both nutrient reduction and tailored approaches for each water body.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Limnology
- Ecology
Background:
- Harmful cyanobacterial blooms threaten freshwater quality, especially in drinking water reservoirs.
- Understanding bloom drivers is crucial for effective water resource management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a cross-continental comparative analysis of factors influencing Microcystis dominance in five lakes and reservoirs.
- To identify universal and site-specific drivers of cyanobacterial blooms.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Self-Organizing Maps, Regression Trees, and Principal Component Analysis for data analysis.
- Compared physicochemical and ecological data from Australian, Japanese, and Israeli water bodies.
Main Results:
- Total phosphorus (TP) was the most consistent predictor of Microcystis dominance.
- Nitrogen forms, internal phosphorus loading, temperature, and stratification played varying roles across sites.
- Bloom-forming cyanobacteria genera exhibited distinct co-occurrence patterns under different conditions.
Conclusions:
- Nutrient reduction strategies targeting phosphorus are essential.
- Site-specific management approaches are necessary due to interacting factors like nitrogen, thermal dynamics, and inter-genus competition.
- Findings provide a framework for predictive modeling and improved water resource management.
