Collaborative Research: Evaluating Nutrient Reductions to Control Cyanobacteria and Ensure Large Lake Sustainability: Lake Taihu (China) as a Model for North American Systems

淡水系统的富营养化导致全球蓝藻大量繁殖，这被认为是有害的，因为它们污染了水的摄入量，破坏了食物网，加剧了缺氧，并产生次级代谢物，这些代谢物对消费者和受影响水域的使用者有毒，包括浮游动物、鱼类、贝类、牛、家养宠物和人类。因此，蓝藻有害藻华（CyanHABs）严重损害了主要的淡水饮用水供应、渔业、农业（灌溉）和娱乐用水。蓝藻藻问题的一个特别令人不安的方面是扩散到以前原始的大型湖泊，水库和河流系统。其中包括：劳伦森五大湖、美国中西部和西部的主要水库、东南部的湖泊、河流和河口，以及全球各地的大湖，包括中国第三大湖太湖。本研究的目的是采用一种跨学科的、国际的（中美）科学方法来评估、控制和减轻威胁大型湖泊可持续性的双环赤潮，并以太湖为案例研究。将部署原位营养稀释生物测定，旨在确定可控制蓝藻有害藻生长和增殖的阈值。本文将对长期控制太湖赤潮需要双重营养（N和P）输入限制的假设进行验证。生物测定将补充中国同行正在进行的野外和生态循环和营养循环研究。一项与中国研究人员的研究、教育和合作计划将为如何在北美系统中处理未来的蓝藻hab事件提供一个“镜子”。将专注于环境科学与研究（北卡罗来纳大学环境研究所）和科学新闻学（UT新闻学院）的学生纳入其中，将促进材料迅速和广泛地传播到各个层次（K-12，大学和公众）。

CBET-0826838Steven Wilhelm, University of Tennessee KnoxvilleEutrophication in freshwater systems has led to a global proliferation of cyanobacterial blooms deemed harmful because they foul water intakes, disrupt foodwebs, fuel hypoxia, and produce secondary metabolites that are toxic to consumers and users of affected waters, ranging from zooplankton, fish, shellfish, cattle, domestic pets, to humans. As such, Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanHABs) seriously impair major freshwater drinking water supplies, fisheries, agricultural (irrigation) and recreational use. A particularly troubling aspect of the CyanoHAB problem is the proliferation into previously pristine large lake, reservoir, and river systems. These include: the Laurentian Great Lakes, major reservoirs in the US Midwest and West, lakes, rivers and estuaries of the Southeast, and large lakes across the globe, including China's third largest lake, Taihu. The objective of this research is to deploy an interdisciplinary, international (USA-China) science-based approach for assessing, controlling, and mitigating CycanHABs threatening the sustainability of large lakes, focusing on Taihu as a case study. In situ nutrient dilution bioassays will be deployed, designed to determine thresholds below which CyanoHAB growth and proliferation can be controlled. The hypothesis that dual nutrient (N and P) input constraints will be needed for long-term control of CyanoHABs in Taihu will be tested. Bioassays will complement ongoing field and mesocosm circulation and nutrient cycling studies by Chinese colleagues. A program of research, education, and partnership with Chinese researchers will provide a 'looking glass' into how future CyanoHAB events might be dealt with in North American systems. The inclusion of students focused on Environmental Science and Studies (UNC-CH's Institute for the Environment) and Science 'Journalism (UT's School of Journalism) will facilitate rapid and widespread dissemination of materials to all levels (K-12, collegiate, and general public).