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

CBET-0826838 Steven Wilhelm，田纳西大学诺克斯维尔淡水系统中的富营养化导致了蓝藻水华的全球扩散，蓝藻水华被认为是有害的，因为它们污染了取水口，破坏了食物网，加剧了缺氧，并产生了对受影响沃茨的消费者和使用者有毒的次级代谢产物，从浮游动物，鱼类，贝类，牛，家养宠物到人类。 因此，蓝藻有害藻华严重损害了主要的淡水饮用水供应、渔业、农业（灌溉）和娱乐用途。 氰赤潮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：劳伦特五大湖，美国中西部和西部的主要水库，东南部的湖泊，河流和河口，以及地球仪的大型湖泊，包括中国的第三大湖泊太湖。 本研究的目的是部署一个跨学科的，国际（美国-中国）的科学为基础的方法来评估，控制和减轻威胁大型湖泊的可持续性的CycanHABs，重点是太湖作为一个案例研究。 将采用原位营养物稀释生物测定法，旨在确定可控制氰型赤潮藻生长和增殖的阈值。 双营养（N和P）的输入限制，将需要长期控制太湖蓝藻的假设进行了测试。 生物测定将补充中国同事正在进行的野外和围隔生态系统循环和营养循环研究。 一项研究、教育和与中国研究人员合作的计划将为北美系统如何处理未来的CyanoHAB事件提供一面“镜子”。 将重点放在环境科学和研究（UNC-CH环境研究所）和科学新闻学（UT新闻学院）的学生包括在内，将促进材料向各级（K-12，大学和公众）的快速和广泛传播。

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).