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RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 56(1)

Investigations into the taxonomy, toxicity and ecology of benthic cyanobacterial accumulations in Myall Lake, Australia

Matthew Dasey A , Natasha Ryan A , Joanne Wilson B , Glenn McGregor C , Larelle Fabbro D , Brett A. Neilan E , Brendan P. Burns E , Harri Kankaanpää F , Louise F. Morrison G , Geoffrey A. Codd G , Dave Rissik H and Lee Bowling I J
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Hunter Region, Dangar, NSW 2309, Australia.

B NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Centre for Natural Resources, Dangar, NSW 2309, Australia.

C Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Indooroopilly, Qld 4068, Australia.

D Centre for Environmental Management, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, Qld 4702, Australia.

E School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

F Finnish Institute of Marine Research, PO Box 33, FIN-00931 Helsinki, Finland.

G Division of Environmental and Applied Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN, Scotland, UK.

H NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Estuaries Branch, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia.

I NSW Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Centre for Natural Resources, PO Box 3720, Parramatta, NSW 2124, Australia.

J Corresponding author. Email: lee.bowling@dipnr.nsw.gov.au

Marine and Freshwater Research 56(1) 45-55 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF04195
Submitted: 23 July 2004  Accepted: 24 December 2004   Published: 4 February 2005

Abstract

Large benthic accumulations of cyanobacteria occur in sheltered embayments within Myall Lake, New South Wales, Australia. The lake is shallow, with the entire bottom within the euphotic zone, and it is generally considered pristine, having low nutrient concentrations. The accumulations are highly organic and contain a mix of species mainly from the order Chroococcales, with two forms of Aphanothece being dominant. However polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis indicates a close similarity to Microcystis flos-aquae. The cells appear to lack aerotopes and form sticky mucilaginous amalgamations, which may enhance their benthic habit. Although Chroococcales also dominate the planktonic cyanobacterial community, the benthic species are seldom, if ever, found entrained within the water column. Some hepatotoxicity was indicated by mouse bioassay, protein phosphatase inhibition assay, enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) for microcystins, PCR and by chromatographic evidence for a microcystin. Ecological aspects of the distribution, gross morphology of the organisms and management implications for recreational water-users are discussed.

Extra keywords: Aphanothece, Chroococcales, coastal lakes, limnology, microcystin.


Acknowledgments

Field work at the Myall Lakes was undertaken under a Coasts and Clean Seas grant funding to the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources. Mouse bioassays were undertaken by the Armidale Dumaresq City Council laboratory. Input from Harri Kankaanpää was supported by the Academy of Finland. The University of Western Sydney (Macarthur) hosted his research during his stay in Australia. Input from the other contributing authors was voluntary, with support provided by their respective agencies or universities. We thank these organisations for their helpful and generous collaborative participation.


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