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The ecology of the nuisance cyanobacterium, Lyngbya wollei, in the Western Basin of Lake Erie

Panek, Sarah E.
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1333655271

Abstract Details

2012, Master of Science, University of Toledo, Biology (Ecology).
While prevalent in the southeastern United States, little is known about the distribution, abundance, and effects of Lyngbya wollei in western Lake Erie excluding research by Bridgeman and Penamon (2010). The objective of this study is three-fold: 1) Determine the temporal and spatial distribution of L. wollei in the Western Basin of Lake Erie. Also, determine if temporal and spatial patterns of previous growing seasons (2009 summer) are repeated. 2) Determine the relative importance of depth, light intensity, substrate type, and temperature in influencing the establishment and biomass of L. wollei. 3) Determine the effects of temperature on L. wollei growth/primary production in order to obtain a range of temperatures at which L. wollei can grow. Also, account for potential power plant effects (increased water temperature in winter months) which may maintain the minimal temperature conditions in winter months for L. wollei growth. Field survey results showed temporal and spatial distributions were consistent in both years sampled. A generalized additive model (GAM) was developed with the environmental factors light at lake bottom, sand, latitude and longitude, temperature, and secchi being the best fit predictors for L. wollei density. Laboratory temperature controlled experiments showed L. wollei growth rate, photosynthetic yield, and electron transport rate decrease with decreasing temperature. L. wollei maintains positive growth rate at temperatures between 7 – 20 °C and a negative growth rate at temperatures < 5 °C. Studying the distribution pattern of L. wollei with accompanying habitat characteristics may be useful in determining which environmental characteristics are most important for the establishment of L. wollei and to predict which areas of Lake Erie and potentially the other Great Lakes may be most affected by L. wollei in the future. Also, by studying the influence of environmental factors I may find ways to reduce L. wollei by altering some human influences such as nutrients, turbidity, or thermal pollution. It is important to understand the potential short term and long term impacts of L. wollei on Lake Erie.
Dr. Thomas Bridgeman (Advisor)
Dr. Christine Mayer (Committee Member)
Dr. Richard Becker (Committee Member)
80 p.
Aquatic Sciences; Ecology; Environmental Science; Limnology
cyanobacterium; Lyngbya; temperature; distribution; Lake Erie

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Panek, S. E. (2012). The ecology of the nuisance cyanobacterium, Lyngbya wollei, in the Western Basin of Lake Erie [Master's thesis, University of Toledo]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1333655271

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Panek, Sarah. The ecology of the nuisance cyanobacterium, Lyngbya wollei, in the Western Basin of Lake Erie. 2012. University of Toledo, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1333655271.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Panek, Sarah. "The ecology of the nuisance cyanobacterium, Lyngbya wollei, in the Western Basin of Lake Erie." Master's thesis, University of Toledo, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=toledo1333655271

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Toledo and OhioLINK.