PLANKTOTHRIX AGARDHII RESPONSE TO HYDROGEN PEROXIDE TREATMENT IN SPAHRS QUARRY

Abstract

Cyanobacteria blooms are a major environmental concern and are becoming more frequent occurrences in aquatic environments. Those that produce the hepatotoxin microcystin, like Planktothrix agardhii, are of particular concern. This study tested the effectiveness of treating an entire quarry with a single application of H2O2 to suppress a bloom of P. agardhii. While many laboratory studies have tested the effectiveness of H2O2 as a cyanocide, only a few field studies have tested its effectiveness against Planktothrix when applied to an entire waterbody. Results show that the bloom persisted in the presence of 1.4 mg H2O2/L. In addition to not achieving the minimum recommended concentration of 2.0 mg/L, a number of factors were not measured which can influence the success of H2O2 treatment. Further studies of P. agardhii blooms in Spahrs Quarry would be needed to determine whether different methods or rates of H2O2 application would be successful in that environment.