Citation:

Tatters, A., C. Kapczynski, R. Kudela, S. Oerhle, W. Strangman, J. Aukamp, AND Y. Wan. Benthic cyanobacteria blooms in stormwater ponds. SETAC North America 43rd Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, November 13 - 17, 2022.

Impact/Purpose:

We investigated the temporal heterogeneity of potentially toxic cyanobacteria, associated toxins, and ‘under the radar’ bioactive peptides throughout the fall at several sites within the network. 

Description:

Extensive cyanobacteria-dominated mats were observed during late summer of 2021 within a stormwater retention pond network in northwest Florida. Common in residential communities across the region, such ponds may be routinely visited by humans, domestic and wild animals, and often contain a variety of aquatic life. Accordingly, we investigated the temporal heterogeneity of potentially toxic cyanobacteria, associated toxins, and ‘under the radar’ bioactive peptides throughout the fall at several sites within the network. Multiple toxin classes were detected in whole water and SPATT samples using targeted analysis including levels that far exceeded national recreational guidelines. Non-targeted analysis also revealed a collection of potentially unknown cyanobacteria-associated compounds that, along with known toxins, oscillated with periods of heavy rainfall and temperature variation. Our results suggest that the benthic proliferations and associated toxins are correlated with an intended function of the stormwater treatment network, nutrient removal. Furthermore, these retention ponds may serve as a consistent source for cyanobacteria biomass accumulation that is transported downstream in the form of cells for colonization and cyanotoxins to estuarine waters.

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