| Eutrophication and algal blooms occurred in the backwater areas of tributaries in Three Gorges Reservoir were the hot ecological issues in recent years. A one year field survey on cyanobacteria was put forward from May, 2007 to May, 2008 in Xiaojiang backwater area. 15 genera and 40 species of cyanophyta were detected. Mean value of cyanobacterial cell density was (23.50±10.30)×105 cells·L-1, i.e. 24.1% in the algal community, while the biomass was (768.70±287.40) μg·L-1 which was 8.9% in the total biomass of algal community. Seasonal variation of cyanobacteria was apparent. Generally, cyanobacteria bloom occurred during late spring and early summer. Its abundance decreased after summer and reached the minimum level in winter. Anabaena ,Aphanizomenon ,Microcystis , Merismopedia and Phormidium were the common cynaobacterial genera. The cumulated cell density of these five genera of cyanobacteria above accounted up to 79.1% in the total cell density of cyanobacteria, while that of biomass accounted up to 77.6%. Spearman correlation analysis among the cell density, biomass as well as the key environmental factors indicated that utilization of inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus for anabolism was evident; however, nitrate would be the major nitrogen source for cyanobacteria. Moreover, increase of temperature and decrease of depth of euphotic zone had a significant effect on the abundance of cyanobacteria. According to co-analysis of hydrology and rainfall data in the whole year circle, it was found that nitrogen and phosphorus were input by the heavy rain and surface runoff with inorganic sediments, offering the enriched nutrients in water column. Meanwhile, turbidity increased by the inorganic suspended sediments decreased the depth of euphotic zone. The physiological advantage of cyanobacteria in low light and high turbidity environment might be the cause of cyanobacteria bloom in Xiaojiang backwater area. |
