Effect of Black Wattle (Acacia mearnsii) Extract on Blue-Green Algal Bloom Control and Plankton Structure Optimization: A Field Mesocosm Experiment

A field mesocosm experiment was conducted at the Three Gorges Reservoir to investigate the utility of black wattle extract in controlling blue algal blooms. The mesocosm experiment was divided into two parts: (1) a short-term test to evaluate how black wattle extract inhibits algal blooms in an emer...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Water environment research 2012-12, Vol.84 (12), p.2133-2142
Main Authors: Zhou, Lirong, Bi, Yonghong, Jiang, Lihe, Wang, Zhiqiang, Chen, Wenqing
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acacia
Algae
algal bloom
Algal blooms
algal inhibition
Applied sciences
aquatic ecosystem
Aquatic ecosystems
Biodegradation, Environmental
black wattle extract
Cyanobacteria
Cyanobacteria - drug effects
Ecosystem
Eutrophication - drug effects
Exact sciences and technology
Field experiments
Fresh water
Phytoplankton
Plankton
Plankton - drug effects
Plant cells
Plant Extracts - pharmacology
Plants
Pollution
Water Quality
Wattles
Zooplankton
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Summary:A field mesocosm experiment was conducted at the Three Gorges Reservoir to investigate the utility of black wattle extract in controlling blue algal blooms. The mesocosm experiment was divided into two parts: (1) a short-term test to evaluate how black wattle extract inhibits algal blooms in an emergency and (2) a long-term test to evaluate how black wattle extract maintains water quality and prevents algal blooms over a 1-year period. In the short-term test, the results showed that 3 to 4 mg L⁻¹ black wattle extract could reduce algal biomass in 1 week, whereas serious algal blooms occurred in the untreated control mesocosm. More importantly, the long-term test suggested that black wattle extract played a significant role in plankton structure optimization at lower concentrations of 1 to 2 mg L⁻¹. In this test, phytoplankton diversity increased, with the dominant species shifting from cyanobacteria to diatoms and other algae. Meanwhile, as water quality improved through the presence of plant extract treatment, the numbers of smaller zooplankton decreased and larger species increased. Therefore, this investigation founded a novel nature plant agent that not only has good effects on algal bloom control, but also restores the aquatic ecosystem.
ISSN:1061-4303
1554-7531
DOI:10.2175/106143012X13418552642083