ORIGINAL RESEARCH
A Kinetics Model for Predicting Microcystis
Growth Based on the Synergistic Effect of Nitrogen
and Phosphorus on the Growth
of Microcystis densa (Cyanobacteria)
More details
Hide details
1
Sun Yat-sen University, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou, China
2
Sun Yat-sen University, School of Geography and Planning, Guangzhou, China
Submission date: 2020-03-09
Final revision date: 2020-04-21
Acceptance date: 2020-06-28
Online publication date: 2020-10-06
Publication date: 2021-01-20
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2021;30(2):1067-1077
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Microcystis blooms occur frequently in subtropical lakes and reservoirs and cause serious ecological
and economic losses. A novel Microcystis bloom caused by Microcystis densa has broken out in many
reservoirs in South China. In order to control M. densa bloom, it is important to predict the growth of
M. densa, which is influenced by the synergistic uptake and assimilation of nitrogen and phosphorus.
Therefore, it is necessary to develop a model of the response of Microcystis growth to nitrogen and
phosphorus concentrations. Our study focused on both nitrogen and phosphorus, and studied their
synergetic effect on M. densa growth. The growth kinetics, including the maximum specific growth
rates and the half-saturation constant of M. densa for both nitrogen and phosphorus, were also
determined. A modified model with Monod kinetics was developed to explain the synergistic effects
of nitrogen and phosphorus on M. densa growth. The specific growth rate of M. densa can be predicted
by nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations. This modified model was verified by the actual measures
of the Lianhe Reservoir and Liuxihe Reservoir. It could relatively accurately predict the growth level of
M. densa and helped for the daily monitoring of reservoir management for M. densa growth.