The impact of turbulence and salinity interaction on algal growth and community structure
MAO Yu-feng1, GUO Wen-shu1, LI Hong2, HE Rui-xu1, YE Kai-lai1, HU Jiang1, XIAO Yi1, YU Wei-wei1, TANG Bing-ran2, LI Jia1, HE Qiang2, YANG Sheng-fa1
1. National Engineering Research Center for Inland Waterway Regulation, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing 400074, China; 2. Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Reservoir Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400045, China
Abstract：An Approximate Homogeneous Turbulence Simulation system was employed to systematically explore algal responses to the interactive effects of turbulence and salinity by integrating the regulatory roles of these interactions on photosynthesis, nutrient metabolism, extracellular polymeric substances secretion, and grazing activities. It was demonstrated that at the biomass level, the damage to algae caused by turbulence was enhanced at 1‰ salinity, with Chl-a content in the low- and high-turbulence groups being 0.37 and 1.41 times that of the still-water group, respectively. At 4‰ salinity, damage was mitigated, with Chl-a content in these groups being 0.82 and 2.29 times that of the still-water group. This phenomenon was attributed to the regulation of algal photosynthetic efficiency and nutrient utilization rate by salinity. At the community structure level, the energy metabolism was enhanced by the increased salinity, which resulted in a lower water pH, thereby providing a competitive advantage to diatoms and leading to their dominance within the phytoplankton community. However, gas exchange and the shift in zooplankton composition were intensified by the elevated turbulence, mitigating the competitive advantage of diatoms caused by increased salinity. Consequently, the proportion of cyanobacteria increases, reinstating them as the dominant phylum.
毛羽丰, 郭文淑, 李宏, 何蕊序, 叶开来, 胡江, 肖毅, 余薇薇, 唐炳然, 李佳, 何强, 杨胜发. 湍流与盐度交互作用对藻类生长及群落的影响[J]. 中国环境科学, 2025, 45(4): 2098-2111.
MAO Yu-feng, GUO Wen-shu, LI Hong, HE Rui-xu, YE Kai-lai, HU Jiang, XIAO Yi, YU Wei-wei, TANG Bing-ran, LI Jia, HE Qiang, YANG Sheng-fa. The impact of turbulence and salinity interaction on algal growth and community structure. CHINA ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCECE, 2025, 45(4): 2098-2111.
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