The odor production characteristics of three typical odor-producing algae under water supply network environment

CHENG Ya; WU Yong-peng; WANG Jun-feng; MA Cai-yun; WEN Gang; WANG Feng-lin; HUANG Ting-lin

PDF(1018 KB)

China Environmental Science ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (1) : 161-167.

Water Pollution Control

The odor production characteristics of three typical odor-producing algae under water supply network environment

CHENG Ya¹, WU Yong-peng¹, WANG Jun-feng², MA Cai-yun¹, WEN Gang¹, WANG Feng-lin², HUANG Ting-lin¹

Author information +

History +

Abstract

This study investigated the impacts of pipeline environmental factors (hydraulic shear force, temperature, darkness/light conditions, pipe materials) and continuous flow conditions on odor production characteristics of three typical odor-producing algae: Microcystis aeruginosa, Pseudanabaena galeata, and Oscillatoria. Key findings revealed that hydraulic shear force significantly promoted 2-MIB release in chain-forming Pseudanabaena galeata and filamentous Oscillatoria, with rupture rates exceeding 90% under high shear conditions. In contrast, spherical Microcystis aeruginosa exhibited structural tolerance with rupture rates below 30%. Temperature markedly influenced β-cyclocitral production in Microcystis aeruginosa, reaching 40ng/L at 30℃. Although low temperature induced cell rupture, it suppressed metabolic activity, resulting in lower odorant concentrations. Darkness and pipe materials showed limited effects, only slightly increasing rupture rates (<5%) and odorant concentrations (<8ng/L). Continuous flow experiments demonstrated accelerated 2-MIB release in Pseudanabaena galeata and Oscillatoria under high flow velocity, achieving peak concentrations (up to 85ng/L) within 0.5hours-significantly faster than batch experiments. The study identifies hydraulic shear force and temperature as primary control factors for odor production, providing scientific guidance for odor management in water distribution systems.

Key words

water distribution system / odorigenic algae / 2-methylisoborneol(2-MIB) / geosmin(GSM) / β-cyclocitral

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

CHENG Ya, WU Yong-peng, WANG Jun-feng, MA Cai-yun, WEN Gang, WANG Feng-lin, HUANG Ting-lin. The odor production characteristics of three typical odor-producing algae under water supply network environment[J]. China Environmental Science. 2026, 46(1): 161-167

References

[1] Burford M A, Carey C C, Hamilton D P, et al. Perspective: Advancing the research agenda for improving understanding of cyanobacteria in a future of global change[J]. Harmful Algae, 2020,91:101601.
[2] Paerl H W, Paul V J. Climate change: Links to global expansion of harmful cyanobacteria[J]. Water Research, 2012,46(5):1349-1363.
[3] Arii S, Yamashita R, Tsuji K, et al. Differences in susceptibility of cyanobacteria species to lytic volatile organic compounds and influence on seasonal succession[J]. Chemosphere, 2021,284:131378.
[4] Zhang K J, Zhang T Q, Deng Y, et al. Occurrence of algae and algae-related taste and odour (T&O) compounds in the Qingcaosha Reservoir, China[J]. Journal of Water Supply Research and Technology-Aqua, 2015,64(7):824-831.
[5] Wang C, An W, Guo Q, et al. Assessing the hidden social risk caused by odor in drinking water through population behavioral responses using economic burden[J]. Water Research, 2020,172:115507.
[6] Chang D W, Hsieh M L, Chen Y M, et al. Kinetics of cell lysis for Microcystis aeruginosa and Nitzschia palea in the exposure to β-cyclocitral[J]. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2011,185(2):1214- 1220.
[7] 郭庆园,王春苗,于建伟,等.饮用水中典型嗅味问题及其研究进展[J]. 中国给水排水, 2020,36(22):82-88. Guo Q Y, Wang C M, Yu J W, et al. Research progress on typical taste and odor problems in drinking water[J]. China Water & Wastewater, 2020,36(22):82-88.
[8] GB/T 5749-2022生活饮用水卫生标准[S]. GB/T 5749-2022 Hygienic standard for drinking water[S].
[9] Chen J, Xie P, Ma Z, et al. A systematic study on spatial and seasonal patterns of eight taste and odor compounds with relation to various biotic and abiotic parameters in Gonghu Bay of Lake Taihu, China[J]. Science of the Total Environment, 2010,409(2):314-325.
[10] Ren B, Weitzel K A, Duan X, et al. A comprehensive review on algae removal and control by coagulation-based processes: mechanism, material, and application[J]. Separation and Purification Technology, 2022,293:121106.
[11] Rider Z, Percich A, Hiripitiyage Y, et al. Drivers of cyanotoxin and taste-and-odor compound presence within the benthic algae of human-disturbed rivers[J]. Water Research, 2024,253:121357.
[12] Zamyadi A, Dorner S, Sauvé S, et al. Species-dependence of cyanobacteria removal efficiency by different drinking water treatment processes[J]. Water Research, 2013,47(8):2689-2700.
[13] 王婵,张锡辉,冯兆敏,等.沿海城市复杂水源对城市安全供水的影响[J]. 给水排水, 2009,45(11):135-139. Wang C, Zhang X. H, Feng Z M., et al. Influence of complex water sources on urban safe water supply in coastal cities[J]. Water & Wastewater Engineering, 2009,45(11):135–139.
[14] Han Y T, Zheng J J, Jiang C, et al. Hydrochloric acid-modified algal biochar for the removal of Microcystis aeruginosa: Coagulation performance and mechanism[J]. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 2022,10(6):108903.
[15] 张永鑫,仇付国,王春苗,等.顶空固相微萃取-气相色谱三重四极杆串联质谱同时测定饮用水中9种嗅味物质[J]. 环境工程学报, 2023,17(11):3730-3737. Zhang Y X, Qiu F G, Wang C M, et al. Simultaneous determination of nine olfactory substances in drinking water by headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry[J]. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2023, 17(11):3730-3737.
[16] 陈亮.臭氧氧化对颤藻及其异味物质去除的研究[D]. 南昌,江西师范大学, 2023. Chen L. Study on the removal of tremella and its odour substances by ozone oxidation[D]. Nanchang: Jiangxi Normal University, 2023.
[17] Ozaki K, Ohta A, Iwata C, et al. Lysis of cyanobacteria with volatile organic compounds[J]. Chemosphere, 2008,71(8):1531-1538.
[18] 张琪,夏逸若,李林,等.淡水藻种库(FACHB)库藏产2-MIB蓝藻的鉴定及其产嗅特征研究[J]. 水生生物学报, 2023,47(7):1115- 1128. Zhang Q, Xia Y R, Li L, et al. Identification and odor-producing characteristics of 2-MIB-producing cyanobacteria from freshwater algae culture collection (FACHB)[J]. Acta Hydrobiologica Sinica, 2023,47(7):1115-1128.
[19] Liu T, Yu J W, Su M, et al. Production and fate of fishy odorants produced by two freshwater chrysophyte species under different temperature and light conditions[J]. Water Research, 2019,157:529- 534.
[20] 庞一鸣,陈淑华,徐杭州,等.伪鱼腥藻(Pseudanabaena sp.)及其产生2-甲基异莰醇(2-MIB)的研究进展[J]. 生态学杂志, 2021,40(5): 1530-1548. Pang Y M, Chen S H, Xu H Z, et al. Progress of Pseudanabaena sp. and its production of 2-methylisobornyl alcohol (2-MIB)[J]. Journal of Ecology, 2021,40(5):1530-1548.
[21] Li Z, Hobson P, An W, et al. Earthy odor compounds production and loss in three cyanobacterial cultures[J]. Water Research, 2012,46(16): 5165-5173.
[22] 张盛楠,田一梅,刘骋.华北某再生水管网余氯衰减分析及影响因素研究[J]. 工业用水与废水, 2017,48(3):10-14. Zhang S N, Tian Y M, Liu C. Study on the analysis of residual chlorine attenuation and influencing factors in a reclaimed water pipeline network in North China[J]. Industrial Water and Wastewater, 2017,48(3):10-14.
[23] Zheng T, Zhou M, Yang L, et al. Effects of high light and temperature on Microcystis aeruginosa cell growth and β-cyclocitral emission[J]. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 2020,192:110313.
[24] 苗义龙.给水管网生物膜微生物多样性及颗粒物对生物膜的影响研究[D]. 泉州:华侨大学, 2016. Miao Y L. Study on the diversity of biofilm microorganisms in water supply network and the influence of particulate matter on biofilm[D]. Quangzhou: Huaqiao University, 2016.
[25] 陈明俊.鹊山水库有害蓝藻的检测与生物控制研究[D]. 济南:山东大学, 2014. Chen M J. Research on detection and biological control of harmful cyanobacteria in Magpie Mountain Reservoir[D]. Jinan: Shandong University, 2014.
[26] Reese K L, Fisher C L, Lane P D, et al. Chemical profiling of volatile organic compounds in the headspace of algal cultures as early biomarkers of algal pond crashes[J]. Scientific Reports, 2019,9:10.