Characterization of Phytoplankton Composition in Lake Maggiore: Integrated Chemotaxonomy for Enhanced Cyanobacteria Detection

Cyanobacterial blooms in lakes have increased in frequency and intensity over the past two decades, negatively affecting ecological and biogeochemical processes. This study focuses on the phytoplankton composition of Lake Maggiore, with a special emphasis on cyanobacteria detection through pigment c...

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Main Authors: Elisabetta Canuti, Martina Austoni
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Microorganisms
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/11/2211
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author Elisabetta Canuti
Martina Austoni
author_facet Elisabetta Canuti
Martina Austoni
author_sort Elisabetta Canuti
collection DOAJ
description Cyanobacterial blooms in lakes have increased in frequency and intensity over the past two decades, negatively affecting ecological and biogeochemical processes. This study focuses on the phytoplankton composition of Lake Maggiore, with a special emphasis on cyanobacteria detection through pigment composition. While microscopy is the standard method for phytoplankton identification, pigment-based methods provide broader spatiotemporal coverage. Between May and September 2023, five measurement campaigns were conducted in Lake Maggiore, collecting bio-geochemical and bio-optical data at 27 stations. The total Chlorophyll-a (TChl <i>a</i>) was measured, with concentrations ranging from 1.13 to 6.9 mg/m<sup>3</sup>. Phytoplankton pigment composition was analyzed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and the CHEMTAX approach was applied for phytoplankton classification. The results were cross-validated using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA), and microscopic counts. Cyanobacteria were identified based on unique pigment markers, such as carotenoids. The HPLC-derived pigment classification results aligned well with both PCA and HCA and microscopic counts verified the accuracy of the pigment-based chemotaxonomy. The study demonstrates that pigment-based classification methods, when combined with statistical analyses, offer a reliable alternative for identifying cyanobacteria and other phytoplankton groups, with potential applications in support of remote sensing algorithm development.
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spelling doaj-art-d3cdcab15b064a71b52bb64d9beadd602025-08-20T01:54:07ZengMDPI AGMicroorganisms2076-26072024-10-011211221110.3390/microorganisms12112211Characterization of Phytoplankton Composition in Lake Maggiore: Integrated Chemotaxonomy for Enhanced Cyanobacteria DetectionElisabetta Canuti0Martina Austoni1European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 21027 Ispra, VA, ItalyNational Research Council of Italy, Water Research Institute, CNR-IRSA, 28922 Verbania Pallanza, VB, ItalyCyanobacterial blooms in lakes have increased in frequency and intensity over the past two decades, negatively affecting ecological and biogeochemical processes. This study focuses on the phytoplankton composition of Lake Maggiore, with a special emphasis on cyanobacteria detection through pigment composition. While microscopy is the standard method for phytoplankton identification, pigment-based methods provide broader spatiotemporal coverage. Between May and September 2023, five measurement campaigns were conducted in Lake Maggiore, collecting bio-geochemical and bio-optical data at 27 stations. The total Chlorophyll-a (TChl <i>a</i>) was measured, with concentrations ranging from 1.13 to 6.9 mg/m<sup>3</sup>. Phytoplankton pigment composition was analyzed using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and the CHEMTAX approach was applied for phytoplankton classification. The results were cross-validated using Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA), and microscopic counts. Cyanobacteria were identified based on unique pigment markers, such as carotenoids. The HPLC-derived pigment classification results aligned well with both PCA and HCA and microscopic counts verified the accuracy of the pigment-based chemotaxonomy. The study demonstrates that pigment-based classification methods, when combined with statistical analyses, offer a reliable alternative for identifying cyanobacteria and other phytoplankton groups, with potential applications in support of remote sensing algorithm development.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/11/2211CHEMTAXLake MaggioreHPLC pigments phytoplanktoncyanobacteriabloomchemotaxonomy
spellingShingle Elisabetta Canuti
Martina Austoni
Characterization of Phytoplankton Composition in Lake Maggiore: Integrated Chemotaxonomy for Enhanced Cyanobacteria Detection
Microorganisms
CHEMTAX
Lake Maggiore
HPLC pigments phytoplankton
cyanobacteria
bloom
chemotaxonomy
title Characterization of Phytoplankton Composition in Lake Maggiore: Integrated Chemotaxonomy for Enhanced Cyanobacteria Detection
title_full Characterization of Phytoplankton Composition in Lake Maggiore: Integrated Chemotaxonomy for Enhanced Cyanobacteria Detection
title_fullStr Characterization of Phytoplankton Composition in Lake Maggiore: Integrated Chemotaxonomy for Enhanced Cyanobacteria Detection
title_full_unstemmed Characterization of Phytoplankton Composition in Lake Maggiore: Integrated Chemotaxonomy for Enhanced Cyanobacteria Detection
title_short Characterization of Phytoplankton Composition in Lake Maggiore: Integrated Chemotaxonomy for Enhanced Cyanobacteria Detection
title_sort characterization of phytoplankton composition in lake maggiore integrated chemotaxonomy for enhanced cyanobacteria detection
topic CHEMTAX
Lake Maggiore
HPLC pigments phytoplankton
cyanobacteria
bloom
chemotaxonomy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2607/12/11/2211
work_keys_str_mv AT elisabettacanuti characterizationofphytoplanktoncompositioninlakemaggioreintegratedchemotaxonomyforenhancedcyanobacteriadetection
AT martinaaustoni characterizationofphytoplanktoncompositioninlakemaggioreintegratedchemotaxonomyforenhancedcyanobacteriadetection