Understanding the controls on cyanobacteria blooms in Northern Ireland lakes: a palaeolimnological perspective

The proliferation of harmful cyanobacteria algal blooms (cyanoHABs) is recognised as a global environmental problem threatening the quality of surface waters.

These can have devastating effects on aquatic biota, fisheries and human health via the contamination of drinking water supplies.

In spite of advances in cyanoHAB monitoring and detection, the specific mechanisms of toxic bloom proliferation remain poorly understood, although nutrient enrichment driven by land use change (e.g. agricultural intensification) and climate change are major contributory factors (Benayache et al., 2019).

As well as promoting algal growth via temperature change, climate change can significantly alter the runoff of nutrients into water bodies, leading to cyanoHAB development.

Re-suspension of surficial, nutrient-rich sediments during heavy rains can have a similar effect, particularly in shallow lakes.

There is a pressing need to better understand these and other controls on cyanoHAB formation in light of future predicted climate change, and to consider how the combined effects of nutrients and climatic stressors will impact biotic communities in lakes and other sensitive water bodies.