Use of immobilized algicidal bacteria to control natural freshwater diatom blooms

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the possible use of algicidal bacteria in conjunction with an immobilization technique for efficient termination of natural blooms of Stephanodiscus concomitant with minimization of adverse effects caused by a single application of bacteria. The performance of Pseudomonas fluorescens cells immobilized on cellulose sponges (CIS) was compared with that of freely suspended cells (FSC) of the organism at low water temperature (WT) of <10°C in co-cultures and natural microcosms. In the co-cultures, CIS resulted in more effective lysis of Stephanodiscus, irrespective of similar bacterivore (Spumella sp.) density, and significantly reduced the concentrations of nitrate and soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), but not that of silicate, compared with FSC. In the microcosms containing natural freshwater, CIS reduced the densities of Stephanodiscus spp. and Aulacoseira spp. but had no effect on other phytoplankton. Compared with FSC, removal of nutrients by the CIS prevented secondary blooms caused by other phytoplankton. Our results indicate that the CIS affords effective protection of P. fluorescens from low WT and heterotrophs, and restrained regeneration of both SRP and nitrate. Thus, it was demonstrated that the CIS may be an attractive alternative to FSC for control of natural blooms.