Shifts in phytoplankton and zooplankton communities in three cyanobacteria-dominated lakes after treatment with hydrogen peroxide

Cyanobacteria can reach high densities in eutrophic lakes, which may cause problems due to their potential toxin production. Several methods are in use to prevent, control or mitigate harmful cyanobacterial blooms. Treatment of blooms with low concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) is a promising emergency method. However, effects of H₂O₂ on cyanobacteria, eukaryotic phytoplankton and zooplankton have mainly been studied in controlled cultures and mesocosm experiments, while much less is known about the effectiveness and potential side effects of H₂O₂ treatments on entire lake ecosystems. In this study, we report on three different lakes in the Netherlands that were treated with average H₂O₂ concentrations ranging from 2 to 5 mg L⁻¹ to suppress cyanobacterial blooms. Effects on phytoplankton and zooplankton communities, on cyanotoxin concentrations, and on nutrient availability in the lakes were assessed. After every H₂O₂ treatment, cyanobacteria drastically declined, sometimes by more than 99%, although blooms of Dolichospermum sp., Aphanizomenon sp., and Planktothrix rubescens were more strongly suppressed than a Planktothrix agardhii bloom. Eukaryotic phytoplankton were not significantly affected by the H₂O₂ additions and had an initial advantage over cyanobacteria after the treatment, when ample nutrients and light were available. In all three lakes, a new cyanobacterial bloom developed within several weeks after the first H₂O₂ treatment, and in two lakes a second H₂O₂ treatment was therefore applied to again suppress the cyanobacterial population. Rotifers strongly declined after most H₂O₂ treatments except when the H₂O₂ concentration was ≤ 2 mg L⁻¹, whereas cladocerans were only mildly affected and copepods were least impacted by the added H₂O₂. In response to the treatments, the cyanotoxins microcystins and anabaenopeptins were released from the cells into the water column, but disappeared after a few days. We conclude that lake treatments with low concentrations of H₂O₂ can be a successful tool to suppress harmful cyanobacterial blooms, but may negatively affect some of the zooplankton taxa in lakes. We advise pre-tests prior to the treatment of lakes to define optimal treatment concentrations that kill the majority of the cyanobacteria and to minimize potential side effects on non-target organisms. In some cases, the pre-tests may discourage treatment of the lake.