Removal of cyanobacteria by an Aeromonas sp.

Abstract In the present study, the biocontrol of harmful algae by an algicidal bacterium Aeromonas sp. strain FM was examined. The threshold concentration of FM for its algicidal activity against the exponentially growing Microcystis aeruginosa was 2.1 × 108 cfu mL−1. The influence of temperature on algae removal was tested, and the result indicated that the summer temperature 30°C favored the algicidal activity of the bacterium strain when compared to 20°C, the representative temperature of spring or autumn. A strong algicidal effect of strain FM was observed against M. aeruginosa, M. flos-aquae, Anabaena cylindrica, A. flos-aquae, and Nodularia spumigena. Based on these tests, the removal of M. aeruginosa treated by Aeromonas sp. strain FM harboring in Aquamats was carried out. After 7 d treatment, M. aeruginosa at 7.5 × 105 cells mL−1 with a total volume of 10 L decreased 85% of its biomass, following with a decay of the inoculated algicidal strain FM. The electron microscope images demonstrated that t...