In: Biology
what role(s) does iron play in controlling the abundance of cyanobacteria in temperate zone lakes.
Role(s) of iron in controlling the abundance of cyanobacteria in temperate zone lakes.
Algal blooms or the blooms or abundance of Cyanobacteria forms a serious ecological problem. Algal blooms result in discolouration fo water, foul tastes, foul odour, anoxia as well as hypoxia. These are also responsible in killing fishes and resulting in alteration of the food web. These blooms produce toxins, that affect animal health and also affect the water that would be used for recreational or water for drinking purposes.
Since, Martin, there has been an increasing concern about the role of iron being a limiting factor in the HNLC region. It is thought that iron plays a role in respiration as well as photosynthesis. This is because Compounds that contain iron are present in the cells and in the ETC (electron transport chain) as well as in enzymes. This is more important since Cyanobacteria require more iron as compared to the eukaryotic algae because of their origins from the iron rich oceans, which are anoxic. Nitrogenase requires iron, which influence photosynthesis as well as growth rates and in nitrogen fixation.
Since, iron is not present in these conditions, it acts as the limiting factor to the growth of Cyanobacteria