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B-BLOOMS 2 Cyanobacterial Blooms in Belgian
Surface Waters
PIRLOT (1), Samuel, Bruno, LEPORCQ (1), Wim,
VYVERMAN (2), Jeroen, VAN WICHELEN (2), Pieter,
VANORMELINGEN (2), Ineke, VANGREMBERGHE (2),
Ludvig, TRIEST (3), Anatoly, PERETYATKO (3),
Annick, WILMOTTE (4), Yannick, LARA (4), Geoffrey
A., CODD (5) Jean-Pierre, DESCY (1)

1. FUNDP - Unité de Recherches en Biologie des
   Organismes (URBO). Rue de Bruxelles 61, 5000
   Namur, Belgique. jean-pierre.descy_at_fundp.ac.be
2. Ghent University - Protistology and Aquatic
   Ecology (PAE) Krijgslaan 281 S8, 9000 Ghent,
   BELGIQUE. wim.vyverman_at_ugent.be
3. Vrije Universiteit Brussel - Plant Science and
   Nature Management Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussel,
   BELGIQUE. ltriest_at_vub.ac.be
4. Université de Liège Center for Protein
   Engineering (CIP) Sart Tilman B6, 4000 Liège,
   Belgique. awilmotte_at_ulg.ac.be
5. University of Dundee, College of Life Sciences,
   Dundee DD15EH. United Kingdom. g.a.codd_at_dundee.ac.
   uk

Phytoplankton analyses
Environmental parameters
The B-BLOOMS 2 project aims through a
multi-disciplinary approach to deepen knowledge
of the cyanobacterial blooms in Belgium, improve
modelling for the prediction and early-warning of
blooms, develop operational monitoring
structures and tools, and propose strategies to
reduce the impact of nuisance and harmful blooms.
Toxin analysis risk management
Chromatogram of microcystins analysed by HPLC
Molecular analyses
Data processing and modelling
ANN Modeling
Clone libraries
Microcystin gene detection
Correlation between predicted cyanobacterial
biomass (Chla equivalent) and measured values,
for the 3 pre-dam lakes of Eau dHeure (2002-2004)
Clone library composition, based on the BLAST
analysis of the sequences
mcyB and E PCR (DNA template)
Contribution of variables to the prediction (same
as above) ND wo HW number of days without high
wind.
The data analysis using CCA shows a significant
effect of large zooplancton on phytoplankton
structure and on cyanobacterial abundance
Results
Here are some results from the B-Blooms 2 project
which is still running. The three teams involved
in regular field sampling (FUNDP, UGent and VUB)
have adopted common standard procedures for
monitoring environmental parameters and plankton
in a range of freshwater bodies of increasing
trophic status, thereby covering a range of lakes
in which cyanobacterial blooms develop to varying
degrees. As an example of the power of combining
multidisciplinary approaches to cyanobacterial
bloom- and cyanotoxin research in a single
project, we can cite the preliminary results in
Flanders (UGent), which show that both reference
lakes suffer heavily from cyanobacterial blooms,
but with contrasting bloom dynamics and species.
The intensive sampling at the cyanobacterial
community and population levels (both selectively
neutral and microcystin genes) enables detailed
investigation of bloom dynamics at both levels
(and possible interactions) and the major abiotic
and biotic factors governing them. These
findings are expected to strenghthen the basis
for strategic decision-making in the management
of Belgian waterbodies affected by cyanobacterial
blooms.
DGGE
DGGE banding patterns (samples from Eau d'Heure
lakes Falemprise from May to September Ri Jaune
from July to August Féronval from August)
www.bblooms.be