Ali Fadel

Dynamics of the Toxin Cylindrospermopsin and the Cyanobacterium Chrysosporum (Aphanizomenon) ovalisporum in a Mediterranean Eutrophic Reservoir

Chrysosporum ovalisporum is a cylindrospermopsin toxin producing cyanobacterium that was reported in several lakes and reservoirs. Its growth dynamics and toxin distribution in field remain largely undocumented. Chrysosporum ovalisporum was reported in 2009 in Karaoun Reservoir, Lebanon. We investigated the factors controlling the occurrence of this cyanobacterium and vertical distribution of cylindrospermopsin in Karaoun Reservoir. We conducted bi-weekly sampling campaigns between May 2012 and August 2013. Results showed that Chrysosporum ovalisporum is an ecologically plastic species that was observed in all seasons. Unlike the high temperatures, above 26 °C, which is associated with blooms of Chrysosporum ovalisporum in Lakes Kinneret (Israel), Lisimachia and Trichonis (Greece) and Arcos Reservoir (Spain), Chrysosporum ovalisporum in Karaoun Reservoir bloomed in October 2012 at a water temperature of 22 °C during weak stratification. Cylindrospermopsin was detected in almost all water samples even when Chrysosporum ovalisporum was not detected. Chrysosporum ovalisporum biovolumes and cylindrospermopsin concentrations were not correlated (n = 31, r2 = −0.05). Cylindrospermopsin reached a maximum concentration of 1.7 µg L−1. The vertical profiles of toxin concentrations suggested its possible degradation or sedimentation resulting in its disappearance from the water column. The field growth conditions of Chrysosporum ovalisporum in this study revealed that it can bloom at the subsurface water temperature of 22 °C increasing the risk of its development and expansion in lakes located in temperate climate regions.

Global warming as a driving factor for cyanobacterial blooms in Lake Karaoun, Lebanon

AbstractThe Middle East region suffers already from the gradual effects of climate change and will be among the most vulnerable regions in the future. As a result, productivity should undergo losses due to high temperatures, drought, floods, and soil degradation which threaten food security of Levantine countries. Since water is the critical factor in the region, even slight changes in air temperature and rainfall patterns will have considerable impact. It has been proven that potential climate change may disrupt, on one hand, most ecosystems through changes in their physicochemical conditions, and on the other hand the species which are living in these ecosystems. Then, the biodiversity can be found challenging. In this study, the effects of climate change on population and phytoplankton communities of Lake Karaoun were investigated since 1992. The climate regime shifts have been shown to alter the lake ecosystem. In the past, Lake Karaoun was characterized by a highly diversified microflora dominated by...

Assessment of The trophic state and Chlorophyll-a concentrations using Landsat OLI in Karaoun reservoir, Lebanon

Fadel, A., Faour, G. and Slim K. 2016. Assessment of the trophic state and chlorophyll-a concentrations using Landsat OLI in Karaoun reservoir, Lebanon. Lebanese Science Journal, 17(2): 130-145. Harmful algal blooms have become a worldwide environmental problem. A regular and cost-effective monitoring of these blooms is highly needed by lakes managers. Satellite remote sensing imagery like Landsat Operational Land Imager (OLI) can be used to assess and monitor chlorophyll-a in water bodies over large areas in a cost-effective way. In this study, the accuracy of Landsat OLI to estimate chlorophyll-a was examined. Four field campaigns and cloud free images of Landsat OLI with 30 m resolution (01 May 2013, 21 August 2013, 10 July 2015, and 11 August 2015) were used in this study to determine the accuracy of Landsat OLI in estimating chlorophyll-a in a 12 km freshwater body, Karaoun reservoir. After atmospheric correction of these images, reflectance of single and multiple band combinations were compared to field chlorophyll-a data. Results of field campaigns showed that the trophic state of Karaoun reservoir is still eutrophic to hypereutrophic with high nutrient concentration and low phytoplankton biodiversity, dominated by cyanobacteria species, Microcystis aeruginosa and Aphanizomenon ovalisporum. On single band level, the in situ chlorophyll-a measurement correlated best with band 5 (0.85 0.88 μm), with R=0.75 and R=0.57. Highest correlation (R=0.84 and R=0.72) was obtained using band combination, B2:B4 band ratio multiplied by B5. Results indicated that Landsat OLI can be used effectively to determine chlorophyll-a concentration in lakes and reservoirs. We recommend the application of Landsat OLI as a satisfactory and cost effective method for monitoring chlorophyll-a in other lakes through-out the world.

Evaluation of the Physicochemical and Environmental Status of Qaraaoun Reservoir

Qaraaoun Reservoir, the largest freshwater body in Lebanon, is a vital organ for the Bekaa region. It is used for hydropower generation, fishing, crop irrigation, and tourist activities. In this chapter, we assess the evolution of its physico-chemical and ecological status and compare it with the results of previous studies. The lake, which is considered as monomictic, stratifies in spring and summer providing different physico-chemical compositions at different depths. The trophic state of the lake has not witnessed any improvements in the last 10 years. Its phytoplankton community has low biodiversity and is dominated by toxic cyanobacterial blooms Microcystis aeruginosa and Aphanizomenon ovalisporum. Due to these toxic blooms, using its water for swimming and drinking should be avoided under the present conditions. For safe use of its water, an effective management at the level of its watershed is highly recommended to improve water quality.