Assessing cyanobacterial spatial distribution in reservoirs using acoustic survey techniques for enhanced water quality management

Abstract

Increases in water temperature due to climate change are expected to lead to cyanobacterial blooms in various freshwater bodies, including reservoirs, posing a major challenge in terms of water quality management. Therefore, a detailed understanding of the dynamics of cyanobacteria in water bodies is required to increase our knowledge of cyanobacteria. In this study, we attempted to determine the spatial distribution of cyanobacteria in a water body by acoustic techniques, and to understand the distribution of cyanobacteria and how it is affected by the water environment. At the same time, the validity of acoustic measurements of cyanobacteria was verified. Comparison of the estimated abundance of cyanobacteria by acoustic measurements and the measured pigment values of cyanobacteria showed a positive correlation between them, suggesting that acoustic measurements of cyanobacteria are effective. The field survey provided us with a large number of data and allowed us to map the spatial distribution of cyanobacteria in the water body. The results suggest that cyanobacteria are propagated or transported by the water quality control facilities of the reservoir and the water environment. In particular, unlike natural environments, reservoirs are expected to undergo severe environmental changes due to artificial facilities such as water quality control measures, and it will be important to continue monitoring cyanobacteria on a detailed scale using acoustic techniques. Continued research in this area is anticipated to lead to more effective strategies for managing water bodies and mitigating cyanobacterial blooms.