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Modeling mitigation strategies for toxic cyanobacteria blooms in shallow and eutrophic Lake Kasumigaura, Japan

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Abstract

This paper explores mitigation scenarios for toxic cyanobacteria blooms in Lake Kasumigaura is located about 60–90 km northeast of Tokyo, in the southeast of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan. Dominant species of cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa, Microcystis viridis and Microcystis ichthyoblabe) produce highly potent toxins as (Microcystin-(Leucine + Arginine, MC-LR), Microcystin-(Arginine + Arginine, MC-RR) and Microcystin-(Tyrosine + Arginine, MC-YR) in the Lake. Toxin production is generally the result of two major factors-natural processes and human interferences. Both factors have an extreme influence on the generation of cyanobacteria toxins within lake ecosystems. To address these factors, we propose two concepts for mitigation. The first concept is intended for examining the natural process of toxin production behavior within the lake and the second concept is used for evaluating inflow of wastes and nutrients from human activities that form toxins. Our research aims to combine both strategies to mitigate impacts of toxins, by examining trends of cyanobacteria nutrient sources, buoyancy regulations that influence bloom formation, and the environmental conditions that spur blooms. This study proposes a simple IMPACT (Integrating Mitigation Policies for Aquatic Cyanobacteria Toxin) model for diminution strategies of harmful algal blooms and their toxins. A mixed-methods approach is employed, nested within the Environmental Systems Analysis (ESA) tools e.g. scenario analysis and stakeholder analysis. The quality of the lake is assessed through a combination of observation and field study analysis. The findings suggest that successful mitigation of cyanobacteria toxins is highly dependent on multi-functional, multi-stakeholder involvement, and relevant intergovernmental policy. Without integrating approaches among different stakeholders, diverse socioeconomic activists, local-national policymakers and effective policy measures, prevention of cyanobacteria toxin production within lakes becomes extremely complex and difficult. The proposed IMPACT model could be a decision framework for identifying suitable policies that mitigate cyanobacteria impacts.

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Acknowledgements

The MEXT (The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Japan) provided funding to the main author of this paper through the Monbukagakushō (MEXT) scholarship. The authors show the debt gratitude to the Ibaraki Kasumigaura Research Center, National Environmental Research Center and Department of Environmental Sciences, Shinshu University, Japan. Feedback from anonymous reviewers helped to improve the quality of this research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Systems Innovation, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan

    Md. Nazrul Islam

  2. Marine Ecosystem Engineering Laboratory, Institute of Industrial Science (IIS), The University of Tokyo, De-208, 4-6-1 Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 1538505, Japan

    Md. Nazrul Islam

  3. Department of Geography and Environment, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, 1342, Bangladesh

    Md. Nazrul Islam

  4. Underwater Technology Research Center, Institute of Industrial Science (IIS), The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 1538505, Japan

    Daisuke Kitazawa

  5. Graduate School of Geography and Urban Studies, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Thomas Hamill

  6. Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, Shinshu University, Matsumoto, 390-8621, Japan

    Ho-Dong Park

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  1. Md. Nazrul Islam
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  4. Ho-Dong Park
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Correspondence to Md. Nazrul Islam.

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Islam, M.N., Kitazawa, D., Hamill, T. et al. Modeling mitigation strategies for toxic cyanobacteria blooms in shallow and eutrophic Lake Kasumigaura, Japan. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Change 18, 449–470 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-012-9369-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-012-9369-3

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