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Review
. 2019 Mar 7;5(3):e01312.
doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01312. eCollection 2019 Mar.

The occurrence of cyanobacteria blooms in freshwater ecosystems and their link with hydro-meteorological and environmental variations in Tanzania

Offoro N Kimambo  1 , Jabulani R Gumbo  2 , Hector Chikoore  3
Affiliations
Review

The occurrence of cyanobacteria blooms in freshwater ecosystems and their link with hydro-meteorological and environmental variations in Tanzania

Offoro N Kimambo et al. Heliyon. .

Abstract

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are photosynthetic bacteria that under favorable environmental conditions produce secondary metabolites (cyanotoxins) which are harmful to the environment, including humans. The mass proliferation of harmful cyanobacteria is termed CyanoHABs. CyanoHABs can adapt to different climatic fluctuations, therefore, understanding their dynamics in freshwater systems is crucial. Variation in climatic and hydrological processes, changing land use and economic growth all influence the occurrence and distribution of CyanoHABs. There have been inadequate CyanoHAB studies at local scales, therefore their occurrence and dynamics cannot be generalized. This study reviews and synthesizes cases of CysnoHAB occurrence, magnitude, and timing and how these are linked with climatic and hydrological variations in the United Republic of Tanzania. In this study, a scoping review approach was adopted. Research articles, reports, and databases were consulted. The most common species of toxin-producing cyanobacteria were identified in different water bodies in Tanzania, as well as the record of mass fatality of birds (Lesser Flamingo) in Lake Manyara, which in almost all cases occurred during dry years. While previous studies on CyanoHAB dynamics and their links to climate, hydrological, and environmental changes have not been undertaken in Tanzania, there are studies in Lake Victoria and Tanganyika. Therefore, there should be an immediate response from water users, managers, researchers, and water authorities to address and actively engage in monitoring and managing the risks associated with CyanoHABs in Tanzania.

Keywords: Atmospheric science; Environmental science; Hydrology.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Schematic diagram of interactive physical, chemical and biological controls on harmful algal bloom formation and proliferation along the freshwater-to-marine continuum. Adapted with permission from “Mitigating the Expansion of Harmful Algal Blooms Across the Freshwater-to-Marine Continuum”, by Paerl et al. (2018). Environmental Sciences & Technology, 52, 5519–5529. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b05950. Copyright (2018) American Chemical Society.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Projected changes in air temperatures (°C) for different climate scenarios in Tanzania (Data generated from “KNMI Climate Explorer,”).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
(a). An increasing air temperature trend (observed) (from Climate Research Unit TS 4.00) and (b) Observed Precipitation (mm/day) from Global Precipitation and Climate Centre version 7 (GPPCC V7) for Manyara (Data generated from “KNMI Climate Explorer,”).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Standardized Precipitation and Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) for Manyara (Generated from “eartH2Observe Water Cycle Integrator,” available on http://wci.earth2observe.eu/).
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Standardized Precipitation and Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) in Morogoro (Data point generated from “eartH2Observe Water Cycle Integrator,” available on http://wci.earth2observe.eu/.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Variations of water levels (m) and volume (m3) in Mindu Dam for a period of 1997–2013 (data from WAMI/RUVU, 2013)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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