Improvement of In Vivo Fluorescence Tools for Fast Monitoring of Freshwater Phytoplankton and Potentially Harmful Cyanobacteria

Mara Simonazzi (), Laura Pezzolesi (), Franca Guerrini, Silvana Vanucci, Giancarlo Graziani, Ivo Vasumini, Andrea Pandolfi, Irene Servadei and Rossella Pistocchi
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Mara Simonazzi: Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Via S’Alberto 163, 48123 Ravenna, Italy
Laura Pezzolesi: Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Via S’Alberto 163, 48123 Ravenna, Italy
Franca Guerrini: Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Via S’Alberto 163, 48123 Ravenna, Italy
Silvana Vanucci: Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences (ChiBioFarAm), University of Messina, Viale Ferdinando d’Alcontres 31, 98166 Messina, Italy
Giancarlo Graziani: Romagna Acque Società delle Fonti S.p.a., Piazza Orsi Mangelli 10, 47122 Forlì, Italy
Ivo Vasumini: Romagna Acque Società delle Fonti S.p.a., Piazza Orsi Mangelli 10, 47122 Forlì, Italy
Andrea Pandolfi: Romagna Acque Società delle Fonti S.p.a., Piazza Orsi Mangelli 10, 47122 Forlì, Italy
Irene Servadei: Fondazione Centro Ricerche Marine, Viale A. Vespucci, 2, 47042 Cesenatico, Italy
Rossella Pistocchi: Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences (BiGeA), University of Bologna, Via S’Alberto 163, 48123 Ravenna, Italy

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 21, 1-19

Abstract: The use of multi-wavelength spectrofluorometers for the fast detection of algal taxa, based on chlorophyll a (Chl- a ) emission spectra, has become a common practice in freshwater water management, although concerns about their accuracy have been raised. Here, inter-laboratory comparisons using monoalgal cultures have been performed to assess the reliability of different spectrofluorometer models, alongside Chl- a extraction methods. Higher Chl- a concentrations were obtained when using the spectrofluorometers than extraction methods, likely due to the poor extraction efficiencies of solvents, highlighting that traditional extraction methods could underestimate algal or cyanobacterial biomass. Spectrofluorometers correctly assigned species to the respective taxonomic group, with low and constant percent attribution errors (Chlorophyta and Euglenophyceae 6–8%, Cyanobacteria 0–3%, and Bacillariophyta 10–16%), suggesting that functioning limitations can be overcome by spectrofluorometer re-calibration with fresh cultures. The monitoring of a natural phytoplankton assemblage dominated by Chlorophyta and Cyanobacteria gave consistent results among spectrofluorometers and with microscopic observations, especially when cell biovolume rather than cell density was considered. In conclusion, multi-wavelength spectrofluorometers were confirmed as valid tools for freshwater monitoring, whereas a major focus on intercalibration procedures is encouraged to improve their reliability and broaden their use as fast monitoring tools to prevent environmental and public health issues related to the presence of harmful cyanobacteria.

Keywords: chlorophyll a; harmful cyanobacteria; multi-wavelength spectrofluorometers; in vivo fluorescence; chlorophyll extraction; intercalibration studies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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