Blue-Green Algae in Lake Biwa Which Produce Earthy-Musty Odors

1988 ◽  
Vol 20 (8-9) ◽  
pp. 117-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Negoro ◽  
M. Ando ◽  
N. Ichikawa
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Green Algae ◽  
Lake Biwa ◽  
Supply System ◽  
Surrounding Water ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
Kyoto City ◽  
Off Flavors ◽  
Musty Odor ◽  
Odorous Compounds

Since 1969, earthy-musty odor problems have frequently occurred in the water supply system of Kyoto City. Though the causes of these off-flavors were identified as 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmln, the causative organisms were not identified until recently. Now three species of planktonic blue-green algae from Lake Biwa have been identified as playing important roles in such problems. From the unlalgal culture of each alga, Anabaenamacrospora Klebahn was shown to produce geosmln, and both Phormidiumtenue (Meneghini) Gomont and Oscillatoriatenuis Agardh to produce MIB. These odorous compounds were found to be mainly stored in trlchomes, although it was once thought that they were dissolved in the surrounding water. Therefore, most of the odorous compounds can be removed from the water when the causative algae are removed.

The relationship between musty-odor-causing organisms and water quality in Lake Biwa

1995 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 153-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kajino ◽  
K. Sakamoto
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Data Analysis ◽  
Green Algae ◽  
Analytical Methods ◽  
Lake Biwa ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
Odor Compounds ◽  
Musty Odor ◽  
The Relationship

Musty odor has occurred annually in Lake Biwa since 1969. Osaka municipal waterworks, which is located downstream of Lake Biwa, has made many efforts to treat musty-odor compounds produced in Lake Biwa from spring through autumn. With the development of analytical methods for the determination of musty-odor compounds, we have been able to confirm that planktonic blue-green algae are the major causes of the musty-odor occurrences. The relationship between the growth of blue-green algae and the water quality was not so apparent. However, through our data analysis focusing on the relationship between musty-odor occurrences due to Phormidium tenue or Oscillatoria tenuis and some nutrients in Lake Biwa, we found that the concentration of nitrate in water may be an important parameter for the estimation of growth of the algae and the musty-odor behavior.

Removal of Musty-Odorous Compounds in Water and Retained in Algal Cells through Water Purification Processes

1992 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-306 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Ando ◽  
M. Miwa ◽  
M. Kajino ◽  
S. Tatsumi
Keyword(s):  
Activated Carbon ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Algal Cell ◽  
Surrounding Water ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
Musty Odor ◽  
Odorous Compounds ◽  
High Concentrations ◽  
Metabolite Content

Musty-odorous compounds, metabolites of some species of blue-green algae, are usually contained in both the water and algal cell bodies. The compounds in the latter solid phase were found to be easily removed by coagulation and sedimentation without breakpoint prechlorination (intermediate chlorination used instead). Chlorination of the algae results in an artificial release of the metabolite content into the surrounding water. When a large fraction of the compounds was present in the algal cell bodies, more than 60% of these compounds were removed in the intermediate-chlorination treatment. Powdered activated carbon treatment is effective in removing the compounds in the aqueous phase. However, the effectivness was usually limited in practical treatment to high concentrations of musty odor. On the other hand, the ozonation and granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment was found to be an effective method for removal. It was observed that the musty-odorous compounds were completely removed through the ozonation and GAC treatment system, which included coagulation and sedimentation without prechlorination.

Odor Problems in Lake Biwa

1983 ◽  
Vol 15 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 311-321 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Yagi ◽  
M Kajino ◽  
U Matsuo ◽  
K Ashitani ◽  
T Kita ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Method ◽  
Algal Bloom ◽  
Lake Biwa ◽  
Concentration Level ◽  
Small Sample ◽  
Mass Fragmentography ◽  
Southern Basin ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
Musty Odor ◽  
Odorous Compounds

In 1969 a musty odor was first found in the southern basin of Lake Biwa. Since then we have been investigating the causes of the problem. In the 1970's musty odor problems commonly occurred from May to early June due to the metabolites produced by Phormidiumtenue. However, the problem which took place in the summer of 1981 was found to be caused by an algal bloom of Anabaenamacrospora. The analyses of the water taken in the lake as well as of the laboratory cultures of the blue-green algae led to the conclusion that 2-methylisoborneol is produced by Phormidiumtenue, whereas geosmin by Anabaenamacrospora. Purge and trap concentration followed by mass fragmentography was developed and applied as a measurement method for these two odorous compounds. The method was found to be rapid, reproducible and sensitive enough to detect them at a nanogram per liter concentration level or beneath their threshold odors, requiring only a small sample (100 ml). Slow sand filtration was found to be effective in removing odor, where the odorous compounds were reduced to less than 10 ng/l in the effluents.

scholarly journals Drinking Water Supply under the Conditions of Mass Development of Blue-green Algae in Reservoirs.

2021 ◽  
pp. 121-134
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Supply ◽  
Green Algae ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Drinking Water Treatment ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Surface Source ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Mass Development

An assessment of the pollution of a surface source of water supply (the Kuibyshev reservoir) with metabolites of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) under conditions of an increase in biogenic load is carried out. During the period of mass development of cyanobacteria, the quality of water in the reservoir deteriorates in terms of a number of indicators, including smell, taste, and content of organic and toxic substances. Among the wide range of cyanoxins, the greatest danger to the population is microcystin-LR, the concentration of which in drinking water should not exceed 1 μg/dm3. The growth of anthropogenic load and global warming of the climate create favorable conditions for the rapid development of cyanobacteria, therefore, the problem of providing the population with high-quality drinking water will only worsen in the future. Traditional methods used at drinking water treatment plants in Volga cities are ineffective in removing intracellular and extracellular cyanotoxins. The best and safest barrier against the ingress of cyanotoxins into drinking water can be membrane technologies that allow ultrafiltration of bacterial cells without mechanical damage and nanofiltration of cyanotoxins dissolved in water.

Earthy-Musty Odor-Producing Cyanophytes Isolated from Five Water Areas in Tokyo

1988 ◽  
Vol 20 (8-9) ◽  
pp. 179-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Matsumoto ◽  
Y. Tsuchiya
Keyword(s):  
Green Algae ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Cooling Tower ◽  
Blue Green Algae ◽  
Odor Compounds ◽  
Musty Odor

Two kinds of 2-methylisoborneol-producing blue-green algae, Oscillatoriageminata and O.limnetica, and three kinds of geosmin-producing algae, O.amoena, O.splendida, and Aphanizomenonflos-aquae, were isolated from a park pond, a fish-cultivation pond, a river, and a reservoir. An oscillatorian species isolated from an air conditioning cooling tower was shown to yield both 2-methylisoborneol and geosmin simultaneously. Care was taken to ensure that the blue-green algae identified were those responsible for the musty odor compounds.

Musty Odour Problems in Lake Biwa 1982-1987

1988 ◽  
Vol 20 (8-9) ◽  
pp. 133-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masakazu Yagi
Keyword(s):  
Green Algae ◽  
Lake Biwa ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Research Groups ◽  
Blue Green Algae

This paper discusses the results obtained by two research groups investigating the musty odour problem in Lake Biwa during the years 1967 to 1987. The study has shown that the problem is caused by the growth of three species of planktonic blue-green algae in the southern lake. These algae produce as metabolites either 2-methyl-isoborneol (MIB) or geosmin and it is these compounds which give rise to the musty odour. Recently the musty odour problem has expanded from western to eastern part in the southern lake. The occurrence of the problem has also changed from spring to early summer and more recently it has begun to appear also during the autumn months. The maximum concentrations for geosmin and MIB, 1,050 and 860 ng/l, recorded for the lake occurred in the autumn of 1985.

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