Effects of terrestrial dissolved organic matter on the growth, photosynthesis and colonial morphology of Microcystis aeruginosa at different levels of iron

Terrestrial dissolved organic matter (tDOM) holds great promise for controlling cyanobacteria blooms through watershed management. To identify tDOM that could inhibit the growth, photosynthesis and colony formation, unicellular Microcystis aeruginosa Kützing (FACHB-469) was cultivated and treated with varying concentrations of gallic acid, proline and tea polyphenols at different levels of iron. The results indicated that gallic acid and tea polyphenols could inhibit Microcystis growth by suppressing photosynthesis and colony formation by reducing extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) secretion. However, proline had no significant effect on the growth, photosynthesis, colony size and EPS content of Microcystis. Transcriptome analysis showed Microcystis may optimize the internal energy transfer mode of photosynthesis through the change of phycobilisome at different levels of iron. In addition, Microcystis adapted to different iron concentration environments by regulating the expression of genes associated with iron uptake and transport. These findings suggest that the effects of plant species on algal blooms should be considered in reforestation of watershed. This consideration necessitates finding a balance between the costs and benefits of controlling cyanobacteria blooms using tDOM. [Display omitted] •Gallic acid and tea polyphenols inhibited the growth, photosynthesis, EPS secretion and colony formation of Microcystis aeruginosa Kützing.•Microcystis adapted to different iron concentration environments by regulating expression of genes associated with iron uptake and transport.•Microcystis may optimize the internal energy transfer mode of photosynthesis through changes of the phycobilisome at different levels of iron.•Terrestrial dissolved organic matter holds great promise for controlling cyanobacteria blooms through watershed management.