Changes in cyanoprokaryote populations, Microcystis morphology, and microcystin concentrations in Lake Elphinstone (Central Queensland, Australia)

Lake Elphinstone is a tropical inland water body in the far north of the Fitzroy Catchment in Central Queensland, Australia, and has experienced recurrent toxic cyanoprokaryote blooms since 1997. This article reports on an examination of the environmental conditions of the lake and the concurrent cyanoprokaryote species together with their toxicity. The lake was sampled three times during periods of high cyanoprokaryote cell concentrations. Successive changes in the dominant Microcystis species were accompanied by variation in the concentration of the hepatotoxin microcystin. Environmental parameters recorded during dominance by both the highly toxic species Microcystis panniformis and the nontoxic M. botrys are provided. Nutrient status, temperature, and light conditions were associated with species change within the blooms. Variation of microcystin concentrations coincided with speciation change (i.e., morphological variation) within the blooms. Also discussed is the environmental impact of toxin production by M. panniformis with respect to influence on cell division, energy states, and toxin photodegradation. Lake Elphinstone is the first Australian location reported to have M. panniformis. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 18: 403–412, 2003.