We surveyed algal cover, algal biomass, and physical and chemical factors at 14 sites representing a range of land use types in the Malibu Creek watershed in southern California, USA. We also conducted nutrient diffuser substrate experiments to identify the nutrient limiting algal growth. Algal biomass increased with urbanization, reaching very high levels in the most urbanized streams (up to 322.4 mg chlorophyll a·m-2). Total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and benthic and total chlorophyll concentrations were positively correlated with the proportion of upstream land covered by impervious surfaces. Relationships between land use and algal biomass or nutrient concentrations were evaluated at 100 m, 500 m, and whole subwatershed scales. The closest relationships were found at the 500 m scale, where 56% of the variation in total chlorophyll could be explained by the proportion of land within a 500 m radius upstream covered by impervious surfaces. Floating macroalgae were observed in the summer in pools with high nutrient and light levels, whereas benthic algal biomass was positively related to total phosphorus concentrations and current speed. Other methods of determining nutrient limitation (nutrient diffuser substrate experiment, molar N/P ratios in stream water) produced conflicting results, possibly because algal growth was saturated by high nutrient levels at some of the study sites. © 2006 NRC.

Toxin producing cyanobacterial blooms have increased globally in recent decades in both frequency and intensity. Despite the recognition of this growing risk, the extent and magnitude of cyanobacterial blooms and cyanotoxin prevalence is poorly characterized in the heavily populated region of southern California. Recent assessments of lentic waterbodies (depressional wetlands, lakes, reservoirs and coastal lagoons) determined the prevalence of microcystins and, in some cases, additional cyanotoxins. Microcystins were present in all waterbody types surveyed although toxin concentrations were generally low across most habitats, as only a small number of sites exceeded California's recreational health thresholds for acute toxicity. Results from passive samplers (Solid Phase Adsorption Toxin Tracking (SPATT)) indicated microcystins were prevalent throughout lentic waterbodies and that traditional discrete samples underestimated the presence of microcystins. Multiple cyanotoxins were detected simultaneously in some systems, indicating multiple stressors, the risk of which is uncertain since health thresholds are based on exposures to single toxins. Anatoxin-a was detected for the first time from lakes in southern California. The persistence of detectable microcystins across years and seasons indicates a low-level, chronic risk through both direct and indirect exposure. The influence of toxic cyanobacterial blooms is a more complex stressor than presently recognized and should be included in water quality monitoring programs.