From light to nutrient limitation: attributing cyanobacterial bloom transitions in Taihu Lake (2007–2023) through a limiting factor perspective

Shuzhan MA; Zihao SONG; Guangwei ZHU; Yongjiu CAI; Wei ZOU

doi:10.1007/s00343-025-5070-8

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From light to nutrient limitation: attributing cyanobacterial bloom transitions in Taihu Lake (2007–2023) through a limiting factor perspective

Ecology | Updated：2026-06-29

- From light to nutrient limitation: attributing cyanobacterial bloom transitions in Taihu Lake (2007–2023) through a limiting factor perspective
- Journal of Oceanology and Limnology Vol. 44, Issue 3, Pages: 1132-1144(2026)
- Affiliations：
  
  1.State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Aquatic Ecosystem Health in the Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River, Jiangsu Provincial Academy of Environmental Science, Nanjing 210036, China
  2.Taihu Laboratory for Lake Ecosystem Research, Key Laboratory of Lake and Watershed Science for Water Security, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 211135, China
- Author bio：
  
  wzou@niglas.ac.cn
- Funds：
- DOI：10.1007/s00343-025-5070-8
  CLC：
- Received：07 March 2025，
  
  Published：01 May 2026
- Accepted：
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MA Shuzhan,SONG Zihao,ZHU Guangwei,et al.From light to nutrient limitation: attributing cyanobacterial bloom transitions in Taihu Lake (2007–2023) through a limiting factor perspective[J].Journal of Oceanology and Limnology,2026,44(03):1132-1144.
DOI：

MA Shuzhan,SONG Zihao,ZHU Guangwei,et al.From light to nutrient limitation: attributing cyanobacterial bloom transitions in Taihu Lake (2007–2023) through a limiting factor perspective[J].Journal of Oceanology and Limnology,2026,44(03):1132-1144. DOI： 10.1007/s00343-025-5070-8.

摘要

Abstract

Understanding the drivers of long-term changes in phytoplankton limiting factors is crucial for effective eutrophication management in lakes. This study focuses on Taihu Lake—a large

shallow lake—over the period 2007–2023

during which substantial climate variability and watershed management occurred. This study aims to characterize the temporal evolution of the limiting factors that constrain the final yield of phytoplankton in the lake

and to identify the key drivers of these shifts

with particular focus on summer periods when environmental conditions are most favorable for achieving maximum algal biomass. We revised the trophic state index (TSIr) to suit the Taihu Lake case and analyzed the long-term total nitrogen (TN)

total phosphorus (TP)

Secchi depth (SD)

and chlorophyll-

(Chl-

) data to track changes in algal biomass constraints. Results reveal a transition from a predominantly light-limited algal biomass in the early years to the increased nutrient limitation

particularly N and N

P-co-limitation. This shift was evident in the evolving differences among TSIr sub-indices—TSIr(Chl

)

TSIr(SD)

TSIr(TN)

and TSIr(TP). The observed transition was found primarily driven by sustained reductions in nutrient concentrations

especially TN

coupled with an improved light environment

as decreased wind speed reduced non-algal turbidity. The emergence of nutrient limitation re-established partially a positive coupling between Chl

and TN/TP in some areas of the lake

which differed from the decoupled patterns observed under light-limited conditions before 2020. Following this regime shift

continued TN and TP reductions post-2021 coincided with marked declines in Chl-

levels and bloom extent. Despite these improvements

Taihu Lake remains in a transitional phase

and

light limitation remain to be dominant in most parts of the lake. Our ecosystem-scale study demonstrated that dual N

P reduction is effective for treating shallow lakes. Furthermore

based on our results and by integrating reported thresholds from previous studies

we recommend TN concentrations of 0.69–0.80 mg/L and TP concentrations below 50 μg/L as preliminary control targets for shallow eutrophic lakes. These findings offer critical insights for algal bloom prevention and control in Taihu Lake and similar system.

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Keywords

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