Exploration of the primary features of algal organic matter that impede the efficiency of harmful algal bloom control by modified clay

Yafan WANG; Xihua CAO; Kaiqin JIANG; Na CHU; Xiaomiao ZANG; Tianrong ZHAN; Xiuxian SONG; Zhiming YU

doi:10.1007/s00343-025-5102-4

Your Location：

Home >

Browse articles >

Exploration of the primary features of algal organic matter that impede the efficiency of harmful algal bloom control by modified clay

Ecology | Updated：2026-05-07

- Exploration of the primary features of algal organic matter that impede the efficiency of harmful algal bloom control by modified clay
- Exploration of the primary features of algal organic matter that impede the efficiency of harmful algal bloom control by modified clay
- 海洋湖沼学报(英文) 2026年44卷第2期页码：650-661
- Affiliations：
  
  1.College of Biological Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
  2.CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China
  3.University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
  4.Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao 266237, China
  5.College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
- Author bio：
  
  caoxh@qdio.ac.cn
  trzhan@qust.edu.cn
- Funds：
  
  the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42476221);the China National Key R&D Program during the 14th Five-year Plan Period(2022YFC3105204);the National Research and Development Program of China (Inter-Governmental Key Project for International Cooperation in Science and Technology Innovation)(SO2022YFE010525)
- DOI：10.1007/s00343-025-5102-4
  中图分类号：
- 收稿：2025-04-02，
  
  录用：2025-04-28，
  
  网络首发：2025-05-16，
  
  纸质出版：2026-03-01
- Accepted：
Scan QR Code
Yafan WANG, Xihua CAO, Kaiqin JIANG, 等. Exploration of the primary features of algal organic matter that impede the efficiency of harmful algal bloom control by modified clay[J]. 海洋湖沼学报(英文), 2026,44(2):650-661.

WANG Yafan,CAO Xihua,JIANG Kaiqin,et al.Exploration of the primary features of algal organic matter that impede the efficiency of harmful algal bloom control by modified clay[J].Journal of Oceanology and Limnology,2026,44(02):650-661.
Yafan WANG, Xihua CAO, Kaiqin JIANG, 等. Exploration of the primary features of algal organic matter that impede the efficiency of harmful algal bloom control by modified clay[J]. 海洋湖沼学报(英文), 2026,44(2):650-661. DOI： 10.1007/s00343-025-5102-4.

WANG Yafan,CAO Xihua,JIANG Kaiqin,et al.Exploration of the primary features of algal organic matter that impede the efficiency of harmful algal bloom control by modified clay[J].Journal of Oceanology and Limnology,2026,44(02):650-661. DOI： 10.1007/s00343-025-5102-4.

摘要

Abstract

In recent studies

the most effective method for controlling harmful algal blooms (HABs) in field applications is the modified clay (MC) technology. While the MC technology has been proved highly effective for HABs control

emerging evidence highlights its limitations

particularly in the presence of algal organic matter (AOM) where the algal removal efficiency of MC can be significantly reduced. We compared the physicochemical properties of AOM derived from two dinoflagellate species

Prorocentrum

donghaiense

(also identified as

Prorocentrum

shikokuense

Hada and

Prorocentrum

obtusidens

Schiller) and

Amphidinium

carterae

and their effects on the MC flocculation of microalgae cells. The physicochemical properties of AOM in microalgal culture fluid can differ with species and growth phase. Various AOM samples had different effects on MC flocculation; for example

AOM derived from

donghaiense

in the exponential growth phase inhibited flocculation

while AOM derived from

carterae

in the exponential growth and stationary phases accelerated flocculation. The effect of AOM on MC flocculation was attributed to a combination of multiple mechanisms

with individual AOM properties displaying inconsistent effects under different sets of conditions. Notably

the ratio of the molecular weight to the electric charge (

) of the AOM can indicate how the AOM will affect the algae removal efficiency of MC: the larger the ratio is

the greater the promoting effect is likely to be

and vice versa.

关键词

Keywords

references

Cao X H , Wang M J , Liu F et al . 2025 . Target-oriented element activation and functional group synthesis lead to high quality modified clay for Prorocentrum donghaiense control. Harmful Algae , 141 : 102770 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2024.102770 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2024.102770 .

Chu N , Cao X H , Wang Y F et al . 2024 . Insights into how characteristics of dissolved algal organic matter affect the efficiency of modified clay in controlling harmful algal blooms. Marine Pollution Bulletin , 203 : 116437 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116437 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116437 .

Dai Y H , Yang S B , Zhao D et al . 2023 . Coastal phytoplankton blooms expand and intensify in the 21st century . Nature , 615 ( 7951 ): 280 - 284 , https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-05760-y https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-05760-y .

Derjaguin B V , Churaev N V , Muller V M . 1987 . The Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory of stability of lyophobic colloids . In: Derjaguin B V, Churaev N V, Muller V M eds. Surface Forces . Springer, Boston . p. 293 - 310 , https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-6639-4_8 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-6639-4_8 .

Dyble J , Fahnenstiel G L , Litaker R W et al . 2008 . Microcystin concentrations and genetic diversity of Microcystis in the lower Great Lakes . Environmental Toxicology , 23 ( 4 ): 507 - 516 , https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.20370 https://doi.org/10.1002/tox.20370 .

Gonzalez-Torres A , Putnam J , Jefferson B et al . 2014 . Examination of the physical properties of Microcystis aeruginosa flocs produced on coagulation with metal salts . Water Research , 60 : 197 - 209 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2014.04.046 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2014.04.046 .

Hadjoudja S , Deluchat V , Baudu M . 2010 . Cell surface characterisation of Microcystis aeruginosa and Chlorella vulgaris . Journal of Colloid and Interface Science , 342 ( 2 ): 293 - 299 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2009.10.078 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcis.2009.10.078 .

Henderson R K , Baker A , Parsons S A et al . 2008 . Characterisation of algogenic organic matter extracted from cyanobacteria, green algae and diatoms . Water Research , 42 ( 13 ): 3435 - 3445 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2007.10.032 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2007.10.032 .

Henderson R K , Parsons S A , Jefferson B . 2010 . The impact of differing cell and algogenic organic matter (AOM) characteristics on the coagulation and flotation of algae . Water Research , 44 ( 12 ): 3617 - 3624 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2010.04.016 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2010.04.016 .

Huang W J , Lai C H , Cheng Y L . 2007 . Evaluation of extracellular products and mutagenicity in cyanobacteria cultures separated from a eutrophic reservoir . Science of the Total Environment , 377 ( 2-3 ): 214 - 223 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.01.075 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.01.075 .

Jarvis P , Jefferson B , Parsons S A . 2005 . Breakage, regrowth, and fractal nature of natural organic matter flocs . Environmental Science & Technology , 39 ( 7 ): 2307 - 2314 , https://doi.org/10.1021/es048854x https://doi.org/10.1021/es048854x .

Jiang W B , Yu Z M , Cao X H et al . 2021 . Effects of soluble organics on the settling rate of modified clay and development of improved clay formulations for harmful algal bloom control. Environmental Pollution , 289 : 117964 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117964 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117964 .

Leloup M , Nicolau R , Pallier V et al . 2013 . Organic matter produced by algae and cyanobacteria: quantitative and qualitative characterization . Journal of Environmental Sciences , 25 ( 6 ): 1089 - 1097 , https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-0742(12)60208-3 https://doi.org/10.1016/S1001-0742(12)60208-3 .

Li L , Gao N Y , Deng Y et al . 2012 . Characterization of intracellular & extracellular algae organic matters (AOM) of Microcystic aeruginosa and formation of AOM-associated disinfection byproducts and odor & taste compounds . Water Research , 46 ( 4 ): 1233 - 1240 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2011.12.026 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2011.12.026 .

Lin J L , Huang C P , Dempsey B et al . 2014 . Fate of hydrolyzed Al species in humic acid coagulation . Water Research , 56 : 314 - 324 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2014.03.004 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2014.03.004 .

Lin S J , Ji N J , Luo H . 2019 . Recent progress in marine harmful algal bloom research . Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica , 50 ( 3 ): 495 - 510 , https://doi.org/10.11693/hyhz20180800191. https://doi.org/10.11693/hyhz20180800191. (in Chinese with English abstract)

Liu M J , Graham N , Gregory J et al . 2024 . Towards a molecular-scale theory for the removal of natural organic matter by coagulation with trivalent metals . Nature Water , 2 ( 3 ): 285 - 294 , https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-024-00212-x https://doi.org/10.1038/s44221-024-00212-x .

Nguyen M L , Westerhoff P , Baker L et al . 2005 . Characteristics and reactivity of algae-produced dissolved organic carbon . Journal of Environmental Engineering , 131 ( 11 ): 1574 - 1582 , https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(2005)131:11(1574) https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9372(2005)131:11(1574) .

Oh Y H , Lee Y W , Kim T H . 2018 . In situ production of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) by phytoplankton blooms ( Cochlodinium polykrikoides ) in the southern sea of Korea . Journal of Sea Research , 138 : 19 - 23 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2018.05.004 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2018.05.004 .

Pearson L A , Dittmann E , Mazmouz R et al . 2016 . The genetics, biosynthesis and regulation of toxic specialized metabolites of cyanobacteria . Harmful Algae , 54 : 98 - 111 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2015.11.002 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2015.11.002 .

Pivokonsky M , Kloucek O , Pivokonska L . 2006 . Evaluation of the production, composition and aluminum and iron complexation of algogenic organic matter . Water Research , 40 ( 16 ): 3045 - 3052 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2006.06.028 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2006.06.028 .

Pivokonsky M , Naceradska J , Brabenec T et al . 2015 . The impact of interactions between algal organic matter and humic substances on coagulation . Water Research , 84 : 278 - 285 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2015.07.047 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2015.07.047 .

Pivokonsky M , Safarikova J , Baresova M et al . 2014 . A comparison of the character of algal extracellular versus cellular organic matter produced by cyanobacterium, diatom and green alga . Water Research , 51 : 37 - 46 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2013.12.022 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2013.12.022 .

Pivokonsky M , Safarikova J , Bubakova P et al . 2012 . Coagulation of peptides and proteins produced by Microcystis aeruginosa : interaction mechanisms and the effect of Fe-peptide/protein complexes formation . Water Research , 46 ( 17 ): 5583 - 5590 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2012.07.040 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2012.07.040 .

Qu F S , Liang H , Wang Z Z et al . 2012 . Ultrafiltration membrane fouling by extracellular organic matters (EOM) of Microcystis aeruginosa in stationary phase: influences of interfacial characteristics of foulants and fouling mechanisms . Water Research , 46 ( 5 ): 1490 - 1500 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2011.11.051 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2011.11.051 .

Rehman Z U , Jeong S , Tabatabai S A A et al . 2017 . Advanced characterization of dissolved organic matter released by bloom-forming marine algae . Desalination and Water Treatment , 69 : 1 - 11 , https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2017.0444 https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2017.0444 .

Safarikova J , Baresova M , Pivokonsky M et al . 2013 . Influence of peptides and proteins produced by cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa on the coagulation of turbid waters . Separation and Purification Technology , 118 : 49 - 57 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2013.06.049 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2013.06.049 .

Tang X M , Zheng H L , Gao B Y et al . 2017 . Interactions of specific extracellular organic matter and polyaluminum chloride and their roles in the algae-polluted water treatment . Journal of Hazardous Materials , 332 : 1 - 9 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.02.060 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2017.02.060 .

Villacorte L O , Ekowati Y , Neu T R et al . 2015 . Characterisation of algal organic matter produced by bloom-forming marine and freshwater algae . Water Research , 73 : 216 - 230 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2015.01.028 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2015.01.028 .

Wang H , Bouwman A F , Van Gils J et al . 2023a . Hindcasting harmful algal bloom risk due to land-based nutrient pollution in the Eastern Chinese coastal seas. Water Research , 231 : 119669 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2023.119669 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2023.119669 .

Wang M Y , Zhang B W , Cao X H et al . 2023b . Influence of algal organic matter on algal removal efficiency by flocculation of modified clay . Journal of Marine Science and Engineering , 11 ( 3 ): 613 , https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11030613 https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11030613 .

Wang X X , Liu B M , Lu M F et al . 2021 . Characterization of algal organic matter as precursors for carbonaceous and nitrogenous disinfection byproducts formation: comparison with natural organic matter. Journal of Environmental Management , 282 : 111951 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.111951 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.111951 .

Wu T , Cao X H , Yu Z M et al . 2021 . Coagulation of DPQAC-PAC composite modified clay in different media . Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica , 52 ( 1 ): 106 - 113 , https://doi.org/10.11693/hyhz20200400118. https://doi.org/10.11693/hyhz20200400118. (in Chinese with English abstract)

Xiang R , Tian Z B , Zhang C D et al . 2023 . Characterization of dissolved organic matter content, composition, and source during spring algal bloom in tributaries of the Three Gorges Reservoir. Science of the Total Environment , 879 : 163139 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163139 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163139 .

Xiao F , Xiao P , Wang D S . 2019 . Influence of allochthonous organic matters on algae removal: organic removal and floc characteristics. Colloids and Surfaces A : Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects , 583 : 123995 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2019.123995 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2019.123995 .

Yang Z J , Hou J , Miao L Z et al . 2019 . Removing specific extracellular organic matter from algal bloom water by Tanfloc flocculation: performance and mechanisms . Separation and Purification Technology , 212 : 65 - 74 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2018.11.008 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2018.11.008 .

Yu Z M , Song X X , Cao X H et al . 2017 . Mitigation of harmful algal blooms using modified clays: theory, mechanisms, and applications . Harmful Algae , 69 : 48 - 64 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2017.09.004 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2017.09.004 .

Yu Z M , Zou J Z , Ma X N . 1994 . A new method to improve the capability of clays for removing red tide organisms . Oceanologia et Limnologia Sinica , 25 ( 2 ): 226 - 232 . (in Chinese with English abstract)

Zang X M , Yu Z M , Song X X et al . 2024 . Insights into the differential removal of various red tide organisms using modified clay: influence of biocellular properties and mechanical interactions. Harmful Algae , 138 : 102695 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2024.102695 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2024.102695 .

Zhou S Q , Shao Y S , Gao N Y et al . 2014 . Characterization of algal organic matters of Microcystis aeruginosa : biodegradability, DBP formation and membrane fouling potential . Water Research , 52 : 199 - 207 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2014.01.002 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2014.01.002 .

Zuo Y T , Li A M , Cheng S et al . 2021 . Research progress on relationship between algal organic matter characteristics and disinfection byproducts formation . China Environmental Science , 41 ( 1 ): 421 - 430 , https://doi.org/10.19674/j.cnki.issn1000-6923.2021.0048. https://doi.org/10.19674/j.cnki.issn1000-6923.2021.0048. (in Chinese with English abstract)

浏览量

Downloads

CSCD

文章被引用时，请邮件提醒。

Submit

工具集

关联资源

Composition and distribution of dinoflagellate cysts in surficial sediments and their linkages to their free-living form in five bays of three eastern islands in the Philippines, western Pacific border

Establishing an assessment framework for the risk of dinoflagellate HABs based on cyst-mapping of marine sediments

Characterization and stability of sedimentary colloids in different ecology regions in Taihu Lake