The role of surface water waves on cyanobacterial blooms in lakes

The biophysical processes by which wind‐driven surface waves influence cyanobacterial bloom formation, transport, aerosolization, and termination in lakes represent a major knowledge gap in our understanding of bloom dynamics. We synthesized the literature that examined how waves interact with cyanobacterial bloom processes including: cyanobacterial recruitment to inoculate blooms, sediment nutrient resuspension, the transport, aggregation, and disaggregation of bloom biomass by various wave‐driven physical processes (e.g., Stokes drift, Langmuir circulation), and the aerosolization of bloom biomass and cyanotoxins. Using this synthesis, we present a set of testable hypotheses and concepts that can be used to direct future research to better understand the mechanisms that may regulate wave and bloom interactions. Further, we highlight the differences in spatial and temporal scales that these processes act upon, and argue that mechanistic research into wave and bloom interactions must be applicable to whole ecosystems to be relevant in improving bloom management strategies.

Journal article

Limnology and Oceanography Letters (2025)