Biological control of cyanobacteria: principles and possibilities

A range of naturally occurring organisms are available for the biological control of cyanobacteria: including viruses, bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and protozoa. Development of these organisms as biological control agents involves isolation from environmental samples, characterisation of anti-cyanobacterial activity, microcosm and large-scale field experiments and final development of a biological control lake management strategy. Two groups of antagonist are considered in detail – actinomycetes (e.g. Streptomyces exfoliatus, mode of action by production of a lytic agent) and protozoa (Nuclearia delicatula and Nassula tumida, mode of action by predation). The effectiveness of biological control agents in the lake environment depends on a range of biological and physico-chemical factors. Various strategies can be implemented to optimise their activity.