Metatranscriptomes evaluation of short term nutrient pulses in a Microcystis dominated harmful algal bloom.

Whole water samples were collected from the surface of a 2019 Microcystis spp.- dominated bloom in Lake Erie, USA on July 21, 2019. Environmentally relevant concentrations of nitrate, ammonia, urea, and phosphate were added to sample bottles and incubated in situ for 48 hours, in addition to a no-nutrient control. After 48 hours samples were collected on filters for metatranscriptomic analysis. This study was performed to determine how nutrient pulses influence transcriptional responses in the natural communities of Microcystis dominated blooms.