Living in a high CO2 world: Impacts on freshwater phytoplankton populations from elevated atmospheric CO2.

Elevated atmospheric CO2 associated with climate change will impact on community phytoplankton structure in freshwater reservoirs. Species which are currently not efficient in their use of CO2 will become more competitive and may out compete species which are currently problematic. This project will identify which algal groups will benefit from elevated levels of CO2 over the next 30 -100 years. This information will be used by industry partners to inform water quality and algal management plans into the future and will provide the basis for assessing the needs for infrastructure changes that will be required by water supply authorities to plan for future upgrades to water treatment plants and amendments to current operating procedures.