# Topics and Trends in Most Cited Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics Papers, Class of 2026

*Canonical URL: https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/aquatic-ecosystems-and-phytoplankton-dynamics/2026*

## What topics and trends defined most-cited Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics research in the Class of 2026?

Aquatic ecosystem research in the Class of 2026 is driven by eutrophication and harmful cyanobacterial blooms. Recent studies show a pronounced shift toward 16S rRNA microbial profiling, external nutrient runoff, and hydraulic retention management, alongside declining focus on traditional internal phosphorus loading and static trophic status metrics.

## At a glance

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Field | Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics |
| Cohort label | Class of 2026 (2024 publications) |
| Papers analyzed | 4,122 |
| Papers ranked | 20 |
| Top topics in ranked papers | Eutrophication, Cyanobacteria, Chlorophyll-a, Harmful Algal Blooms, Sediment-Water Interface |
| Publication window | Jan 1, 2024 – Dec 31, 2024 |
| Eligibility | Research articles; reviews excluded |
| Citation window | 18 months post-publication |
| 18m citation range | 29–183 |
| Data source | OpenAlex · Retrieved Jul 2026 |
| License | CC BY 4.0 |

## Rankings

| Rank | Title | Authors | Corresponding authors | Affiliation | Journal | 18m citations | DOI |
| ---: | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---: | --- |
| 1 | Harmful algal blooms in inland waters | Lian Feng, Ying Wang, Xuejiao Hou, Boqiang Qin, Tiit Kuster, Fan Qu, Nengwang Chen, Hans W Paerl, Chunmiao Zheng | Lian Feng | Southern University of Science and Technology, China | Nature Reviews Earth & Environment | 183 | 10.1038/s43017-024-00578-2 |
| 2 | The microbial phosphorus cycle in aquatic ecosystems | Solange Duhamel | Solange Duhamel | University of Arizona, United States | Nature Reviews Microbiology | 104 | 10.1038/s41579-024-01119-w |
| 3 | Biochar-enhanced bioremediation of eutrophic waters impacted by algal blooms | Yasser Vasseghian, Megha M Nadagouda, Tejraj M Aminabhavi | Yasser Vasseghian, Tejraj M. Aminabhavi | Yuan Ze University, Taiwan | Journal of Environmental Management | 103 | 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122044 |
| 4 | Removal of chemicals from effluent using photobioreactor technology to improve environmental and health impacts | Parimala Gandhi Karuppannan, Selvakumar Paramasivam, Petchiammal Mariappan, Sivagami Shunmugam, Samuel Jabez Richard Paul | Parimala Gandhi Karuppannan | Nehru Institute of Technology, India | Zeitschrift für Physikalische Chemie | 102 | 10.1515/zpch-2023-0450 |
| 5 | Restoration of submerged vegetation modulates microbial communities to decrease nitrogen and phosphorus loads in sediment-water systems | Weicheng Yu, Ligong Wang, Xiaowen Ma, Jiahe Li, Zhuoya Li, Huiyuan Wang, Dexiang Li, Shufeng Fan, Chunhua Liu, Dan Yu | Shufeng Fan, Chunhua Liu | Chinese Academy of Sciences, China | Water Research | 55 | 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122835 |
| 6 | Monitoring, simulation and early warning of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms: An upgraded framework for eutrophic lakes | Yinguo Qiu, Jiacong Huang, Juhua Luo, Qitao Xiao, Ming Shen, Pengfeng Xiao, Zhaoliang Peng, Yaqin Jiao, Hongtao Duan | Hongtao Duan | Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, China | Environmental Research | 54 | 10.1016/j.envres.2024.120296 |
| 7 | The biological functions of microcystins | Nian Wei, Chenlin Hu, Elke Dittmann, Lirong Song, Nanqin Gan | Nanqin Gan | Institute of Hydrobiology, China | Water Research | 46 | 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122119 |
| 8 | Nitrogen and phosphorus trends in lake sediments of China may diverge | Panpan Ji, Jianhui Chen, Ruijin Chen, Jianbao Liu, Chaoqing Yu, Fahu Chen | Jianhui Chen | Lanzhou University, China | Nature Communications | 41 | 10.1038/s41467-024-46968-4 |
| 9 | Consistent stoichiometric long-term relationships between nutrients and chlorophyll-a across shallow lakes | Daniel Graeber, Mark J McCarthy, Tom Shatwell, Dietrich Borchardt, Erik Jeppesen, Martin Søndergaard, Torben L Lauridsen, Thomas A Davidson | Daniel Graeber | Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Germany | Nature Communications | 39 | 10.1038/s41467-024-45115-3 |
| 10 | The application of magical microalgae in carbon sequestration and emission reduction: Removal mechanisms and potential analysis | He Dahai, Yin Zhihong, Qin Lin, Yuhong Li, Lei Tian, Jiang Li, Zhu Liandong | Yin Zhihong | Guizhou University, China | Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews | 39 | 10.1016/j.rser.2024.114417 |
| 11 | A growth phase analysis on the influence of light intensity on microalgal stress and potential biofuel production | Ana F. Esteves, Eva M. Salgado, Vítor J.P. Vilar, Ana L. Gonçalves, José C.M. Pires | José C.M. Pires | University of Porto, Portugal | Energy Conversion and Management | 38 | 10.1016/j.enconman.2024.118511 |
| 12 | Astaxanthin Alleviates Hepatic Lipid Metabolic Dysregulation Induced by Microcystin-LR | Qinmei Tan, Hanyu Chu, Jia Wei, Sisi Yan, Xiaoya Sun, Jiangping Wang, Lemei Zhu, Fei Yang | Fei Yang | University of South China, China | Toxins | 36 | 10.3390/toxins16090401 |
| 13 | Fate, abundance and ecological risks of microcystins in aquatic environment: The implication of microplastics | Xiaoya Ren, Meiyi Mao, Mengqi Feng, Tangjian Peng, Xizi Long, Fei Yang | Fei Yang | University of South China, China | Water Research | 33 | 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121121 |
| 14 | From disruption to adaptation: Response of phytoplankton communities in representative impounded lakes to China's South-to-North Water Diversion Project | Xing Hou, Xiaodong Hu, Yi Li, Huanjun Zhang, Lihua Niu, Rui Huang, Jixiong Xu | Yi Li, Lihua Niu | Hohai University, China | Water Research | 33 | 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122001 |
| 15 | Enhancing water quality and ecosystems of reclaimed water-replenished river: A case study of Dongsha River, Beijing, China | Xinlei Shi, Liping Wang, Ai Chen, Wenze Yu, Yongze Liu, Xueli Huang, Xiaoyan Long, Yuqi Du, Dan Qu | Dan Qu | Beijing Forestry University, China | The Science of The Total Environment | 33 | 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172024 |
| 16 | The future of algal blooms in lakes globally is in our hands | Maddalena Tigli, Mirjam P Bak, Jan H Janse, Maryna Strokal, Annette B G Janssen | Maddalena Tigli, Mirjam P. Bak | UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, United Kingdom | Water Research | 33 | 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122533 |
| 17 | Emergence of lake conditions that exceed natural temperature variability | Lei Huang, R. Iestyn Woolway, Axel Timmermann, Sun‐Seon Lee, Keith B. Rodgers, Ryohei Yamaguchi | R. Iestyn Woolway | Institute for Basic Science, South Korea | Nature Geoscience | 31 | 10.1038/s41561-024-01491-5 |
| 18 | Projected response of algal blooms in global lakes to future climatic and land use changes: Machine learning approaches | Jinge Ma, Hongtao Duan, Cheng Chen, Zhigang Cao, Ming Shen, Tianci Qi, Qiuwen Chen | Hongtao Duan, Cheng Chen, Qiuwen Chen | Nanjing Hydraulic Research Institute, China | Water Research | 31 | 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122889 |
| 19 | Impact of cascade reservoirs on nutrients transported downstream and regulation method based on hydraulic retention time | Baolong Zhao, Qinghui Zeng, Jianhua Wang, Yunzhong Jiang, Huan Liu, Long Yan, Zefan Yang, Qin Yang, Fengbo Zhang, Jiaxuan Tang, Peng Hu | Qinghui Zeng, Peng Hu | China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, China | Water Research | 29 | 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121187 |
| 20 | Cyanobacterial Blooms in Environmental Water: Causes and Solutions | Manogaran Lakshmikandan, Ming Li, Baozhu Pan | Ming Li, Baozhu Pan | Northwest A&F University, China | Current Pollution Reports | 29 | 10.1007/s40726-024-00322-w |

## Topic trends

### What Topics Define the Class of 2026?

Research in the Class of 2026 for aquatic ecosystems and phytoplankton dynamics is heavily dominated by eutrophication and harmful algal bloom dynamics. Eutrophication leads as the central focal topic, appearing in nearly a third of all analyzed studies (32% normalized frequency). Close behind, cyanobacterial proliferation—including Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and specific toxic strains—represents a critical concentration of scientific effort (10% normalized frequency each). Studies frequently couple biological monitoring using Chlorophyll-a measurements with chemical risk assessments of cyanotoxins and microcystins released into freshwater bodies.

Beyond bloom events, researchers are prioritizing physical and biochemical mechanisms occurring at the sediment-water interface (10%), investigating how nutrient release and internal cycling fuel persistent algal growth. Climate interactions also feature prominently, with lake surface water temperature recognized as a primary thermal driver governing ecological stability. Furthermore, recent studies integrate molecular diagnostic tools such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing to decode microbial community structure, alongside hydrological controls like hydraulic retention time. Together, these thematic clusters reflect an integrated research landscape focused on mitigating water quality degradation, understanding toxin release mechanisms, and managing nutrient dynamics under changing environmental conditions.

*Leading research themes*

### How Did Topics Shift from the Class of 2025 to the Class of 2026?

Comparing topic distribution between the Class of 2025 and the Class of 2026 reveals a distinct shift from descriptive water quality monitoring toward molecular-scale diagnostics and external catchment management. Microbial profiling via 16S rRNA gene sequencing emerged as the fastest-rising methodology (rising from absent to 6% normalized frequency), alongside hydraulic retention time and lipid accumulation research. Concurrently, broader watershed management topics such as agricultural runoff, non-point source pollution, and external nitrogen/phosphorus loading gained substantial momentum. Harmful Algal Blooms also experienced a 2.5-fold increase in representation (surging to 10%), while cyanobacteria studies expanded by more than 2.3-fold.

In contrast, traditional broad-scale baseline metrics experienced notable declines. Internal phosphorus loading and general trophic status assessments both saw 50% reductions in research emphasis (dropping to 4% normalized frequency), while lake surface water temperature tracking declined slightly from 10% to 8%. This evolution demonstrates that the field is pivoting away from passive monitoring of internal nutrient pools and static trophic classifications. Instead, contemporary aquatic ecosystem research emphasizes actionable external load reduction, high-throughput genomic tracking of cyanobacterial dynamics, and precise hydrological management.

*How topics shifted year over year*

## Cite this ranking

```
Pepkio Research Index (PRI). Topics and Trends in Most Cited Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics Papers, Class of 2026. https://pri.pepkio.com/top-papers/aquatic-ecosystems-and-phytoplankton-dynamics/2026. Accessed 2026-07-23.

Zheng Su, Tinsley Li, Thematic Shifts in Early-High-Impact Cancer Genomics and Diagnostics Research: A Bibliometric and Semantic Analysis. bioRxiv 2026.07.04.736459; doi: https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.07.04.736459
```