Periphyton as an early indicator of perturbation in recreational lakes

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 258-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Lambert ◽  
Antonella Cattaneo ◽  
Richard Carignan
Keyword(s):  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Stoichiometric Composition ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Benthic Microalgae ◽  
Phosphorus Concentration ◽  
Empirical Relationships ◽  
Molar Ratios ◽  
Lake Development ◽  
Periphyton Biomass ◽  
Land Water

We looked for empirical relationships between periphyton biomass and recreational development in the Laurentian lakes of Quebec (Canada). We compared the response of periphyton (as chlorophyll a) on rocks and sediments with that of phytoplankton. Epilithon and epipelon biomass increased significantly with lake recreational development (as percentage of cleared land within a 50 m riparian strip) but was not related with open-water phosphorus concentration. In contrast, phytoplankton was related to open-water phosphorus but did not increase along the gradient of lake development. Periphyton stoichiometric composition also changed with increasing lake development. High C:P and C:N ratios were found in pristine lakes, whereas lower periphyton molar ratios, which approached the optimal stoichiometric composition for benthic microalgae, were observed in the most developed lakes. Our findings suggest that periphyton, positioned near the land–water interface, has access to land-derived nutrients before they are diluted in the open water. Therefore, periphyton on all substrata is the first community to respond to increased inputs resulting from lake recreational development. The measurement of littoral algal biomass and chemical composition may represent a better tool for early detection of lake perturbation than classic methods based on pelagic characteristics.

Sigmoid Relationships between Nutrients and Chlorophyll among Lakes

1989 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 1171-1175 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward McCauley ◽  
John A. Downing ◽  
Susan Watson
Keyword(s):  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Chlorophyll Concentration ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Phosphorus Availability ◽  
Phosphorus Concentration ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Empirical Relationships ◽  
Dissolved Phosphorus ◽  
Freshwater Eutrophication

Previous studies of freshwater eutrophication have shown that algal biomass tends to increase with the supply of dissolved phosphorus. This concept has been condensed into empirical relationships between chlorophyll a and total phosphorus concentrations (convenient measures of algal biomass and phosphorus availability) which have become essential tools in theoretical and applied limnology. With few exceptions, ecologists accept the idea that chlorophyll concentration rises linearly with phosphorus concentration among lakes. Such a suggestion runs counter to Liebigian principles of fertilization however, and contradicts laboratory and field research indicating the influence of other nutrients. Our analysis of two large independent phosphorus–chlorophyll data sets from temperate-zone lakes shows that log phosphorus–log chlorophyll relationships are sigmoid in shape and that a second nutrient, nitrogen, has a significant impact on chlorophyll concentrations when phosphorus availability is high. Our new empirical relationships indicate that mechanisms regulating algal biomass change with enrichment, and suggest new management strategies for polluted lakes.

Influence of Open Water Bodies on the Modeling of Summertime Convection over the Canadian Prairies

2017 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 1583-1594
Author(s):  
Deepti Joshi ◽  
Marco Carrera ◽  
Stephane Bélair ◽  
Sylvie Leroyer
Keyword(s):  
Convective Available Potential Energy ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Convective Precipitation ◽  
Precipitation Event ◽  
Canadian Prairies ◽  
Water Fraction ◽  
Weather Patterns ◽  
Global Environmental ◽  
Land Water

Abstract There are numerous water features on the Canadian landscapes that are not monitored. Specifically, there are water bodies over the prairies and Canadian shield regions of North America that are ephemeral in nature and could have a significant influence on convective storm generation and local weather patterns through turbulent exchanges of sensible and latent heat between the land and the atmosphere. In this study a series of numerical experiments is performed with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Global Environmental Multiscale (GEM) model at 2.5-km grid spacing to examine the sensitivity of the atmospheric boundary layer and the resulting precipitation to the presence of open water bodies. Operationally, the land–water fraction in GEM is specified by means of static geophysical databases that do not change with time. Uncertainty is introduced in this study into this land–water fraction and the sensitivity of the resulting precipitation is quantified for a convective precipitation event occurring over the Canadian Prairies in the summer of 2014. The results indicate that with an increase in open water bodies, accumulated precipitation, peak precipitation amounts, and intensities decrease. Moreover, shifts are seen in times of peak for both precipitation amounts and intensities, in the order of increasing wetness. Additionally, with an increase in open water bodies, convective available potential energy decreases and convective inhibition increases, indicating suppression of forcing for convective precipitation.

Relation of algal biovolume to chlorophyll a in selected lakes and wetlands in the north-central United States

1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 416-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
James W. LaBaugh
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
North Dakota ◽  
Chlorophyll A ◽  
Linear Relation ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Light Penetration ◽  
North Central ◽  
The North ◽  
Central United States

Algal chlorophyll a is commonly used as a surrogate for algal biomass. Data from three lakes in western Nebraska, five wetlands in north-central North Dakota, and two lakes in north-central Minnesota represented a range in algal biovolume of over four orders of magnitude and a range in chlorophyll a from less than 1 to 380 mg∙m−3. Analysis of these data revealed that there was a linear relation, log10 algal biovolume = 5.99 + 0.09 chlorophyll a (r2 = 0.72), for cases in which median values of chlorophyll a for open-water periods were less than 20 mg∙m−3. There was no linear relation in cases in which median chlorophyll a concentrations were larger than 20 mg∙m−3 for open-water periods, an occurrence found only in shallow prairies lakes and wetlands for years in which light penetration was the least.

scholarly journals Nutrient Export and Periphyton Biomass in a Stream-Lake Basin from the Patagonian Andean Region

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Sosnovsky ◽  
Mailén Elizabeth Lallement ◽  
Magalí Rechencq ◽  
María Valeria Fernández ◽  
Eduardo Enrique Zattara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Inorganic Nitrogen ◽  
Light Availability ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Sustainable Growth ◽  
Lake Basin ◽  
Nutrient Export ◽  
Dissolved Nutrients ◽  
Demographic Pressure ◽  
Periphyton Biomass

AbstractWe characterized how land use influenced dissolved nutrients and periphytic algal biomass in an Andean basin from Northwest Patagonia. Nutrient export, especially dissolved inorganic nitrogen increased with human population density. However, no correlation between nutrient concentration and algal biomass was found, which could instead be limited by light availability. Our results suggest that local N-limited ecosystems are liable to eutrophication by increased demographic pressure and that alternative wastewater treatment strategies are necessary for sustainable growth.

Application of Lime and Alum to Stormwater Retention Lakes to Improve Water Quality

1992 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 365-382 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Babin ◽  
E. E. Prepas ◽  
Y. Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Water Quality ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Algal Growth ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Buffering Capacity ◽  
Point Sources ◽  
Filamentous Algae ◽  
Chemical Treatments ◽  
Improve Water Quality ◽  
Stormwater Retention

Abstract Urban stormwater retention lakes receive enormous amounts of nutrients from point (sewers) and non-point (domestic runoff) sources. Water quality in these lakes is poor and characterized by: 1) high phosphorus concentrations and algal biomass, 2) poor buffering capacity (alkalinity as low as 60 mg/L as CaCO3); and 3) high pH (often greater than 9). Thus chemical treatments which alter pH will have to be carefully considered. Recently, we used lime (Ca(OH)2) and/or alum (Al2(SO4)3·14H2O) to reduce phosphorus concentrations in the water column and precipitate out particulate matter. Of the two chemical treatments, we found that a lime/alum mixture was better at controlling macrophytes and shoreline filamentous algae, but alum was better at controlling planktonic algal growth and turbidity. A combination of both chemicals, lime which elevates pH and alum which lowers pH, is used to maintain pH within a desirable range (6-10). Overall water quality can be improved through the application of alum/lime mixtures, however, these applications will have to be applied routinely throughout the open-water season due to continuous inputs of nutrients from point- and non-point sources.

Periphyton biomass response to changing phosphorus concentrations in a nutrient-impacted river: a new methodology for phosphorus target setting

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J Bowes ◽  
Jim T Smith ◽  
John Hilton ◽  
Michael M Sturt ◽  
Patrick D Armitage
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Enrichment ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Algal Growth ◽  
Physical Effect ◽  
Target Setting ◽  
Knowledge Based ◽  
P Limitation ◽  
Periphyton Biomass ◽  
P Addition ◽  
Biomass Reduction

Nutrient modification experiments were conducted in streamside flumes to determine the concentration at which P limits algal growth in the mesotrophic River Frome, Dorset, UK. The soluble reactive P (SRP) concentration in each flume was either increased (by P addition), decreased (by precipitating P with iron(II) sulphate solution), or left unaltered (control), producing SRP concentrations ranging from 32 to 420 µ·L–1. Increasing the ambient SRP concentration did not increase epilithic algal growth, showing that the River Frome was not P limited at 109 µ SRP·L–1. In the P-stripped flumes, algal biomass declined as the SRP concentration fell below ~90 µ·L–1, with a 60% biomass reduction at <40 µ SRP·L–1. Phosphorus-diffusing periphytometers deployed in the P-stripped flumes confirmed that reduced rates of algal growth were due to P limitation rather than a physical effect of FeSO4 addition. The ~90 µ·L–1 maximum P-limiting concentration is likely to be similar for comparable nutrient-impacted rivers. This iron-stripping approach expands the existing river nutrient-enrichment methodology so that it can be used in nutrient-impacted rivers and should allow catchment managers to produce knowledge-based P reduction targets prior to introducing remediation.

The impact of a benthic filter feeder: limitations imposed by physical transport of algae to the benthos

2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J Edwards ◽  
Chris R Rehmann ◽  
Ellen McDonald ◽  
David A Culver
Keyword(s):  
Turbulent Mixing ◽  
Dreissena Polymorpha ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Zebra Mussels ◽  
Mixing Processes ◽  
Filter Feeder ◽  
Western Lake ◽  
Tightly Coupled ◽  
The Impact

We used an acoustic Doppler profiler to investigate the hydrodynamics of a nearshore site in western Lake Erie, and we incorporated the measured parameters in numerical simulations of phytoplankton consumption by benthic zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) to examine the link between pelagic production and benthic filter feeders. Daily-averaged eddy diffusivities varied from 10–5 to 10–4 m2·s–1 at our site. Our simulations demonstrate that diffusivities of this order decrease near-bed algal biomass, while algal biomass in the pelagic remains relatively unaffected. Between 8% and 67% of the algal biomass in the water column could be consumed daily, depending on the shape and magnitude of the diffusivity profile. Correspondingly, in situ vertical biomass profiles showed a near-bed zone of algal depletion, but no impact was observed near the surface. The impact of the zebra mussel in nearshore regions is expected to be stronger than in deeper open water. The flow of algal biomass into the benthos was tightly coupled with turbulent mixing, suggesting that open water algal consumption by zebra mussels is small compared with previously published estimates that ignored vertical turbulent mixing processes.

Relationships between Nannoplankton and Lake Trophic Status

1981 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 960-967 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan Watson ◽  
Jaap Kalff
Keyword(s):  
Total Phosphorus ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Trophic Status ◽  
Relative Proportion ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Alternative Measure ◽  
Total Biomass ◽  
Empirical Relationships ◽  
General Scale ◽  
Generally True

The hypotheses that with increasing eutrophication (1) nannoplankton biomass increases and (2) the relative proportion (percent) of nannoplankton biomass decreases were tested with data from Lake Memphremagog, a lake exhibiting a nutrient gradient, and on a more general scale using published data from a number of lakes. Both hypotheses were supported within and among lakes if trophic status was defined by total algal biomass. This was also generally true if total phosphorus (TP) was used as an alternative measure of trophy, although percent nannoplankton biomass showed no relationship to TP among lakes. Empirical relationships that allow a first prediction of total nannoplankton biomass from total algal biomass or TP were calculated. The data suggest that among lakes, net plankton will show a more variable relationship with TP than nannoplankton.Key words: nannoplankton, net plankton, trophic status, total biomass, total phosphorus

scholarly journals Enhanced bottom-ice algal biomass across a tidal strait in the Kitikmeot Sea of the Canadian Arctic

Elem Sci Anth ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura A. Dalman ◽  
Brent G. T. Else ◽  
David Barber ◽  
Eddy Carmack ◽  
William J. Williams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Turbulent Flow ◽  
Chlorophyll A ◽  
Stoichiometric Composition ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Taxonomic Composition ◽  
Water Dynamics ◽  
Algal Community ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
First Year ◽  
Ice Algae

Sea ice algae are an important contributor of primary production in the Arctic ecosystem. Within the bottom-ice environment, access to nutrients from the underlying ocean is a major factor controlling production, phenology, and taxonomic composition of ice algae. Previous studies have demonstrated that tides and currents play an important role in driving the flux of nutrients to bottom-ice algal communities when biological demand during the spring bloom is high. In this study we investigate how surface currents under landfast first-year ice influence nutrient supply based on stoichiometric composition, algal chlorophyll a biomass and species composition during spring 2016, in Dease Strait, Nunavut. Stronger water dynamics over a shoaled and constricted strait dominated by tidal currents (tidal strait) supported turbulent flow more than 85% of the deployment duration in comparison to outside the tidal strait in an embayment where turbulent flow was only evidenced a small percentage (&lt;15%) of the time. The system appeared to be nitrate-depleted with surface water concentrations averaging 1.3 μmol L–1. Increased currents were correlated significantly with a decrease in ice thickness and an increase in ice algal chlorophyll a. Furthermore, pennate diatoms dominated the ice algal community abundance with greater contribution within the strait where currents were greatest. These observations all support the existence of a greater nutrient flux to the ice bottom where currents increased towards the center of the tidal strait, resulting in an increase of bottom ice chlorophyll a biomass by 5–7 times relative to that outside of the strait. Therefore, expanding beyond the long identified biological hotspots of open water polynyas, this paper presents the argument for newly identified hotspots in regions of strong sub-ice currents but persistent ice covers, so called “invisible polynyas”.

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