A bioassay to assess the potential effects of sediment resuspension on phytoplankton community composition

A laboratory assay (SAGA or Sediment Algal Growth Assay) was developed to assess the potential impact of sediment resuspension on the structure of phytoplankton communities, and to evaluate the effectiveness of various sediment treatments in decreasing the abundance of blue-green algae in the event of sediment resuspension during storms. In assays with sediment from eutrophic Akanoi Bay, Lake Biwa, Japan, 7–11 species of phytoplankton seeded from the sediments grew during the 3-week assay indicating that sediment resuspension has the potential to increase both phytoplankton biomass and species diversity. Treatment of sediments with Ca(NO3)2 substantially decreased phytoplankton biomass (measured as chlorophyll concentration) in assays with sediments from Akanoi Bay and the North Basin of Lake Biwa. Further, among various oxidation treatments of sediments, Ca(NO3)2 was most effective in decreasing or preventing filamentous blue-green algal growth in N- and P-replete media. In contrast, when sediments were added to P-limited phytoplankton dominated by green algae and diatoms, no growth of blue-green algae occurred regardless of sediment treatment. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of sediment resuspension on phytoplankton production: teasing apart the influences of light, nutrients and algal entrainment

1. Wind‐induced sediment resuspension can affect planktonic primary productivity by influencing light penetration and nutrient availability, and by contributing meroplankton (algae resuspended from the lake bed) to the water column. We established relationships between sediment resuspension, light and nutrient availability to phytoplankton in a shallow lake on four occasions. 2. The effects of additions of surficial sediments and nutrients on the productivity of phytoplankton communities were measured in 300 mL gas‐tight bottles attached to rotating plankton wheels and exposed to a light gradient, in 24 h incubations at in situ temperatures. 3. While sediment resuspension always increased primary productivity, resuspension released phytoplankton from nutrient limitation in only two of the four experiments because the amount of available nitrogen and phosphorus entrained from the sediments was small compared with typical baseline levels in the water column. In contrast, chlorophyll a entrainment was substantial compared with baseline water column concentrations and the contribution of meroplankton to primary production was important at times, especially when seasonal irradiance in the lake was high. 4. Comparison of the in situ light climate with the threshold of light‐limitation of the phytoplankton indicated that phytoplankton in the lake were only likely to be light‐limited at times of extreme turbidity (e.g. >200 nephelometric turbidity units), particularly when these occur in winter. Therefore, resuspension influenced phytoplankton production mainly via effects on available nutrients and by entraining algae. The importance of each of these varied in time. 5. The partitioning of primary productivity between the water column and sediments in shallow lakes greatly influences the outcome of resuspension events for water column primary productivity.     

Resuspension of algal cells by benthivorous fish boosts phytoplankton biomass and alters community structure in shallow lakes

1. Positive effects of fish on algal biomass have variously been attributed to cascading top‐down effects and to nutrient enrichment by fish excretion. 2. Here, we used a combination of field and laboratory approaches to test an additional hypothesis, namely that the physical resuspension of settled algal cells by fish enhances algal biomass and alters community composition. 3. A multi‐lake survey showed that phytoplankton biomass and the fraction of motile algae increased with the concentration of inorganic suspended solids. This correlation could not be explained by wind‐induced resuspension because of the small size of the lakes. 4. In an enclosure experiment, chlorophyll‐a concentration, phytoplankton abundance and inorganic suspended solids increased significantly in the presence of Cyprinus carpio (common carp), but only if the fish had access to the sediment. No such effects were seen when a net prevented carp reaching the sediment. 5. The effects of enhanced nutrients and reduced zooplankton grazing as a result of fish feeding could not (fully) explain these observations, suggesting that the resuspension by carp of settled algae from a surface film on the sediment was the major factor in the outcome of the experiment. 6. An increase in diatoms and green algae (organisms with a relatively large sedimentation velocity) only in enclosures where carp could reach the sediment supported this view. 7. Several lines of evidence indicate that fish‐induced resuspension of algal cells from the sediment is an important mechanism that affects phytoplankton biomass and community composition in shallow lakes.     

Lipid biomarker evidence for determining the origin and distribution of organic matter in surface sediments of Lake Taihu,Eastern China

Lipid biomarkers from surface sediments of Lake Taihu (Eastern China) were analyzed in order to determine the origin and spatial distribution of sediment organic matter (OM), which is necessary to understand the regional carbon cycles and design environmental management strategies for lake systems. The results indicated significant heterogeneity in the distribution of autochthonous (algae-, photosynthetic bacteria- and macrophyte-based) and allochthonous (terrestrial plant-based) OM in sediments across the lake. Allochthonous OM inputs, indicated by long-chain n-alkane and long-chain n-alkanol biomarkers, generally declined in abundance from northwestern (Zhushan Bay and Meiliang Bay) to southeastern (East Bays) parts of the lake, suggesting a critical influence of hydrology, and in particular of inflowing rivers, which mainly enter the lake from the west and drain from the east. Autochthonous OM, on the other hand, appeared to reflect variations in overall nutrient status and habit type across the lake. Cyanobacterial OM inputs, identified by short-chain n-alkanes, were most abundant in sediment from the most severely polluted zones in Lake Taihu, namely Zhushan Bay and Meiliang Bay. OM derived from diatoms, indicated by brassicasterol and highly branched isoprenoids (HBIs), was most abundant in sediments from the East Bays, a clear-water zone with relatively low levels of nutrient input. Macrophyte OM input, indicated by the middle-chain n-alkanes and Paq ((n-C23 + n-C25)/(n-C23 + n-C25 + n-C29 + n-C31)), was only identified in sediments from the East Bays. The lowest recorded inputs for both autochthonous and allochthonous OM were in sediments from open areas with significant sediment resuspension, including Gonghu Bay, Central and Western Region. This finding might reflect degradation mineralization of OM in the water column during sediment resuspension.     

A study of absorption characteristics of chromophoric dissolved organic matter and particles in Lake Taihu,China

Absorptions by non-phytoplankton particles and phytoplankton, and chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) were measured at 50 sites in large, shallow, Lake Taihu in winter and summer 2006 to study their seasonal and spatial variations, and their relative contributions to total absorption. The CDOM absorption was significantly higher in winter than in summer, due to degradation and release of fixed carbon in phytoplankton and submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV). The hyperbolic model was used to model the spectral absorption of CDOM, and the mean spectral slope of 6.38 nm⁻¹ was obtained. At most sites, the spectral absorption of non-phytoplankton particles was similar to that of the total particles, demonstrating that the absorption of the total particles is dominated by the absorption of non-phytoplankton particles. In summer, phytoplankton absorption increased markedly, due to frequent algal blooms especially in Meiliang Bay. In winter, the significant increase in non-phytoplankton particle absorption resulted from the increase of inorganic particulate matter caused by sediment resuspension. Strong linear relationships were found between a _d(440) and total suspended matter (TSM), organic suspended matter (OSM), and inorganic suspended matter (ISM). Strong linear relationships were also found between a _ph(440), a _ph(675) and chlorophyll a (Chl-a) concentration. The total relative contributions of non-phytoplankton particles over the range of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) (400–700 nm) were 48.4 and 79.9% in summer and winter respectively. Non-phytoplankton particle absorption dominated the total absorption, especially in winter, in Lake Taihu, due to frequent sediment resuspension in the large shallow lake as a result of strong windy conditions. The results indicate that strong absorption by CDOM and non-phytoplankton particles at the blue wavelength has an impact on the spectral availability, and acts as a selection factor for the composition of the phytoplankton community, with cyanobacteria being the dominate species in Lake Taihu. Handling editor: L. Naselli-Flores     

DO PHYSICAL FACTORS REGULATE PHYTOPLANKTON DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS IN LARGE, SHALLOW LAKES?

Factors that regulate phytoplankton dynamics in shallow, productive lakes are poorly understood, due to their predisposition for frequent algal blooms and sediment resuspension events. In Lake Apopka, greatest phytoplankton biomass reflects wind-induced resuspension of algae (meroplankton) that exists on the aphotic lake bottom in a layer approximately 5 cm thick; this assemblage is dominated by diatoms (>60% of total biomass) that can occur in resting stages. Once exposed to moderate light, meroplankton are capable of growth and photosynthetic rates comparable with surface populations. In Lake Okeechobee, remote sensing was used to assess the basin-wide distribution of suspended particles. Satellite reflectance values agreed well with in situ particle densities at 20 in-lake stations (average r²; LANDSAT = 0.81, AVHRR = 0.53), and maps of algal blooms (r² = 0.79, p ≤ 0.01). The greatest chlorophyll concentrations occurred in the vicinity of tributary nutrient inputs at the lake's perimeter, while turbidity increased towards the center of the lake reflecting predominant water circulation patterns. These results underscore the importance of physical-biological interactions in lakes.     

Extreme weather events influence the phytoplankton community structure in a large lowland subtropical lake (Lake Okeechobee, Florida, USA)

We demonstrate a major ecological change in a large lake ecosystem in response to a series of extreme weather events. Phytoplankton community dynamics in subtropical Lake Okeechobee are described from 2000 through early 2008 with emphasis on inter-relationships among phytoplankton populations and associated environmental variables in this large, shallow eutrophic lake. The lake experienced the physical effects of three hurricanes in 2004–2005, which caused massive sediment resuspension, near total elimination of submerged aquatic vegetation, elevated biologically available nutrients and total suspended solids, and lower water transparency. Patterns of long-term co-dominance by nitrogen (N)-fixing cyanobacteria and meroplanktonic diatoms abruptly changed to dominance by only meroplanktonic diatoms. The planktonic cyanobacteria genera Anabaena and Planktolyngbya both decreased approximately an order of magnitude in the post-hurricane period despite large surpluses of bioavailable nutrients. Meroplanktonic diatoms (mostly Aulacoseira spp.) declined approximately 20%, perhaps because of superior competitive ability for light in a polymictic, turbid water column. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) suggested that reduction in planktonic cyanobacteria after compression of the photic zone and the persistence of meroplanktonic diatoms were related to light utilization traits for the key algal taxa and indicated that pre-existing light limitation and crustacean grazing pressure were intensified in the post-hurricane period.     

基于VGPM模型和MODIS数据估算梅梁湾浮游植物初级生产力

基于MODIS影像数据反演的2009年2月份至12月份太湖梅梁湾水域表面叶绿素a、悬浮物浓度以及水温数据,结合初级生产力垂向归纳模型(Vertically Generalized Production Model:VGPM)估算获得梅梁湾2009年逐月平均日初级生产力时空分布。结果表明,梅梁湾2009年年平均日初级生产力及逐月平均日初级生产力空间分布差异显著,呈现从湾内向湾口逐渐递减的趋势。时间序列分析显示,梅梁湾初级生产力季节差异显著,夏季>秋季>春季>冬季,全年初级生产力主要集中在夏季,占47.4%。通过分析VGPM模型中几个输入参数对初级生产力的影响,发现悬浮物浓度与标准化初级生产力存在显著负冥函数关系,反映沉积物再悬浮引起的悬浮物浓度增加能降低水体初级生产力。温度对初级生产力也有一定的调控与制约,与初级生产力呈现正相关趋势,在低于21℃的温度范围内与最大光合作用速率呈现正相关。     

Impact of resuspended sediment on zooplankton feeding in Lake Waihola, New Zealand

1. Wind‐induced sediment resuspension in shallow lakes affects many physical and biological processes, including food gathering by zooplankton. The effects of suspended sediment on clearance rate were determined for a dominant cladoceran, Daphnia carinata, and calanoid copepod, Boeckella hamata, in Lake Waihola, New Zealand. 2. Animals were incubated at multiple densities for 4 days in lake water containing different amounts of suspended lake sediment. Rates of harvest of major food organisms were determined for each sediment level (turbidity) from changes in net growth rate with grazer density. 3. Daphnia cleared all food organisms 7–40 μm in length at similar rates, but was less efficient in its removal of free bacteria, phytoplankton <7 μm, and large cyanobacterial filaments. Elevation of sediment turbidity from 2 to 10 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) (63 mg DW L^?1 added sediment) reduced Daphnia clearance of phytoplankton, heterotrophic flagellates and ciliates by 72–100%, and of amoebae and attached bacteria by 21–44%. Further inhibition occurred at higher turbidity. 4. Boeckella hamata removed microzooplankton primarily, rather than phytoplankton. The rate at which it cleared rotifers was reduced by 56% when turbidity was increased from 2.5 to 100 NTU. 5. In the absence of macrozooplankton, algal growth increased with sediment turbidity, suggesting that sediment also inhibits rotifer grazing. 6. As mid‐day turbidity in Lake Waihola is ≥10 NTU about 40% of the time, sediment resuspension may play a major role in moderating energy flow and structuring pelagic communities in this lake.     

The trophic state of Lake Ladoga as indicated by late summer phytoplankton

As a part of the joint Russian-Finnish evaluation of human impact on Lake Ladoga, we studied the phytoplankton of the lake in order to find biological indicators for eutrophication. A second aim of the investigation was intercalibration of sampling and phytoplankton counting techniques between the Russian and Finnish laboratories. Phytoplankton samples were collected from 27 sampling stations in the lake and from the rivers Volkhov and Neva in 9–13 August 1993. In surface water samples the phytoplankton fresh weight biomass varied in the range 218–3575 mg m^–33. Highest biomass values were encountered in Sortavala Bay, and lowest ones in the western central part of the lake. Phytoplankton species composition varied considerably in the lake; blue-green and green algae predominated near-shore areas and Cryptophyceae in the offshore stations. Canonical correspondance analysis revealed close grouping of eutrophy indicating communities, dominated mainly by greens and blue-greens, in the most nutrient-rich parts of Lake Ladoga, the Volkhov and Svir Bays. Samples from the vicinity of the inflows of Vuoksi and Burnaya Rivers and off Pitkaranta formed a separate group, dominated by diatoms, most of which were typical to mesotrophic or eutrophy lakes. As judged by phytoplankton biomass values and chlorophyll a concentrations, Lake Ladoga may generally be classified as mesotrophic. Eutrophicated areas are found in the northern archipelago of the lake and in the areas influenced by large rivers.     

The effect of wave-reduction engineering on sediment resuspension in a large, shallow, eutrophic lake (Lake Taihu)

Frequent resuspension of sediments is recognized as an important process in large shallow lakes, impeding the recovery of eutrophic lakes. A large-scale project, including a wave barrier (3.3 km long) and a soft enclosure, was implemented to reduce wave energy and sediment resuspension in Lake Taihu, eastern China. The effects of the wave-reduction engineering on sediment resuspension and internal nutrient loading were investigated. Results showed that sediment resuspension rates as well as suspended solids (SS) in the areas protected by the wave barrier and the soft enclosure were significantly lower than in the unprotected areas. There was a positive relationship between total phosphorus (TP) and SS; thus internal loading of phosphorus was significantly reduced by the wave-reduction structure. High nutrient levels and phytoplankton biomass persisted during the experiment period, suggesting that additional measures, such as re-establishment of the macrophyte community, must be included to help restore the water quality in such a large, shallow and eutrophic lake.     

Temporal and spatial variations of aquatic environmental characteristics and sediment bacterial community in five regions of Lake Taihu

Sediment bacterial community and their relation with environmental factors were investigated in the five different trophic status lake regions sediment, Meiliang Bay, Wuli Lake, Gonghu Bay, Western Lake Taihu and Xukou Bay in a large, shallow, eutrophic freshwater lake (Lake Taihu, China). Water and surface sediment samples were collected at 35 sampling sites in January 2014 (winter) and July 2015 (summer). The physicochemical characterization showed that there were obvious changes in the trophic status and eutrophic index of five lake regions, which was mainly due to the difference of organic matter source. Based on the analysis of aquatic environmental characteristics, the organic nitrogen or nitrate nitrogen was the main storing form in the overlying water of five lake regions. In addition, nitrate nitrogen in pore water was lower than in overlying water, while ammonia nitrogen in pore water was higher than in overlying water. According to the DGGE profiles, temporal and spatial variations of bacterial community were apparent. Bacterial diversity was higher in summer than in winter and increased with the decrease in the lake region trophic status. The dendrogram of the bacterial community similarities revealed that samples were almost all grouped into two defined clusters (summer and winter), which indicated that season rather than region was the dominant factor. Canonical correspondence analysis demonstrated that ammonia nitrogen and nitrate–nitrite nitrogen in the sediment and pore water, organic matter and temperature significantly influenced the sediment bacterial community in the five lake regions.     

太湖浮游植物优势种长期演化与富营养化进程的关系

利用1991年至2002年每月一次的监测资料,系统分析了浮游植物优势种和生物量的周年变化情况。同时,总氮、总磷和浮游植物叶绿素a含量等相关资料也被用于解释太湖富营养化演化与浮游植物的关系。结果显示,太湖总氮、总磷、叶绿素a和生物量均呈自梅梁湾底至湖心的逐步递减趋势。在20世纪80年代末太湖刚开始富营养化时,浮游植物优势种群从硅藻转变为蓝藻。之后,浮游植物优势种群一直是蓝藻,但各年的浮游植物总生物量有变化。总氮、总磷、叶绿素a和生物量的年均值持续增长至1996年,其后有逐步下降的趋势,究其原因可能和当地政府在太湖流域的控制排污行动有关。微囊藻在太湖的占优是太湖富营养化的标志之一。研究结果说明浮游植物在大型浅水湖泊中可以作为反映富营养化进程的生态指标。     

The Influence of Macrophytes on Sediment Resuspension and the Effect of Associated Nutrients in a Shallow and Large Lake (Lake Taihu,China)

A yearlong campaign to examine sediment resuspension was conducted in large, shallow and eutrophic Lake Taihu, China, to investigate the influence of vegetation on sediment resuspension and its nutrient effects. The study was conducted at 6 sites located in both phytoplankton-dominated zone and macrophyte-dominated zone of the lake, lasting for a total of 13 months, with collections made at two-week intervals. Sediment resuspension in Taihu, with a two-week high average rate of 1771 g·m^-2·d^-1 and a yearly average rate of 377 g·m^-2·d^-1, is much stronger than in many other lakes worldwide, as Taihu is quite shallow and contains a long fetch. The occurrence of macrophytes, however, provided quite strong abatement of sediment resuspension, which may reduce the sediment resuspension rate up to 29-fold. The contribution of nitrogen and phosphorus to the water column from sediment resuspension was estimated as 0.34 mg·L^-1 and 0.051 mg·L^-1 in the phytoplankton-dominated zone. Sediment resuspension also largely reduced transparency and then stimulated phytoplankton growth. Therefore, sediment resuspension may be one of the most important factors delaying the recovery of eutrophic Lake Taihu, and the influence of sediment resuspension on water quality must also be taken into account by the lake managers when they determine the restoration target.     

Sediment diatom assemblages and composition of pore-water dissolved organic matter reflect recent eutrophication history of Lake Peipsi (Estonia/Russia)

A paleolimnological approach was used for the assessment of the recent eutrophication history and identification of possible reference conditions in the large, shallow, eutrophic Lake Peipsi. Lake Peipsi is the fourth largest lake by area, and the largest transboundary lake in Europe, being shared between Estonia and Russia. Lake Peipsi has been anthropogenically impacted over a longer time-scale than that covered by instrumental limnological monitoring. The ²¹⁰Pb record and down-core distribution of fly-ash particles in the 40-cm core from the middle part of the lake suggest 130 years of sediment accumulation. Diatom assemblages indicate alkaline mesotrophic conditions and a well-illuminated water column, sediment pore-water fluorescence index values suggest low autochthonous productivity and a stable aquatic ecosystem similar to natural reference conditions during the second half of 19th and early 20th century. Near-synchronous stratigraphic changes including the expansion of the eutrophic planktonic diatom Stephanodiscus parvus, the appearance of new species associated with eutrophic lakes and the decrease in the relative abundance of littoral diatoms, together with changes in the fluorescence properties of sediment pore-water dissolved organic matter, imply increased nutrient availability, enlarged phytoplankton crops, reduced water-column transparency and the onset of human-induced disturbances in the lake since the mid-20th century. The most conspicuous expansion of eutrophic planktonic diatoms and maximum concentration of siliceous microfossils occur simultaneously with changes in the fluorescence indexes of pore-water dissolved organic matter, indicating a pronounced increase in the contribution of autochthonous organic matter to the lake sediment. This implies that nutrient loading and anthropogenic impact was at a maximum during the 1970s and 1980s. Sedimentary diatom flora may reflect a reduction of phosphorus loading since the 1990s. However, the absolute abundance of planktonic diatoms and sediment pore-water fluorescence index values vary greatly implying that the lake ecosystem is still rather unstable.     

Enclosures study of trophic level interactions in the mesotrophic part of Lake Balaton

Enclosures, open to the bottom sediments and to the atmosphere, containing about 17 m³ of lake water in the mesotrophic area of Lake Balaton, were used to elucidate the role of the benthivorous fish bream (Ambramis brama L.) in the lake during 1984–1986.Throughout the whole period water was less transparent in the enclosure containing fish, which strongly influenced the concentrations of suspended solids and chlorophyll a.Both phytoplankton biomass and production readily responded to nutrient increase in the enclosure with fish. In 1985 diatoms were replaced by cyanobacteria whereas in 1986, at a lower fish stocking, a shift in algal structure towards chlorophytes was observed.Egested organic substances and the resuspension of sediment particles by fish increased bacterial production.     

Intra-habitat heterogeneity of microbial food web structure under the regime of eutrophication and sediment resuspension in the large subtropical shallow Lake Taihu,China

Planktonic microbial community structure and classical food web were investigated in the large shallow eutrophic Lake Taihu (2338 km², mean depth 1.9 m) located in subtropical Southeast China. The water column of the lake was sampled biweekly at two sites located 22 km apart over a period of twelve month. Site 1 is under the regime of heavy eutrophication while Site 2 is governed by wind-driven sediment resuspension. Within-lake comparison indicates that phosphorus enrichment resulted in increased abundance of microbial components. However, the coupling between total phosphorus and abundance of microbial components was different between the two sites. Much stronger coupling was observed at Site 1 than at Site 2. The weak coupling at Site 2 was mainly caused by strong sediment resuspension, which limited growth of phytoplankton and, consequently, growth of bacterioplankton and other microbial components. High percentages of attached bacteria, which were strongly correlated with the biomass of phytoplankton, especially Microcystis spp., were found at Site 1 during summer and early autumn, but no such correlation was observed at Site 2. This potentially leads to differences in carbon flow through microbial food web at different locations. Overall, significant heterogeneity of microbial food web structure between the two sites was observed. Site-specific differences in nutrient enrichment (i.e. nitrogen and phosphorus) and sediment resuspension were identified as driving forces of the observed intra-habitat differences in food web structure.     

Long-term dynamics of phytoplankton assemblages: Microcystis-domination in Lake Taihu, a large shallow lake in China

Long-term phytoplankton assemblages in a large shallow Chineselake, Lake Taihu, were presented using the monthly monitoringdata from October 1991 to December 1999. Earlier research results(1960, 1981 and 1988) were applied to discuss the differenttrophic stages of the lake. The species composition in the lakewas more closely related to eutrophication level than to lake-size,shallowness, or turbidity. Each summer, a single peak of phytoplanktonbiovolume appeared in Meiliang Bay. The results of principalcomponents analysis showed a distinct temporal shift in speciescomposition between summer and winter. A clear spatial differencein phytoplankton occurred between Meiliang Bay and the lakecentre. Wind speed and direction affected the horizontal distributionof phytoplankton, especially Microcystis, in the lake. Temperature,underwater light climate, nutrients and grazing by zooplanktonand by fish were discussed to explain the overwhelming dominanceof Microcystis. Four nutrient-phytoplankton stages were identifiedin the lake: an oligo-mesotrophic stage with low algal biomassuntil 1981, a eutrophic situation with blooms of Microcystisduring 1988–1995, hypertrophic conditions with the dominanceof Planctonema and total phosphorus up to 200 mg m^-3 from 1996to 1997 and the restoration period after 1997. The wax and waneof the phytoplankton assemblages were mainly controlled by temperature,wind and turbidity while long-term biomass dynamics were influencedby the level of nutrients.     

Nitrogen dynamics and microbial food web structure during a summer cyanobacterial bloom in a subtropical,shallow, well-mixed,eutrophic lake (Lake Taihu,China)

Nitrogen dynamics and microbial food web structure were characterized in subtropical, eutrophic, large (2,338 km²), shallow (1.9 m mean depth), and polymictic Lake Taihu (China) in Sept–Oct 2002 during a cyanobacterial bloom. Population growth and industrialization are factors in trophic status deterioration in Lake Taihu. Sites for investigation were selected along a transect from the Liangxihe River discharge into Meiliang Bay to the main lake. Water column nitrogen and microbial food web measurements were combined with sediment–water interface incubations to characterize and identify important processes related to system nitrogen dynamics. Results indicate a gradient from strong phosphorus limitation at the river discharge to nitrogen limitation or co-limitation in the main lake. Denitrification in Meiliang Bay may drive main lake nitrogen limitation by removing excess nitrogen before physical transport to the main lake. Five times higher nutrient mineralization rates in the water column versus sediments indicate that sediment nutrient transformations were not as important as water column processes for fueling primary production. However, sediments provide a site for denitrification, which, along with nitrogen fixation and other processes, can determine available nutrient ratios. Dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium (DNRA) was important, relative to denitrification, only at the river discharge site, and nitrogen fixation was observed only in the main lake. Reflecting nitrogen cycling patterns, microbial food web structure shifted from autotrophic (phytoplankton dominated) at the river discharge to heterotrophic (bacteria dominated) in and near the main lake.     

Spatial distribution of phytoplankton in Lake Baikal, Spring 1991

• 1 Studies carried out in Lake Baikal in late spring (late May-early June) 1991 showed marked differences in the species composition and abundance of phytoplankton in different regions of the lake. The south and north basins were characterized by small forms of algae. The middle basin, Maloe More and the shallow waters of the Selenga had species with large cells including Aulacoseira islandica subsp. helvetica, Dinobryon cylindricum and D. divergens.
• 2 Areas of high biomass were correlated with shallow waters and river inputs. This was especially apparent in the region of the Selenga delta. The vertical distribution of phytoplankton indicated the non-synchronous start of the spring homothermy throughout the lake. Phytoplankton were concentrated in the upper 100 m layer with subsurface maxima resulting from the sinking of large algae.
• 3 The concentration of phytoplankton biomass in general at this time characterized the lake as moderately productive.