Abiotic factors affecting the development of Ulva sp. (Ulvophyceae; Chlorophyta) in freshwater ecosystems

Abstract

The influence of physicochemical factors on the development of Ulva species with distromatic tubular morphology was studied in three streams located in Poznan, Poland. The study evaluated key environmental factors that may influence the colonisation and growth of Ulva populations in freshwater systems. In total, nine environmental parameters were included: temperature, water depth, pH, oxygen (O2), ammonium (NH4 +), nitrate (NO3 −), phosphate (PO4 3−), sodium chloride (NaCl) and total iron (Fe). Morphometric features of thalli (length and width, percentage of furcated and young thalli) and surface area of free-floating mats formed by the freshwater populations of Ulva were compared at all sites. Principal components analysis indicated the most important factors influencing Ulva development were sodium chloride concentrations and water depth. Two other key chemical factors affecting the freshwater form of Ulva were phosphate and nitrite concentrations. High concentrations of sodium chloride inhibited the development of Ulva, leading to a lower number of thalli in the Ulva mats. At the sites with stable and deeper water, the surface area of the mats was larger. Both phosphate and nitrite concentrations were positively correlated with an increase in the number of thalli in the mats and the thalli length.