Aspects of the phosphorus cycle in Hartbeespoort Dam (South Africa)

Abstract

The role of biotic processes in a warm, monomictic, hypertrophic African impoundment (Hartbeespoort Dam) is examined using 32P radiobioassays. Phosphorus demand is assessed by phosphorus turnover times, alkaline phosphatase activity, cellular phosphorus status and the phosphorus deficiency index. Long turnover times indicative of an enriched system were recorded, ranging from 9 h to 1992 h, with no evidence of phosphorus stress being present. These turnover times support the hypothesis that the phosphorus cycle in Hartbeespoort Dam is dominated by the algal community which is shown to play an important role in phosphorus cycling within the water column. However, hydrological processes remain the driving force in phosphorus seasonality in the lake.