Abstract
Field investigations were conducted to identify environmental variables influencing phytoplankton dynamics in Lake Poyang. The results showed that diatoms predominated in the phytoplankton community. Concentrations of nutrients were high, and levels of phytoplankton biomass and chlorophyll a were low. During the low water level period (WLP), from January to May 2013, phytoplankton biomass was low. It increased from July 2013 and peaked in September 2013 during the high WLP. From October 2013 to January 2014, phytoplankton biomass decreased again. Highest values were generally measured in the middle district and lowest in the northern district. It decreased from October 2013 to January 2014. Redundancy analysis showed that water temperature and suspended solids (SS) concentrations were the principal factors regulating the growth of phytoplankton. The variations in SS were contrary to the biomass variations at the spatial level. During the high WLP, the blocking effect of the Yangtze River led to decreased water velocity and prolonged water retention time in Lake Poyang. Due to both the SS sedimentation and increase in water temperature, phytoplankton grew rapidly. Based on these findings, the variety of phytoplankton dynamics was caused by the combined effects of the Yangtze River effect, water temperature, and SS.
Highlights
Phytoplankton is the main primary producer of water ecosystems and plays an important role in food chains (Reynolds )
We considered some environmental variables that are responsible for alterations in phytoplankton composition and distribution, such as suspended solids (SS), velocity, transparency, total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and temperature to explain the key factors influencing phytoplankton dynamics of the lakes connected to the Yangtze River
The phytoplankton community of Lake Poyang was found to be composed of 8 phyla and 81 genera
Summary
Phytoplankton is the main primary producer of water ecosystems and plays an important role in food chains (Reynolds ). Alterations in phytoplankton composition and distribution characteristics in water reflect a changing environment and indicate the trophic status (Reynolds et al ; Chen et al ; Wu et al ). The dynamics of phytoplankton communities are influenced by a complex array of biotic and abiotic factors operating through direct and indirect pathways The nutrient–chlorophyll a (Chl a) relationship is generally nonlinear, and suggests that other factors, e.g., physical (water level, water flow, light) and biotic (predation, competition) limit algal growth (Millard et al ; Schernewski et al )
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
