Abstract
The results of the ecological investigation discussed in this paper represent the first seasonal study of the phytoplankton to be carried out in Loch Ard. This body of water is a typical warm monomictic lake, with water temperatures during the period of study ranging from 18.6 to 4.4 °C and oxygen saturation from 68 to 112%. Stratification lasted from May to November. Phosphate was generally very low, being almost undetectable for about six months and not exceeding 0.125 µg.at.P 1−1 even at the winter maximum. Dissolved silica showed a regular seasonal pattern ranging from 9 to 21 µg.at.Si 1−1. Nitrate, like silicate, never showed signs of complete exhaustion, with a minimum of 4.0 and a maximum of 21.0 µg.at.N 1−1. The pH remained on the acid side of neutrality while the alkalinity never exceeded 7 mg CaCO3/1. From an examination of net phytoplankton Loch Ard could be described as diatom-desmid in nature. Quantitatively the population was dominated by diatoms(Cyclotella, Asterionella andMelosira) till May whence a mixed population of blue-green algae, desmids and dinoflagellates persisted till late September.
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