Seasonal and interannual fluctuations of phytoplankton primary production in the rybinsk water reservoir: effect of the weather and climatic changes

Abstract

Seasonal and multi-annual dynamics of phytoplankton primary production were examined in the Rybinsk water reservoir (Upper Volga) in 2005–2014. Positive links were detected between the average values of plankton primary production during the vegetation period and abiotic factors of the water environment (temperature, solar irradiation, and concentration of biogenic elements), as well as between the primary production and the index of the North Atlantic Oscillation, excluding the data for the abnormally hot summer in 2010. Water temperature increase (up to 27.9°С) in summer 2010 caused a significant increase in phytoplankton production. Significant increase of phytoplankton primary production was noted in the Rybinsk water reservoir during the analysis period.