The annual patterns of photosynthesis in two large, freshwater, ultra-oligotrophic Antarctic lakes

Abstract

The phytoplankton productivity and biomass of two large, freshwater Antarctic lakes (Vestfold Hills, eastern Antarctica) were investigated over a 12-month period. Crooked Lake was sampled at one site, while Lake Druzhby, a complex lake with two shallow and one deep basin, was subject to a more detailed investigation. Concentrations of chlorophyll a were usually below 1 µg l–1, indicating ultra-oligotrophic conditions. Despite periodic low nutrient levels, low temperatures (range 0.4–2.8°C) and periodic poor light climate, some degree of photosynthesis was measurable throughout the year, including the dark winter phase. Snow cover had a pronounced impact on the light climate of the water column and inhibited photosynthesis. Mean rates of carbon fixation in the 0- to 15-m water column varied between 0 and 38.47 µg C l–1 day–1 in Crooked Lake and 0.24 and 37.68 µg C l–1 day–1 in Lake Druzhby. There were significant differences in the seasonal patterns of primary production between the basins of Lake Druzhby. The shallow basins had highest productivity in August, whereas the deep basin had highest rates in summer. Chlorophyll specific rates of photosynthesis or assimilation numbers [µg C (chl. a)–1 h–1] varied between 0.05 and 44.9, and photosynthetic efficiency [µg C (chl. a)–1 h–1 µmol m–2 s–1] between 0.02 and 5.19. The data suggest that the phytoplankton of these lakes is adapted to low irradiance levels, low temperatures and nutrient limitation.