Ecological and geographical phytoplankton characteristics in the Chelyabinsk region salt lakes

Abstract

There is a great number of lakes within the Russian territory. The majority of research is re-lated to practical needs and the conditions in large aquatic ecosystems of economic or recreational value, as well as specially protected natural objects. At the moment, the state of water bodies with high mineralization belongs to underinvestigated factors. However, in highly mineralized reservoirs, a biotic community is formed that is unique in its species composition and diversity. The lakes proposed for study have a similar origin and landscape conditions; they are located in the same natural zone; they are also similar in terms of the influence of anthropogenic and natural factors on them, a high trophic content at different mineralization. The phytoplankton biodiversity in the Chelyabinsk region salt lakes has not practically been studied. Many species are not able to live in a saline environment, so the species diversity that can adapt to increased salinity is limited. The biodiversity study of these ecosystems is very important. There are lakes with high mineralization (more than 3 g/L) in the Chelyabinsk region. In the paper the phytoplankton species composition of the Chelyabinsk region salt lakes (Chernoe, Gorkoe, and Treustan) was studied for the first time. As many as 55 algae species have been identified. The study results show that the highest values of species abundance have been noted for Bacillariophyta. The ecological and geographical analysis of algal flora of the lakes has shown that the predominant part of the occurring phytoplankton belongs to cosmopolitan species, plankton-benthic and benthic forms and alkaliphiles. Despite the enhanced mineralization of the lakes, freshwater species are characterized by the highest species diversity.