Effects of Environmental Concentrations of Total Phosphorus on the Plankton Community Structure and Function in a Microcosm Study

Abstract

The excessive nutrients in freshwater have been proven to promote eutrophication and harmful algae blooms, which have become great threats to water quality and human health. To elucidate the responses of the plankton community structure and function to total phosphorus (TP) at environmental concentrations in the freshwater ecosystem, a microcosm study was implemented. The results showed that plankton communities were significantly affected by the TP concentration ≥ 0.1 mg/L treatments. In terms of community structure, TP promoted the growth of Cyanophyta. This effect was transmitted to the zooplankton community, resulting in the promotion of Cladocera growth from day 42. The community diversities of phytoplankton and zooplankton had been continuously inhibited by TP. The principal response curve (PRC) analysis results demonstrated that the species composition of phytoplankton and zooplankton community in TP enrichment treatments significantly (p ≤ 0.05) deviated from the control. For community function, TP resulted in the decline in phytoplankton photosynthesis. The chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were significantly inhibited when TP concentration reached 0.4 mg/L. In TP ≥ 0.1 mg/L treatments, the reductions in total phytoplankton abundances led to a continuous decrease in pH. This study can directly prove that the plankton community changes significantly when TP concentrations are greater than 0.1 mg/L and can help managers to establish specific nutrient management strategies for surface water.

How Do Zooplankton Communities Respond to Environmental Factors across the Subsidence Wetlands Created by Underground Coal Mining in the North China Plain?

“…Wetlands with high nutrient levels have higher zooplankton densities, mainly because of the contribution of the tolerant species Trichocerca pusilla, Anuraeopsis fissaand and Brachionus [53]. At the same time, the large proliferation of these species has limited the growth of other populations, reducing the overall species richness [54,55]. Additionally, higher conductivity and pH environments lead to lower zooplankton species richness because most single-celled zooplankton are intolerant to high conductivity and pH environments owing to osmotic regulation [56].…”

Phytoplankton Community Stability as a Health Indicator of Whiteleg Shrimp in an Intensive Pond

“…The excessive nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, in aquatic ecosystem have been proven to promote eutrophication and harmful algae blooms, which have become great threats to water quality and human health [Mahmudi et al, 2020;Akinnawo, 2023]. In particular, phosphorus has been considered as the primary limiting nutrient for the development of phytoplankton in aquatic ecosystems [Bai et al, 2022]. Phosphorus levels increase the abundance of Cyclotella through regulating the rate and specificity of chitin, glucan, and lipid nanofiber synthesis.…”

Evaluation of Floating Net Cage (FNC) in Penerusan Bay, Bali Based on Their Plankton Community

“…It results in the alteration of physicochemical parameters and the plankton community change. A study indicates that the excessive nutrients of phosphorus ≥ 0.1 mg/L promote the growth of Cyanophyta, which initiates Cladocera growth [5]. Another research shows aquatic ecosystems with low dissolved oxygen and high biochemical oxygen demand cause a rise in specific diatom, such as Nitzschia sp.…”