Light and Nutrient Effects on the Relative Biomass of Blue-Green Algae in Lake Phytoplankton

Abstract

Smith, V. H. 1986. Light and nutrient effects on the relative biomass of blue-green algae in lake phytoplankton.Can. j. The factors determining the relative biomass of blue-green algae during the growing season were studied using data from 22 lakes worldwide. Multiple linear regression analyses suggest that total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and light (as estimated from Secchi disc transparency and the depth of the mixed layer) interact to determine the relative biomass of planktonic blue-green algae. At a fixed TN :TP ratio, blue-green relative biomass increases as light availability decreases. At a fixed light level, blue-green relative biomass also increases as the TN: TP ratio decreases. Both effects are consistent with current knowledge of algal physiology, and with a recently proposed theoretical framework for algal community structure.On a etud'ai. les facteurs qui determinent la biomasse relative des algues bleues au cours de la periode de proliferation a l'aide de donnkes obtenues dans 22 lacs du monde entier. Des analyses de rkgression lineaire n~ultiple donnent a penser que I'azote total (NT), le phospiiore total (PT) et la IuiniPre (telle qu'6valui.e 2i partir de la transparence observke avec Is disque de Secchi et de Ia profondeur de la couche de rnblange) interagissent pour determiner la biomasse relative des algues bleues planctoniques. Pour un rappor: constant NT:PT, la biomasse relative des algues bleues augmente lorsque la DumiPre disponible dirninkse. A un niveau constant d'intensire Iurnineuse, la biomasse relative des aigues bleues augmente egalement lorsque le rapport NT: PT dirninue. Les deux effets sont en accord avec Bes connaissances que wous avons de la physiologic des dlgkaes et avec !a theorie proposee recemment concernant la structure des cornmksnautt5s d'algues.uring the past two decades, research on the factors controlling the biomass and photosynthetic activity of the phytoplankton (e.g.

The role of macronutrients (C, N, P) in controlling cyanobacterial dominance in temperate lakes

“…This spring inorganic P value corresponds approximately to a summer epilimnetic TP value of 30 ug TP I" 1 (derived from Harris 1986: fig. 7.2), which is close to the xaxis intercept of Smith (1985: fig. 1).…”

“…A regression model, based on five lake systems, relating summer mean TP to summer mean cyanobacterial biomass, was presented by Smith (1985). The x-axis intercept is at 25 ug TP 1~' which, using the model of Nicholls & Dillon (1978), corresponds to 3-4 mg FW I" 1 phytoplankton biomass.…”

“…1). Smith's (1985) prediction of cyanobacterial biomass was improved when lake mean depth was included in a multivariate analysis. The greater the mean depth the lower the biomass obtained per unit phosphorus, which is consistent with other models for predicting phytoplankton biomass (e.g., Pridmore et al 1985).…”

“…Empirical models relating TP to chlorophyll a are often restricted to lakes with TN : TP ratios greater than 12 (e.g., Dillon & Rigler 1974). More recent models have incorporated both TP and the TN : TP ratio with a significant improvement in predictive power (Smith 1982). Increases in P loading on lakes often lead to a change of limiting nutrient.…”

Planktic Cyanobacteria from upper Tietê basin reservoirs, SP, Brazil

“…Frequently associated with eutrophic water conditions (Dokulil & Teubner 2000, Huszar et al 2000, the dominance of cyanobacteria can be related to environmental factors such as high total phosphorus (Watson et al 1997), high temperature (Shapiro 1990), high pH (Caraco & Miller 1998), low light (Smith 1986) and low total nitrogen (Smith 1983). Many species are well known producers of toxic compounds (Carmichael 1996, Sant'Anna et al 2004 as well as of substances causing unpleasant taste and odor to drinking water (Persson 1996).…”