Determination of a limiting nutrient regulating algal biomass using in situ experiments of nutrient enrichment bioassay (NEB) and empirical relations of nutrients and chlorophyll-a.

Long-term nutrient contents and nutrient ratios indicated that phosphorus was a potential limiting element for algal growth. In situ experiments of nutrient enrichment bioassay supported the evidence of P-limitation. However, regression analyses of log10-transformed chlorophyll-a (CHL) against TP (R2 values < 0.25) showed that seasonal CHL was not closely related to flux of phosphorus during all seasons. Also, two dimensional graphical approach of Trophic State Index (TSI) showed that most values of TSI (CHL) -TSI (TP) and TSI (CHL) -TSI (SD) were less than zero, indicating factors other than phosphorus limited algal biomass (CHL -TP < 0), and that non-algal particles dominated light attenuation (CHL -SD < 0). The weak empirical relations and trophic deviations were explained well by the experiment of NEB-II that was conduced during a period of high inorganic turbidity. Overall results suggest that phosphorus is the primary element regulating the system productivity, but the system also were highly influenced by rapid flushing and high inorganic turbidity.

Longitudinal and seasonal variations of epilimnetic silica in a morphologically complex reservoir and the significance of flow regime and internal processes to their dynamics.

Spatial and temporal dynamics of silica (SiO2) were examined in a morphologically complex reservoir, based on data collected between high-flow year and low-flow year. SiO2 averaged 3.4 mg/L and varied from 0.1 to 9.7 mg/L depending on the year and the location. The paired sample test of SiO2 showed that in mainstem sites, SiO2 was significantly (t = 3.577, p < 0.01) greater in the high-flow year than in the low-flow year, and this pattern was similar to that of embayment sites, indicating an importance of flow regime on the silica loading. During the high-flow year, SiO2 was significantly (t = 3.577, p < 0.01) greater in the mainstems than in the embayments, but during the low-flow year, there was no statistical difference between the two reaches. SiO2 showed a distinct longitudinal decline from the headwaters to the dam in the high-flow year, and it was modified by the plunging of metalimnetic density current in the mid-lake reach. Seasonal fluctuation of SiO2 was influenced by internal nutrient cycling and diatom populations. Dominant phytoplankton abundance had an inverse relation between the two algal populations of bluegreens and diatoms during August-December of the low-flow year. In other words, bluegreen algae dominated at the low SiO2 (< 2.5 mg/L) during the summer period of the low-flow year, whereas diatoms dominated with the increase of SiO2 in fall overturn. Overall results suggest that increase of silica in this system is primarily regulated by interannual flow regime, but the internal loading during fall overturn and biological up-take by seasonal growth of diatom community were also considered as an important process controlling the input of silica.

Dynamics of nitrogen, phosphorus, algal biomass, and suspended solids in an artificial lentic ecosystem and significant implications of regional hydrology on trophic status.

Chemical and biological parameters were analyzed to examine how regional hydrological fluctuations influence water quality of a artificial lentic ecosystem over a two-year period The intensity of seasonal monsoon rain accounted for most of annual inflow and discharge and influenced flow pathway (interflow vs. overflow), resulting in a modification of chemical and biological conditions. Sharp contrasting interannual hydrology of intense vs. weak monsoon occurred during the study. The intense monsoon disrupted thermal stratification and resulted in ionic dilution, high TP and high inorganic solids (NVSS) in the headwater reach. The variation of NVSS accounted 75% of TP variation (slope = 4.14, p < 0.01, n = 48). Regression analysis of residual chlorophyll-a (Chl) versus flushing rate indicated that short hydraulic retention time and high mineral turbidity affected algal growth in the headwater reach during summer monsoon. In contrast, severe drought during weak monsoon produced strong thermal stratification, low inorganic solids, high total dissolved solids (TDS), and low TP in the entire system. In addition, Chl concentrations were controlled by phosphorus. Based on the physical, chemical and biological parameters, riverine conditions, dominated during the intense monsoon, but lacustrine conditions were evident during the weak monsoon. The interannual dynamics suggest that monsoon seasonality is considered the main forcing factor regulating overall functions and processes of the waterbody and this characteristic has an important implication to eutrophication of the system.