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The contribution of epipelon to total sediment microalgae in a shallow temperate eutrophic loch (Loch Leven, Scotland)

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Abstract

Benthic microalgae are known to perform important ecosystem functions in shallow lakes. As such it is important to understand the environmental variables responsible for regulating community structure, positioning and biomass. We tested the hypothesis that the positioning (across a depth gradient of 2–22 m overlying water depth) and relative biomass (determined using bulk and lens tissue harvested chlorophyll (Chl) a concentrations) of the epipelon community would vary independently with season (12 monthly samples) and across natural gradients of light and habitat disturbance relative to the total benthic algal community (i.e. all viable microalgae in the surface sediments) in a shallow eutrophic loch. Total sediment microalgal Chl a concentrations (TS-Chl; range: 5–874 μg Chl a g−1 dw) were highest in winter and in the deepest site (20 m overlying water depth), apparently as a result of phytoplanktonic settling and sediment focussing processes. Epipelic Chl a concentrations (Epi-Chl; range: <0.10–6.0 μg Chl a g−1 dw) were highest in winter/spring, a period when water clarity was highest and TS-Chl lowest. Principal components analysis highlighted strong associations between Epi-Chl and sites of intermediate depths (2.5–5.5 m) in all seasons except autumn/winter. Autumn/winter represented the season with the highest average wind speeds preceding sampling, during which the highest Epi-Chl concentrations were associated with the deepest sites. Epi-Chl was associated with intermediate light and habitat disturbance during spring/summer and summer/autumn and varied positively with habitat disturbance, only, in autumn/winter and winter/spring. The epipelon community structure also varied with depth; diatoms dominated shallow water sediments, cyanobacteria dominated deep water sediments, and sediments at sites of intermediate depth returned the highest biovolume estimates and the most diverse communities. This study has strengthened the hypothesis that the structure and biomass of benthic microalgal communities in lakes are regulated by habitat disturbance and water clarity, both of which are expected to respond to climate change and eutrophication. The degree to which these structural responses reflect functional performance requires clarification.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the staff at the Loch Leven Fishery for their continued support and assistance. Also, Suzanne McGowan (Nottingham University), David John (The Natural History Museum, London), Brian Whitton (Durham University), David Mann (Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh), Iwan Jones (CEH, Dorset), Max Bothwell (National Water Research Institute, Canada) and Konrad Wolowski (Polish Academy of Sciences, Krakow) for comments regarding epipelon sampling methodology. The authors are also extremely grateful to Alex Kirika for assistance in the field and laboratory and to Guest Editor Mariana Meerhoff and an anonymous reviewer for comments that led to the improvement of the manuscript. This research was funded by NERC (NER/S/A/2003/11324).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Ecology and Hydrology Edinburgh, Penicuik, Midlothian, EH26 0QB, Scotland, UK

    B. M. Spears, L. Carvalho & M. B. O’Malley

  2. School of Earth, Ocean and Planetary Sciences, Cardiff University, Main Building, Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3YE, Wales, UK

    R. Perkins

  3. Sediment Ecology Research Group, Scottish Oceanographic Institute, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, Fife, KY16 8LB, Scotland, UK

    D. M. Paterson

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  1. B. M. Spears
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Correspondence to B. M. Spears.

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Guest editors: M. Meerhoff, M. Beklioglu, R. Burks, F. García-Rodríguez, N. Mazzeo & B. Moss / Structure and Function of World Shallow Lakes: Proceedings from the 6th Shallow Lakes Congress, held in Punta del Este, Uruguay, 23–28 November, 2008

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Spears, B.M., Carvalho, L., Perkins, R. et al. The contribution of epipelon to total sediment microalgae in a shallow temperate eutrophic loch (Loch Leven, Scotland). Hydrobiologia 646, 281–293 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-010-0187-x

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