Abstract
The influence of industrial tailings on the biological integrity of the phytoplankton was assessed from annual measurements of photosynthetic rates in the alpine lake Traunsee. The mean annual integral production of 21 mmol C m-2 d-1 corresponded to the oligotrophic nature of the lake. Effects of effluents were tested by comparing photosynthesis at a station close to the industrial outlet (EB) and at a reference site with a maximum depth of 190 m (VI). Between-site optical properties (vertical attenuation coefficient, euphotic depth) were statistically significant different. The euphotic zone at the impacted station was on average 2 m shallower than at the reference site, owing to turbidity emanating from the industrial plant. The adaptation to low light intensities by the algal community at this station was evident from a high maximum light utilisation coefficient (α* at low light saturation (E K). Algae at the deep reference site were photosynthetically less efficient but adapted to high light intensities. Photosynthetic adaptation to different light climates in the euphotic zone without significant quantitative biomass alterations at the impacted site gave a clear signature of biological integrity of the phytoplankton in the oligotrophic Traunsee.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Behrendt, H.: 1990, 'The chemical composition of phytoplankton and zooplankton in a shallow lake', Arch. Hydrobiol. 118, 129–145.
Felföldy, L.: 1987, 'A biológiai vízminosítés (Biological water quality evaluation)', Vízügyi Hidrobiológia 16, VGI, Budapest, 259 pp.
Frenette, J.-J., Demers, S., Legendre, L. and Boule, M.: 1996, 'Size-related photosynthetic characteristics of phytoplankton during periods of seasonal mixing and stratification in an oligotrophic multibasin lake system', J. Plankton Res. 18, 45–61.
Forsberg, C. and Ryding, S. O.: 1980, 'Eutrophication parameters and trophic state indices in 30 waste-receiving Swedish lakes', Arch. Hydrobiol. 69, 189–207.
Dokulil, M. T.: 1994, 'Environmental control of phytoplankton productivity in turbulent turbid systems', Hydrobiologia 289, 65–72.
Gächter, R., Marés, A. and Tilzer, M. M.: 1984, 'Determination of phytoplankton production by the radiocarbon method: A comparison between the acidification and bubbling method (ABM) and filtration technique', J. Plankton Res. 6, 359–364.
Gächter, R.: 1972, 'Die Bestimmung der Tagesraten der planktischen Primärproduktion - Modelle und In-Situ-Messungen', Schweiz. Z. Hydrol. 34, 211–244.
Garnier, J. and Mourelatos, S.: 1991, 'Contribution of grazing in phytoplankton overall losses in a shallow French lake', Freshwat. Biol. 25, 515–523.
Happey-Wood, C. M.: 1993, 'Diurnal and seasonal variation in the contributions of autotrophic pico-, nano-and microplankton to the primary production of an upland lake', J. Plankton Res. 15, 125–159.
Horn, H. and Horn, W.: 1986, 'Determination of phytoplankton losses by comparing net and gross growth', Hydrobiologia 140, 37–47.
Jagsch, A., Gassner, H. and Dokulil, M. T.: 2002, 'Long-term changes of environmental variables in Traunsee, an oligotrophic lake impacted by salt industry, and two reference sites, Hallstättersee and Attersee', Water, Air, and Soil Pollut.: Focus 2(4), 9–20.
Klammer, S, Posch, T., Sonntag, B., Griebler, C., Mindl, B. and Psenner, R.: 2002, 'Dynamics of bacterial abundance, biomass, activity, and community composition in the oligotrophic Traunsee and the Traun River (Austria)', Water, Air, and Soil Pollut.: Focus 2(4), 137–163.
Koschel, R. and Scheffler, W.: 1985, 'The Primary Production', in S. J. Casper (ed.), Lake Stechlin. A Temperate Oligotrophic Lake, Dr. W. Junk Publisher, 553 pp.
Likens, G. E.: 1975, 'Primary Productivity of Inland Aquatic Ecosystems', in H. Lieth and R. H. Whittaker (eds), Primary Productivity of the Biosphere, Ecological Studies. Analysis and Synthesis, Vol. 14, pp. 185–202.
OECD: 1982, Eutrophication of Waters. Monitor, Assessment and Control, UNESCO, pp. 0–155.
Markager, S.: 1998, 'Dark uptake of inorganic 14C in oligotrophic oceanic waters', J. Plankton Res. 20, 1813–1836.
Riemann, B. and Jensen, L. M.: 1991, 'Measurements of phytoplankton primary production by means of acifidication and bubbling method', J. Plankton Res. 13, 853–862.
Sakshaug, E., Bricaud, A., Dandonneau, Y., Falkowski, P. G., Kiefer, D. A., Legendre, L., Morel, A., Parslow, J. and Takahashi, M.: 1997, 'Parameters of photosynthesis: Definitions, theory and interpretation of results', J. Plankton Res. 19, 1673–1670.
Schindler, D. W., Schmidt, R. V. and Reid, R. A.: 1972, 'Acidification and bubbling as an alternative to filtration in determining phytoplankton production by 14C method', J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 29, 1627–1631.
Schanz, F.: 1985, 'Vertical light attenuation and phytoplankton developement in Lake Zürich', Limnol. Oceanogr. 30, 299–310.
Smith, V. H.: 1979, 'Nutrient dependence of primary production in lakes', Limnol. Oceanogr. 24, 1051–1064.
Sonntag, B., Posch, T., Klammer, S., Griebler, C., Mindl, B. and Psenner, R.: 2002, 'Protozo-oplankton in the deep oligotrophic Traunsee (Austria) influenced by discharges of soda and salt industries', Water, Air, and Soil Pollut.: Focus 2(4), 211–226.
Teubner, K., Sarobe, A., Vadrucci, M. R. and Dokulil, M. T.: 2001, '14C photosynthesis and pigment pattern of phytoplankton as size related adaptation strategies in alpine lakes', Aquat. sci. 63(3), 310–325.
Teubner, K.: 2002, 'Phytoplankton and nutrients in a deep oligotrophic alpine lake: Ratios as sensitive indicators of the use of P-resources (DRP:DOP:PP and TN:TP:SRSi)'. (submitted).
Tilzer, M. M.: 1984, 'Estimation of phytoplankton loss rates from daily photosynthetic rates and observed biomass changes in Lake Constance', J. Plankton Res. 6, 309–324.
Weisse, T. and Mindl, B.: 2002, 'Picocyanobacteria - Sensitive bioindicators of contaminant stress in an Alpine lake (Traunsee, Austria)', Water, Air, and Soil Pollut.: Focus 2(4), 191–210.
Wetzel, R. G.: 2001, Limnology: Lake and River Ecosystems, 3th ed., Academic Press, San Diego, San Francisco, New York, Boston, London, Sydney, Tokyo, 1006 pp.
Wright, S. W., Jeffrey, S. W., Mantoura, R. F. C., Llewellyn, C. A, Bjornland, T., Repela, D. and Welschmeyer, N.: 1991, 'Improved method for the analysis of chlorophylls and carotenoids from marine phytoplankton', Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser. 77, 183–196.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Teubner, K., Dokulil, M.T. 14C-Photosynthesis of Phytoplankton in an Oligotrophic Alpine Lake (Traunsee, Austria) and its Response to Turbidity Caused by Industrial Tailings. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution: Focus 2, 181–190 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020368327579
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1020368327579