Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Regional and seasonal variability in planktonic photosynthesis and planktonic community respiration in Amazon floodplain lakes

  • TRENDS IN AQUATIC ECOLOGY II
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Results from two regional surveys and multi-lake seasonal studies were used to investigate the variability of phytoplankton photosynthesis and planktonic community respiration in central Amazon floodplain lakes. Hypothesized effects of optical and chemical variables on planktonic photosynthesis and respiration were examined statistically. Changes in dissolved oxygen in light and dark bottles distributed along light-gradients in a shipboard incubator or in situ were used to calculate volumetric community respiration (R c), volumetric gross photosynthesis (P), daily integral gross photosynthesis (Π), and daily integral community respiration rates (Λ). Π varied significantly among all lakes with source-water river stage and source-water river type. Λ also varied significantly with source-water river stage. Variation in maximum depth linked to source-water river stage was a key factor controlling seasonal variations in Π through its influence on total suspended solids and total phosphorus concentrations which affected light extinction and light-saturated photosynthesis, respectively. The predominance of sub-saturated dissolved O2 in the pelagic surface waters of Amazon floodplain lakes was attributed to high integral R c:P ratios, indicating the existence of large sustained inputs of non-phytoplankton organic carbon to these environments.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abril, G., J. M. Martinez, L. F. Artigas, P. Moreira-Turcq, et al., 2014. Amazon River carbon outgassing fueled by wetlands. Nature 505: 395–398.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Araujo-Lima, C. R. M., B. R. Forsberg, R. Victoria & L. Martinelli, 1986. Energy sources for detritivorous fishes in the Amazon. Science 234: 1256–1258.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Côte, B. & T. Platt, 1983. Day-to-day variations in the spring-summer photosynthesis parameters of coastal marine phytoplankton. Limnology and Oceanography 28: 320–344.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davidson, I. R., 1991. Environmental effects on algal photosynthesis: temperature. Journal of Phycology 27: 2–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Devol, A. H., T. M. Zaret & B. R. Forsberg, 1984. Sedimentary organic matter diagenesis and its relationship to the carbon budget of tropical Amazon floodplain lakes. Verhandlungen des Internationalen Verein Limnologie 22: 1299–1304.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Devol, A. H., J. E. Richey, W. A. Clark & S. L. King, 1988. Methane emissions to the troposphere from the Amazon floodplain. Journal of Geophysical Research 93: 1583–1592.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Devol, A. H., J. E. Richey, B. R. Forsberg & L. A. Martinelli, 1990. Seasonal dynamics of methane emissions from the Amazon River floodplain to the troposphere. Journal of Geophysical Research 95: 16417–16426.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Devol, A. H., B. R. Forsberg, J. E. Richey & T. P. Pimentel, 1995. Seasonal variation in chemical distributions in the Amazon (Solimões) River: a multiyear time series. Global Biogeochemical Cycles 9: 307–328.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Elser, J. J. & B. L. Kimmel, 1985. Photoinhibition of temperate lake phytoplankton by near-surface irradiance: evidence from vertical profiles and field experiments. Journal of Phycology 21: 419–427.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Engle, D. L. & O. Sarnelle, 1990. Algal use of sedimentary phosphorus from an Amazon floodplain lake: implications for total phosphorus analysis in turbid waters. Limnology and Oceanography 35: 487–490.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ertel, J., J. I. Hedges, J. E. Richey, A. H. Devol & U. dos Santos, 1986. Dissolved humic substances of the Amazon River system. Limnology and Oceanography 31: 739–754.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Falkowski, P. G., 1981. Light-shade adaptation and assimilation numbers. Journal of Plankton Research 3: 203–216.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fee, E. J., 1973. A numerical model for determining integral primary production and its application to Lake Michigan. Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada 30: 1447–1468.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, T. R., 1979. Plankton and primary production in aquatic systems of the central Amazon Basin. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology 62A: 31–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fisher, T. R. & P. E. Parsley, 1979. Amazon Lakes: water storage and nutrient stripping by algae. Limnology and Oceanography 24: 547–553.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Forsberg, B. R., 1984. Nutrient processing in Amazon floodplain lakes. Verhandlungen des Internationalen Verein Limnologie 22: 1294–1298.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Forsberg, B. R., 1991. Photosynthetic parameters for phytoplankton in Amazon floodplain lakes, April–May 1987. Verhandlungen des Internationalen Verein Limnologie 24: 1188–1191.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Forsberg, B. R., A. H. Devol, J. E. Richey, L. A. Martinelli & H. dos Santos, 1988. Factors controlling nutrient concentrations in Amazon floodplain lakes. Limnology and Oceanography 33: 41–56.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Forsberg, B. R., C. A. R. M. Araujo-Lima, L. A. Martinelli, R. L. Victoria & J. A. Bonassi, 1993. Autotrophic carbon sources for fish of the central Amazon. Ecology 74: 643–652.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Forsberg, C., S. Ryding, A. Claesson & A. Forsberg, 1978. Water chemical analysis and/or algal assay-sewage effluent and polluted lake water studies. Mitteilungen der Internatinalen Vereinigung für Limnologie 21: 352–362.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ganf, G. G., 1974. Incident solar irradiance and underwater light penetration as factors Controlling the chlorophyll a content of a shallow equatorial lake (Lake George, Uganda). Journal of Ecology 62: 593–629.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Giorgio, P. A. & R. H. Peters, 1994. Patterns of planktonic P: R ratios in lakes: Influence of lake trophy and dissolved organic color. Limnology and Oceanography 39: 772–787.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Han, B.-P., M. Virtanen, J. Koponen & M. Straškraba, 2000. Effect of photoinhibition on algal photosynthesis: a dynamic model. Journal of Plankton Research 22: 865–885.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hamilton, S., S. Sippel & J. M. Melack, 1995. Oxygen depletion and carbon dioxide and methane production in waters of the Pantanal wetland of Brazil. Biogeochemistry 30: 115–141.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hedges, J. I., W. A. Clark, P. D. Quay, J. E. Richey, A. H. Devol & U. M. Santos, 1986. Composition and fluxes of organic matter in the Amazon River. Limnology and Oceanography 31: 717–738.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hess, L. L., J. M. Melack, E. M. Novo, C. C. F. Barbosa & M. Gastil, 2003. Dual-season mapping of wetland inundation and vegetation for the central Amazon basin. Remote Sensing of the Environment 87: 404–428.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hess, L. L., J. M. Melack, A. G. Affonso, C. Barbosa, M. Gastil & E. M. L. M. Novo, 2015. Amazonian wetlands: extent, vegetative cover, and dual season inundation area. Wetlands. doi:10.1007/s13157-015-0666-y.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jassby, A. D. & T. Platt, 1976. Mathematical formulation of the relationship between photosynthesis and light for phytoplankton. Limnology and Oceanography 21: 540–547.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jellison, R. & J. M. Melack, 1993. Algal photosynthetic activity and its response to meromixis in hypersaline Mono Lake, California. Limnology and Oceanography 38: 818–837.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jewson, D. H. & R. B. Wood, 1975. Some effects on integral photosynthesis of artificial circulation of phytoplankton through light gradients. Verhandlungen des Internationalen Verein Limnologie 19: 1037–1044.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirk, J. T. O., 1994. Light and Photosynthesis in Aquatic Ecosystems, 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press, London.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Meade, R. H., 1985. Suspended sediments in the Amazon River and its tributaries in Brazil during 1982–1984. U. S. G. S. Open File Report 85-492: 39 pp.

  • Megard, R. O., W. S. Combs Jr., P. D. Smith & A. S. Knoll, 1979. Attenuation of light and daily integral rates of photosynthesis attained by planktonic algae. Limnology and Oceanography 24: 1038–1050.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melack, J. M., 1979. Temporal variability of phytoplankton in tropical lakes. Oecologia 44: 1–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Melack, J. M., 1984. Amazon floodplain lakes: shape, fetch, and stratification. Verhandlungen des Internationalen Verein Limnologie 22: 1278–1281.

    Google Scholar 

  • Melack, J. M., 2016. Interactions between Biosphere, Atmosphere and Human Land Use in the Amazon Basin. Ecological Studies: Analysis and Synthesis. In Nagy, L., B. Forsberg & P. Artaxo (eds.), Aquatic ecosystems. Springer, Berlin: 119–148.

    Google Scholar 

  • Melack, J. M. & D. Engle, 2009. An organic carbon budget for an Amazon floodplain lake. Verhandlungen des Internationalen Verein Limnologie 30: 1179–1182.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Melack, J. M. & T. R. Fisher, 1983. Diel oxygen variations and their ecological implications in Amazon floodplain lakes. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie 98: 422–442.

    Google Scholar 

  • Melack, J. M. & B. R. Forsberg, 2001. Biogeochemistry of Amazon floodplain lakes and associated wetlands. In McClain, M. E., R. L. Victoria & J. E. Richey (eds.), The Biogeochemistry of the Amazon Basin. Oxford University Press, London: 235–276.

    Google Scholar 

  • Melack, J. M., L. L. Hess, M. Gastil, B. R. Forsberg, S. K. Hamilton, L. B. T. Lima & E. M. L. M. Novo, 2004. Regionalization of methane emissions in the Amazon Basin with microwave remote sensing. Global Change Biology 10: 1–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Melack, J. M., E. M. L. M. Novo, B. R. Forsberg, M. T. F Piedade & L. Maurice, 2009. Floodplain Ecosystem Processes. In Keller, M., M. Bustamante, J. Gash & P. Silva Dias (eds.), Amazonia and Global Change. American Geophysical Union, Washington: 525–541.

  • Oliver, R. L., J. Whittington, Z. Lorenz & I. T. Webster, 2003. The influence of vertical mixing on the photoinhibition of variable chlorophyll a fluorescence and its inclusion in a model of phytoplankton photosynthesis. Journal of Plankton Research 25: 1107–1129.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pinheiro, P. R. C., 1985. Seasonal studies of the effects of additions of nutrients to the growth of phytoplankton in a lake in the várzea (Lago Calado - Amazonia Central)[in Portuguese]. M. S. Thesis. Federal University of Amazonas/National Institute of Amazon Research: 88 p.

  • Platt, T. & A. D. Jassby, 1976. The relationship between photosynthesis and light for natural assemblages of coastal marine phytoplankton. Journal of Phycology 12: 421–430.

    Google Scholar 

  • Polsenaere, P., J. Deborde, G. Detandt, L. O. Vidal, M. A. P. Pérez, V. Marieu & G. Abril, 2013. Thermal enhancement of gas transfer velocity of CO2 in an Amazon floodplain lake revealed by eddy covariance measurements. Geophysical Research Letters 40: 1734–1740.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prézelin, B. B. & B. M. Sweeney, 1977. Characterization of photosynthetic rhythm in marine dinoflagellates. 2. Photosynthesis-irradiance curves and in vivo chlorophyll a fluorescence. Plant Physiology 60: 388–392.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Quay, P. D., D. O. Wilbur, J. E. Richey, A. H. Devol, R. Benner & B. R. Forsberg, 1995. The 18O: 16O of dissolved oxygen in rivers and lakes in the Amazon Basin: determining the ratio of respiration to photosynthesis rates in freshwaters. Limnology and Oceanography 40: 718–729.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rai, H. & G. Hill, 1984. Primary production in the Amazonian aquatic ecosystem. In Sioli, H. (ed.), the Amazon. The Amazon. Dr. W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht: 311–335.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Ribeiro, J. S. B. & A. J. Darwich, 1993. Produção primária fitoplanctônica de um lago de ilha fluvial na Amazônia Central (Lago do Rei, Ilha do Careiro). Amazoniana 12: 365–383.

    Google Scholar 

  • Richey, J. E., A. H. Devol, R. Victoria & S. Wofsy, 1988. Biogenic gases and the oxidation and reduction of carbon in the Amazon River and floodplain waters. Limnology and Oceanography 33: 551–561.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Richey, J. E., J. M. Melack, A. K. Aufdenkampe, V. M. Ballester & L. Hess, 2002. Outgassing from Amazonian rivers and wetlands as a large tropical source of atmospheric carbon dioxide. Nature 416: 617–620.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rodhe, W., 1965. Standard correlation between pelagic photosynthesis and light. Memorie dell’ Istituto Italiano di Idrobiologia 18: 427–457.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rudorff, C. M., J. M. Melack, S. MacIntyre, C. C. F. Barbosa & E. M. L. M. Novo, 2011. Seasonal and spatial variability in CO2 emissions from a large floodplain lake in the lower Amazon. Journal of Geophysical Research-Biogeosciences 116: G04007. doi:10.1029/2011JG001699.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, G. W., 1973a. Primary production in the three types of Amazonian waters. 3. Primary productivity of phytoplankton in a tropical floodplain lake of central Amazonia, Lago do Castanho, Amazonas, Brazil. Amazoniana 4: 379–404.

    Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt, G. W., 1973b. Primary production in the three types of Amazonian waters. 2. The limnology of a tropical floodplain lake in central Amazonia (Lago do Castanho). Amazoniana 4: 139–203.

    Google Scholar 

  • Setaro, F. V. & J. M. Melack, 1984. Responses of phytoplankton to experimental nutrient enrichment in an Amazon floodplain lake. Limnology and Oceanography 29: 972–984.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sippel, S. J., S. K. Hamilton & J. M. Melack, 1992. Inundation area and morphometry of lakes on the Amazon River floodplain, Brazil. Archiv für Hydrobiologie 123: 385–400.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, E. L., 1936. Photosynthesis in relation to light and carbon dioxide. Proceeding of the National Academy of Science 22: 504–511.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, V. H., 1979. Nutrient dependence of primary productivity in lakes. Limnology and Oceanography 24: 1051–1064.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straskraba, M., 1980. The effects of physical variables on freshwater production: analysis based on models. In Le Cren, E. D. & R. H. Lowe-McConnel (eds.), The Functioning of Freshwater Ecosystems. International Biological Program, Cambridge: 13–84.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strickland, J. D. & T. R. Parsons, 1972. A Practical Handbook of Seawater Analysis, 2nd ed. Bulletin of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada No 167.

  • Talling, J. F., 1957. The phytoplankton population as a compound photosynthetic system. The New Phytologist 56: 133–149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tundisi, J. G., B. R. Forsberg, A. H. Devol, T. M. Zaret, T. M. Tundisi, A. dos Santos, J. S. Ribeiro & E. Hardy, 1984. Mixing patterns in Amazon Lakes. Hydrobiologia 108: 3–15.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Valderrama, J. C., 1981. The simultaneous analysis of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in natural waters. Marine Chemisty 10: 109–122.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vollenweider, R. A., 1965. Calculation models of photosynthesis-depth curves and some implications regarding day rate estimates in primary production measurements. Memorie dell’ Istituto Italiano di Idrobiologia 18(supplement): 427–457.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waichman, A. V., 1996. Autotrophic carbon sources for heterotrophic bacterioplankton in a floodplain lake of central Amazon. Hydrobiologia 341: 27–36.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wissmar, R. C., J. E. Richey, R. F. Stallard & J. M. Edmond, 1981. Plankton metabolism and carbon processes in the Amazon River, its tributaries and floodplain waters. Peru-Brazil, May-June 1977. Ecology 62: 1622–1633.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We thank the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia (INPA) for cooperation and logistic support, EMBRAPA for providing surface irradiance data, A. Nobre for assistance in the design and construction of the photosynthesis incubator, and S. Souza for assistance in analyzing light data. Support was provided by National Science Foundation Grants DEB-81-11398, BSR-87-06643, BSR-16359 and BSR-87-18423, NASA grant NAGW-1066, IAEA Grant BRA 0/010 and a Fulbright Fellowship (JMM).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratório de Ecossistemas Aquáticos, Coordenação de Dinâmica Ambiental, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amâzonia, Avenida da Lua S/N, Conjunto Morado do Sol – Aleixo, Manaus, AM, 69060-082, Brazil

    Bruce R. Forsberg & Tania P. Pimentel

  2. Department of Ecology, Evolution and Marine Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA

    John M. Melack

  3. School of Oceanography, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA

    Jeffrey E. Richey

Authors
  1. Bruce R. Forsberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. John M. Melack
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jeffrey E. Richey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Tania P. Pimentel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bruce R. Forsberg.

Additional information

Guest editors: Koen Martens, Sidinei M. Thomaz, Diego Fontaneto & Luigi Naselli-Flores / Emerging Trends in Aquatic Ecology II

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary material 1 (PDF 121 kb)

Supplementary material 2 (PDF 280 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Forsberg, B.R., Melack, J.M., Richey, J.E. et al. Regional and seasonal variability in planktonic photosynthesis and planktonic community respiration in Amazon floodplain lakes. Hydrobiologia 800, 187–206 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-017-3222-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-017-3222-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation