Phytoplankton and zooplankton (Cladocera, Copepoda) relationship in the eutrophicated River Danube (Danubialia Hungarica, CXI)

Abstract

The seasonal variation in primary production, individual numbers, and biomass of phyto- and zooplankton was studied in the River Danube in 1981. The secondary production of two dominant zooplankton species (Bosmina longirostris and Acanthocyclops robustus) was also estimated. In the growing season (April–Sept.) individual numbers dry weights and chlorophyll a contents of phytoplankton ranged between 30–90 × 10⁶ individuals, l⁻¹, 3–12 mg l⁻¹, and 50–170 µg l⁻¹, respectively. Species of Thalassiosiraceae (Bacillariophyta) dominated in the phytoplankton with a subdominance of Chlorococcales in summer. Individual numbers and dry weights of crustacean zooplankton ranged between 1400–6500 individuals m⁻³, and 1.2–12 mg m⁻³, respectively. The daily mean gross primary production was 970 mg C m⁻³ d⁻¹, and the net production was 660 mg C m⁻³ d⁻¹. Acanthocyclops robustus populations produced 0.2 mg C m⁻³ d⁻¹ as an average, and Bosmina longirostris populations 0.07 mg C m⁻³ d⁻¹. The ‘ecological efficiency’ between phytoplankton and crustacean zooplankton was 0.03%.