Abstract.
From 1976 to 1983 the pH of Lake 223 was artificially lowered by additions of H2SO4. From an initial level of 6.7, the pH was lowered at a rate of 0.5 pH units a year until it reached 5.0 and was held there for 3 yr. The decrease in pH caused major changes in the epilimnetic phytoplankton community in this lake. Biomass increased as pH decreased. Chlorophyte (Chlorella) abundance increased as pH decreased from 6.1 to 5.6 while Cyanophytes (Merismopedia and Chroococcus) and dinoflagellates (Gymnodinium and Peridinium) dominated once pH decreased below 5.6. Community diversities decreased because of these species shifts and a decrease in the number of species. The amount of edible biomass increased as the pH decreased from 6.7 to 5.6, then declined as pH decreased to 5.0.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Almer, B., Dickson, W., Ekstrom, C. and Hörnström, E.: 1974, Ambio, 3, 30.
Almer, B., Dickson, W., Ekstrom, C. and Hörnström, E.: 1978, ‘Sulfur Pollution and the Aquatic Ecosystem’', in J. Nriagu (ed.), Sulfur in the Environment, Part 2, John Wiley and Sons, New York, Chapter 7, 464 p.
Conroy, N., Hawley, K., Keller, W. and Lafrance, C.: 1976, Influences of the atmosphere on lakes in the Sudbury area. Atmospheric Contribution to the Chemistry of Lake Waters. J. Great Lakes Res. 2 (Suppl), p. 146–165.
Cruikshank, D.R.: 1984, ‘Whole lake chemical additions in the Experimental Lakes Area. 1969–198’', Can. Data Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 449, iv + 23 p.
Findlay, D.L.: 1984, ‘Effects on phytoplankton biomass, succession and composition in Lake 223 as a result of lowering pH levels from 5.6 to 5.2.Data from 1980 to 1982’, Can. Manuscr. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1761, iv + 10 p.
Findlay, D.L. and Saesura, G.: 1980, ‘Effects on Phytoplankton Biomass, Succession and Composition in Lake 223 as a Result of Lowering pH Levels from 7.0 to 5.6. Data from 1974 to 1979’, Can. Manuscr. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1584, iv + 16 p.
Hörnström, E., Ekstrom, C., Miller, U., and Dickson, W.: 1973, Forsurningens Inverkan da Vastkustsjoar. Information fran Sotvattens-Laboratoriet, Drottningholm, No. 4, 81 p.
Kwiatkowski, R.E. and Roff, J.C.: 1976, Can J. Bot. 54, 2546.
Nauwerck, A.: 1963, Die Beziehungen zwischen Zooplantkon und Phytoplankton in See Erken. Symb. Bot. Upsal. 17(5), 163 p.
SAS Institute Inc.: 1985, SAS user's guide: statistics, Version 5 edition, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC. 956 p.
Schindler, D.W., DeMarch, B., Turner, M.A., and Playle, R.C.: 1986, ‘Distinguishing Variation Due to Chemical Stressors from Natural Variation in Aquatic Ecosystems’, in prep.
Schindler, D.W. and Turner, M.A.: 1982, Water, Air and Soil Pollution 18, 259.
Schindler, D.W., Mills, K.H., Malley, D.F., Findlay, D.L., Shearer, J.A., Davies, I.J., Turner, M.A., Linsey, G.A., Cruikshank, D.R.: 1985, Science 228, 1395.
Shearer, J.A.: 1978, ‘Two devices for obtaining water samples integrated over depth’, Can. Fish. Mar. Serv. Tech. Rep. 772, iv +9 p.
Vollenweider, R.A.: 1968, Scientific fundamentals of the eutrophication of lakes and flowing waters, with particular reference to nitrogen and phosphorus as factors in eutrophication, Tech. Rep. O.E.C.D. Paris Das/CSI/68.27, p. 1–182.
Washington, H.G.: 1984, Water Res. 18, 653.
Yan, N.D. and Stokes, P.: 1978, Environ. Conserv. 5, 653.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Findlay, D.L., Kasian, S.E.M. Phytoplankton community responses to acidification of lake 223, experimental lakes area, northwestern Ontario. Water Air Soil Pollut 30, 719–726 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00303337
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00303337