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Primary production in a eutrophic acid lake

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Abstract

Total P concentrations, chlorophyll concentrations, and phytoplankton production were investigated bi-weekly in Tibbs Run Lake, Monongalia County, West Virginia, from March 1977 to March 1978. Mean H+ concentration in the lake was 25.1 μeq 1−1 (pH 4.6). The acidic condition of the lake is attributed to inputs of acid via precipitation (mean H+ concentration of the bulk precipitation was 79 μeq 1−1, pH 4.1), and the low buffering capacity of the watershed (bedrock composition of sandstone). Effect of the watershed is shown by the net retention of imput of P (ca. 26%) and H+ (ca. 68%). Total P loading to the lake was 0.495 g P m−2 yr−1. The single inflow accounted for 95% of the total loading while bulk precipitation accounted for the remainder. Mean summer chlorophyll concentration was 22.2 mg m−2. Phytoplankton production expressed volumetrically as aP-vol-x value was 9.78 mg C m−3 h−1. Regression analysis indicated that H+ do not affect chlorophyll concentrations or phytoplankton production but rather that P limits algal biomass.

Trophic status of Tibbs Run Lake based on a P budget model, chlorophyll concentration, and volumetric production all indicate that the lake is meso-eutrophic.

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  1. Department of Biology, West Virginia University, 26506, Morgantown, WV, USA

    Greg A. Shellito & John Decosta

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  1. Greg A. Shellito
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  2. John Decosta
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Shellito, G.A., Decosta, J. Primary production in a eutrophic acid lake. Water Air Soil Pollut 16, 415–431 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01048133

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