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Spatial and temporal variation of phytoplankton in two subtropical Brazilian reservoirs

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to verify the longitudinal distribution of phytoplankton biomass in two subtropical Brazilian reservoirs in the State of Paraná and investigate intervening factors on changes in phytoplankton biomass according to functional groups. In the Capivari and Segredo reservoirs, samples were obtained every 3 months during 2002, along a longitudinal axis (fluvial, transition, and lacustrine zones) at different depths. One hundred and eighteen taxa were identified, with Chlorophyceae as the most specious group. During the study period, both reservoirs had mostly low biomass values (less than 1 mm3 l−1). The short retention time of these reservoirs constituted the principal limiting factor to phytoplankton development. Biomass values above 1 mm3 l−1 were observed in the Capivari fluvial zone in March and in the Segredo lacustrine zone in December, with dominance by Microcystis aeruginosa Kütz (LM) and Anabaena circinalis Rab. (H1), respectively. Vertical and horizontal gradients of analyzed abiotic variables and phytoplankton biomass were observed. Considering the phytoplankton biomass values, both reservoirs were oligotrophic for the duration of the study. The Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) evidenced temporal and spatial gradients of phytoplankton biomass; nevertheless, it did not follow the classic model proposed for deep reservoirs, since higher biomass was registered in the lacustrine zone during some months and in fluvial zones during other months. Distinct functional groups of phytoplankton characterized both studied reservoirs. Capivari Reservoir was best characterized by LM and Y groups, indicative of its greater water column stability and higher phosphorus concentration, whereas Segredo Reservoir was principally characterized by the MP functional group, indicative of its greater mixing zone extension and higher nitrate concentration. The obtained results also evidenced the influence of morphometric conditions and watershed purposes as important structuring factors of phytoplankton biomass in these reservoirs.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Núcleo de Pesquisas em Limnologia, Ictiologia e Aqüicultura (Nupélia) of Universidade Estadual de Maringá, for logistic support; to researchers from Nupélia Limnology and Zooplankton Laboratories; to Agência Nacional de Águas (ANA) and Companhia Paranaense de Energia (COPEL); to CNPq/PRONEX for financial support; to CAPES for a scholarship granted to the first author, and to anonymous reviewers for suggestions on the manuscript.

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  1. Departamento de Biologia, Núcleo de Pesquisas em Limnologia, Ictiologia e Aqüicultura, Universidade Estadual de Maringá, Avenida Colombo, 5790, Bloco H-90, Sala 23, 87020-900, Maringa, Parana, Brazil

    Paula Aparecida Federiche Borges, Sueli Train & Luzia Cleide Rodrigues

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  1. Paula Aparecida Federiche Borges
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Correspondence to Paula Aparecida Federiche Borges.

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Borges, P.A.F., Train, S. & Rodrigues, L.C. Spatial and temporal variation of phytoplankton in two subtropical Brazilian reservoirs. Hydrobiologia 607, 63–74 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-008-9367-3

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