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Grazing effects of a freshwater bivalve (Corbicula leana Prime) and large zooplankton on phytoplankton communities in two Korean lakes

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Abstract

This study examined the effects of a freshwater filter feeding bivalve (Corbicula leana Prime) and large zooplankton (>200 μm, mostly cladocerans and copepods) on the phytoplankton communities in two lakes with contrasting trophic conditions. A controlled experiment was conducted with four treatments (control, zooplankton addition, mussel addition, and both zooplankton and mussel addition), and each established in duplicate 10-l chambers. In both lakes there were significant effects of mussel grazing on phytoplankton density and biomass. The effects were greater in mesotrophic Lake Soyang than in hypertrophic Lake Ilgam. Effects of zooplankton grazing did not differ between these lakes, and zooplankton effects on phytoplankton were much less than the effects of mussels. Although mussels exerted a varying effect on phytoplankton according to their size, mussels reduced densities of almost all phytoplankton taxa. Total mean filtering rate (FR) of mussels in Lake Soyang was significantly greater than that in Lake Ilgam (p=0.002, n=5). Carbon fluxes from phytoplankton to mussels (977–2,379 μgC l−1d−1) and to zooplankton (76–264 μgC l−1 d−1) were always greater in Lake Ilgam due to the greater phytoplankton biomass (p<0.01, n=6). Based on the C-flux to biomass ratios, the mussels consumed 170–754% (avg. 412%) of phytoplankton standing stock in Lake Soyang, and 38–164% (avg. 106%) in Lake Ilgam per day. The C-flux to biomass ratio for mussels within each lake was much greater than for large zooplankton. Mussels reduced total phosphorus concentration by 5–34%, while increasing phosphate by 30–55% relative to the control. Total nitrogen also was reduced (by 9–25%), but there was no noticeable change in nitrate among treatments. The high consumption rate of phytoplankton by Corbicula leana even in a very eutrophic lake suggests that this mussel could affect planktonic and benthic food web structure and function by preferential feeding on small seston and by nutrient recycling. Control of mussel biomass therefore might be an effective tool for management of water quality in shallow eutrophic lakes and reservoirs in Korea.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Systems Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, Rep. of Korea, 143-701

    Soon-Jin Hwang, Ho-Sub Kim & Jae-Ki Shin

  2. Department of Environmental Science, Kyunghee University, Yongin, Korea, 449-701

    Jong-Min Oh

  3. Watershed Management Research Division, National Institute of Environmental Research, Inchon

    Dong-Soo Kong

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  1. Soon-Jin Hwang
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Hwang, SJ., Kim, HS., Shin, JK. et al. Grazing effects of a freshwater bivalve (Corbicula leana Prime) and large zooplankton on phytoplankton communities in two Korean lakes. Hydrobiologia 515, 161–179 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:HYDR.0000027327.06471.1e

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