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An assessment of the phytoplankton biomass and primary productivity of Parakrama Samudra, a shallow man-made lake in Sri Lanka

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Limnology of Parakrama Samudra — Sri Lanka

Part of the book series: Developments in Hydrobiology ((DIHY,volume 12))

Abstract

Phytoplankton biomass was assessed from microscopic counts and from measurements of chlorophyll-a. Figures ranged from 2 to 35 mg FW 1-1(FW, fresh weight) and from 5 to 105 µg Chl-a 1-1, respectively. The phytoplankton assemblage is dominated by blue-green algae (Anabaenopsis raciborskii, Lyngbya circum- creta, Microcystisspp.) and diatoms (Melosira granulata). In addition, various green algal species occur in low numbers. OnlyMonoraphidiumexhibits higher numbers. Primary productivity, assessed by both the14C technique and the oxygen light and dark bottle method, ranged from 3.8 to 14.7 g O2m-2day-1. Most of the productivity can be attributed to the algal fraction smaller than 33 µm. Photosynthetic efficiency was highest in the afternoon as a result of greater phosphorus availability because of increased phosphatase activity. Community respiration (0.002-0.400 mg O21-1h-1) was stimulated by light and is not a constant fraction of photosynthesis. Specific rates per unit chlorophyll-a were high. Photosynthesis is, to a great extent, controlled by light and phosphorus availability. Newly formed biomass is exploited by zooplankton (mainly rotifers) and herbivorous fish (mainlySarotherodon mossambicus). Biomass levels in the reservoir are largely affected by the flow-through, which is dependent on irrigation management activity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Limnology, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Gaisberg 11b, A-5310, Mondsee, Austria

    M. Dokulil

  2. Department of Zoology, Ruhuna University, Matara, Sri Lanka

    I. Silva

  3. Fish Health Service, Animal Health Service Bayern, Senator Gerauer Str 23, D-8011, Grub bei München, Federal Republic of Germany

    K. Bauer

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  1. M. Dokulil
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  2. I. Silva
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  3. K. Bauer
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F. Schiemer

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Dokulil, M., Silva, I., Bauer, K. (1983). An assessment of the phytoplankton biomass and primary productivity of Parakrama Samudra, a shallow man-made lake in Sri Lanka. In: Schiemer, F. (eds) Limnology of Parakrama Samudra — Sri Lanka. Developments in Hydrobiology, vol 12. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-7281-0_5

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