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Ecological effects of lime treatment of acidified lakes and rivers in Sweden

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Abstract

Effects on the aquatic biota of lime (CaCO3) application in acidified lakes and streams were studied in a number of waters. After treatment, lime-sensitive species of mosses (Sphagnum spp.) decreased, but species such as Potamogeton natans and Myriophyllum alterniflorum seemed to be favoured. A few years after liming species composition and diversity of phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthic insect larvae were almost identical to that found in oligotrophic and non-acid lakes. Molluscs and benthic crustaceans may have difficulties recolonizing. Reproduction of remaining species of fish was successful as soon as pH increased. High survival of larvae and fry can result in some extremely rich year classes with slow individual growth. In most cases restocking of depleted fish stocks was successful.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Limnology, Box 557, S-751 22, Uppsala, Sweden

    Fritz Eriksson & Per Mossberg

  2. National Environment Protection Board, Fack, S-171 20, Solna, Sweden

    Einar Hörnström

  3. Institute of Freshwater Research, S-170 11, Drottningholm, Sweden

    Per Nyberg

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  1. Fritz Eriksson
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  2. Einar Hörnström
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  3. Per Mossberg
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  4. Per Nyberg
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Eriksson, F., Hörnström, E., Mossberg, P. et al. Ecological effects of lime treatment of acidified lakes and rivers in Sweden. Hydrobiologia 101, 145–163 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00008667

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