Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

The role of plankton, zoobenthos, and sediment in organic matter degradation in oligotrophic and eutrophic mountain lakes

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Intensity of organic matter degradation, assessed by the respiratory electron transport system (ETS) activity, was studied in microplankton, zooplankton, chironomid larvae as the dominant group of the macrobenthos, and sediment in mountain lakes of different trophic levels in summer months. The highest ETS activities per unit of surface were observed in sediments. Significantly lower activities were observed in microplankton, and lower still in zooplankton, and chironomids. The total ETS activity m−2 was higher in eutrophic lakes (Jezero na Planini pri Jezeru and Krnsko jezero) than in oligotrophic ones (Zgornje Kriško jezero, Spodnje Kriško jezero, Jezero v Ledvicah). The contributions of communities investigated to total ETS activity m−2 differed between lakes of different trophic level. Estimation of respiratory carbon loss through different components revealed that the most of the organic matter was oxidized in sediments of mountain lakes. The respiratory carbon losses were higher through zooplankton than through microplankton in all lakes. Carbon losses through plankton components and sediments were significantly lower in oligotrophic than in eutrophic lakes. The contribution of respiratory carbon loss through chironomids to total carbon loss m−2 was higher in oligotrophic than in eutrophic lakes. Therefore, it seems that contributions of microplankton and zooplankton to mineralization processes increase, and contributions of chironomids and sediment surface decrease with increasing trophic level of the lakes.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • APHA, AWWA & WEF, 1998. In L. S Clesceri, A. E. Greenberg & A. D. Eaton (eds), Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 20th edn. Washington.

  • U. Bamstedt (1980) ArticleTitleETS activity as an estimator of respiratory rate of zooplankton populations. The significance of variations in environmental factors Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 42 267–283

    Google Scholar 

  • M. B. Berg (1995) Larval food and feeding behaviour P. D. Armitage P. S. Cranson L. C. V. Pinder (Eds) The Chironomidae: Biology and Ecology of Non-biting Midges Champman and Hall London 136–168

    Google Scholar 

  • A. Brancelj (2002) Fauna: zooplankton, benthos and fish A. Brancelj (Eds) High-mountain Lakes in the Eastern Part of the Julian Alps ZRC Publishing Ljubljana 137–157

    Google Scholar 

  • A. Brancelj M. Šiško G. Kosi (1997) ArticleTitleDistribution of algae and crustacea (Copepoda, Cladocera) in mountain lakes in Slovenia with different trophic levels Periodicum Biologorum 99 87–96

    Google Scholar 

  • L. M. Cammen S. Corwin J. P. Christensen (1990) ArticleTitleElectron transport system (ETS) activity as a measure of benthic macrofaunal metabolism Marine Ecology Progress Series 65 171–182

    Google Scholar 

  • P. A. del Giorgio (1992) ArticleTitleThe relationship between ETS (electron transport system) activity and oxygen consumption in lake plankton: a cross-system calibration Journal of Plankton Research 14 1723–1741

    Google Scholar 

  • A. H. Devol (1979) ArticleTitleZooplankton respiration and its relation to plankton dynamics in two lake of contrasting trophic state Limnology and Oceanography 24 893–905 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL3cXotF2luw%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • A. H. Devol T. T. Packard (1978) ArticleTitleSeasonal changes in respiratory enzyme activity and productivity in Lake Washington microplankton Limnology and Oceanography 23 104–117 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaE1cXhsV2isb0%3D Occurrence Handle10.4319/lo.1978.23.1.0104

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • E. Gnaiger (1983) The twin-flow microrespirometer and simultaneous calometry E. Gnaiger H. Forstner (Eds) Polarographic Oxygen Sensors, Aquatic and Physiological Applications Springer-Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York 134–166

    Google Scholar 

  • L. G.-Tóth (1992) ArticleTitleRespiratory electron transport system (ETS)-activity of the plankton and sediment in Lake Balaton (Hungary) Hydrobiologia 243 IssueID244 157–166

    Google Scholar 

  • L. G.-Tóth (1993) ArticleTitleElectron transport system (ETS) activity of the plankton, sediment and biofilm in Lake Balaton (Hungary) Verhandlungen Internationale Vereinigung für Limnologie 25 680–681

    Google Scholar 

  • L. G.-Tóth Zs. Langó J. Padisák E. Varga (1994) ArticleTitleTerminal electron transport system (ETS)-activity in the sediment of Lake Balaton, Hungary Hydrobiologia 281 129–139

    Google Scholar 

  • L. G.-Tóth P. Carrillo L. Cruz-Pizarro (1995) ArticleTitleRespiratory electron transport system (ETS)-activity of the plankton and biofilm in the high-mountain lake La Caldera (Sierra Nevada, Spain) Archiv für Hydrobiologie 135 65–78

    Google Scholar 

  • G.-Tóth, L., 1999. Aktivität des Elektronentransportsystems. In von Tümpling, W. & G. Friedrich (eds), Biologische Gewässeruntersuchung. Methoden der Biologischen Wasseruntersuchung 2, Gustav Fischer Verl., Jena, Stuttgart, Lübeck, Ulm: 465–473.

  • K. Hamburger P. C. Dall (1990) ArticleTitleThe respiration of common benthic invertebrate species from the shallow littoral zone of Lake Esrom, Denmark Hydrobiologia 199 177–130

    Google Scholar 

  • K. Hamburger P. C. Dall C. Lindegaard (1994) ArticleTitleEnergy metabolism of Chironomus anthracinus (Diptera: Chironomidae) from the profundal zone of Lake Esrom, Denmark, as a function of body size, temperature and oxygen concentration Hydrobiologia 294 43–50 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXktl2jtLs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • C. Heyer den J. Kalff (1998) ArticleTitleOrganic matter mineralization rates in sediments: a within- and among-lake study Limnology and Ocenaography 43 695–705 Occurrence Handle10.4319/lo.1998.43.4.0695

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • M. R. James (1987) ArticleTitleRespiratory rates in cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia in lake Rotiongaio, a monomictic lake Journal of Plankton Research 9 573–578

    Google Scholar 

  • S. W. Jeffrey G. F. Humphrey (1975) ArticleTitleNew spectrophotometric equations for determining chlorophylls a,b,c1 and c2 in higher plants, algae and natural phytoplankton Biochem. Phyriol. Pflanzen (BPP), Bd 167 191–194 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaE2MXkvFegsLw%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • P. M. Jónasson C. Lindegaard K. Hamburger (1990) ArticleTitleEnergy budget of Lake Esrom Verhandlungen Internationale Vereinigung für Limnologie 24 632–640

    Google Scholar 

  • J. G. Jones B. M. Simon (1979) ArticleTitleThe measurement of electron transport system activity in freshwater benthic and planktonic samples Journal of Applied Bacteriology 46 305–315 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaE1MXks1antLY%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R. A. Kenner S. I. Ahmed (1975a) ArticleTitleMeasurements of electron transport activities in marine phytoplankton Marine Biology 33 119–127 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaE28Xls1Wjtw%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • R. A. Kenner S. I. Ahmed (1975a) ArticleTitleCorrelation between oxygen utilization and electron transport activity in marine phytoplankton Marine Biology 33 129–133 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaE28XktVKhsw%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • E. A. Kurashov (2002) ArticleTitleThe role of meiobenthos in lake ecosystems Aquatic Ecology 36 447–463

    Google Scholar 

  • W. Lampert (1984) The measurement of respiration J. A. Downing F. H. Rigler (Eds) A Manual on Methods for the Assessment of Secondary Productivity in Fresh Water. IPB Handbook 17, 2nd edn Blackwell Scientific Publications IPB Handbook 17 413–468

    Google Scholar 

  • C. Lindegaard (1994) ArticleTitleThe role of zoobenthos in energy flow in two shallow lakes Hydrobiologia 275 IssueID276 313–322 Occurrence Handle10.1007/BF00026722

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • G. Muri A. Brancelj (2002) Physical and chemical properties of lake water and ice cover A. Brancelj (Eds) High-mountain Lakes in the Eastern Part of the Julian Alps ZRC Publishing Ljubljana 91–109

    Google Scholar 

  • G. Muri T. Simčič (2004) ArticleTitleRespiratory activity in sediments in three mountain lakes of the Julian Alps and in subalpine Lake Bled (Slovenia): an effect of atitude and antropic influence Aquatic Microbial Ecology 34 291–299

    Google Scholar 

  • I. B. Muskó L. G.-Tóth E. Szábo (1995) ArticleTitleRespiration and respiratory electron transport system (ETS) activity of two amphipods: Corophium curvispinum G. O. Sars and Gammarus fossarum Koch Polskie Archiwum Hydrobiologii 42 547–558

    Google Scholar 

  • InstitutionalAuthorNameOECD (1982) Eutrophication of waters, monitoring, assessment and control Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) Paris

    Google Scholar 

  • T. G. Owens F. D. King (1975) ArticleTitleThe measurement of respiratory electron transport system activity in marine zooplankton Marine Biology 30 27–36

    Google Scholar 

  • T. T. Packard (1971) ArticleTitleThe measurement of respiratory electron–transport activity in marine phytoplankton Journal of Marine Research 29 235–244

    Google Scholar 

  • T. T. Packard (1985) Measurement of electron transport activity of microplankton H. Jannash P. J. Leb Williams (Eds) Advances in Aquatic Microbiolog Academic Press London 207–261

    Google Scholar 

  • T. T. Packard A. H. Devol F. D. King (1975) ArticleTitleThe effect of temperature on the respiratory electron transport system in marine plankton Deep Sea Research 22 237–249 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaE2MXlt1ymsLs%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • J. C. Relexans (1996a) ArticleTitleMeasurement of the respiratory electron transport system (ETS) activity in marine sediments: state-of-the-art and interpretation. I. Methodology and review of literature data Marine Ecology Progress Series 136 277–287

    Google Scholar 

  • J. C. Relexans (1996b) ArticleTitleMeasurement of the respiratory electron transport system (ETS) activity in marine sediments: state-of-the-art and interpretation. II. Significance of ETS activity data Marine Ecology Progress Series 136 289–301

    Google Scholar 

  • C. Rossetti F. Pomati D. Calamari (2001) ArticleTitleMicroorganisms’ activity and energy fluxes in lake Varese (Italy): a field method Water Research 35 1318–1324 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXmvFKgsg%3D%3D Occurrence Handle11268852

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • T. Simčič A. Brancelj (1997) ArticleTitleElectron transport system (ETS) activity in five Daphnia species at different temperatures Hydrobiologia 360 117–125

    Google Scholar 

  • T. Simčič A. Brancelj (2001) ArticleTitleSeasonal dynamics of metabolic activity of the Daphnia community in Lake Bled (Slovenia) Hydrobiologia 442 319–328

    Google Scholar 

  • T. Simčič A. Brancelj (2002a) ArticleTitleIntensity of mineralization processes in mountain lakes in NW Slovenia Aquatic Ecology 36 345–354

    Google Scholar 

  • T. Simčič A. Brancelj (2002b) Respiratory electron transport system (ETS) activity and oxygen consumption rate as the indicators of intensity of mineralisation processes in lake sediments R. Bottarin U. Tappeiner (Eds) Interdisciplinary Mountain Research Blackwell Berlin 142–148

    Google Scholar 

  • M. S. Songster-Alpin R. L. Klotz (1995) ArticleTitleA comparison of electron transport system activity in stream and beaver pond sediments Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 52 1318–1326 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2MXpvF2iurw%3D Occurrence Handle10.1139/f95-128

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • M. Søndergaad M. Danielsen (2001) ArticleTitleActive bacteria (CTC+) in temperate lakes: temporal and cross-system variations Journal of Plankton Research 23 1195–1206

    Google Scholar 

  • M. Šiško G. Kosi (2002) Algae A. Brancelj (Eds) High-mountain Lakes in the Eastern Part of the Julian Alps ZRC Publishing Ljubljana 111–128

    Google Scholar 

  • J. T. Trevors (1984) ArticleTitleThe measurement of electron transport system (ETS) activity in freshwater sediment Water Research 18 581–584 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL2cXitFGju7g%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • E. Törnblom K. Pettersson (1998) ArticleTitleBacterial production and total sediment metabolism in profundal Lake Erken sediments Archiv für Hydrobiologie Special Issues Advances in Limnology 51 177–183

    Google Scholar 

  • O. Urbanc-Berčič A. Gaberščik (2002) Aquatic Macrophytes A. Brancelj (Eds) High-mountain Lakes in the Eastern Part of the Julian Alps ZRC Publishing Ljubljana 129–136

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Freshwater and Terrestrial Ecosystems Research, National Institute of Biology, Večna pot 111, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia

    Tatjana Simčič

Authors
  1. Tatjana Simčič
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tatjana Simčič.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Simčič, T. The role of plankton, zoobenthos, and sediment in organic matter degradation in oligotrophic and eutrophic mountain lakes. Hydrobiologia 532, 69–79 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-004-9015-5

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-004-9015-5

Keywords

Search

Navigation