Bloom formation of Gloeotrichia echinulata and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae in a shallow, eutrophic, Danish lake

Abstract

Over a period of four years, the seasonal periodicity of dominant phytoplankton species in a shallow, eutrophic Danish lake changed markedly. Cyanophytes prevailed during the summer period of all four years. In the first three years, species of Microcystis, Anabaena and Aphanothece dominated, whereas in the fourth year of investigation, these algae were replaced by Gloeorrichia echinulata (J. E. Smith) Richter and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (L.) Ralfs. The most striking environmental differences in the fourth year as compared with the previous three years, were an increase in tranparency, from about 0.5 meter in 1989-1991 to more than 2 metres preceding the summer maximum in 1992, and a simultaneous occurrence of low oxygen concentrations. A collapse of the fish population was followed by an increased proportion of large Cladocerans in the zooplankton. Improved light conditions at the bottom and grazing pressure from large Cladocerans favoured growth of the large colony forming blue-green algae, Gloeotrichia echinulata and Aphanizomenon flos-aquae. These species germinate from resting spores in the sediment and are able to sustain some growth there before migration to the lake water. The transfer of algal biomass from the bottom sediment to the water phase was accompanied by a marked increase in concentrations of particulate phosphorus and nitrogen in the entire lake.