Factors regulating autotrophy and heterotrophy in the main channel and an embayment of a large river impoundment
Bukaveckas, P.A.; Williams, J.J.; Hendricks, S.P. (2002). Factors regulating autotrophy and heterotrophy in the main channel and an embayment of a large river impoundment. Aquat. Ecol. 36(3): 355-369
In: Aquatic Ecology. Springer: Dordrecht; London; Boston. ISSN 1386-2588; e-ISSN 1573-5125, meer
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| Trefwoorden |
Aquatic communities > Plankton > Phytoplankton
Dietary deficiencies > Nutrient deficiency
Microorganisms > Bacteria
USA, Tennessee
Tennessee [Marine Regions]
Zoet water |
| Auteurs | | Top |
- Bukaveckas, P.A.
- Williams, J.J.
- Hendricks, S.P.
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| Abstract |
We characterized seasonal patterns of phytoplankton and bacterial biomass, production and nutrient limitation along a lateral transect within a large river impoundment. We hypothesized that the balance between autotrophy and heterotrophy was related to depth gradients and differences in water residence time (WRT) between the main channel and an embayment. Heterotrophy predominated in the main channel with bacterial production exceeding phytoplankton production by a factor of 3.3. In the embayment, autotrophy and heterotrophy were more closely balanced (ratios of bacterial to phytoplankton production ca. 0.8). Phytoplankton and bacterial biomass were positively correlated with WRT. However, WRT accounted for less than 50% of variation and its predictive power was comparable to models based on nutrient or DOC concentrations. Bacterial production was correlated with phytoplankton biomass and production suggesting that algal-derived C may be an important substrate for bacterial growth even in systems dominated by allochthonous inputs. Our experimental data suggest that nutrient limitation may be important particularly in embayments where biomass was somewhat higher and substrate concentrations were lower. Nutrient limitation in the main channel was rare whereas N and P amendments consistently stimulated phytoplankton growth rates in the embayment. Bacterial cell densities did not respond to nitrogen or phosphorus additions in either the main channel or embayment. |
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