Abstract
The development of the phytoplankton spring bloom in Lake Zürich in 1983 was investigated using frequent sampling with short sampling intervals, which allowed the influence of short-term meteorological events on the bloom to be studied. The bloom can be divided into four distinct growth periods (March 1–April 28) and a period of collapse (April 29–May 16). During the four growth periods, growth pulses were found to be associated with high solar radiation, little wind and a shallow mixed layer, whereas stagnation or loss was associated with strong winds and a consequent deepening of the mixed layer, resulting in an unfavourable effective light climate. The population collapse was brought about by zooplankton grazing, possibly coupled with nutrient limitation and other factors.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bürgi, H.-R., Bührer, H., Bloesch, J., and Szabo, E.: Der Einfluß experimentell variierter Zooplanktondichte auf die Produktion und Sedimentation im hocheutrophen See. Schweiz. Z. Hydrol.41 38–63 (1979).
Eidgenössisches Departement des Inneren: Richtlinien für die Untersuchung von Abwasser und Oberflächenwasser. Bern 1982.
Friedli, P.: Die Tages- und Jahresprimärproduktion des Bielersees unter Berücksichtigung der Extrapolation von Kurzzeitmessungen, der Biomasse, des Chlorophylls und der Einstrahlung. Selbstverlag, Bern 1978.
Imberger, J.: Mixing in reservoirs. In: Mixing in inland and coastal waters. (Ed. H. B. Fischer) Acad. Press, New York 1979.
Jewson, D. H.: The interactions of components controlling net phytoplankton photosynthesis in a well-mixed lake (Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland). Freshwat. Biol.6 551–576 (1976).
Harris, G. P.: Temporal and spatial scales in phytoplankton ecology. Mechanism, methods, and management. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci.37 877–900 (1980).
Harris, G. P.: Phytoplankton ecology. Chapman and Hall, London 1986.
Kirk, J. T.: Light and photosynthesis in aquatic ecosystems. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 1983.
Lampert, W., and Schober, U.: Das regelmäßige Auftreten von Frühjahrsmaximum und Klarwasserstadium im Bodensee als Folge klimatischer Bedingungen und Wechselwirkungen zwischen Phytound Zooplankton. Arch. Hydrobiol.82 364–386 (1978).
Lund, J. W. G.: Primary production and periodicity of phytoplankton. Verh. Int. Ver. Limnol.15 37–56 (1964).
Mäckle, H., Zimmermann, U., and Stabel, H.-H.: Phytoplanktonentwicklung in tiefen Voralpenseen. Biologische Indikatoren der Gewässergüte. Gas Wass. Abwass.128 544–550 (1987).
Naef, J., and Marin, P.: Plancton du lac Léman (VII), Année 1981. Arch. Sc. Genève35 227–249 (1982).
Odum, E. P.: Grundlagen der Ökologie. Georg Thieme, Stuttgart 1980.
Örn, C. G.: Die Sauerstoffverhältnisse im Zürichsee (Untersee) von 1937 bis 1975 und ihre Beeinflussung durch meteorologische Faktoren. Vierteljahrsschr. Naturforsch. Ges. Zürich125 259–364 (1980).
Osborne, B. A., and Raven, J. A.: Light absorption by plants and its implications for photosynthesis. Biol. Rev.61 1–61 (1986).
Ramberg, L.: Relations between phytoplankton and light-climate in two Swedish forest lakes. Int. Rev. ges. Hydrobiol.64 749–782 (1979).
Renger, G., Dohnt, G., Kayed, A., Voss, M., and Gräber, P.: Die Chlorophyll-a-Fluoreszenz als Indikator des Funktionszustandes des Photosyntheseapparates in Pflanzen. Theoretische Grundlagen und praktische Anwendung. Arch. Hydrobiol. Beih.29 1–24 (1987).
Reynolds, C. S.: Phytoplankton assemblages and their periodicity in stratifying lake systems. Holarc. Ecol.3 141–159 (1980).
Reynolds, C. S.: A physiological interpretation of the dynamic responses of populations of a planktonic diatom to physical variability of the environment. New Phytol.95 41–53 (1983).
Reynolds, C. S.: The ecology of freshwater phytoplankton. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge 1984.
Richardson, K., Beardall, J., and Raven, J. A.: Adaptation of unicellular algae to irradiance: An analysis of strategies. New Phytol.93 157–191 (1983).
Schanz, F.: Light conditions in Lake Zürich 1979–1981, Part. I: Secchi disk transparency. Vierteljahrsschr. Naturforsch. Ges. Zürich127 357–367 (1982).
Schanz, F.: A fluorometric method of determining chlorophyll a and phaeophytin a concentrations. Arch. Hydrobiol. Beih.16 297–324 (1982).
Schanz, F., and Thomas, E. A.: Die Durchsichtigkeit des Zürichsees von 1897 bis 1980. Vierteljahrsschr. Naturforsch. Ges. Zürich125 239–248 (1980).
Schanz, F., and Dubinsky, Z.: The afternoon depression in primary productivity in a high rate oxidation pond (HROP). J. Plankton Res.10 373–383 (1988).
Sommer, U.: The role of r- and K-selection in the succession of phytoplankton in Lake Constance. Acta oecol./Oecol. Gener.2 327–342 (1981).
Sommer, U.: Light, stratification and zooplankton as controlling factors for the spring development in Lake Constance. Schweiz. Z. Hydrol.45 194–204 (1983).
Sommer, U., Gliwicz, Z. M., Lampert, W., and Duncan, A.: The PEG-model of seasonal succession of planktonic events in fresh waters. Arch. Hydrobiol.106 433–471 (1986).
Steemann Nielsen, E., and Jørgensen, E. G.: The adaptation of plankton algae. Physiol. Plant.21 401–413 (1968).
Talling, J. F.: The underwater light climate as a controlling factor in the production ecology of freshwater phytoplankton. Mitt. Int. Ver. Limnol.19 214–243 (1971).
Tilzer, M. M.: The quantum yield as a fundamental parameter controlling vertical photosynthetic profiles of phytoplankton in Lake Constance. Arch. Hydrobiol. Suppl.69 169–198 (1984).
Tschumi, P. A., Bangerter, B., and Zbären, D.: Zehn Jahre limnologische Forschung am Bielersee. Vierteljahrsschr. Naturforsch. Ges. Zürich127 337–355 (1982).
Utermöhl, H.: Zur Vervollkommnung der quantitativen Phytoplankton-Methode. Mitt. Int. Ver. Limnol.9 1–38 (1985).
Wetzel, R. G.: Limnology. Saunders College Publishing, Philadelphia 1983.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bleiker, W., Schanz, F. Influence of environmental factors on the phytoplankton spring bloom in Lake Zürich. Aquatic Science 51, 47–58 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00877780
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00877780