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Influence of environmental factors on the phytoplankton spring bloom in Lake Zürich

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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.

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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

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