Distribution of epipelic algae and related environmental nutrients in Taihu Lake, revealed by HPLC analysis
Yuzhi Song A B C , Yan Xue B , Yongxia Gao B and Yan Jin B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Agricultural Meteorology, School of Applied Meteorology, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, PR China.
B Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology (CICAEET), Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing, 210044, PR China.
C Corresponding author. Email: syz70@nuist.edu.cn
Marine and Freshwater Research 70(6) 849-856 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF17318
Submitted: 30 October 2017 Accepted: 22 November 2018 Published: 30 January 2019
Abstract
Epipelic algal biomass and composition (determined by HPLC pigment analysis) and related environmental nutrients were investigated in a phytoplankton-dominated area (Meiliang Bay), a macrophyte-dominated area (East Taihu Lake) and a transition zones (Gonghu Bay) in a shallow eutrophic freshwater lake (Taihu Lake, eastern China). Surface sediment samples were collected at 11 sampling sites in April and August 2016. Average epipelic algal biomass for Meiliang Bay, Gonghu Bay and East Taihu Lake was 6.5, 4.9 and 4.6 μg chlorophyll (Chl)-a g–1 sediment respectively in April, and 3.8, 7.4 and 2.7 μg Chl-a g–1 sediment respectively in August. The maximum biomass of epipelic algae appeared at the G1 sampling site (9.6 μg Chl-a g–1 sediment) in August, whereas the minimum biomass of epipelic algae appeared at the E4 sampling site (1.7 μg Chl-a g–1 sediment). Pigment (fucoxanthin, zeaxanthin and Chl-b) to Chl-a ratios indicated that epipelic algae were primarily diatoms, secondarily cyanobacteria and lastly green algae in Taihu Lake. Epipelic algae were significantly correlated with total nitrogen in the water and total phosphorus in the sediment (P < 0.05), except for green algae. In general, using pigment as an indicator revealed that the epiphytic algal community varied over time and space. The distribution of variations in epipelic algae was related to the heterogeneity of environmental factors.
Additional keywords: pigment, sediment.
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