Phytoplankton-based water quality metrics: feasibility of their use in a Neotropical shallow lake
Diego Frau A B , Gisela Mayora A and Melina Devercelli A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Laboratorio de Plancton, Instituto Nacional de Limnología (CONICET-UNL), Ciudad Universitaria Paraje El Pozo, C. P. 3000, Santa Fe, Argentina.
B Corresponding author. Email address: diegofrau@gmail.com
Marine and Freshwater Research 69(11) 1746-1754 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF18101
Submitted: 26 August 2017 Accepted: 1 May 2018 Published: 30 July 2018
Abstract
Urban lakes constitute important recreational areas, but often they are eutrophicated. In this study we discuss the utility of 12 ecological quality metrics to test whether they: (1) can be applied to Neotropical lakes; (2) are sensitive to environmental variations throughout the year; and (3) are affected by heterogeneous spatial distribution of phytoplankton. Phytoplankton and environmental variables (including nutrients) were sampled monthly in an urban lake (four littoral and one limnetic station) throughout 1 year (n = 60 samples). Twelve ecological quality metrics were tested using total phosphorus as a proxy of eutrophication through general lineal models. The best adjusted metrics were then transformed to an ecological quality ratio (EQR) to allow comparisons. The Phytoplankton Assemblage Index (Q-index) and the Cyanobacteria Bloom Index (CBI) were the most accurate. Differences in water quality estimation occurred across the year, with an overestimation of water quality in the absence of cyanobacteria blooms. There were no differences due to effects of the spatial distribution of phytoplankton. The Q-index was related to temperature and soluble reactive phosphorus, whereas the CBI was related to conductivity. We conclude that the Q-index is the most accurate metric for monitoring purposes, responding well to variations in phosphorus.
Additional keywords: eutrophication, hypertrophic, phosphorus.
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