Phytoplankton and Bacterial Production and Biomass in Subalpine Eastern Brook Lake, Sierra Nevada, California. I. Seasonal Interrelationships between the Two Biotic Groups
Year: 1991
Type: article
Abstract: We measured phytoplankton and bacteria stocks and production in subalpine Eastern Brook Lake (Sierra Nevada, California) from August 1986 to November 1987 in order to characterize carbon pools and fluxes of the two biotic components. This paper discusses seasonal interrelationships between microalgae and bacteria; an accompanying paper synthesizes the data, gives ranges for the values, and compares them with data from other high-elevation lakes. Phytoplankton and bacteria responded physiologically to physiochemical variations. In late fall (1986) phytoplankton and bacteria were inversely related—algal parameters declined and bacterial parameters increased—probably because of release of organic matter from algae stressed by low light and temperatures. Bacterial carbon demand increased from 20% of contemporaneous primary production to as high as 260%. This suggests a substantial role of bacteria in lake carbon dynamics. Values > 100% may indicate utilization of algal detritus and/or allochthonous organic matter. Another inverse relationship between chlorophyll levels and bacterial abundance/production occurred under the ice cover in 1987. The bacterivorous alga Dinobryon bloomed, chlorophyll increased, and bacterial parameters decreased. Bacterial production, based on detritus and dissolved organic matter, may have sustained Dinobryon and the lake ecosystem under the ice. In the late spring 1987, algae and bacteria were positively related as all parameters increased from winter conditions.
Source: Arctic and Alpine Research
Authors: William H. Thomas, Byung C. Cho, Farooq Azam
Language: English
Subfield: Environmental Chemistry
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2796034977