A laboratory study of phosphorus and nitrogen excretion of Euchlanis dilatata lucksiana

Phosphorus (PO₄-P) and nitrogen (NH₄-N) excretion rates of Euchlanis dilatata lucksiana, a rotifer, isolated from Lake Loosdrecht (The Netherlands) and cultured in the lake water at 18–19 °C, were measured in the laboratory.In a series of experiments, the effects of experiment duration on the P and N excretion rates were examined. The rates measured in the first half-hour were about 2 times higher for P and 2–4 times for N than the rates in the subsequent three successive hours which were quite comparable.Eight experiments were carried out in triplicate, 4 each for P and N excretion measurements, using animals of two size ranges: 60–125 µm and > 125 µm. The specific excretion rates varied from 0.06 to 0.18 µg P.mg^–1 DW.h^–1 and 0.21 to 0.76 µg N.mg^–1 DW.h^–1. Generally an inverse relationship was observed between the specific excretion rates and the mean individual weight. The excretion rates of Euchlanis measured by us are lower than those reported for several other rotifer species, most of which are much smaller than Euchlanis.Extrapolating the excretion rates of Euchlanis to the other rotifer species in Lake Loosdrecht, and accounting for their density, size and temperature, rotifer excretion appears to be a significant, potential nutrient (N,P) source for phytoplankton growth in the lake. The excretion rates for the rotifers appear to be about two thirds of the total zooplankton excretion, even though the computed rotifer mean biomass is about one-third of the total zooplankton biomass.     

Is food availability the main factor controlling the abundance of Euchlanis dilatata lucksiana Hauer in a shallow,hypertrophic lake?

Visual observations and experiments on food preference of Euchlanis dilatata lucksiana show that this euchlanid can feed on blue-green algae not consumed by the most planktonic animals. Nevertheless, even in lakes with blooms of blue-green algae, E. d. lucksiana occur infrequently and generally in low numbers. The paper is an attempt to explore into the causes for the rare occurrence of Euchlanis in the pelagial. A comparison of threshold food concentrations calculated from N and P excretion rates (Gulati et al., this volume) with the concentrations of seston in the Lake Loosdrecht shows that the latter were several times higher during study period in 1984. This implies that the food requirements of Euchlanis were always satisfied in this lake. The time needed for the consumption of the total food fraction in a liter of lake water by a concentration of 50 Euchlanis l^–1 was also calculated. This time varied from 70 to 200 days, so a Euchlanis population even at its maximum density will not cause major changes in blue-green algae biomass by grazing. Thus, food limitation cannot be viewed as a factor controlling the Euchlanis densities in Loosdrecht Lakes. There is some evidence that Euchlanis is heavily predated in Loosdrecht Lakes, losses in its biomass accounting for 126% of the production. Adaptation of this species to the littoral zone, as expressed by the deposition of eggs on plants, can also limit the occurrence of the lucksiana form to water bodies with blooms of blue-green algae.     

A laboratory study of feeding and assimilation in Euchlanis dilatata lucksiana

Feeding of Euchlanis dilatata lucksiana, a brachionid rotifer isolated from the Loosdrecht Lakes (The Netherlands), was examined in the laboratory using ¹⁴C-labelled food. The gut-filling time at a food concentration of 9.6 µg C ml^–1 was about 15 minutes. Animals which were fed on 3 size fractions of the lake seston (< 7 µm, 7–15 µm, and 15–33 µm) showed a clear preference (Jacobs' selectivity index) for the largest size fraction. This fraction was composed predominantly of filamentous cyanobacteria. For animals weighing 0.37–0.49 µm C ind.^–1 the daily ration (daily food consumption per unit body weight × 100) ranged from 50 to 100% at food levels of 2 mg C l^–1 and below, but increased to 150–250% at food concentrations of 5 mg C l^–1 and above. The assimilation efficiency was 100% up to 5 mg C l^–1 of food, but decreased to about 80% at higher food levels.     

Clearance rates of bacteria by the rotifer Filinia longiseta (Ehrb.) measured using three tracers

The clearance rates (CRs) of bacteria by Filinia longiseta were measured at 19°C, both in situ in Lake Loosdrecht and in the laboratory during summer. The tracer particles used in the field were: (1) 0.51 µm fluorescent microspheres, and (2) fluorescently labelled bacteria (FLB). A third type of tracer particle, natural [methyl-³H]-thymidine-labelled bacteria (< 1.2 µm), were used as a radiotracer in a laboratory experiment. The uptake of the first two tracer-particle types was measured by microscopic examination of the rotifer guts. In the third case, the uptake of radioactivity was determined by liquid scintillation counting. The rate of uptake of the microspheres decreased 10 min after the start of the experiment, probably because the gut passage time was exceeded. Using a 5 min feeding time, the rate of uptake of microspheres was higher than that of the FLB, though the variation in the uptake in both cases was high. The ingestion rates and CRs of bacteria by F. longiseta based on the fluorescent tracers were: microspheres, 5115 bact.ind^–1 h^–1 and 0.368 µl ind^–1 h^–1; FLB, 2252 bact.ind^–1 h^–1 and 0.162 µl ind^–1 h^–1. The mean CR using the thymidine-labelled natural bacteria and a 10 min feeding time was 0.179 µl ind^–1 h^–1. Thus, the CR based on the microsphere method was twice as high as for the other two methods.     

A mathematical model of the phosphorus cycle in Lake Loosdrecht and simulation of additional measures

The phosphorus cycle in the ecosystem of the shallow, hypertrophic Loosdrecht lakes (The Netherlands) was simulated by means of the dynamic eutrophication model PCLOOS. The model comprises three algal groups, zooplankton, fish, detritus, zoobenthos, sediment detritus and some inorganic phosphorus fractions. All organic compartments are modelled in two elements, carbon and phosphorus. Within the model system, the phosphorus cycle is considered as completely closed. Carbon and phosphorus are described independently, so that the dynamics of the P/C ratios can be modelled. The model has been partly calibrated by a method based on Bayesian statistics combined with a Range Check procedure.Simulations were carried out for Lake Loosdrecht for the periods before and after the restoration measures in 1984, which reduced the external phosphorus loading to the lake from ca. 2 mgP m^–2 d^–1 to 1 mgP m^–2 d^–1. The model outcome was largely comparable withthe measured data. Total phosphorus has slowly decreased from an average 130 µgP l^–1 to ca. 80 µgP l^–1, but chlorophyll-a (ca. 150 µg 1^–1, summer-averaged) and seston concentrations (8–15 mgC 1^–1) hardly changed since the restoration measures. About two-thirds of the seston consisted of detritus, while the phytoplankton remained dominated by filamentous cyanobacteria. The P/C ratio of the seston decreased from ca. 1.0% to 0.7%, while the P/C ratios of zooplankton, zoobenthos and fish have remained constant and are much higher. The system showed a delayed response to the decreased phosphorus loading until a new equilibrium was reached in ca. five years. Major reasons for the observed resilience of the lake in responding to the load reduction are the high phosphorus assimilation efficiency of the cyanobacteria and the high internal recycling of phosphorus. A further reduction of nutrient loading, perhaps in combination with additional measures like biomanipulation, will be the most fruitful additional restoration measure.     

The dynamics and role of limnetic zooplankton in Loosdrecht lakes (The Netherlands)

The paper summarizes the results of a ten-year (1981–1991) zooplankton research on the Lake Loosdrecht, a highly eutrophic lake. The main cause of the lake's eutrophication and deteriorating water quality was supply up to mid 1984 of water from the River Vecht. This supply was replaced by dephosphorized water from the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal in 1984. The effects of this and other restoration measures on the lake's ecosystem were studied. Despite a reduction in the external P-load from ca. 1.0 g P m^–2 y^–1 to ca. 0.35 g m^–2 y^–1 now, the filamentous prokaryotes, including cyanobacteria and Prochlorothrix, continue to dominate the phytoplankton.Among the crustacean plankton Bosmina spp, Chydorus sp. and three species of cyclopoid copepods and their nauplii are quite common. Though there was no major change in the composition of abundant species, Daphnia cucullata, which is the only daphnid in these lakes, became virtually extinct since 1989. Among about 20 genera and 40 species of rotifers the important ones are: Anuraeopsis fissa, Keratella cochlearis, Filinia longiseta and Polyarthra. The rotifers usually peak in mid-summer following the crustacean peak in spring. The mean annual densities of crustaceans decreased during 1988–1991. Whereas seston (< 150 µm) mean mass in the lake increased since 1983 by 20–60%, zooplankton (> 150 µm) mass decreased by 15–35%.The grazing by crustacean community, which was attributable mainly to Bosmina, had mean rates between 10 and 25% d^–1. Between 42 and 47% of the food ingested was assimilated. In spring and early summer when both rotifers and crustaceans have their maximal densities the clearance rates of the rotifers were much higher. Based on C/P ratios, the zooplankton (> 150 µm) mass contained 2.5 times more phosphorus than seston (< 150 µm) mass so that the zooplankton comprised 12.5 % of the total-P in total particulate matter in the open water, compared with only 4.5% of the total particulate C. The mean excretion rates of P by zooplankton varied narrowly between 1.5 and 1.8 µg P 1^– d^–1, which equalled between 14 and 28% d^–1 of the P needed for phytoplankton production.The lack of response to restoration measures cannot be ascribed to one single factor. Apparently, the external P-loading is still not low enough and internal P-loading, though low, may be still high enough to sustain high seston levels. Intensive predation by bream is perhaps more important than food quality (high concentrations of filamentous cyanobacteria) in depressing the development of large-bodied zooplankton grazers, e.g. Daphnia. This may also contribute to resistance of the lake's ecosystem to respond to rehabilitation measures.     

The spring-time abundance and feeding ofEurytemora affinis (Poppe) in Volkerak-Zoommeer,a newly-created freshwater lake system in the Rhine delta (The Netherlands)

Eurytemora affinis, a calanoid copepod, has been encountered in Volkerak-Zoommeer (Rhine delta region, S.W. Netherlands) both before this lake system was isolated in 1987 from the estuarine influence, and after. It was the main particle-feeding crustacean at all the 3 sampling stations in March–April 1990 when it reached densities of up to 215 ind.l^–1. Its decline from mid April onwards, and low densities through summer, coincided with increase in cladocerans, especiallyDaphnia spp. (D. pulex andD. galeata), a decrease in seston (<33m) and chlorophyll concentrations and in primary production rates. The clearance rates (CR) ofEurytemora measured in the spring period varied enormously (0.6–24 ml.ind^–1.d^–1) depending mainly on size (0.44–1.06 mm), food concentration (0.8–2.2 mg C.l^–1), and the water temperature which varied only narrowly (8.0–9.0°C). Mean ingestion rates of the animals measuring 0.68±0.02 mm during the study was 6.7±3.2 gC.ind^–1.d^–1; and assimilation efficiency varied between 27 and 53% (mean: 41±9%). The weight specific CR (SCR) varied between 0.96 and 6.4 litre.mg^–1 body C.d^–1. Pooled regression of SCR on the animal's body weight at the 3 study stations revealed a significant inverse relationship. Also daily ration and specific assimilation ofE. affinis varied greatly and inversely with the body weight. This calanoid contributed from about 50 to 100% to the zooplankton community grazing rates and assimilation rates, the former often exceeding the phytoplankton primary production.     

Dynamics of phytoplankton detritus in a shallow,eutrophic lake (Lake Loosdrecht,The Netherlands)

A study was made of the mortality and aerobic decomposition of light- and phosphorus-limited cultures of Oscillatoria limnetica, a dominant phytoplankton species in shallow, eutrophic Lake Loosdrecht (The Netherlands). When placed in the dark at 20 °C, most cells died and lysed within twelve days. The labile organic matter was completely decomposed within three weeks. Absorbance spectra indicated that blue green algae may contributed significantly to the refractory dissolved substances in the lake. Refractory particulate matter constituted from 7 to 24% of the biomass of O. limnetica, depending on the growth rate before incubation in the dark. The decomposition rate of this fraction was 0.005 d^–1. On a basis of a steady-state model of the dynamics of phytoplankton detritus, the areal organic dry weight concentration of the detritus in the lake is ca. 60 g m^–2. This means the quantities of detritus in the seston and epipelon are about equal.     

Daytime grazing and assimilation rates of planktonic copepods Acanthodiaptomus denticornis and Cyclops vicinus vicinus. Comparison of spatial and resource utilisation by rotifers and cladoceran communities in a eutrophic lake

The clearance rates of ¹⁴ carbon-labelled Chlamydomonas sp. by the copepodite and adult stages of the 2 dominant species of Copepoda were studied in eutrophic Lake Aydat. They varied from 30 to 3,007 µl ind^–1 h^–1 for Acanthodiaptomus denticornis (mean = 600 µl ind^–1 h^–1) and from 20 to 1,133 µl ind^–1 h^–1 for Cyclops vicinus (mean = 340 µl ind^–1 h^–1). Their maximum assimilation efficiencies were 58% and 50%, respectively. These populations collectively could consume the available food in 4 days during September (maximum daily grazing rate = 24%). Mean individual clearance rates could be ranked Acanthodiaptomus denticornis > Ceriodaphnia quadrangula > Chydorus sphaericus > Daphnia longispina > Cyclops vicinus vicinus > Bosmina longirostris > K. cochlearis > K. quadrata and Kellicottia longispina. Like cladocerans and rotifers, the copepods living in this eutrophic lake can feed at low oxygen concentrations.     

Predation on Ceriodaphnia cornuta and Brachionus calyciflorus by two Mesocyclops species coexisting in Barra Bonita reservoir (SP,Brazil)

Feeding experiments with two species of carnivorous copepod, Mesocyclops longisetus (Thiebaud) and Mesocyclops kieferi Van de Velde from Barra Bonita, a eutrophic reservoir in São Paulo, Brasil, were performed using two common types of prey: Ceriodaphnia cornuta, a cladoceran, with a mean body length of 464 µm (including spines) or 393 µm (without spines), and Brachionus calyciflorus, a rotifer with a mean body length of 350 µm (including spines) or 279 µm (without spines).Both species showed higher consumption rates on Brachionus than on Ceriodaphnia. For Mesocyclops longisetus, the average rates were: 2.19 prey ind^–1 h^–1 (Brachionus), and 1.30 prey ind^–1 h^–1 (Ceriodaphnia). For Mesocyclops kieferi, the rates were 1.85 prey ind^–1 h^–1 (Brachionus) and 0.60 prey ind^–1 h^–1 (Ceriodaphnia). These experimental data are discussed with reference to the dynamics of the predator and prey populations in the reservoir.Laboratorio de Limnologia, Departamento de Ciencias Biologicas, Universidade Federal de São CarlosCentro de Recursos Hidricos e Ecologia Aplicada Lab. de Limnologia, Departamento de Hidraulica e Saneamento, Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos, Universidade de São Paulo     

Chlorophyll content of seston in a regulated Rocky Mountain river,Idaho, USA

The chlorophyll content of seston at four sites in a regulated mid-order Rocky Mountain river, Henry's Fork of the Snake River, Idaho, USA, was examined. Spectrometry was used to determine the amount of chlorophyll a, b, c and in seston and potential organic matter sources including macrophytes, algae, plankton, and terrestial plant litter. The amount of chlorophyll in seston varied among size fractions, sites, and seasons. Coarse seston (6–1 mm) contained the most chlorophyll a (2.3 mg g^–1 ashfree dry mass [AFDM]) followed by ultra fine seston (53–0.3 µm; 1.9 mg g^–1 AFDM), very coarse seston (> 6 mm, 1.8 mg g^–1 AFDM), very fine seston (250–53 µm; 1.3 mg g^–1 AFDM), and fine seston (1–0.25 mm; 0.7 mg g^–1 AFDM). Chlorophyll content of coarse seston was similar at all sites reflecting a common source, aquatic macrophyte debris. Chlorophyll content of coarse and fine seston were highest in fall reflecting the importance of phenology of aquatic plants on sestonic pigment levels. Very fine seston from below a reservoir contained more chlorophyll than seston from downstream and tributary sites suggesting a reservoir source. Terrestial plant litter was chlorophyll depleted compared to autochthonous materials and seston. Most seston was autochthonously-derived from a variety of macrophyte, algal, and planktonic sources. The chlorophyll content of Henry's Fork seston was higher than that reported for similar rivers. Island Park Dam moderates river temperature and flow, enhances autotrophy, and accounts for the consistently high sestonic chlorophyll levels.     

Zooplankton induced decrease in inorganic phosphorus uptake by plankton in an oligotrophic lake

Experiments conducted on samples collected from a large oligotrophic lake revealed the following: (1) excretion rates of PO _inf4 ^sup3– by single Daphnia thorata were below detection (5 pmol animal^–1 min^–1) in 20 ml of oligotrophic lake water over a period of 10 min, (2) experimental addition of D. thorata to 20 ml aliquots of lake water decreased community-wide microbial uptake of PO _inf4 ^sup3– on two occasions (as measured by ³²PO _inf4 ^sup3– incorporation), and (3) the presence of D. thorata increased uptake by organisms smaller than 1µm, and decreased uptake by large phytoplankton. The specific mechanism for these responses remains unclear, but the results imply that when phytoplankton larger than 1µm encounter cm scale patches of water recently occupied by Daphnia they may experience decreased PO _inf4 ^sup3– availability rather than elevated concentrations of PO _inf4 ^sup3– caused by excretion. We show that ³²P uptake experiments using natural plankton assemblages can be influenced by the presence or absence of large zooplankton, and that neither grazing, turbulence, nor PO _inf4 ^sup3– excretion can account for this influence.     

Light-limited algal growth in Lake Loosdrecht: steady state studies in laboratory scale enclosures

Phytoplankton growth in the shallow, turbid Lake Loosdrecht (The Netherlands) is importantly influenced by light availability, and thus the concentrations of the various light-attenuating materials. The system is highly eutrophic and supports an algal biomass of ca. 160 mg Chl m^–3. A model is proposed here which predicts algal growth in the lake as a function of the light received and subsequent attenuation in the water column by phytoplankton, tripton and background colour. The model is based on an energy balance which relates growth rate to the true growth yield on light energy and the energy demand for cell maintenance. The coefficients for energy conversion (Y = 0.002 gDW kJ^–1) and cell maintenance (µ_e = 0.031 day^–1) were determined from steady state growth kinetics of Prochlorothrix hollandica in light-limited laboratory flow systems with the same depth as the lake and receiving summer average conditions of irradiance. Light attenuation by phytoplankton and tripton were quantified using specific attenuation coefficients: 0.011 m² mg^–1 Chl for the phytoplankton and 0.23 m² g^–1 DW for tripton.The growth studies demonstrated that Lake Loosdrecht can support a much higher algal biomass in the absence of non-algal particulate matter. The proposed model is used to predict chlorophyll a concentrations in dependence on growth rate and levels of tripton. Since approximately 75% of the sestonic dry weight in Lake Loosdrecht may be attributed to tripton, it is concluded that the algal biomass is markedly lowered by the abundance of tripton in the water column. A knowledge of the sources and fate of tripton in the lake is thus of fundamental importance in modelling phytoplankton dynamics.     

Sulfur cycling in the water column of Little Rock Lake, Wisconsin

The S cycle in the water column of a small, soft-water lake was studied for 9 years as part of an experimental study of the effects of acid rain on lakes. The two basins of the lake were artificially separated, and one basin was experimentally acidified with sulfuric acid while the other served as a reference or control. Spatial and seasonal patterns of sulfate uptake by plankton (53–70 mmol m^–2 yr^–1), deposition of sulfur to sediments in settling seston (53 mmol m^–2 yr^–1), and sulfate diffusion (0–39 mmol m^–2 yr^–1) into sediments were examined. Measurements of inputs (12–108 mmol m^–2 yr^–1) and outputs (5.5–25 mmol m^–2 yr^–1) allowed construction of a mass balance that was then compared with rates of S accumulation in sediments cores (10–28 mmol m^–2 yr^–1) and measured fluxes of S into the sediments. Because of the low SO₄ ^2– concentrations (µmole L^–1) in the lake, annual uptake by plankton (53–70 mmol m^–2 yr^–1) represented a large fraction (>50%) of the SO₄ ^2– inventory in the lake. Despite this large flux through the plankton, only small seasonal fluctuations in SO₄ ^2– concentrations (µmole L^–1) were observed; rapid mineralization of organic matter (half-life <3 months) prevented sulfate depletion in the water column. The turnover time for sulfate in the water column is only 1.4 yr; much less than the 11-yr turnover time of a conservative ion in this seepage lake. Sulfate diffusion into and reduction in the sediments (0–160 µmole m^–2 d^–1) caused SO₄ ^2– depletion in the hypolimnion. Modeling of seasonal changes in lake-water SO₄ ^2– concentrations indicated that only 30–50% of the diffusive flux of sulfate to the sediments was permanently incorporated in solid phases, and about 15% of sulfur in settling seston was buried in the sediments. The utility of sulfur mass balances for seepage lakes would be enhanced if uncertainty about the deposition velocity for both sulfate aerosols and SO₂, uncertainty in calculation of a lake-wide rate of S accumulation in sediments, and uncertainty in the measured diffusive fluxes could be further constrained.     

Suspension feeding in Bithynia tentaculata (Prosobranchia,Bithyniidae), as affected by body size,food and temperature

The suspension feeding of Bithynia tentaculata was tested in laboratory experiments. The animals were fed in 1-1 aerated glass beakers, and filtration rates were calculated from changes in cell concentrations during the 6-h experiment. Temperature influenced the filtering rate, with minimum values of 5ml · ind^–1 · h^–1 at 5° C and maxima of 17.2 ml · ind^–1 · h^–1 at 18° C. Three food species of different size, motility and cell surface characteristics (Chlamydomonas reinhardii, Chlorella vulgaris and Chlorogonium elongatum) did not affect filtration rates. Suspension feeding increased with increasing food concentrations up to 12 nl · ml^–1, above which feeding rate was kept constant by lowering the filtering rates. Even the smallest animals tested (<4 mm body length) were found to be feeding on suspended food at a rate of 2.7 ml · ind^–1 · h^–1, and increasing rates up to 8.4 ml were found in the 6–7 mm size class. All size classes of Bithynia showed a circannual fluctuation of their filtration rates. The ecological consequences of Bithynia's ability to switch between two feeding modes, grazing and suspension feeding, are discussed.     

Competitive ability of Daphnia under dominance of non-toxic filamentous cyanobacteria

It is generally assumed that Daphnia is more susceptible to the inhibitory effects of filamentous cyanobacteria than small cladocerans since daphnids have a larger gape size and filtrate the filaments, whereas small cladocerans do not. This study addresses the question whether food limitation has the potential to modify this scenario of cladoceran response to dominance of non-toxic filamentous cyanobacteria. Daphnia galeatawas grown under limited (0.1 mg C l^–1) and unlimited concentrations (1.0 mg C l^–1) of high-quality food algae both in the absence/presence of non-toxic filamentous Aphanizomenon flexuosum. As the effects of these cyanobacteria on D. galeatawere positive under food limiting conditions and negative at the high food density, it was concluded that D. galeatawas mainly affected by nutritional quality due to its ability to ingest the filaments, while mechanical interference with food collection was not important. In competition experiments between D. galeataand Bosmina longirostris, D. galeatawas the dominant species at regular additions of food (1.0 mg C l^–1) in the absence of Aphanizomenon. In the presence of these cyanobacteria, D. galeatawas inhibited during the first days of the experimental period. However, the negative effect at the initially high food density was outweighed by nutrition at food limiting conditions and the outcome in competitive dominance was not changed. The results demonstrate that the ability of D. galeata to ingest large-sized non-toxic cyanobacteria can be considered as advantageous under food limiting conditions.     

Cyanobacterial toxicity and migration in a mesotrophic lake in western Washington, USA

In fall 1997, the toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa was documented in Lake Sammamish (western Washington, U.S.A.) for the first time. Cyanobacterial activity and environmental conditions that may promote toxic cyanobacteria were investigated during summer and fall 1999. Development of toxic Microcystis was hypothesized to be due to runoff of nutrients from the watershed (external loading hypothesis) or from vertical migration of dormant cyanobacteria from the nutrient-rich sediments into the water column (cyanobacterial migration hypothesis). Microcystins were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay during late August and early September 1999 despite low cyanobacterial abundance. Microcystin concentrations ranged between 0.19–3.8 g l^–1 throughout the lake and at all depths with the exception of the boat launch where concentrations reached 43 g l^–1. Comparison of the conditions associated with the toxic episodes in 1997 and 1999 indicate that Microcystis is associated with a stable water column, increased surface total phosphorus concentrations (> 10 g l^–1), surface temperatures greater than 22°C, high total nitrogen to phosphorus ratios (> 30), and increased water column transparency (up to 5.5 m). Migration of the cyanobacteria, Microcystis and Anabaena, occurred in both the deep and shallow portions of the lake. Microcystis dominated (89–99%) the migrating cyanobacteria with greater migration from the shallow station. External loading of nutrients due to the large rainfall preceding the 1997 toxic episode may have provided the nutrients needed to fuel that bloom. However, toxic Microcystis occurred in 1999 despite the lack of rain and subsequent external runoff. The migration of Microcystis from the nutrient-rich sediments may have been the inoculum for the toxic population detected in 1999.     

P-load,phytoplankton, zooplankton and fish stock in Loosdrecht Lake and Tjeukemeer: confounding effects of predation and food availability

The fish community in the Loosdrecht lakes is dominated by bream, pikeperch and smelt and is characteristic of shallow eutrophic lakes in The Netherlands. The biomasses of the respective fish species amount to ca. 250, 25 and 10 kg ha^–1 and correspond to those in Tjeukemeer, another lake in The Netherlands. The average size of bream, however, is much smaller in the Loosdrecht lakes as a consequence of poorer feeding conditions. The zooplankton community in the Loosdrecht lakes is predominantly composed of relatively small species such as Daphnia cucullata, Bosmina coregoni and cyclopoid copepods, whereas in Tjeukemeer, Daphnia hyalina is permanently present in relatively high densities and the other species show a larger mean length. In the Loosdrecht lakes, the absence of D. hyalina and the smaller sizes of the other zooplankton species could be the consequence of a higher predation pressure, in combination with unfavourable feeding conditions for the zooplankton including the low density of green algae and the high density of filamentous cyanobacteria. A biomanipulation experiment in Lake Breukeleveen, one of the Loosdrecht lakes, indicated that feeding conditions were too unfavourable for large zooplankton to develop in spring, when the reduced fish biomass was not yet supplemented by natural recruitment and immigration.     

Grazing and assimilation rates of natural populations of planktonic rotifersKeratella cochlearis,Keratella quadrata andKellicottia longispina in a eutrophic lake (Aydat,France)

The filtering rates of¹⁴C labelledChlamydomonas sp. by 3 dominant species of rotifers were studied in eutrophic Lake Aydat. They varied from 4 to 53 µl ind^–1 h^–1 forKeratella cochlearis, from 2 to 56 µl.^–1h^–1 forKeratella quadrata and from 3 to 52 µl ind^–1 h^–1 forKellicottia longispina. Their maximum assimilation efficiency was 32%. At the measured grazing rates, these populations could clear the water in less than two days during July. In Lake Aydat, the rotifers community could play an important role in the regulation of seasonal succession of phytoplankton and bacteria.     

Physiological characteristics of the antarctic copepod Calanoides acutus during late summer in the Weddell Sea

Ingestion, respiration and excretion rates as well as lipid and protein body content of the dominant Antarctic copepod Calanoides acutus (CIV to adult females) were studied during the period covering the end of phytoplankton bloom (February) to the beginning of transition to overwintering (March-April). Daily rations measured with gut fluorescence varied from 2.2 to 2.7% in surface C. acutus. Weight-specific respiration and excretion rates in deep C. acutus decreased by a factor of 11 and 3.5–3.8 compared to their surface counterparts. High lipid (up to 455 µg ind^–1) and protein (198 µg ind^–l) content was observed in surface C. acutus CV in February; a month later the animals with similar lipid and protein content were found in the depth (500–1000 m layer). Their lipid reserves were enough to overwinter and probably to ascend, molt and reproduce. At the same time some of the deep CVs had much lower protein and lipid content and could survive only for 4–5 months. Our own and literature data led to the conclusion that females of C. acutus reach adulthood at the age of more than one year while development of males could be completed in one year.