灌河口邻近海域春季浮游植物的生态分布及其营养盐限制

2011年4月通过灌河口邻近海域的现场调查及营养加富培养实验,研究了春季灌河口邻近海域浮游植物生态分布特征以及硝酸盐、磷酸盐对浮游植物生长的限制作用,结果表明:共发现浮游植物68种,其中硅藻61种,优势度最高的为中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum,Y=0.53),各个站位浮游植物的丰度介于0.84× 106-2.25×106个/L,均值为1.54×106个/L,种类范围为29-39种,均值为35种,叶绿素a浓度呈现近岸高外海低的特征,在2.66-6.67 μg/L变化,均值为3.89 μg/L,多样性指数介于2.60-3.79,均值为3.20,海域环境基本适宜浮游植物的生长;调查海域磷酸盐浓度的范围为0.35-0.90μmol/L,均值为0.58μmol/L,亚硝酸盐浓度范围为1.57-3.93 μmol/L,均值为3.08 μmol/L,两者分布均具有近岸高外海低的特征;铵盐浓度范围为3.145.43μmol/L,均值为3.95 μmol/L,其分布则是近岸低外海高;硝酸盐浓度严重偏高,在31.21-37.00μmol/L之间变化,均值为34.55 μmol/L,导致调查区域具有高N/P比(42-112),且浮游植物叶绿素a与磷酸盐浓度有显著的正相关(R2=0.80),而与无机氮线性关系不明显(R2=0.11);在P加富培养实验中,磷酸盐在3个培养组(对照,+P,++P)中的比吸收速率分别为0.36、0.43、0.51d-1,加P促进了P本身的吸收,硝酸盐和亚硝酸盐的吸收也得以促进,但没有磷酸盐那么显著,而铵盐浓度基本呈增加趋势,P的添加也促进了藻类的生长,培养结束后叶绿素a浓度最大值分别为77.24、90.57、96.49μg/L.在N加富培养实验中,硝酸盐的比吸收速率分别为0.39、0.049、0.025d-1,加N未促进硝酸盐本身的吸收,磷酸盐浓度在3个实验组变化曲线相似,其吸收也没有得到促进,亚硝酸盐在加N组中浓度是增加的,培养结速后加N组(+N,++N)叶绿素a浓度最大值分别为72.31、69.62μg/L,都小于对照组,N的添加也未促进藻类的生长.上述研究表明了春季灌河口邻近海域浮游植物的生长主要受到P的限制,而不是N限制.     

南沙群岛海域夏季营养盐对浮游植物生长的限制

为探讨氮和磷对浮游植物生长的限制作用,2013年夏季在南沙群岛海域西南大陆架S1站(9°30'N,109°30'E)和曾母暗沙附近S2站(4°30'N,109°30'E)进行了添加N、P营养盐的现场加富实验。结果显示:加富N和N+P后,叶绿素a(Chl-a)含量显著增长(P0.05),其中,S1站点叶绿素a从初始的0.05 mg·m-3分别达到0.29和0.80 mg·m-3;S2站点叶绿素a从初始的0.09 mg·m-3则分别达到0.79和1.02 mg·m-3,说明添加N或N+P可以促进浮游植物增长。在加富P后,2个站点的叶绿素a浓度均未显著增加,说明单独添加磷不能促进浮游植物的增长。限制因子分析表明,S1站点的浮游植物生长具N限制,而S2站点浮游植物生长的首要限制元素为N,其次为P。水体中N/P范围为5~25时最适应浮游植物生长。相关性分析结果表明,N/P值与Chl-a浓度和浮游植物的生长速度(R)无显著相关性,表明该2个站点水体的N/P值不能单独控制浮游植物的生长。     

珠江口及毗邻海域营养盐对浮游植物生长的影响

基于2006年7月(夏季),10月(秋季)和2007年3月(春季)的现场调查数据,对珠江口及毗邻海域中的营养盐和叶绿素a等环境生态因子的时空分布特性进行了对比分析,研究了氮磷比与叶绿素a含量和种群多样性之间的联系,探讨了该海域营养盐对于浮游植物生长的影响。结果表明:(1)研究海域营养盐表现出较强的季节和空间差异性,总氮(TN)和总磷(TP)浓度均值春季(1.545 mg/L、0.056 mg/L)和夏季(1.570 mg/L、0.058 mg/L)均大于秋季(1.442 mg/L、0.034 mg/L),且春夏季浓度空间差异更明显。(2)调查期间海域营养盐含量超标现象突出,夏季尤为明显。无机氮(DIN)总体均值0.99 mg/L,超四类海水标准限值1倍,活性磷酸盐(PO4-P)总体均值0.021 mg/L,DIN∶PO4-P平均值为130;叶绿素a浓度与营养盐、p H、温度有较显著的相关性。(3)叶绿素a浓度较高的站位,具有较高的DIN∶PO4-P值,但浮游植物多样性指数偏低,优势种明显,主要为中肋骨条藻。氮磷比的改变会影响不同生长特性的浮游植物间的竞争和种群结构的改变;今后海洋污染治理中,在控制氮、磷污染时要注意氮磷比的改变可能造成的浮游生态影响。     

流溪河水库水动力学对营养盐和浮游植物分布的影响

流溪河水库2001年年降雨量2250mm,其中79％来自4月至9月的丰水期。入库流量变幅4．25～414．00m^3／s,近60％的入库水量流来自吕田河。流域营养盐输送量取决于流域降雨径流强度,吕田河高于玉溪河。由于营养盐被泥沙吸附沉积,丰水期湖泊区营养盐浓度明显低于河流区。浮游植物密度为17～1245cells／ml,以硅藻为主要优势种群。硅藻密度分布与水流流速和透明度的相关程度明显高于与营养盐和温度的相关程度。在丰水期,由于受水流和透明度的强烈控制,尽管营养盐供应比较充足,硅藻密度处于比较低的水平。丰水期硅藻密度稍低于枯水期,河流区明显低于大坝处。浮游植物香农-威纳多样性指数为0．97～2．75。受水库水动力学(水位波动等因素)的影响,最大浮游植物多样性出现于水位波动比较大的8月份,最小值则出现于水位波动最小的6月份。     

大亚湾人工鱼礁海域浮游植物的群落特征

近年来,随着大亚湾沿岸城镇社会经济的快速发展和人类活动的增加,大亚湾海域生态环境日益恶化。人工鱼礁是修复、改善和优化海洋生态环境,保护和增殖渔业资源最有效的措施之一。根据投礁前、后大亚湾大辣甲南人工鱼礁海域浮游植物垂直拖网调查结果,初步分析了大亚湾人工鱼礁区浮游植物的群落特征。结果表明:投礁后,浮游植物的平均丰度呈逐年递增趋势,礁区内的平均丰度明显高于同期对照海区;浮游植物的多样性指数和均匀度都比投礁前有了明显增加。上述结果表明,投放人工鱼礁有助于改善海域生态环境和提高水域的初级生产力水平。     

南海北部浮游植物生长对营养盐的响应

2004年夏季作者在南海北部海域研究了浮游植物生长的营养动力学,结合物理-化学过程对浮游植物生物量分布的影响与机制进行了研究,阐明了水平对流和中尺度涡对营养盐分布的影响及浮游植物生长和现存生物量对其的响应。受西南季风和东向沿岸流作用所形成的Ekman输送的影响,南海北部海岸带表层海水作离岸运动,使深层富含营养盐的冷水爬坡涌升到表层来补充,激发浮游植物生物量迅速增长。海区反气旋涡使海水辐聚下沉,造成水体具高温、低盐、高溶解氧浓度、低营养盐浓度和低浮游植物生物量。同时通过现场营养盐加富试验,发现该海域营养盐是浮游植物生长的主要限制因子,而且是多种营养元素共同限制了浮游植物的生长,添加单一的营养盐并不能促进浮游植物的生长。在生物量出现增长的试验组中,营养盐添加不仅促使浮游植物生物量的增长,而且也改变了浮游植物的粒级结构和群落结构。例如,在站S1008,培养前叶绿素a浓度为0.28 mg.m-3,加富培养60 h后浮游植物生物量在NP和NPSi的试验组中有显著的增加,叶绿素a浓度分别达1.07 mg.m-3和1.19 mg.m-3;培养前粒度分级叶绿素a主要以Pico级份占优势,而加富试验结束后,在NP和NPSi的试验组以Nano级份占优势,其它试验组仍以Pico级份占优势;同时,在培养后生物量出现增长的试验组,浮游植物群落的优势类群从甲藻向硅藻演替。     

瓯江口春季营养盐、浮游植物和浮游动物的分布

研究2007年4月瓯江口海域(27°38′～28°02′N、120°50′～121°14′E)浮游生物空间分布特征,分析这一分布特征与营养盐和其他水文要素之间的联系.结果表明,悬浮物浓度、DIP和DIN分布特征均是近河口最高,由近河口向外数量逐渐减少.在灵昆岛南侧和东南侧近口门水域,是DIP和DIN的高值中心,但该水域高浓度悬沙使水体透光率较低,不利于浮游植物生长.在口门外侧海域,悬沙浓度已经明显降低,因而是浮游植物高密度区域.浮游植物和浮游动物丰度分布趋势基本相同,由内海向外海数量逐渐递减;其中,大型浮游动物丰度和浮游植物丰度,小型浮游动物丰度和浮游植物丰度之间显著地呈线性正相关关系.这一特征的形成,主要由瓯江口营养盐和悬浮物分布特征决定,浮游动物与浮游植物空间分布的一致性,很好地反映出浮游动物对浮游植物有效的下行控制,从而使水域生态系统在此季节保持稳定.     

光照和营养盐磷对微型及微微型浮游植物生长的影响

2004年9月,在长江口及邻近水域通过在培养水体中添加不同量的磷酸盐和改变光照强度进行现场受控培养实验,对光照和营养盐磷耦合培养作用下浮游植物生长及对磷营养盐的吸收变化进行了研究,结果表明：高光照条件下（100﹪自然光照）,磷酸盐浓度在高磷水平（0.60μmol/L）培养水体中下降速率明显比中磷（0.41μmol/L）、低磷水平（0.25μmol/L）快,浮游植物生长存在着显著的磷限制性,微型浮游植物（nanophytoplankton,简称Nano,2～20μm）在高磷水平下的生长明显得到促进,聚球藻（Synechococcus sp.,简称Syn,＜2μm）密度在培养初期有小幅度增加,而微微型真核浮游植物（picoeukaryote,简称Euk,＜2μm）在低磷水平下生长较快;在低光照条件下（50﹪自然光照）,磷酸盐浓度在高磷水平培养水体中的下降是受到抑制的,Nano和Syn也都更宜在中磷水平培养水体中生长,Euk在高磷水平下的生长也是受到抑制的,且在中磷水平培养水体中,三类浮游植物的生长周期都得到延长;无光照暗环境培养条件下磷酸盐浓度在不同磷水平下始终保持着增加趋势,三类浮游植物也都无法生长,磷酸盐浓度随培养时间呈线性增加趋势,浮游植物细胞密度则呈指数下降趋势,且磷酸盐的添加对其本身的释放速率和浮游植物衰减速率都没有影响.     

汕头南澳-东山海域营养盐季节分布特征及其对浮游植物生长的潜在性限制

【摘要】营养盐是水体初级生产力和渔业资源产出的重要限制性因子。2015-2017年在汕头南澳和福建东山之间的海域设置了14个采样点, 分四个季节监测了该海域温盐和营养盐的空间分布特征。结果表明, 调查海域北部陆源径流输入是营养盐空间分布产生差异的最重要因子, 以溶解无机氮(DIN)和活性硅酸盐(DSi)受影响最为明显, 春季和夏季受径流营养盐输入的影响最大, 冬季受影响最小。南澳-东山海域的DIN、溶解无机磷(DIP)和DSi的浓度在表层周年平均分别为9.21、0.46和25.5 μmol·L–1, 底层分别为8.96、0.50和22.5 μmol·L–1。各营养盐的浓度基本表现为由西北近海向东南远海递减, 季节平均值表现为冬季>春季>夏季>秋季。冬季受闽浙沿岸流南下入侵的影响, 营养盐呈现出全年最高浓度, 表层平均DIN浓度是其他季节的三倍以上。春夏秋冬四个季节表层平均DIN/DIP比分别为24.3, 38.8, 6.7和24, 底层平均分别为15.4, 31.1, 9.6和23.6, 秋季水体的DIN/DIP比明显低于其他几个季节。总的来看, 南澳-东山海域的营养盐限制在不同季节变动较大: 春季近岸表现为相对磷限制, 远岸水体则表现为相对氮限制; 夏季和冬季都主要表现为磷的相对限制, 部分远海海域在夏季甚至出现磷的绝对限制; 秋季则主要表现为氮的相对限制。本研究系统阐述了南澳-东山海域营养盐限制的季节演替规律及变化机制, 为该海域生态环境管理和渔业增养殖规划提供基础数据。     

黄海和东海营养盐分布及其对浮游植物的限制

根据1997～1999年黄海和东海4个季节的现场调查资料,分析探讨了黄海、东海的营养盐分布特征及其对浮游植物生长的限制状况．结果表明,在长江口以东及其东北部海域终年存在一个范围很大的营养盐高值区．分析表明,这些营养盐主要来自长江冲淡水的扩展及苏北沿岸流的输送．此外,还获得了1998年长江流域特大洪水期间,迄今被观测到的长江冲淡水中营养盐的最大扩展范围,计算并研究了黄海、东海上层水中Si／N／P比值,结果表明,黄东海上层水中Si／N比值较高,Si不会成为黄东海浮游植物生长的限制因子;但在南黄海南部尤其是西南部、东海近岸及长江口以东海域,N／P比值很高(>30),说明与一般海洋环境的情况不同,黄海、东海有很大一部分海域浮游植物的生长受磷限制,而不是受氮限制．     

Nutrient limitation of phytoplankton growth in Waquoit Bay, Massachusetts, USA: a nutrient enrichment study

We conducted nutrient enrichment experiments and field sampling to address three questions: (1) is there nutrient limitation of phytoplankton accumulation within an estuary whose waters are exposed to relatively high nitrogen loading rates, (2) where in the salinity gradient from fresh to seawater (0 to 32‰) is there a shift from phosphorus to nitrogen limitation of phytoplankton accumulation, and (3) is there a seasonal shift in limiting function of phosphorus and nitrogen anywhere in the estuarine gradient. Nitrogen and phosphorus enrichment experiments in the Childs River, an estuary of Waquoit Bay, Massachusetts, USA, showed that the accumulation of phytoplankton biomass in brackish and saline water was limited by supply of nitrate during warm months. The effects of enrichment were less evident in fresh water, with short-lived responses to phosphate enrichment. There was no specific point along the salinity gradient where there was a shift from phosphorus- to nitrogen-limited phytoplankton accumulation; rather, the relative importance of nitrogen and phosphorus changed along the salinity gradient in the estuary and with season of the year. There was no response to nutrient additions during the colder months, suggesting that some seasonally-varying factor, such as light, temperature or a physiological mechanism, restricted phytoplankton accumulation during months other than May-Aug. There was only slight evidence of a seasonal shift between nitrogen- and phosphorus-limitation of chlorophyll accumulation. Phytoplankton populations in nutrient-rich estuaries with short flushing times grow fast, but at the same time the cells may be advected out of the estuaries while still rapidly dividing, thereby providing an important subsidy to production in nearby deeper waters. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Effects of Asian dust input on eukaryotic phytoplankton community structure in the open areas in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean

To study the effects of aerosol particulates originated from Asian dust on the growth of eukaryotic phytoplankton in the oligotrophic open ocean, we conducted deck-board incubation experiments in the oligotrophic region of Northwestern Pacific Ocean (NWPO). Our results showed that when dust was added at a concentration of 2?mg/L (Dust-2), the NO₃^–N concentration increased by 3.2 fold, and chlorophyll a (chl a) concentration of nano- and micro-eukaryotic phytoplankton increased, while that of pico-eukaryotic phytoplankton did not change significantly. The microphytoplankton abundance increased but the species number decreased in Dust-2. Community structure of eukaryotic microphytoplankton also changed after dust addition. The abundance of diatoms in Dust-2 (23,072 cells/L) was 4.0 fold of that in the control (5750 cells/L), and 2.4 fold of that in Dust-1 (0.2?mg/L of dust addition) (9425 cells/L) at the 7th day of incubation. Abundance of dinoflagellates decreased in Dust-2, being 42.2% that of the control at the 7th day of the incubation. Effects of dust addition on the growth of phytoplankton differed among the dominant genera: growth of Pseudo-nitzschia and Chaetoceros were promoted while that of Prorocentrum was inhibited, and growth of Thalassiosira, Heterocapsa and Scrippsiella was not influenced significantly. The growth of nano- and pico-eukaryotic phytoplankton was promoted, with the cell abundance in Dust-2 2.4 fold of that in control. Our results indicated that Asian dust-originated aerosol particulates could provide nutrients to the oligotrophic NWPO, increase the marine productivity in the area, and alter the eukaryotic phytoplankton community structure.     

Factors regulating autotrophy and heterotrophy in the main channel and an embayment of a large river impoundment

We characterized seasonal patterns of phytoplankton and bacterial biomass, production and nutrient limitation along a lateral transect within a large river impoundment. We hypothesized that the balance between autotrophy and heterotrophy was related to depth gradients and differences in water residence time (WRT) between the main channel and an embayment. Heterotrophy predominated in the main channel with bacterial production exceeding phytoplankton production by a factor of 3.3. In the embayment, autotrophy and heterotrophy were more closely balanced (ratios of bacterial to phytoplankton production ca. 0.8). Phytoplankton and bacterial biomass were positively correlated with WRT. However, WRT accounted for less than 50% of variation and its predictive power was comparable to models based on nutrient or DOC concentrations. Bacterial production was correlated with phytoplankton biomass and production suggesting that algal-derived C may be an important substrate for bacterial growth even in systems dominated by allochthonous inputs. Our experimental data suggest that nutrient limitation may be important particularly in embayments where biomass was somewhat higher and substrate concentrations were lower. Nutrient limitation in the main channel was rare whereas N and P amendments consistently stimulated phytoplankton growth rates in the embayment. Bacterial cell densities did not respond to nitrogen or phosphorus additions in either the main channel or embayment.     

Sulfate inhibition of molybdate assimilation by planktonic algae and bacteria: some implications for the aquatic nitrogen cycle

Molybdenum is required for both dinitrogen fixation and nitrate assimilation. In oxic waters the primary form of molybdenum is the molybdate anion. Using radioactive [⁹⁹Mol Na₂MoO₄, we have shown that the transport of molybdate by a natural assemblage of freshwater phytoplankton is light-dependent and follows typical saturation kinetics. The molybdate anion is strikingly similar to sulfate and we present data to show that sulfate is a competitive inhibitor of molybdate assimilation by planktonic algae and bacteria. The ability of freshwater phytoplankton to transport molybdate is inhibited at sulfate concentrations as low as 5% of those in seawater and at sulfate: molybdate ratios as low as 50 to 100 times lower than those found in seawater, Similarly, the growth of both a freshwater bacterium and a saltwater diatom was inhibited at sulfate: molybdate ratios lower than those in seawater.The ratio of sulfate to molybdate is 10 to 100 times greater in seawater than in fresh water. This unfavorable sulfate: molybdate ratio may make molybdate less biologically available in the sea. The sulfate: molybdate ratio may explain, in part, the low rates of nitrogen fixation in N-limited salt waters.     

The influence of mesozooplankton on phytoplankton nutrient limitation: a mesocosm study with northeast Atlantic plankton

We used marine phytoplankton from mesocosms seeded with different zooplankton densities to study the impact of mesozooplankton on phytoplankton nutrient limitation. After 7 d of grazing (copepod mesocosms) or 9 d (appendicularian mesocosms) phytoplankton nutrient limitation was studied by enrichment bioassays. After removal of mesozooplankton, bioassay bottles received either no nutrients, phosphorus or nitrogen alone, or a combination of nitrogen and phosphorus and were incubated for 2 d. Phytoplankton reproductive rates in the bottles without nutrient addition were calculated after correction for grazing by ciliates and indicated increasing nitrogen limitation with increasing copepod abundance. No nutrient limitation was found in the appendicularian mesocosms. The increase of nutrient limitation with increasing copepod density seems to be mainly the result of a trophic cascade effect: Copepods released nanoplankton from ciliate grazing pressure, and thereby enhanced nitrogen exhaustion by nanophytoplankton and reduced nitrogen excretion by ciliates. Nitrogen sequestration in copepod biomass, the mechanism predicted by the ecological stoichiometry theory, seems to have been a weaker effect because there was only little copepod growth during the experiment.     

Inter-annual,seasonal and spatial variability in nutrient limitation of phytoplankton production in a river impoundment

We characterize seasonal and spatial patterns in phytoplankton abundance, production and nutrient limitation in a mesotrophic river impoundment located in the southeastern United States to assess variation arising from inter-annual differences in watershed inputs. Short-term (48 h) in situ nutrient addition experiments were conducted between May and October at three sites located along the longitudinal axis of the lake. Nutrient limitation was detected in 12 of the 18 experiments conducted over 2 years. Phytoplankton responded to additions of phosphorus alone although highest chlorophyll concentrations were observed in enclosures receiving combined (P and N) additions. Growth responses were greatest at downstream sites and in late summer suggesting that those populations experience more severe nutrient limitation. Interannual variation in nutrient limitation and primary production corresponded to differences in the timing of hydrologic inputs. Above average rainfall and discharge in late-summer (July–October) of 1996 coincided with higher in-lake nutrient concentrations, increased production, and minimal nutrient limitation. During the same period in 1995, discharge was lower, nutrient concentrations were lower, and nutrient limitation of phytoplankton production was more pronounced. Our results suggest that nutrient limitation is common in this river impoundment but that modest inter-annual variability in the timing of hydrologic inputs can substantially influence seasonal and spatial patterns.     

Physiological indicators of nutrient deficiency in phytoplankton in southern Chilean lakes

We assessed the nutrient status of phytoplankton in 28 lakes in southern Chile using two types of physiological indicators: specific alkaline phosphatase activity, and the elemental composition (carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus) of seston. Alkaline phosphatase activity ranged from 0.001 to 0.11 mol P g chl^–1 h^–1, with P-deficiency indicated in about one-half the study lakes. C:N ranged from 3.9 to 24, C:P ranged from 86 to 919, and N:P ranged from 8.7 to 99. C:P and N:P ratios greater than the Redfield ratio were common, suggesting P deficiency in many of the lakes. C:N ratios were not generally indicative of N deficiency. Previous studies have suggested N may be the primary limiting nutrient in southern Chilean lakes, but our results indicate that P should not be discounted as a limiting nutrient.     

Nutrient limitation of phytoplankton production in Alaskan Arctic foothill lakes

We used 54 enrichment bioassays to assess nutrient limitation (N, P) of ¹⁴C uptake by natural phytoplankton assemblages in 39 lakes and ponds in the Arctic Foothills region of Alaska. Our purpose was to categorize phytoplankton nutrient status in this under-represented region of North America and to improve our ability to predict the response of primary production to anticipated anthropogenically mediated increases in nutrient loading. Experiments were performed across several watersheds and included assays on terminal lakes and lakes occupying various positions in chains (lakes in series within a watershed and connected by streams). In total, 89% (48 of 54) of the bioassays showed significant stimulation of ¹⁴C primary production by some form of nutrient addition relative to unamended controls. A significant response was observed following enrichment with N and P, N alone and P alone in 83, 35 and 22% of the bioassays, respectively. In experiments where N and P proved stimulatory, the influence of N alone was significantly greater than the influence of P alone. Overall, the data point to a greater importance for N than P in regulating phytoplankton production in this region. The degree of response to N and P enrichment declined as the summer progressed and showed no relationship to irradiance or water temperature, suggesting secondary limitation by some micronutrient such as iron as the summer advanced. Phytoplankton nutrient status was often consistent across lakes within a watershed, suggesting that watershed characteristics influence nutrient availability. Lakes in this region will clearly show increased phytoplankton production in response to anthropogenic activities and anticipated changes in climate that will increase nutrient loading.     

Variation in nutrient limitation of lotic and lentic algal communities in a Texas (USA) river

Nutrient limitation of periphyton and phytoplankton was assessed in the Upper Guadalupe River, Texas USA. Nutrient-diffusing substrates with added nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) were used to identify the limiting nutrient for lotic algae at three river sites in summer, fall, and winter. Pots enriched with P had significantly higher chlorophyll a concentrations for 7 of 9 trials. Added N alone did not significantly increase algal standing crops, although it was found to be secondarily limiting on one (and possibly two) occasions. Flow-through enrichment experiments were conducted in order to quantify the concentration of P needed to significantly increase algal standing crops. Response to enrichment was rapid when ambient P concentration was low (< 0.010 mg L^–1), but more moderate when ambient P levels were higher (0.015–0.025 mg L^–1). Nutrient limitation of phytoplankton in small surface-release reservoirs varied throughout the study, but N was either primarily or secondarily limiting in 6 of 8 trials; shifts in the limiting nutrient were correlated with fluctuations in flow into the reservoirs. Our enrichment studies show that algal response to nutrient addition was unpredictable as phytoplankton tended to be N-limited while periphyton was mainly P-limited. Further, while discharge apparently dictated the nutrient-biomass relationship for phytoplankton in reservoirs, ambient nutrient level is an important determinant of lotic periphyton response to enrichment.