Morlet wavelet and autocorrelation analysis of long-term data series of the Kis-Balaton water protection system (KBWPS)

Lake Balaton is the largest shallow freshwater lake in Central Europe. Its water quality is mainly affected by the supplying rivers and other water sources. The primary source is the Zala River. The water of this river used to be filtered by the Kis-Balaton wetland (KBW) before entering Lake Balaton at Keszthely Bay. In the course of the nineteenth century, water level modifications at KBW shrank and it lost its full capacity to function as a filter for the Zala's waters, so the nutrient load of Lake Balaton greatly increased, and its water quality started to deteriorate. This is the reason an artificial extended wetland called the Kis-Balaton water protection system (KBWPS) had to be constructed–to retain the inorganic nutrients at the mouth of the Zala River and stop the further degradation of Balaton's water quality.In this study, Morlet wavelet spectrum (periodicity) analysis and autocorrelation (memory) analysis were used with weekly chemical, biological and physical data for the KBWPS for the period 1993–2007. We compared the periodicity and the memory of the parameters in the two different habitats of the KBWPS and the Zala River. We also analyzed the tracking capability of the periodical seasons of the two phases (the complete Phase I, and the incomplete Phase II) and the river. The results showed that the incomplete Phase II is unable to conserve the periodicity and sustain long memory because of the shading provided by the macrophyte cover and the extra inflows. In conclusion, we were able to point out the dependence of the system's processes on temperature and climate conditions with methods that have not yet been used for this kind of purpose.     

Changes in the macro-vegetation of the Kis-Balaton Wetlands over the last two centuries: a GIS perspective

Hydrobiologia - The Kis-Balaton Water Protection System (KBWPS) is a wetland restoration project of over 8000 ha in extent, established to protect the water quality of Hungary's Lake Balaton....     

Nutrient retention by the Kis-Balaton Water Protection System

Water quality of Lake Balaton, particularly that of its south-western basin (the Keszthely-Bay), has been deteriorating faster and faster. The greatest transporter of inorganic nutrients to the Bay is the Zala River.The lower valley of the river was part of the lake until about 200 years ago. Later, a large part of the area was turned to a wetland, while the smaller part dried up.To retain the nutrients from Keszthely-Bay, the former marshland is now being reconstructed: the so-called Kis-Balaton Water Protection System (KBWPS). The first part of the System, the Hidvégi-Pond, has been operating since the middle of 1985. The second stage, the Fenéki-Pond, to be finished by the end of this century, is now under construction. The main purpose of the KBWPS is to gain enough time to build up the technology necessary for an adequate protection of Lake Balaton.From the beginning of the operation of the Hidvégi-Pond a multidisciplinary research program has been carried out to monitor the hydrological, hydraulical, ecological, and biological processes in the reservoir. This program focused on nitrogen and phosphorus loadings and retention. Input and output loads were estimated from daily measurements. The mechanisms of retention were studied in special projects.With the exception of TN, nutrient retention increased from year to year. In 1990, 96% of PO₄-P, 87% NO₃-N, and 58% of TP were retained.This efficiency exceeds expectations. Retention of TN is the lowest (about 20%), due to N₂-fixation by blue-green algae. However, the second stage needs to be implemented, since there is an additional external load from the watershed of the lower valley, and nutrient release takes place during decomposition of the organic matter which leaves the Hidvégi-Pond.     

Ecotoxicological characterisation of sedimentation in the Kis-Balaton Water Protection System

The main function of the Kis-Balaton Water Protection System is to retain nutrients and total suspended solids, thus protecting the water quality of Lake Balaton. In this paper, the toxic nature of the sediment in the 2nd reservoir of the KBWPS has been characterised, using a battery of tests: Vibrio fischeri acute bioassay on whole sediment samples, and V. fischeri bioassay on pore water and elutriate samples. The latest version of the V. fischeri bioluminescence inhibition was applied, the Flash assay which uses a kinetic mode and is able to detect the toxicity of solid, turbid/coloured samples. Whole sediment toxicity showed a clear spatial distribution of toxicity, in parallel with elutriate toxicity. However, no pore water toxicity was detected, leading to the conclusion that contaminants are not water soluble.     

Operation of the Kis-Balaton reservoir: evaluation of nutrient removal rates

As one of the major measures for controlling the man-made eutrophication of Lake Balaton, the Hidvég reservoir of 20 km² surface area was built near the mouth of River Zala, draining half the watershed of the lake, and representing the largest nutrient source for the lake. The reservoir, as the first element of the expected total system of 70 km² surface area (Kis-Balaton Control System), started to operate in June 1985, aiming at removing nutrients primarily through sedimentation, adsorption and uptake by macrophytes.Detailed investigations began with the operation. These cover the observation of upstream and downstream nutrient loads and the water quality in the reservoir, the study of major phosphorus removal processes, and analysis of the nitrogen cycle and of the behaviour of phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish and macrophytes. The research programme is completed by the evaluation of observations (including the use of phosphorus budget models), with special emphasis on future operation modes of the reservoir.The nutrient removal efficiencies in the reservoir came up to expectations. The removal rates for suspended solids, total-P, soluble reactive-P and nitrate-N exceeded 50 % in the first full year of operation (1986). As a result of reservoir operation, nutrient loads in the western basin of Lake Balaton have been significantly reduced. However, the improvement in water quality can be expected only with a lag time due to the internal P load of the basin.     

Transition from shallow lake to a wetland: a multi-proxy case study in Zalavári Pond,Lake Balaton,Hungary

Lake Balaton, the largest shallow lake in Central Europe, has no natural outlet, therefore, underwent water level changes during its 15,000–17,000 years of history. The lake is very sensitive to both climate changes and human impacts. Surroundings have been inhabited since the Stone Age; however, heavy human impact can be recognized during the past 6000 years. In this study, we established three different stages for and reconstructed water level changes of Lake Balaton by geochemical data, subfossil Cladocera and diatom remains in the sediments of the Zalavári Pond, a part of the Kis-Balaton wetland. In 9900–8600 cal. year BP, climate was dry, water level was low, and there was a wetland in this area. Although organic matter content was low in the sediment, the ratio of Fe/Mn was high. Between 5600 and 5000 cal. year BP, water level increased, Fe/Mn ratio shows that oxygen conditions of sediments was improved in agreement with the relatively low number of diatom remains and dense chydorid remains. About 5000 cal. year BP, water level of Lake Balaton decreased as indicated by high organic content with low carbonate and high Fe/Mn ratio in the sediments (oxygen depletion). At the bottom of this section, high Fe and S concentrations showed accumulation of pyrite (FeS₂) that is common in wetlands with very low redox potential. Low abundance of Cladocera remains together with rich and diverse diatom flora confirm the low water level hypothesis. Our data support that the water level of Lake Balaton was higher between 8600 and 5000 cal. year BP than it is at present.     

Effects of waterfowl on water quality

The effects of Cormorants and 3 species of ducks were studied on the eutrophication of Lake Balaton. The quantity of consumed food and of excrement were estimated. The Cormorants (1500 pairs and their fledglings) inhabiting the area of Kis-Balaton took up 12.5 tonnes of N and 3.1 tonnes of P in 1983. The effects of fish-eating Cormorants can be quantified better than those of ducks which also feed on plant material.     

Relationships between wetland ecotones and inshore water quality in the Ugandan coast of Lake Victoria

Much of the lake shore in Lake Victoria is covered by extensive wetlands, often dominated by dense papyrus stands that extend out over the lake waters. These wetlands, their extension and management play a role in the physical, chemical and biological conditions of the inshore waters. Continuous transects along 180 km of shoreline together with spatial grids of sampling sites in eight bays were performed in the Ugandan inshore waters in order to analyze the relationships between the wetland characteristics and water quality. Measurements of extension of the wetland ecotones, water temperature (T), pH, Secchi disk depth (SD), dissolved oxygen (DO), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorous (TP), dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN), soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and chlorophyll-a (CHL) were made in each sampling area. Data of T, pH and DO collected during the transects showed that the water characteristics of the bays differ from the open shoreline. Moreover, the magnitude of these physical–chemical differences is strongly conditioned by the dimension of the bordering wetlands. Bays with extensive wetlands ecotones were characterized by cooler, more acidic and poorly oxygenated waters. TN : TP ratios and especially DIN : SRP ratios decreased with the wetland presence along the coastline, showing a higher probability of N limitation in the inshore waters where large wetlands are present. Results point to denitrification processes in the wetland ecotones as the cause of this trend. The distribution of CHL was found to be highest in the presence of two significant point loading sources: a river (in Katonga Bay) and a major population centre (Kampala, in Murchison Bay). The reduction of external P loading is shown as an important step in the management of the eutrophication process of Lake Victoria inshore waters.     

基于云模型的鄱阳湖秋季周边湿地水体富营养化评价

针对水体富营养化评价过程中存在随机性和模糊性的特点,基于鄱阳湖周边湿地30个采样点的实测水质数据,选取叶绿素a（Chl-a）、总磷（TP）、总氮（TN）、高锰酸盐指数（COD_Mn）及透明度（SD）为水质评价因子,生成云模型对鄱阳湖周边湿地水体进行富营养化评价,并与综合营养状态指数评价结果进行比较。结果表明：两种方法的评价结果存在一定差异,但都反映了鄱阳湖周边湿地水体总体上处于轻度富营养化状态。该方法能为鄱阳湖湿地水体富营养化评价提供重要的方法和手段。     

The Role of Fish Communities in Water Quality Management of a Large Shallow Lake

Management measures of Lake Balaton such as wetland reconstruction at the main inflow to the lake along with the “unplanned” commercial fishery led to great changes in the density and biomass of fish populations. There was no significant difference in CPUE data between the two, eastern and western, basins. Biomass of total fish stock in Lake Balaton has decreased substantially, 2–3 times between 1991–1999, and ranges between 120–194 kg ha⁻¹. Bottom‐up effects are more important than the top‐down effects due to the impact of internal nutrient load. Changes in the biomass and thus the activity of omnivorous fish in the lake lowered the intensity of various indirect effects and feedback mechanisms causing changes in the nutrient metabolism of the lake. Intensified fishery effort in Lake Balaton did not result in an increased stock of piscivores. The ratio of piscivores and omnivores remained at 5% during the whole study period. Despite this low piscivores to omnivores ratio, the water quality has improved in all basins.     

Paleolimnological reconstruction of the trophic state in Lake Balaton (Hungary) using Cladocera remains

The sediment of Lake Balaton (Hungary) provides important information about the lake’s history, particularly with regard to eutrophication. In this study, we used fossil pigment analysis and subfossil Cladocera remains preserved in a dated sediment core to identify trophic stages from ~250 bc to present. Dates of the most recent eutrophic events are in good agreement with previously published data. In general, the abundance and diversity of the Cladocera community increased with eutrophication and decreased with oligotrophication. The sediments of Lake Balaton were characterised by Chydoridae remains, of which Alona species were the most abundant. Of these, Alona quadrangularis and Alona affinis accounted for 40 and 20% of the total Cladocera remains, respectively. The trophic state of Lake Balaton varied between mesotrophic and eutrophic regimes. Seven different trophic periods were identified in Lake Balaton on the basis of Sedimentary Pigment Degradation Unit (SPDU) content of the sediment. Eutrophic states were (1) from ~250 to ~30 bc, (3) between ~300 and ~590 ad, (5) between 1834 and 1944 and (7) from the 1960s until present. Mesotrophic states were (2) ~30 bc to ~300 ad, (4) 590–1834, (6) 1944–1960s. Discriminant analysis of the cladoceran data confirmed these historic events, except for the short mesotrophic episode between 1944 and 1960. The first stage of eutrophication of Lake Balaton (~250 to ~30 bc) was characterised by extensive macrophyte vegetation, as indicated by the increasing abundance of vegetation-associated Cladocera species (Eurycercus lamellatus, Sida crystallina, Pleuroxus sp.). Intensification of eutrophication was identified since the 1980s, reflected by a high abundance of Bosmina species. The most significant planktivorous fish of Lake Balaton was the Sabre carp (Pelecus cultratus), and when its number decreased, the abundance of Bosmina species increased. This study shows that Cladocera are responsive to trophic state changes, underlining their importance as a tool for the assessment of lake eutrophication.     

Combining multivariate statistical techniques and random forests model to assess and diagnose the trophic status of Poyang Lake in China

Floodplain lakes are valuable to humans because of their various functions. An emerging public concern on lake eutrophication has heightened the need to assess and predict the trophic status in floodplain lakes, particularly for those with high spatial heterogeneity. In this study, combined multivariate statistical techniques and random forests model were used to characterize the water quality and trophic status of Poyang Lake. By classifying and characterizing seasonal water samples comprising 11 water quality parameters collected from 13 sampling sites in Poyang Lake between 2008 and 2014, the dataset was divided into the central and northern lake groups, which corresponded to lentic and lotic regions in Poyang Lake, respectively. The spatial water quality variations and underlying patterns were investigated by performing discriminant analysis and principal component analysis (PCA). Lastly, random forests (RF) were used to predict the chlorophyll a (Chl-a) variations of the central and northern lakes. The PCA results indicated that the water quality of the central and northern areas of the lake was controlled by different environmental variables and underlying pollutant sources. The RF model outperformed the artificial neural network and linear regression and was robust with strong predictive capabilities. It was determined that the most important predictors of the Chl-a variations in the northern lake were water temperature (T) and water level, whereas transparency, T, and water level were the most efficient predictors in the central lake. The RF model can also be applied to trophic prediction in other large lakes with considerable spatial variations. This study will have implications on water quality management and eutrophication prevention in floodplain lakes with high spatial heterogeneity.     

Orthophosphate uptake of planktonic microorganisms in Lake Balaton

Seasonal orthophosphate uptake of natural plankton has been studied in hypertrophic and mesotrophic basins of Lake Balaton. Initial uptake of carrier-free labelled phosphoric acid followed first order kinetics in accordance with a single two-compartment model. In isotope equilibrium from 1.2 to 9.7 per cent of radioactivity was found in the filtrate. Turnover times of orthophosphate in water were some minutes in summer and two orders of magnitude longer in winter and April. Turnover time of phosphorus in microorganisms has been estimated on the basis of equilibrium isotope distribution between water and particular phases and turnover time in water. It ranged from 28 to over 1 000 min. The shortest times were found in summer, and the longest in winter. Turnover time of orthophosphate in water increased in relation to phosphate additions according to Michaelis-Menten kinetics. The values of Michaelis-constant plus the ambient orthophosphate concentration (K + S_n) suggested an overestimation of real phosphate concentrations by chemical measurements, being much lower than soluble reactive phosphorus contents in most cases, as it is well-known in many other lakes. Both K + S_n values and maximum uptake velocities (V) were significantly higher in the hypertrophic basin than in the mesotrophic one, in contrast to essentially similar values of turnover times. Maximum uptake velocity per unit chlorophyll-a P _opt:V ratio showed extreme to moderate phosphorus deficiency for Lake Balaton plankton, which seemed to decrease somewhat in the course of eutrophication.     

Updating water quality targets for shallow Lake Balaton (Hungary), recovering from eutrophication

The paper presents an overview about recovery of shallow Lake Balaton from eutrophication by assessing quantitative and qualitative changes in phytoplankton, zooplankton, and chironomids as a function of load reduction. The aim was to update the present water quality targets. The proposed targeting scheme supplements the existing one with a range of lake-specific ecological criteria. We conclude that simple targets (desired phytoplankton biomass and permissible load) are the best choice during the initial stage of eutrophication management, but more complex schemes including ecological criteria are needed to trace recovery when re-organization of the ecosystem takes place.     

Oligotrophication of Lake Balaton over a 20-year period and its implications for the relationship between phytoplankton and zooplankton biomass

Hydrobiologia - Lake Balaton, the largest lake in Central Europe, underwent severe eutrophication from the 1960s to the 1990s, due to phosphorus loadings from external anthropogenic sources. The...     

影响北京地区湿地沉水植物群落组成的主要水环境因子

为了揭示影响沉水植物群落组成的水环境因子,包括水体的水文过程和理化特性,分析用特定沉水植物或群落作为检测水环境的直接指示物的可能性,选取北京地区的淡水湿地9处,采用系统取样法进行野外调查.每条样带记录沉水植物的鲜质量和湿地水文参数(流速和水深);同时取水样检测其理化参数:透明度、水温、电导率、pH值、氧化还原位、总氮、总磷、化学需氧量.对环境因子和沉水植物生物量进行DCCA排序,再运用双向分类矩阵,最终将14种沉水植物分为10个类群.结合群落水环境参数综合分析,影响植物群落组成的因子是流速、总氮含量、化学需氧量、电导率、氧化还原电位,其中流速的作用非常显著.不同沉水植物群落分类组对环境因子有明显的指示意义,狐尾藻+菹草群落是水体严重富营养化的表现,而北京水毛茛群落的出现是水质较好的表现.

Abstract：

In order to reveal the hydro-environmental factors affecting the community composition of wetland submerged plants, and to approach the possibility of using certain submerged plant species or communities as the direct indicators in detecting hydro-environment, a field investiga-tion was conducted on nine freshwater wetlands in Beijing. The plant fresh mass, wetland hydro-logical parameters (flow rate and water depth), and water physical and chemical parameters (transparency, temperature, conductivity, pH, redox potential, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chemical oxygen demand) were measured, and DCCA ordination was made. Based on the ordination, and by using two-way classification matrix, the fourteen wetland submerged plant spe-cies in Beijing were classified into ten groups. According to the comprehensive analysis on the measured variables, the factors affecting the community composition of the wetland submerged plants were flow rate, total nitrogen concentration, chemical oxygen demand, conductivity, and redox potential, among which, flow rate was the key. Different submerged plant communities had indicative significanees for the wetland hydro-environment. For example, the occurrence of Myri-ophyllum spicatum + Potamongeton crispus community was an indicator for severe eutrophication, while that of Batrachium pekinens community could be regarded as an indicator of better water quality.     

A Catastrophe Model for Water Bloom Prediction: A Case Study of China's Lake Chaohu

Using a case study of Lake Chaohu, the fifth largest lake in China, we constructed a cusp model for water bloom prediction that used TP (total phosphorus), T (temperature), Chla (chlorophyll-a), and DO (dissolved oxygen). These four parameters were assumed to be the most important factors in eutrophication and water bloom of the lake. The model was found to be accurate, because its relative error was around 10%. What is more convincing, according to the catastrophe discriminant of the cusp model, it could be judged that a discontinuous jump of the aquatic ecosystem occurred in July 2004, in Lake Chaohu. This conclusion is consistent with the fact that water blooms arose in August 2004. The cusp model also showed satisfactory precision when applied to forecast the eutrophication trend and prediction of water bloom in Lake Chaohu in 2005. The case study found that water bloom brought on by eutrophication can be fit and predicted by a catastrophe model. We suggest that catastrophe models would be a constructive approach to forecast and judge the outbreak of water bloom in lakes. In addition, by constructing and studying such catastrophe models, lake managers would be able to simulate the effects of different protection and mitigation projects and enrich the scientific basis for the optimization of these projects as well.     

Description of raabeia,synactinomyxon and neoactinomyxum developing stages of myxosporeans (Myxozoa) infecting Isochaetides michaelseni Lastočkin (Tubificidae) in Lake Balaton and Kis-Balaton Water Reservoir,Hungary

Molecular and morphometric investigations were conducted on the actinosporean morphotypes of myxosporeans surveyed in oligochaetes of Lake Balaton and Kis-Balaton Water reservoir. Oligochaetes belonging to the species Isochaetides michaelseni Lasto?kin and Branchiura sowerbyi Beddard as well as to the genera Nais Dujardin, Dero Müller and Aeolosoma Ehrenberg were studied during an 18-month period. Actinosporeans were obtained exclusively from I. michaelseni (7,818 specimens) with very low prevalence (0.01–0.06%). Four new actinosporean morphotypes of the collective groups raabeia (2 types), synactinomyxon (1 type) and neoactinomyxum (1 type) were found and described, including the first synactinomyxon collective group from Hungarian biotopes and a new raabeia morphotype. Except for Synactinomyxon type 1, the 18S rDNA analysis revealed that the spores did not match any myxospore entity found in the GenBank.     

Does Lake Balaton affected by pollution? Assessment through surface water quality monitoring by using different assessment methods

In order to maintain a good environmental status of surface waters, an assessment of water quality carried out at specific intervals to monitor the changes of water quality in function of time. Human knowledge and experience are currently focused on using assessment methods, especially the integration of multiple constraining factors and considering them in conjugation with the correct decision-making process concerning the environment. When surface water is highly exposed to human activities, either from recreational or economic activity, the degree of vulnerability is high, and the quality of surface water is highly compromised. In case of Lake Balaton, there are many activities that can disrupt water dynamics. The first goal of this study is to determine the location of the least and most polluted sites around Lake Balaton. The processing of data was carried out by using multi-criteria decision techniques and environmental impact assessment method based on physical–chemical parameters in comparison with the limiting parameters. Based on the results of those methods water quality needs to be improved in western parts of the lake by using several geoengineering treatment techniques. This work covers a novel approach to comparing methods based on sum of ranking differences, whereas many method comparison studies suffer from ambiguity or from comparisons not being quite fair. This problem can be avoided if there are differences between ideal and actual rankings.     

Analysis of long-term ecological status of Lake Balaton based on the ALMOBAL phytoplankton database

Lake Balaton (Hungary), one of the largest lakes in Europe, has undergone eutrophication and restoration during the last two decades. The first quantitative phytoplankton records date back to the 1930s, and since that time thousands of data have been published or accumulated in counting protocols or computer sheets. These data provide material for both scientific analyses (e.g. effects of global change) and applications (e.g. estimation of reference state for the Water Framework Directive). The ALMOBAL phytoplankton database was developed to provide computing support for these applications. It stores data in standardized forms, handles synonyms and allows analyses to be conducted on the basis of floral records, numbers or biomass. The analysis includes records of about 3000 phytoplankton samples taken during the past 60 years from two representative basins in Lake Balaton. This article represents the first attempt at historical reconstruction of the ecological status and compares it with changes in trophic state and current water quality. The results indicate that the phytoplankton biomass and community structure found in the early 1960s could be regarded as reference conditions. Statistical analyses support the view that late summer phytoplankton assemblages are the most sensitive indicators of trophic change, and clearly show the eutrophication of the lake that occurred from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s and the restoration during the last decade. An additional advantage is that, since quality estimation is based on relative biomass, the method can be used to reconstruct water quality in cases when counting protocols are available, but some basic data for quantitative estimates are missing.