Humic Lakes (humic + lake)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Substrate incorporation patterns of bacterioplankton populations in stratified and mixed waters of a humic lake

ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 7 2009
Ulrike Buck
Summary Bacterial incorporation of glucose, leucine, acetate and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (HBA) was investigated in an artificially divided humic lake (Grosse Fuchskuhle, Germany). Two basins with contrasting influx of allochthonous organic carbon were sampled during late summer stratification (oxic and anoxic layers) and after autumn mixing. High total and cell-specific incorporation rates were observed for glucose and HBA in stratified and mixed waters respectively, but only a small fraction of bacteria visibly incorporated HBA. The oxic layer of the more humic-rich basin featured a significantly lower fraction of glucose incorporating cells and substantially higher proportions of acetate assimilating bacteria. Niche differentiation was observed in two betaproteobacterial populations: cells affiliated with the Polynucleobacter C subcluster efficiently incorporated acetate but little glucose, whereas the opposite was found for members of the R-BT065 clade. By contrast, leucine incorporation was variable in both taxa. Considering the high concentrations and rapid photochemical generation of organic acids in humic waters our results may help to explain the success of the Polynucleobacter C lineage in such habitats. Specific substrate or habitat preferences were also present in three subgroups of the actinobacterial acI lineage: The numerically dominant clade in oxic waters (acI-840-1) was absent in the anoxic zone and did not incorporate acetate. A second group (acI-840-2) was found both in the epi- and hypolimnion, whereas the third one (acI-840-3) only occurred in anoxic waters. Altogether our results suggest a constitutive preference for some substrates versus an adaptive utilization of others in the studied microbial groups. [source]


Microbial community dynamics in a humic lake: differential persistence of common freshwater phylotypes

ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2006
Ryan J. Newton
Summary In an effort to better understand the factors contributing to patterns in freshwater bacterioplankton community composition and diversity, we coupled automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) to analysis of 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences to follow the persistence patterns of 46 individual phylotypes over 3 years in Crystal Bog Lake. Additionally, we sought to identify linkages between the observed phylotype variations and known chemical and biological drivers. Sequencing of 16S rRNA genes obtained from the water column indicated the presence of phylotypes associated with the Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, TM7 and Verrucomicrobia phyla, as well as phylotypes with unknown affiliation. Employment of the 16S rRNA gene/ARISA method revealed that specific phylotypes varied independently of the entire bacterial community dynamics. Actinobacteria, which were present on greater than 95% of sampling dates, did not share the large temporal variability of the other identified phyla. Examination of phylotype relative abundance patterns (inferred using ARISA fragment relative fluorescence) revealed a strong correlation between the dominant phytoplankton succession and the relative abundance patterns of the majority of individual phylotypes. Further analysis revealed covariation among unique phylotypes, which formed several distinct bacterial assemblages correlated with particular phytoplankton communities. These data indicate the existence of unique persistence patterns for different common freshwater phylotypes, which may be linked to the presence of dominant phytoplankton species. [source]


Seasonal dynamics, typhoons and the regulation of lake metabolism in a subtropical humic lake

FRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 10 2008
JENG-WEI TSAI
Summary 1. We used high-frequency in situ dissolved oxygen measurements to investigate the seasonal variability and factors regulating metabolism in a subtropical alpine lake in Taiwan between May 2004 and October 2005, specifically exploring how the typhoon season (from June or July to October) affects lake metabolism. 2. Gross primary production (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (R) both peaked in early summer and mid-autumn but dropped during the typhoon season and winter. Yuan-Yang Lake is a net heterotrophic ecosystem (annual mean net ecosystem production ,39.6 ,mole O2 m,3). 3. Compared to the summer peaks, seasonal averages of GPP and R decreased by approximately 50% and 25%, respectively, during the typhoon season. Ecosystem respiration was more resistant to external disturbances than GPP and showed strong daily variation during typhoon seasons. 4. Changes in the quality and quantity of dissolved organic carbon controlled the temporal dynamics and metabolic regulation. External disturbances (typhoons) caused increased allochthony, increasing DOC and water colour and influencing lake metabolism. 5. Seasonal winter mixing and typhoon-induced water mixing in summer and autumn play a key role in determining the extent to which the lake is a seasonal carbon sink or source to the atmosphere. [source]


Food quality for Daphnia in humic and clear water lakes

FRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
KELLY GUTSEIT
Summary 1. Growth and reproduction of Daphnia fed lake seston were measured in two categories of meso- to eutrophic lakes differing with respect to terrestrial organic matter influence (humic and clear water lakes). The content of highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), P and N, as well as the taxonomical composition of seston were analysed. 2. Seston HUFA and C : P ratios were similar between lake categories, whereas C : N ratios were lower in the clear water lakes in both spring and summer. Despite the similarity in HUFA and P content of seston, Daphnia growth rate, clutch size and the proportion of gravid females were, respectively, about 1.5, 3 and 6 times higher in the clear water lakes. 3. Differences in growth and reproduction were related to a combination of higher N content and good fatty acid quality of the seston in the clear water lakes. Relatively high biomass of edible algae, such as Rhodomonas sp. and Cryptomonas sp., in the clear water lakes, and differences in water pH likely contributed to the observed differences in Daphnia growth and reproduction between lake categories. Additionally, it is possible that Daphnia was energy limited in the humic lakes despite high particulate organic carbon (POC) concentrations, as the contribution of non-algal and detrital C to the POC pool was high. 4. Our results suggest that dietary HUFA content has the potential to improve herbivore growth and reproduction if N and P are not limiting. N merits more attention in studies of zooplankton nutrition. [source]


Essential fatty acids and phosphorus in seston from lakes with contrasting terrestrial dissolved organic carbon content

FRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2007
KELLY GUTSEIT
Summary 1. It is often assumed that lakes highly influenced by terrestrial organic matter (TOM) have low zooplankton food quality because of elemental and/or biochemical deficiencies of the major particulate organic carbon pools. We used the biochemical [polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) , 20:5,3] and elemental (C : P ratio) composition of particulate matter (PM) as qualitative measures of potential zooplankton food in two categories of lakes of similar primary productivity, but with contrasting TOM influence (clear water versus humic lakes). 2. C : P ratios (atomic ratio) in PM were similar between lake categories and were above 400. The concentration (,g L,1) and relative content (,g mg C,1) of EPA, as well as the particulate organic carbon concentration, were higher in the humic lakes than in the clear-water lakes. 3. Our results show high fatty acid quality of PM in the humic lakes. The differences in the biochemical quality of the potential zooplankton food between lake categories can be attributed to the differences in their phytoplankton communities. 4. High biochemical quality of the food can result in high efficiency of energy transfer in the food chain and stimulate production at higher trophic levels, assuming that zooplankton are able to ingest and digest the resource available. [source]


Relationships between picophytoplankton and environmental variables in lakes along a gradient of water colour and nutrient content

FRESHWATER BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2003
Stina Drakare
SUMMARY 1. Biomass and production of picophytoplankton, phytoplankton and heterotrophic bacterioplankton were measured in seven lakes, exhibiting a broad range in water colour because of humic substances. The aim of the study was to identify environmental variables explaining the absolute and relative importance of picophytoplankton. In addition, two dystrophic lakes were fertilised with inorganic phosphorus and nitrogen, to test eventual nutrient limitation of picophytoplankton in these systems. 2. Picophytoplankton biomass and production were highest in lakes with low concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and DOC proved the factor explaining most variation in picophytoplankton biomass and production. The relationship between picophytoplankton and lake trophy was negative, most likely because much P was bound in humic complexes. Picophytoplankton biomass decreased after the additions of P and N. 3. Compared with heterotrophic bacterioplankton, picophytoplankton were most successful at the clearwater end of the lake water colour gradient. Phytoplankton dominated over heterotrophic bacteria in the clearwater systems possibly because heterotrophic bacteria in such lakes are dependent on organic carbon produced by phytoplankton. 4. Compared with other phytoplankton, picophytoplankton did best at intermediate DOC concentrations; flagellates dominated in the humic lakes and large autotrophic phytoplankton in the clearwater lakes. 5. Picophytoplankton were not better competitors than large phytoplankton in situations when heterotrophic bacteria had access to a non-algal carbon source. Neither did their small size lead to picophytoplankton dominance over large phytoplankton in the clearwater lakes. Possible reasons include the ability of larger phytoplankton to float or swim to reduce sedimentation losses and to acquire nutrients by phagotrophy. [source]


Morphological variation of perch Perca fluviatilis in humic lakes: the effect of predator density, competition and prey abundance

JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2010
J. Kekäläinen
Between and within-lake variations in morphology of perch Perca fluviatilis were studied in four humic lakes in eastern Finland. Perca fluviatilis were more streamlined and smaller headed in a lake with the highest abundance of cyprinids, but lowest abundance of predators (Lake Tuopanjärvi), indicating adaptation to planktivorous feeding and low predator density. Highest bodied fish were found from a lake with the lowest cyprinid but highest predator abundance (Lake Koppelojärvi), which conversely indicates adaptation to more effective predator avoidance. Furthermore, the length of the paired fins was longest in Lake Kinnasjärvi and Lake Tuopanjärvi, where the abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates was lowest, suggesting selection for more effective benthivory. Clear morphological differences of P. fluviatilis between habitats were found only in Lake Kinnasjärvi, whereas in Lake Koppelojärvi and Lake Tuopanjärvi only the length of the paired fins differed and in Lake Harkkojärvi no differences were found. Taken together, these results suggest that inter and intrapopulation morphological differences are probably highly dependent on different biotic factors (i.e. predation risk, resource availability and competition). Spatial and temporal variations in these factors may have a great effect on body morphology of P. fluviatilis. [source]


Littoral macroinvertebrates as indicators of lake acidification within the UK

AQUATIC CONSERVATION: MARINE AND FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS, Issue S1 2010
Ben McFarland
Abstract 1.The Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires the assessment of acidification in sensitive water bodies. Chemical and littoral macroinvertebrate samples were collected to assess acidification of clear and humic lakes in the UK. 2.Of three acid-sensitive metrics that were regressed against acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) and pH, highly significant responses were detected using the Lake Acidification Macroinvertebrate Metric (LAMM). This metric was used to assign high, good, moderate, poor and bad status classes, as required by the WFD. 3.In clear-water lakes, macroinvertebrate changes with increasing acidification did not indicate any discontinuities, so a chemical model was used to define boundaries. In humic lakes, biological data were able to indicate a distinct, good,moderate boundary between classes. 4.Humic lakes had significantly lower pH than clear lakes in the same class, not only at the good,moderate boundary where different methods were used to set boundaries, but also at the high,good boundary, where the same chemical modelling was used for both lake types. These findings support the hypothesis that toxic effects are reduced on waters rich in dissolved organic carbon (DOC). 5.A typology is needed that splits humic and clear lakes to avoid naturally acidic lakes from being inappropriately labelled as acidified. 6.Validation using data from independent lakes demonstrated that the LAMM is transportable, with predicted environmental quality ratios (EQRs) derived from mean observed ANC, accurately reflecting the observed EQR and final status class. 7.Detecting and quantifying acidification is important for conservation, in the context of appropriate restoration, for example, by ensuring that naturally acid lakes are not treated as anthropogenically acidified. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Crown Copyright 2009 [source]