A study of Lough Corrib, western Ireland and its phytoplankton

Abstract

During 1980/1981, a twelve month study was carried out on the phytoplankton of Lough Corrib, a large freshwater lake in western Ireland. Cell counts indicated low phytoplankton productivity and this was reflected in low chlorophyll a values and high Secchi readings. Diatoms predominated in spring and were succeeded by blue-green algae in late summer. The spring diatom crop was apparently limited by either silicate or nitrogen. Mineral uptake by rooting macrophytes and benthic algae and phosphate recycling as a result of bottom sediment disturbance may be important elements in the nutrient cycling regime of the lake. Differences in morphology between the upper and lower basins of the lake are reflected, to some extent, in species composition and areal productivity.

A preliminary study on the plankton assemblages of Lough Derg (Ireland) during a winter-spring season

“…2). Diatom prevalence in the winter−spring phytoplankton crop was observed in an earlier study of Lough Derg (1979Derg ( −1999 (Bowman 2000) and in other Irish lakes (Jones 1977, Mooney 1989, King and Champ 2000, McCarthy et al 2001. Diatom dominance in winter and spring is characteristic of lakes generally in the temperate zone, typically preceding a shift towards a greater representation of chlorophytes and cyanobacteria in summer (Reynolds 1982).…”

The ecological status of Lough Corrib, Ireland, as indicated by physiographic factors, water chemistry and macrophytic flora

“…Studies on the lake's phytoplankton (West & West 1906;Round & Brook 1959;Mooney 1989) and water chemistry (Flanagan & Toner 1975;Champ 1977) showed the lake to be a moderately hard-water system of mesotrophic status free from over-enrichment or gross pollution. Elevated levels of ionic and nutrient content were reported for the eastern side of lower L. Corrib (Flanagan & Toner 1975).…”

A short-term study on the phytoplanktonic and epilithic algae of Arda River (Edirne, Turkey)

“…Cymatopleura are generally benthic and many such species were found in the phytoplankton of Arda River. Mooney (1989) stated that Cymatopleura in particular is strongly benthic forms and that it is difficult to find them in phytoplankton due to their weight. However, it is normal to find benthic species also in phytoplankton due to river currents.…”