Effects of experimental eutrophization on zooplankton community

Abstract

Aims:The present study evaluated the role that increased nutrient concentrations play on zooplankton community, by employing an experimental laboratory approach. Methods: Experiments were conducted in the laboratory, where three trophic state conditions were simulated, namely, mesotrophic, eutrophic and hypereutrophic. Each treatment was replicated three times and individuals of Brachionus urceolaris (10 individuals), Hexarthra mira (5) (Rotifera), Latonopsis sp. (10), Moina minuta (10) (Cladocera) and Thermocyclops sp. (5) (Copepoda) were introduced to each replicate. On the first experiment day, and at 7-day intervals for a 14-day period (totaling three evaluations), all water content was collected from each container and filtered to determine the densities of each zooplankton species. Two-way MANOVA and one-way ANOVA designs were used to determine zooplankton density fluctuations among treatments and throughout the study period. Further, Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) were employed to assess how environmental factors affected zooplankton numbers. Phytoplankton composition was also determined in the beginning and in the end of the experiment. Results: B. urceolaris and copepod nauplii, which are typical of eutrophic environments, showed higher densities on the eutrophic and hypereutrophic treatments. Furthermore, cyanobacteria such as Aphanothece sp. and Merismopedia sp. were recorded on the eutrophic and hypereutrophic treatments, respectively. Conclusions: Similarly to what is frequently observed in the wild, the eutrophic treatment showed higher densities of particular zooplankton species which are known to temporarily benefit from an increase in trophic concentrations. Positive or negative responses from zooplankton dynamics (but also phytoplankton species), provide an important bioindicator framework. Furthermore, results of the present study outline the need for implementing recovery measures on aquatic environments subject to constant nutrient inputs.Keywords: zooplankton, trophic states, phytoplankton, laboratory experiments.Resumo: Objetivos: O presente estudo avaliou os efeitos do aumento na concentração de nutrientes sobre a comunidade zooplanctônica, através de experimentos laboratoriais. Métodos: Os experimentos foram realizados em laboratório, onde três estados tróficos foram simulados, a saber, mesotrófico, eutrófico e hipereutrófico. Cada tratamento foi replicado três vezes, e indivíduos de Brachionus urceolaris (10 indivíduos), Hexarthra mira (5) (Rotifera), Latonopsis sp. (10), Moina minuta (10) (Cladocera) e Thermocyclops sp. (5) (Copepoda) foram introduzidos em cada réplica. Durante o primeiro dia de experimento, e a cada sete dias de intervalo durante 14 dias (totalizando três amostragens), toda a água foi coletada de cada aquário e filtrada, para a determinação das densidades de cada espécie de zooplâncton. MANOVAs duas vias e ANOVAs de uma via foram empregadas para a determinação das variações nas densidades de zooplâncton entre os tratamentos e ao longo do período de estudo....