Limnological Characteristics and Diatom Dominants in Lakes of Northeastern Poland

Abstract

Determination of the relationships between environmental factors and diatom assemblages is usually made for several hundred lakes spread over a large area. However, the analysis of several lakes located near Lake Wigry also gives interesting results. Lakes in Wigry National Park (Poland) with broad similarity of geological origin show clear limnological, physical, and chemical differences. Here, we report on an investigation into how these dissimilarities influence diatom assemblages. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis showed that the studied lakes can be divided into three groups: (1) disharmonic, (2) harmonious with greater human impact on the environment, and (3) harmonious with a more limited human impact. The harmonious lakes could be divided into two groups that are mainly in line with the contents of the chloride and sulfates ions taken as indicative of human impacts on the environment. Overall, the three groups had different dominance structures, as reference to the Dominance Index (DI) made clear (mean values being: (1) −70.54%, (2) −72%, and (3) −54.58%, Generalized Linear Models with the categorical independent variable (group) showed significant differences between groups (for 1–3, 2–3) p value < 0.05). Lakes impacted by anthropopressure and disharmonic ones had the strongest dominance structure. More broadly, DI differences between the groups are consistent with the Species Pool Hypothesis (SPH), while studied differences can be said to result from natural geological dissimilarities, as well as disparate anthropogenic impacts.

Vertical Distribution of Diatoms Analysis to Determine the Condition of Rawapening Lake in the Past through Cluster Analysis with the Bray-Curtis Model

“…The presence of these species in the zone 1 sediment layer indicates that Rawapening Lake is in an alkaline condition. This situation is in accordance with the statement by Kowalska and Wojtal [54], that Fragilaria grows in a mesotrophic and slightly alkaline environment. Meanwhile, the reconstruction of the environmental conditions of Rawapening Lake conducted by Soeprobowati et al [52], reflects the dominance of F. capucina and L. goeppertana, M. atomus, N. radiosa, N. palea, and T. apiculata, reflecting eutrophic but clear waters in 1967-1974.…”

Epilithic Diatom Community Shows a Higher Vulnerability of the River Sava to Pollution during the Winter

“…The values at the KR site were very high because it is located a few kilometers downstream of two large wastewater treatment-plants with the total capacity of 560,000 population equivalents. Eliasz-Kowalska and Wojtal [47] also report that increased nutrient concentrations are the result of inflowing treated wastewater containing more phosphate and nitrate. Nitrate and ammonium concentrations increased downstream in both seasons, but the increase in the lower part was more pronounced in summer, probably due to their leaching from agricultural land.…”

“…The two most dominant taxa in the samples were Achnanthidium minutissimum and A. pyrenaicum (Table 3), which accounted for up to 84% in the epilithic diatom community. Eliasz-Kowalska and Wojtal [47] consider the dominance of Achnanthidium minutissimum and Encyonopsis microcephala, as indicators of anthropopressure, especially with regard to high nutrient contents.…”

Regional differences in water beetle communities networks settling in dystrophic lakes in northern Poland

“…Many of them are specialised species that react more sensitively and quickly to changes in the environment. Knowledge of the ecological preferences of beetles can be used in monitoring aquatic ecosystems in line with the Water Framework Directive 7 , 39 .…”