engleski

What are key factors defining phytoplankton communities in two connected karstic Mediterranean lakes?

The Baćina lakes represent a complex of six connected and one isolated lake. Samples for physical, chemical and phytoplankton analysis were collected as composite samples from April until September2017 in two deepest and largest lakes, Crniševo and Oćuša, with the aim of defining taxonomic andfunctional differences in phytoplankton composition. Temperature and oxygen profiles were measured every meter. In the Lake Crniševo, stratification was present throughout the whole study period while in Lake Oćuša stratification was not detected during spring. Bottom hypoxia was recordedin April and May in the Lake Oćuša while during the other months anoxia was recorded in both lakes. In springtime (prior stratification), representatives of the functional group B sensitive to this phenomenon were dominant in the Lake Oćuša, unlike codominance of functional groups X2, L0 andF, tolerant to the stratification present through all investigation period in the Lake Crniševo. Statistical analysis indicates that differences in phytoplankton communities in lakes Oćuša (B → L0, F → X2) and Crniševo (X2, L0 → F → F, L0) are not defined with general water physical and chemical properties but with nutrient deficiency and stratification. Longer period of investigation is suggested with the aim to understand better the processes in these lakes.

phytoplankton communities ; Baćina lakes

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