Polymixis of a shallow lake (Großer Müggelsee, Berlin) and its influence on seasonal phytoplankton dynamics

Abstract

The polymictic properties of Lake Müggelsee, a eutrophic shallow lake in Berlin, are described by the water column stability (N ²) and gradients in saturation of oxygen at the deepest site of the lake (7.5 m). Mixing and stratification changed irregularly up to 7 times during the vegetation season (April to September), as was indicated by all of the stratification parameters. Thermally stable conditions generally lasted 1–2 weeks. A maximum of 5 weeks stratification was observed in 1982.

In order to investigate the response of algal development, the internal rates of change of the dominant algal species in the lake during the vegetation period were estimated from weekly measurements of phytoplankton biomass from 1980 to 1990. The necessity taking a mixed sample in a shallow lake is discussed. The polymictic properties favoured the development of specific blue-green algal species; there dominance was also favoured by the trophic conditions. Among the dominant blue-greens the growth of Limnothrix redekei was independent of polymixis whereas stratification supported the starting conditions for the summer blue-greens Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Planktothrix agardhii. After these algae reached a distinct level of biomass, they grew under mixing as well as under stratified conditions.

For the development of solitary centric diatoms during summer regulation by growth restriction through nutrient limitation, esp. dissolved silicon was more important. However, Melosira sp. developed well under stratified conditions but collapsed due to increased sinking losses when the water column became too stable.

An attempt is made to apply Reynolds’ possibility matrix of the most likely phytoplankton assemblages as a function of nutrients and mixing in the shallow Lake Müggelsee.