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Loss rates from a lake phytoplankton community 1
Author(s) -
Jassby Alan D.,
Goldman Charles R.
Publication year - 1974
Publication title -
limnology and oceanography
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.7
H-Index - 197
eISSN - 1939-5590
pISSN - 0024-3590
DOI - 10.4319/lo.1974.19.4.0618
Subject(s) - phytoplankton , productivity , environmental science , primary productivity , biomass (ecology) , carbon fibers , oceanography , range (aeronautics) , hydrology (agriculture) , ecology , nutrient , biology , geology , mathematics , macroeconomics , materials science , geotechnical engineering , algorithm , composite number , economics , composite material
Measurements of primary productivity and phytoplankton biomass in Castle Lake are presented for an 8‐month period. Primary productivity and phytoplankton carbon content under a square meter of lake surface exhibit similar seasonal trends and achieve maximum values in July. Phytoplankton loss rates are calculated by subtracting the rate of change of carbon content from the primary productivity, and specific loss rates are estimated by dividing loss rates by phytoplankton carbon. Specific loss rates range from more than 0.80 day −1 in May to less than 0.20 day −1 in midsummer and in December. Loss rates in the spring cannot be attributed to water transport, sinking, or grazing. Cell mortality and decomposition when environmental tolerances are exceeded may be significant causes of phytoplankton loss in the lake.