Seasonality of water chemistry, carbonate production, and biometric features of two species of Chara in a shallow clear water lake.
The objective of this study was to analyze the temporal variability of biometric features and the carbonate production of two charophytes: Chara polyacantha A. Braun and Chara rudis A. Braun against the background of the physical-chemical properties of water. The investigation was carried out in a small, mid-forest Lake Jasne (western Poland). It is a polymictic, mesotrophic, hardwater ecosystem dominated by charophyte vegetation. Each month, 10 individuals of each species were characterized in terms of morphometric features, fresh and dry weight, and the percentage of calcium carbonate. Additionally, physical-chemical parameters of the water were studied. The results of physical-chemical analyses indicated similar habitat conditions for both species. Despite smaller dry weight C. polyacantha was characterized by greater morphological variability and higher rates of growth and percentage share of calcium carbonate in dry mass than C. rudis. The percentage of calcium carbonates in dry mass did not differ significantly between the species and exceeded 60%, reaching the maximum (76% in C. polyacantha) in July and August. For both species, distinct correlations between the structure of biomass and morphological features were found. The obtained results show the great importance of charophyte vegetation in carbon cycling and functioning of lake ecosystems.
Polish-German Research Institute, Collegium Polonicum, Kościuszki 1, 69-100 Słubice, Poland.
Andrzej
0000-0002-2395-1680
A
Pukacz
Department of Hydrobiology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland.
Mariusz
M
Pełechaty
Department of Water and Soil Analysis, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Umultowska 89b, 61-614 Poznań, Poland.
Marcin
0000-0001-6315-3758
M
Frankowski
Department of Water and Soil Analysis, Faculty of Chemistry, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Umultowska 89b, 61-614 Poznań, Poland.
Artur
A
Kowalski
Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Umultowska 89, 61-614 Poznań, Poland.
Kinga
K
Zwijacz-Koszałka
D056667:Biometric Identification / Q000379:methods*; D002254:Carbonates / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D044784:Chara / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D060106:Lakes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D012621:Seasons; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
D002254:Carbonates; D014867:Water