0428814 - BC 2015 RIV NO eng J - Journal Article
Vrba, J. - Kopáček, Jiří - Fott, J. - Nedbalová, L.
Forest die-back modified plankton recovery from acidic stress.
Ambio. Roč. 43, č. 2 (2014), s. 207-217. ISSN 0044-7447. E-ISSN 1654-7209
R&D Projects: GA ČR(CZ) GA206/07/1200; GA ČR(CZ) GAP504/12/1218
Institutional support: RVO:60077344
Keywords : atmospheric acidification * Bohemian Forest * lake recovery * phytoplankton * zooplankton
Subject RIV: DJ - Water Pollution ; Quality
Impact factor: 2.641, year: 2014

We examined long-term data on water chemistry of Lake Rachelsee (Germany) following the changes in acidic depositions in central Europe since 1980s. Despite gradual chemical recovery of Rachelsee, its biological recovery was delayed. In 1999, lake recovery was abruptly reversed by a coincident forest die-back, which resulted in elevated terrestrial export of nitrate and ionic aluminium lasting approximately 5 years. This re-acidification episode provided unique opportunity to study plankton recovery in the rapidly recovering lake water after the abrupt decline in nitrate leaching from the catchment. There were sudden changes both in lake water chemistry and in plankton biomass structure, such as decreased bacterial filaments, increased phytoplankton biomass, and rotifer abundance. The shift from dominance of heterotrophic to autotrophic organisms suggested their substantial release from severe phosphorus stress. Such a rapid change in plankton structure in a lake recovering from acidity has, to the best of our knowledge, not been previously documented.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0234726