Abstract
We measured underwater light penetration, phytoplankton biomass and photosynthetic activity during three years (1987–1990) in Lake Xolotlán (L. Managua), Nicaragua. Phytoplankton biomass governed the light climate of the photic zone, but as biomass also was composed of a varying proportion of dead algae, light availability for the potential biomass of actively photosynthesizing algae (170 mg Chl-a.m−2) was reduced. The concentration of chlorophyll-a within the photic zone was thus lower and ranged between 58 and 141 mg Chl-a.m−2. Still, photosynthetic activity was high (2,162 mg 02.m-2.h−1) due to an extremely high specific rate of photosynthesis; light was the only factor that limited growth. As also other conditions in Lake Xolotlán, beside light limitation, met with the requirements of the models that have been used to analyse production and photosynthetic characteristics in tropical lakes there was a striking agreement between observed and predicted values.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
Reference
ERIKSON, R., E. HOOKER, M. PUM and M. RUIZ, 1990. Phytoplankton biomass and primary production in Lake Xolotlán, Nicaragua. In: Water resources management and protection in tropical climates. Havana, Cuba.
GANF, G.G., 1974. Rates of oxygen uptake by planktonic community of a shallow equatorial lake (Lake George, Uganda). Oecologia, 15: 17–32.
GANF, G.G., 1974. Incident solar irradiance and underwater light penetration as factor controlling the chlorophyll-a content of a shallow equatorial lake (Lake George, Uganda), J. Ecol., 62: 593–609.
GANF, G.G., 1975. Photosynthetic production and irradiance-photosynthesis relationship of phytoplankton from a shallow equatorial lake (Lake George, Uganda). Oecologia, 18: 165–183.
GANF, G.G. and A.B. VINER, 1973. Ecological stability in a shallow equatorial lake (Lake George, Uganda). Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond. B, 184: 321–346.
HARRIS, G.P., 1978. Photosynthesis, production and growth: the physiological ecology of phytoplankton. Ergebn. Limnol., 10: 1–171.
LEMOALLE, J., 1979. Biomasse et production phytoplanctonique du lac Tcad (1968–1976). Relation avec les conditions du milieu. Ørstrøm, Paris.
LEMOALLE, J., A. ADENIJE, P. COMPERE, G.G. GANF, J. MELACK and J.F. TALLING (1981). Phytoplankton. In: Symmoens, J.J., M. Burgis and J.J. Gandet, Eds.. The ecology and utilization of African inland waters. UNEP, Nairobi.
MELACK, J.M., 1979. Temporal variability of phytoplankton in tropical lakes. Oecologia, 44: 1–7.
MONTENEGRO-GUILLEN, S., 1991. Limnological perspective of Lake Xolotlán (Managua): The PLALM. Hydrobiol. Bull., 25: 105–109.
ROBARTS, R.D., 1979. Underwater light penetration, chlorophyll-a and primary production in a tropical African lake (Lake Mcllwaine, Rhodesia). Arch. Hydrobiol., 86: 432–444.
TALLING, J.F., 1957. The phytoplankton population as a compound photosynthetic ssystem. New Phytol., 56: 29–50.
TALLING, J.F., 1965. The photosynthetic activity of phytoplankton in East African lakes. Int. Rev. ges. Hydrobiol., 50: 1–32.
TALLING, J.F., R.B. WOOD, M.W. PROSSER and R.M. BAXTER, 1973. The upper limit of photosynthetic productivity by phytoplankton: evidence from Ethiopian soda lakes. Freshwater Biology, 3: 27–39.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Erikson, R., Hooker, E. & Meija, M. Underwater light penetration, phytoplankton biomass and photosynthetic activity in Lake Xolotlán (Managua). Hydrobiological Bulletin 25, 137–144 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02291245
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02291245