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Ammonia uptake by phytoplankton and limnological studies of Mountain Lake, Virginia

Thesis/Dissertation ·
OSTI ID:5366135
The first comprehensive year-round investigation of Mountain Lake, Virginia since 1970-71 was begun in March 1985 and continued through November 1987. Whereas inorganic nitrogen, orthophosphate, Secchi disc transparency, and primary productivity continue to suggest an oligotrophic condition, important limnological changes are indicated by the greater seasonal hypolimnetic oxygen depletion and extractable chlorophyll a which at times approach mesotrophic levels. In addition, the decrease in alkalinity, the increase in sulfate levels, and the increase in pH fluctuations compared to the past, suggest that Mountain Lake is susceptible to damage or change by acid rain and perhaps other perturbations that effect pH alkalinity or hardness. Changes were also noted in phytoplankton composition. Studies of ammonia uptake by the phytoplankton, using the ammonia analog ({sup 14}C)methylamine (MeA), revealed that during thermal stratification, phytoplankton succession was related to rapid ammonia uptake. Each successive phytoplankton community had significantly higher Vmax values for ammonia (methylamine) until midsummer when ammonia-nitrogen levels were at a seasonal low.
Research Organization:
Virginia Polytechnic Inst. and State Univ., Blacksburg, VA (USA)
OSTI ID:
5366135
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English