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ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS OF WATER LEVEL FLUCTUATIONS IN DEEP CHARA-LAKE IN LIGHT OF HYDROCHEMISTRY AND WATER TRANSPARENCY IN PHYTOLITTORAL ZONE

Michał Rybak

Abstract

Water level fluctuations play a significant role in linking water and soil environments and shaping littoral zone. The aim of study was to evaluate the physical and chemical features of water as well as light availability in phytolittoral zone in the case of water level rise. Investigations were carried out in deep mesotrophic lake with well-developed charophytes meadow, above which samples were collected (30 stations). In this lake between year 2010 and 2012 water level increased over 1.0 m as a result of intense rainfall. 16 parameters including physical properties, water chemistry, light conditions (as photosynthetically active radiation) and optically active substances concentrations were analysed. In consequence of water level increase the pH reduction as well as electric conductivity and nutrient concentrations were observed. Light conditions were very good despite that during water level rising the light range was reduced by 10%, entire phytolittoral area was in the range of euphotic zone. All transformations had to be investigated in small scale. Although, the size of changes was small, the ratio to the initial state was considerable. The main reason of environmental disturbation was decomposition of lifeless organisms located in flooded area, followed by inflow of different forms of dissolved organic matter. The second source of nutrients and dissolved organic matter was intensive runoff from agricultural catchment. Increase concentration of nutrients was utilised by developing phytoplankton. Furthermore, these changes caused elevated turbidity and water colour. Hence, water transparency decreased as a result of increase concentration of the optically active substances (phytoplankton, turbidity, water colour and total suspended matter). Water banks flooding causes eluviation of organic and mineral substances from soil to water as well as decomposition of organisms which are not adapted to live in elevated water level. Littoral zone is the first and direct area where these processes occur. It may affect charophytes communities, led to their withdrawal and further deterioration of lake ecology state.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgem2018/3.1/s12.035

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