Experimental Lake Fertilization in the Kuokkel Area, Northern Sweden. Phytoplankton Biomass and Algal Composition in Natural and Fertilized Subarctic Lakes

Based on 500 quantitative algal analyses from 1971–1980 the seasonal variations of phytoplankton biomass and species diversity have been evaluated in one natural and three fertilized subarctic lakes. Enrichment with P alone did not cause any biomass increase and inhibited dinoflagellates and Dinobryon. Enrichment with N alone stimulated Uroglena and Gymnodinium and the biomass increased. No species were inhibited. Enrichment with both N and P made the biomass increase 50–60 times and the stimulated genera were: Chlorella, Choricystis, Chromulina, Chrysochromulina, Gymnodinium, Monoraphidium, Ochromonas, Spiniferomonas, Rhodomonas and Uroglena. In all fertilized lakes monocultures of chlorococcal green algae finally developed.