Heterotrophic potentials and trophic status of ten New Zealand lakes

A comparative study of the heterotrophic potentials of ten New Zealand lakes was carried out. Two sampling periods were chosen, one during late August and early September 1972 (late winter, minimal thermal stratification) and another during February 1973 (mid summer, strong thermal stratification in all but two lakes). A wide range of heterotrophic potentials occurred which enabled the lakes to be placed in the following basic groups according to descending trophic levels: Group I: Rotowhero (thermal, acid lake) >Rotorua>Okaro Group II: Rotokakahi> Tikitapu >Okareka Group III: Rotoma = Rotoroa (S.I.) = Rotoiti (S.I.) = Okataina Maximum values for heterotrophic potential (Vm a x ) in micrograms of glucose per litre per hour were: Maximum heterotrophic activities were found within the metalimnion, except in Lakes Tikitapu and Rotokakahi, where maximum activities occurred within the hypolimnion.