Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The role of phytoplankton in determining the underwater light climate in Lake Constance

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

    We’re sorry, something doesn't seem to be working properly.

    Please try refreshing the page. If that doesn't work, please contact support so we can address the problem.

Abstract

At all seasons, the underwater light field of meso-eutrophic large (480 km2) deep (mean: 100 m) Lake Constance was studied in conjunction with the assessments of vertical distributions of phytoplankton chlorophyll concentrations. Vertical profiles of scalar, downwelling and upwelling fluxes of photosynthetically available radiation, as well as fluxes of spectral irradiance between 400 and 700 nm wavelength were measured.

The overall transparency of the water for PAR is highly dependent on chlorophyll concentration. However, the spectral composition of underwater light is narrowing with water depth regardless of phytoplankton biomass.

Green light is transmitted best, even at extremely low chlorophyll concentrations. This is explained by the selective absorption of blue light by dissolved organic substances and red light by the water molecules. Nevertheless, significant correlations were found between vertical attenuation coefficients of downwelling spectral irradiance and chlorophyll concentrations at all wavelengths. The slopes of the regression lines were used as estimates of chlorophyll-specific spectral vertical light attenuation coefficients (K c(λ)).

The proportions of total upwelling relative to total downwelling irradiance (reflectance) increased with water depth, even when phytoplankton were homogeneously distributed over the water column. Under such conditions, reflectance of monochromatic light remained constant. Lower reflectance of PAR in shallow water is explained by smaller bandwidths of upwelling relative to downwelling light near the water surface. In deeper water, by contrast, the spectra of both upwelling and downwelling irradiance are narrowed to the most penetrating components in the green spectral range. Reflectance of PAR was significantly correlated with chlorophyll concentration and varied from ∼ 1% and ∼1-% at low and high phytoplankton biomass, respectively. Over the spectrum, reflectance exhibited a maximum in the green range. Moreover, in deeper layers, a red maximum was observed which is attributed to natural fluorescence by phytoplankton chlorophyll.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Atlas, D. & T. T. Bannister, 1980. Dependence of mean spectral extinction coefficient of phytoplankton on depth, water-colour, and species. Limnol. Oceanogr. 25: 157–159.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bannister, T. T., 1974. Production equation in terms of chlorophyll concentration, quantum yield, and upper limit to production. Limnol. Oceanogr. 19: 1–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berner, T., Z. Dubinsky, K. Wyman & P. G. Galkowski, 1989. Photoadaption and the “package” effect in Dunaliella tertiolecta (Chlorophyceae). Phycology 25: 70–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dubinsky, Z., 1992. The functional and optical absorption cross-sections of phytoplankton photosynthesis. In Falkowski P. G. & A. D. Woodhead (ed.), Primary production and Biochemical cycles in the sea. Plenum Press, N.Y.: 31–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gege, P., 1994. Water analyses be remote sensing: a model for interpretation of optical spectral measurements. Diss. Univ. Hamburg. DLR-Forschungsbericht 94–15, Köln, 171 pp.

  • Haese, C., 1995. Vorhersage der Produktivität des Phytoplanktons im Bodensee unter Berücksichtigung der Temperatur sowie der spektralen Zusammensetzung des Unterwasser-Lichtfeldes. Diss. Univ. Konstanz.

  • Jerlov, N. G., 1976. Elsevier Oceanography Series, 14. Marine Optics. Elsevier scientific pub. company Amsterdam-Oxford, N.Y., 231 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirk, J. T. O., 1983. Light and photosynthesis in aquatic ecosystems. Cambridge University Press. London, N.Y., 401 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirk, J. T. O., 1986. The spectral absorption and scattering properties of dissolved and particulate components in relation to the underwater light field of some tropical Australian freshwater. Freshwat. Biol. 16: 573–583.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirk, J. T. O., 1992. A nature and measurement of the light environment in the ocean. In Falkowski P. G. & A. D. Woodhead (eds), Primary production and Biochemical cycles in the sea. Plenum Press, N.Y.: 9–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kishino, M., C. R. Booth & N. Okami, 1984a. Underwater radiant energy absorbed by phytoplankton, detritus, dissolved organic matter and pure water. Limnol. Oceanogr. 29: 340–349.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kishino, M., S. Sugihara & N. Okami, 1984b. Influence of fluorescence of chlorophyll a on underwater upward irradiance spectrum. Le mer 22: 224–232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuechler-Krischun, J. & J. Kleiner, 1990. Heterogeneously nucleated calcite precipitation in Lake Constance. A short time resolution study. Aquat. Sci. 52: 176–197.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kleiner, J., 1988. Coprecipitation of phosphate with calcite in lake water: A laboratory experiment modelling phosphorus removal with calcite in Lake Constance. Wat. Res. 22: 1259–1265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lewis, M. R., 1992. Satellite ocean colour observations of global biochemical cycles. In Falkowski P. G. & A. D. Woodhead (eds), Primary Production and Biochemical Cycles in the Sea. Plenum Press, N.Y.: 139–153.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lovergreen, C., F. Ojeda & V. Montecino, 1994. Spectral composition of the aquatic light field of the Lakes Riñihue, Todos los Santos, Laguna Negra and El Yeso Reservoir. Arch. Hydrobiol. 129: 497–509.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marees, G., D. Spitzer, M. R. Wernand & R. W. I. Dirks, 1989. Interpretation of remote sensing measurements over Madura Bay from in situ radiometric and biochemical data. Neth. J. Sea Res. 23: 483–492.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Megard, R. O., W. S. Combs, Jr., P. D. Smith & A. S. Knoll, 1979. Attenuation of light and daily integral rates of photosynthesis attained by planktonic algae. Limnol. Oceanogr. 24: 1038–1050.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morel, A. & L. Prieur, 1977. Analysis of variation in ocean color. Limnol. Oceanogr. 22: 709–722.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prézelin, B. B., M. M. Tilzer, O. Schofield & C. Haese, 1991. The control of the production process of phytoplankton by the physical structure of the aquatic environment. Aquat. Sci. 53: 136–186.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, R. C. & K. S. Baker, 1981. Optical properties of the clearest natural waters (200–800 nm). Appl. Optics 20: 177–183.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sommer, U., 1981. The role of r and K selection in the succession of phytoplankton in Lake Constance. Acta Oecologica/Oecologia Generalis 2: 327–342.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sommer, U., 1983. Nutrient competition between phytoplankton in multispecies chemostat experiments. Arch. Hydrobiol. 96: 399–416.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sommer, U., 1985. Seasonal succession of phytoplankton in Lake Constance. Bioscience 35: 351–357.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sommer, U., 1987. Factors controlling the seasonal variation in phytoplankton species composition—A case study for a deep, nutrient rich lake. Progr. Phycol. Res. 5: 123–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tailing, J. F., 1971. The underwater light climate as a controlling factor in the production ecology of freshwater phytoplankton. Mitt. int. Vet Limnol. 19: 214–243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilzer, M. M., 1983. The importance of fractional light absorption by photosynthesis pigments for phytoplankton productivity in Lake Constance. Limnol. Oceanogr. 28: 833–846.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilzer, M. M., 1984a. Seasonal and diurnal shifts of photosynthetic quantum yields in the phytoplankton of Lake Constance. Verb. int. Ver. Limnol. 22: 958–962.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilzer, M. M., 1984b. The quantum yield as a fundamental parameter controlling vertical photosynthetic profiles of phytoplankton in Lake Constance. Arch. Hydrobiol. 69: 169–198.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilzer, M. M., 1989. Distinction between light mediated and light independent variations in phytoplankton production rates. Hydrobiologia 173: 135–140.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tilzer, M. M., 1990. Environmental and physiological control of the primary production process. In Tilzer, M. M. & C. Serruya (eds), Large Lakes: Ecological structure and function. Springer Verlag. Berlin, Heidelberg, N.Y.: 339–367.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilzer, M. M. & B. Beese, 1988. The seasonal productivity cycle of phytoplankton and controlling factors in Lake Constance. Schweiz. Z. Hydrol. 50: 1–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilzer, M. M., E. de Amezaga & C. R. Goldman, 1975. The efficiency of light energy utilization by lake phytoplankton. Verb. int. Ver. Limnol. 19: 800–807.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilzer, M. M., U. Gaedke, A. Schweizer, B. Beese & T. Wieser, 1991. Interannual variability of phytoplankton productivity and related parameters in Lake Constance: No response to decreased phosphorus loading? J. Plankton Res. 13: 755–777.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tilzer, M. M., W. W. Gieskes, R. Heusel & N. Fenton, 1994. The impact of phytoplankton on spectral water transparency in the Southern Ocean: implications for primary productivity. Polar Biol. 14: 127–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Author notes

  1. Max M. Tilzer & Noga Stambler

    Present address: Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, Columbusstrasse, P. O. Box 12 01 61, D-27568, Bremerhaven, Germany

  2. Charlotte Lovengreen

    Present address: Instituto de Física, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Limnological Institute, University of Constance, D-78465, Konstanz, Germany

    Max M. Tilzer

Authors
  1. Max M. Tilzer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Noga Stambler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Charlotte Lovengreen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tilzer, M.M., Stambler, N. & Lovengreen, C. The role of phytoplankton in determining the underwater light climate in Lake Constance. Hydrobiologia 316, 161–172 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00017434

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00017434

Key words

Search

Navigation