Use of phosphorus to reduce blooms of the benthic diatom Didymosphenia geminata in an oligotrophic stream
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Abstract
Blooms of the benthic alga, Didymosphenia geminata [Lyngbye (Schmidt)], were first documented in Rapid Creek, South Dakota, in 2002 and have since been associated with changes to aquatic resources. Low concentration of P has been associated with D. geminata stalk development (i.e., blooms), so we considered elevating P as a possible method to reduce D. geminata blooms. We conducted 2 whole-stream P-enrichment experiments in Rapid Creek during 2007 and 2008. Enrichment with a slow-release fertilizer (Osmocote®: 14-14-14) in 2007 significantly reduced D. geminata blooms (indexed by D. geminata biomass) compared to upstream control sites. The reduction in biomass was less pronounced as distance from the enrichment source increased, a result indicating that P augmentation effectively decreased D. geminata biomass. In 2008, we implemented a before-after–control-impact (BACI) study to assess effects of a quick-release fertilizer (MAP: 11-52-0) on D. geminata biomass. The addition of 6 μg/L P to Rapid Creek resulted in a significant decrease in D. geminata biomass within 0.6 km downstream of the nutrient-addition point. Effects on D. geminata biomass were not evident further downstream. This study provides evidence to support the hypothesis that low P concentration regulates D. geminata blooms.
Suggested Citation
James, D.A., Bothwell, M.L., Chipps, S.R., Carreiro, J., 2015, Use of phosphorus to reduce blooms of the benthic diatom Didymosphenia geminata in an oligotrophic stream: Freshwater Science, v. 34, no. 4, p. 1272-1281, https://doi.org/10.1086/683038.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Use of phosphorus to reduce blooms of the benthic diatom Didymosphenia geminata in an oligotrophic stream |
| Series title | Freshwater Science |
| DOI | 10.1086/683038 |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Year Published | 2015 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | The University of Chicago Press |
| Contributing office(s) | Coop Res Unit Leetown |
| Description | 10 p. |
| First page | 1272 |
| Last page | 1281 |