Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publisher
International Mine Water Association
Faculty
Faculty of Computing, Health and Science
School
School of Natural Sciences / Centre for Ecosystem Management
RAS ID
12798
Abstract
Acidic pit lakes often have elevated metal concentrations, very low nutrient concentrations and very low algal primary productivity. A microcosm experiment was performed to identify the main limiting factor(s) for algal biomass. Nutrients (N, P and C) were added in all possible combinations to pit lake water in the presence or absence of pit lake sediment. Microcosms without sediment showed higher chlorophyll a concentrations compared to the treatments with sediment. Microcosms where nitrogen and phosphorus were added showed highest chlorophyll a concentrations. Results suggest that algal biomass in pit lakes may be primarily limited by low nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations.
Access Rights
free_to_read
Comments
This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of: Radhakrishnan, N. K., McCullough, C. D., Lund, M. A., & Larranaga Arrizabalaga, S. (2011). Evaluating the factors limiting algal biomass in acidic pit lakes of the Collie lake district, Western Australia. Paper presented at the International Mine Water Association Congress - Mine Water - Managing the Challenges. Aachen, Germany. Available here