Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Keywords
Acidic Pit lakes, algae, primary production, nutrients, chlorophyll a.
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