A Broad-Scale Look at Nutrient Limitation and a Shift toward Co-limitation in United States Lakes

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 58(26), P. 11482 - 11491

Published: June 18, 2024

There is a longstanding debate about the role of nitrogen (N) vs phosphorus (P) in limiting primary production lakes and whether co-nutrient limitation should be considered for managing eutrophication. We evaluated nutrient eutrophication at subcontinental scale. Using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Lakes Assessment data, we assessed broad-scale patterns compared samples all surveyed resurveyed multiple surveys. found that N correlated more strongly with productivity western U.S., while P eastern The aggregated effect suggests importance factors like N-deposition, terrestrial vegetation, underlying geology, land use understanding drivers dynamics lakes. Our study showed how can aggregate across scales yet still demonstrate considerable variation when deeply examined on an individual lake level. Overall, dynamic over space time, most being co-limited. prevalence co-limitation also increased from 2007 to 2017. Trophic states within each category varied substantially. findings underscore need combined reductions mitigate accelerated

Language: Английский

---

Knowing your limits: Patterns and drivers of nutrient limitation and nutrient–chlorophyll relationships in US lakes

Limnology and Oceanography Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 9(6), P. 725 - 734

Published: July 1, 2024

Abstract Although understanding nutrient limitation of primary productivity in lakes is among the oldest research priorities limnology, there have been few broad‐scale studies characteristics phosphorus (P)‐, nitrogen (N)‐, and co‐limited their environmental context. By analyzing 3342 US with concurrent P, N, chlorophyll a (Chl ) samples, we showed that are predominantly (43%) or P‐limited (41%). Majorities were Northeast, Upper Midwest, Southeast, co‐limitation was most prevalent interior western United States. N‐limitation (16%) more than P‐limitation Great Basin Central Plains. Nutrient related to lake, watershed, regional variables, including Chl concentration, watershed soil, wet nitrate deposition. N P concentrations interactively affected nutrient–chlorophyll relationships, which differed by limitation. Our study demonstrates value considering context relationships.

Language: Английский

---

Nutrient Limitation Induces a Productivity Decline From Light‐Controlled Maximum

Journal of Geophysical Research Biogeosciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 130(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

Abstract Nutrient impacts on productivity in stream ecosystems can be obscured by light limitation imposed canopy cover and water turbidity, thereby creating uncertainties linking nutrient regimes. Evaluations of limitations are often based a response ratio (RR) quantifying stimulation above ambient levels given augmented supply. This metric neglects the primacy effects productivity. We propose an alternative approach to quantify using “decline ratio” (DR), which quantifies decline from maximum established availability. The DR treats as first‐order control depletion disturbance causing decline, allowing separation influences. used assess diffusing substrate (NDS) experiments with three nutrients (nitrogen [N], phosphorus [P], iron [Fe]) five Greenland streams during summer, where is not limited due lack low turbidity. tested two hypotheses: (a) (i.e., highest chlorophyll‐ among NDS treatments) controlled (b) depends both nutrients. was strongly predicted ( R 2 = 0.60). induced N ) best explained availability when parameterized either dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentration 0.79) or N:Fe 0.87). These predictions outperformed RR for significant factor. Reversing perspective “stimulation ambient” below maximum” provides insights into

Language: Английский

---

Dissolved organic matter mediates the effects of warming and inorganic nutrients on a lake planktonic food web

Limnology and Oceanography, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 68(S1)

Published: July 10, 2022

Abstract Lakes are undergoing striking physicochemical changes globally, including co‐occurring increases in dissolved organic carbon and nutrient concentrations, water color, surface temperature. Although several experimental studies of lake browning warming have been conducted over the last decade, knowledge remains limited as to structural functional responses multitrophic plankton communities, especially under environmentally relevant conditions. Using reverse osmosis manipulate naturally occurring matter (DOM), we performed an enclosure experiment evaluate response a planktonic food web (zooplankton–phytoplankton–bacterioplankton) individual combined DOM temperature, while accounting for inorganic nutrients associated with enrichment. We found that concomitant temperature or elicited substantially greater biotic effects, but infrequently led interactive effects. Overall, major groups responded differently manipulated factors, most effects observed standing stocks, community composition, trophic structure, metabolic (primary production respiration) rates appeared be generally less responsive. enrichment had clear stimulatory effect on phytoplankton, weakly affected zooplankton. More specifically, enrichment, alone amendments, decreased zooplankton : chlorophyll ratios, implying reduced transfer efficiency altered structure. Warming increased bacterial abundance cyanobacterial dominance, DOM‐enriched Collectively, these results demonstrate increasing local DOM, even by only ~ 2 mgC L −1 , can enhance rising near‐surface layer clearwater lake, potential implications ecosystems facing environmental changes.

Language: Английский

---

Nutrient limitation masks the dissolved organic matter composition effects on bacterial metabolism in unproductive freshwaters

Limnology and Oceanography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 68(9), P. 2059 - 2069

Published: July 19, 2023

Abstract Aquatic microbial responses to changes in the amount and composition of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) are fundamental ecological biogeochemical importance. Parallel factor (PARAFAC) analysis excitation–emission fluorescence spectra is a common tool characterize DOC, yet its ability predict bacterial production (BP), respiration (BR), growth efficiency (BGE) vary widely, potentially because inorganic nutrient limitation decouples processes from their dependence on DOC composition. We used 28‐d bioassays with water 19 lakes, streams, rivers northern Sweden test how much links between metabolism PARAFAC components depend experimental additions nutrients. found significant interaction effect addition carbon‐specific BP, weak evidence for influence BGE by same ( p = 0.1), but no corresponding BR. A practical implication this was that could explain more than twice as variability BP R 2 0.90) 0.70) after nitrogen phosphorus addition, compared control incubations. Our results suggest an increased supply labile relative ambient induces gradually larger degrees which turn decouple signals. Thus, while does contain precise information about degree can support processes, may be hidden field studies due metabolism.

Language: Английский

---

Habitat-specific metabolism and nutrient limitation within an oligotrophic Patagonian lake

Hydrobiologia, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 851(9), P. 2159 - 2172

Published: Jan. 20, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Nutrients limiting the growth of planktonic and benthic-littoral primary producers in Patagonian Andean Lakes

Inland Waters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 1 - 31

Published: Oct. 18, 2024

Language: Английский

---

Reduced snow and increased nutrients show enhanced ice‐associated photoautotrophic growth using a modified experimental under‐ice design

Limnology and Oceanography, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 27, 2023

Abstract Under‐ice photoautotrophs in lakes are generally considered to be limited by light rather than nutrients. Despite reduced intensity under the ice, there is increasing evidence that suggests some support high levels of photoautotrophs. We explored how snow cover (i.e., light) and nutrients nitrogen phosphorus) influence ice‐associated photoautotroph growth a Minnesota, USA lake. Using novel under‐ice approach, we deployed nutrient diffusing substrates (single or combined amendments) two different scenarios (snow covered, light; removed, increased near water‐ice interface mimic range conditions may exposed to. Natural compared with removal, particularly early experiment before began melt. When comparing chlorophyll (Chl ) between treatments, found significant effect higher concentrations removed treatment. also effect, for all on Chl both conditions. The any treatment was similar. Our results suggest were able grow conditions, but removal resulted availability mediated responses. Thus, winter strongly affect dynamics.

Language: Английский

---

Wetland water quality patterns and anthropogenic pressure associations across the continental USA

Wetlands, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 43(8)

Published: Dec. 1, 2023

Language: Английский

---

Experimental riparian forest gaps and increased sediment loads modify stream metabolic patterns and biofilm composition

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(12)

Published: Dec. 1, 2023

Abstract Forest management operations greatly influence stream habitats. Canopy clearing and subsequent canopy development during succession, site preparation, ditching alter the light environment, increase sediment inputs nutrient exports from upland riparian soils to streams. These physicochemical changes affect aquatic biofilms metabolic rates, in this study, we tested their individual combined effects. We used 12 artificial streamside channels, together with a field survey of nine streams around clear‐cuts, assess effects shading, substrate composition, addition on biofilm biomass as well rates. found that gross primary production (GPP) were limited channels under 70% shading. Nitrate additions at shading level only marginally increased autotrophic biomass, while rates respiration 10‐fold when carbon was added. Open (unshaded) had three times higher GPP compared twice high, largely caused by colonization filamentous green algae. differences alone, temperature not affected treatment. Notably, led no positive effect net ecosystem production. Further, fine‐grained substrates negatively stone experimental channels. In surveyed streams, negative exceeded biomass. Altogether, our results highlight need for protects headwaters unwanted stressors focusing preventing erosion transport providing variable shade conditions second‐growth forests.

Language: Английский

---