Diatom assemblages colonizing floating photovoltaic floaters are distinct from those in benthic and pelagic compartments of gravel pit lakes

Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 426, С. 10 - 10

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

The development of novel renewable energy technologies, such as floating photovoltaics (FPVs), is expanding, but their environmental consequences remain understudied. FPVs physically alter freshwater ecosystems by limiting light and wind penetration at the lake surface, while providing new substrates for biofilm development, including diatoms. Diatoms are essential to primary production carbon cycling in aquatic systems, however, composition diatom assemblages on FPV structures remains unexplored. This study aimed characterise colonising floaters compare them with those pelagic benthic compartments gravel pit lakes. Results showed significantly lower taxonomic richness diversity floaters, followed assemblages, highest values observed habitats. Community also differed between three compartments. across all habitats, its dominance was particularly pronounced (72%), compared 54% 32% compartments, respectively. As a low-profile, disturbance-tolerant taxon, Achnanthidium may thrive low-light conditions created shading. It can serve good water quality indicator, baseline studies needed assess whether reflects positive By creating artificial habitats zone, modify patterns pelagic-benthic coupling that be investigated.

Язык: Английский

Hydrological and ecological effects of floating photovoltaic systems: a model comparison considering mussel, periphyton, and macrophyte growth

Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 426, С. 11 - 11

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems are increasingly deployed on gravel pit lakes to generate renewable energy and mitigate land-use conflicts. However, their environmental impacts hydrological ecological processes remain insufficiently studied. This study investigates the effects of a 1.5-MWp FPV system covering 8% 19-ha lake in Germany. The General Lake Model (GLM-AED2) Delft3D-FLOW were used simulate FPV-induced changes. Meteorological data—including irradiance, air temperature, wind speed, relative humidity—were recorded above below PV modules. Water quality water dissolved oxygen, pH, organic carbon, chlorophyll- —were collected beneath open water. Mussel colonisation substructure was assessed, its filtration impact analysed. Macrophyte distribution assessed along shorelines. Results showed modelled 88% solar irradiance 57% speed reduction system. minimal primarily influenced by mussels colonising substructure. Macrophytes occurred littoral zones up 5.25 m deep deep, but habitat-typical species scarce due extraction herbivorous fish. These findings highlight complex interactions between FPV, mussel filtration, macrophytes, human activities, suggesting that other anthropogenic factors may outweigh impacts. simulations indicated coverage 45% could destabilise thermal stratification alter primary production. underscores need for empirical monitoring modelling optimise deployment inform regulatory frameworks sustainable development.

Язык: Английский

Potential impacts of floating photovoltaics on carbon fluxes across aquatic-terrestrial boundaries

Knowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 426, С. 13 - 13

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2025

Floating photovoltaic (FPV) systems are a rapidly expanding renewable energy technology, yet their potential ecological impacts, particularly cross-ecosystem effects, remain poorly understood. This review synthesises current knowledge on organic matter (OM) dynamics and carbon (C) fluxes in lake ecosystems, examining how FPV installations may influence C cycling, insect emergence, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. can alter OM availability, shifting the balance between autochthonous allochthonous inputs. In short term, installation increase deposition due to rapid decline of primary producers riparian vegetation removal. Long-term effects uncertain but could drive metabolic regime shifts toward autotrophy or heterotrophy, depending initial conditions. These changes, combined with reduced oxygen temperature, significantly aquatic food webs, modify GHG fluxes, dynamics. Increased sedimentation enhance production, while delayed emergence weaken transfer terrestrial ecosystems. Declines emergent biomass impact predators, such as bats birds, triggering cascading effects. Overall, reshape across aquatic–terrestrial boundaries, impacts varying by coverage lake-specific factors. There is an urgent need for ecosystem-scale studies long-term data assess FPV-induced changes mitigate its biodiversity global cycle.

Язык: Английский