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Abstract
This study investigates the effects of solar radiation fluctuations on the dynamics of phytoplankton communities, specifically focusing on the selection of phytoplankton morphology in eutrophic water bodies, where nutrient effects are considered minimal. Two morphological descriptors—cellular projected area and flattening index—were developed to reflect the cells’ light-harvesting potential and energy requirements. A model was built to evaluate how natural light availability affects phytoplankton assemblages, considering underwater light field and mixing processes in the water column. Data from the eutrophic Yanghe Reservoir were used to derive the model, incorporating the solar elevation angle and mixing/euphotic depth ratio. Post-analysis revealed that species with large area and flattening index are favored in spring and winter under low light availability, while species with smaller area and index dominate in summer. Larger morphological traits allow cells to capture more light and require less energy, making them advantageous in low-light conditions. This research concludes that the underwater light field is a critical factor in determining phytoplankton morphology in eutrophic water bodies.
Citation
@Article{su2013underwater,
title = {Importance of underwater light field in selecting phytoplankton morphology in a eutrophic reservoir},
author = {Ming Su and Wei An and Jianwei Yu and Shenling Pan and Min Yang},
year = 2014,
journal = {Hydrobiologia},
volume = 724,
pages = {203--216},
url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10750-013-1739-2},
issn = {0018-8158},
doi = {10.1007/s10750-013-1739-2}
}