Periphytic algae response to temperature changes and artificial nutrient enrichment - DOI: 10.4025/actascibiolsci.v31i3.1627

Abstract

This study set out to evaluate, via a mesocosm experiment, the influence of the temperature and concentration of nutrients (N and P) in the abundance of periphytic algae (except Bacillariophyceae) of the upper Paraná river floodplain. The experiment was designed using 5 treatments: a control (C), added nutrients (P+, N+, NP+) at 25°C, and without added nutrients at 15°C. Glass slides were used for periphytic algae colonization, and the samples were taken on the 15^th and 31^st days following colonization. Canonical Correspondence Analysis revealed a clear separation among treatment groups due to temperature and added nutrients. A decrease in temperature affected the abundance of periphytic algae classes, especially in the reduction of the relative density of Cyanophyceae and increase in Zygnemaphyceae. The artificial addition of nutrients – especially P – altered the structure of the periphytic algae communities. The relative densities of the classes, in general, increased with the addition of nutrients. Phosphorus may be considered a driver of periphytic algae, as can be seen by the rapid response after artificial enrichment.