Phosphorus, nitrogen, and silica as controls on phytoplankton biomass and species composition in Lake Champlain (USA-Canada)

The long-standing assumption that the phytoplankton in Lake Champlain are phosphorus limited was tested through measurement of physiological indicators of phosphorus status (alkaline phosphatase activity and orthophosphate turnover time) and enrichment experiments conducted four times during the growth season. Phosphorus addition to experimental carboys incubated 4-5 days in situ substantially increased phytoplankton biomass relative to controls in June, but had only a mild impact in July and September, and no effect in May. Nitrogen addition augmented biomass in one of four experiments (in June), while silica had no impact at anytime. In summer and fall, addition of N and P in combination always yielded more phytoplankton biomass than singular P addition. In spring, even combined addition of N, P, and Si failed to stimulate phytoplankton growth. The phytoplankton groups responding to fertilization were largely the same as those that flourished in controls (diatoms and green algae), suggesting that enclosure was a more powerful determinant of species composition than nutrient inputs. Orthophosphate turnover times and levels of alkaline phosphatase activity in the lake indicated spatial and temporal variability in phytoplantkon P status, with P sufficiency as common as P deficiency. We conclude that multiple interacting factors influence the abundance and species composition of phytoplankton in Lake Champlain. In spring, phytoplankton growth is not limited by N, Si, or P, but by some factor yet to be determined (perhaps light or temperature). In summer, P is the principal limiting nutrient, but N exerts an influence that deserves further investigation.