Relationships between Light Availability, Chlorophyll A, and Tripton in a Large, Shallow Subtropical Lake

Authors

E. J. Phlips, University of Florida
F. J. Aldridge, University of Florida
C. L. Schelske, University of Florida
Thomas L. Crisman, University of FloridaFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1995

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.1995.40.2.0416

Abstract

The relationships between planktonic chlorophyll a and mean light availability in the mixed layer were examined for Lake Okeechobee, a shallow eutrophic lake in south‐central Florida. There were significant spatial differences in the nature of this relationship. In the northern and central regions of the lake, concentrations of nonalgal suspended solids, tripton, were high due to muddy sediments and polymictic conditions. Light attenuation was predominantly correlated to the concentration of tripton and chlorophyll a concentrations were positively correlated to mean light availability in the mixed layer, I_m. The western and southern regions of the lake had lower concentrations of tripton and light attenuation was correlated to chlorophyll a concentrations in summer and fall. Variables which estimate mean light availability in the mixed layer, such as I_m, may provide insight into the role of light availability in the control of phytoplankton standing crop.

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Limnology and Oceanography, v. 40, issue 2, p. 416-421

Scholar Commons Citation

Phlips, E. J.; Aldridge, F. J.; Schelske, C. L.; and Crisman, Thomas L., "Relationships between Light Availability, Chlorophyll A, and Tripton in a Large, Shallow Subtropical Lake" (1995). School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications. 1713.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/geo_facpub/1713