Planktonic algae and epiphyton of the littoral in lake Peipsi, Estonia

The littoral plankton of Lake Peipsi (3555 km², mean depth 7.1 m) was studied in summer 1980 and 2000–2002, and the epiphyton was studied on two dominating macrophytes, Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steud. and Potamogeton perfoliatus L., in 2000. The purpose of the study was to estimate to what extent the littoral phytoplankton and epiphytic algae (their biomass, chlorophyll a content and dominant species) can be used as a criterion for the trophic state of the lake. In wind-open areas, phytoplankton biomass in the littoral is commonly more than ten times higher than in open water due to the presence of the macroscopic cyanobacterium Gloeotrichia echinulata (J.S. Smith) P. Richter. This alga is abundant in the moderately eutrophic northern lake's part and rare in the strongly eutrophic southern part; hence also biomass in the southern part is considerably lower. In open water, phytoplankton biomass increases southward with increasing trophy. Algal biomass in the littoral depends on wind direction and can change completely in a few days. Epiphyton biomass and Chla content increased southward with increasing trophic state. They both revealed significant Spearman correlations (P < 0.05) with wind index and transparency (negative), and with abundance of the host plant, both reed and pondweed (positive). The phytoplankton biomass of the littoral of the large and shallow Lake Peipsi can not be used as a criterion of trophic state, however, the species composition of the dominants, particularly cyanobacteria, is well applicable for this purpose. The biomass and Chla content of the epiphyton can be used as a criterion for trophic state.