REU: An Experimental Study of the Effects of Nutrients and Inorganic Suspended Solids on Phytoplankton Community Structure

本研究提出了资源竞争理论在浑浊水生生态系统适用性的直接检验。假设氮、磷和粘土浊度的实验梯度将导致0.33立方米实验室池中浮游植物群落结构的可预测和可重复的变化。随后将进行现场试验，以确定这些趋势是否可以重复使用现场外壳。此外，本研究认识到沉积损失在决定浮游植物群落结构中的潜在重要性，并将量化其影响。由于还将测量浮游动物的生物量和群落结构，这项研究还补充了正在进行的关于营养物和无机悬浮物对水生食物网影响的研究，这些研究目前正在其他地方进行。这项研究旨在为悬浮沉积物的生态效应提供更多的信息，并使我们能够更好地预测未来营养和侵蚀控制的影响。因此，这项研究应有助于制定控制淡水湖和水库非点源污染的合理准则。

This research proposes direct tests of the applicability of resource-based competition theory to turbid aquatic ecosystems. It is hypothesized that experimental gradients of nitrogen, phosphorus, and clay turbidity will lead to predictable and repeatable changes in phytoplankton community structure in 0.33 cubic meter laboratory tanks. Subsequent field tests will be made to determine whether these trends can be repeated using in situ enclosures. Moreover, this research recognizes the potential importance of sedimentation losses in determining phytoplankton community structure, and will quantify their effects. Because measurements will also be made of zooplankton biomass and community structure, this research also complements ongoing studies of the effects of nutrients and inorganic suspended matter on aquatic food webs, currently being made elsewhere. It is intended that the proposed research will provide additional information on the ecological effects of suspended sediments, and will allow us to better predict the impact of future nutrient and erosion controls. This research should thus assist in the development of rational guidelines for the control of non-point source pollution to freshwater lakes and reservoirs.