Mass development of the flagellate Gonyostomum semen (Raphidophyta) in Swedish forest lakes ― an effect of acidification?

Gonyostomum semen was first recorded in Scandinavia in 1894, but mass development of the alga was not observed until the early 1950s when bathers complained of itching and allergic reactions. In surveys of small (over 70 per cent with an area of 0.5 km2 or less), generally shallow lakes in acid vuln...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Hydrobiologia 1988-01, Vol.161 (1), p.217-236
Main Authors: CRONBERG, G, LINDMARK, G, BJORK, S
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal and plant ecology
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
Autoecology
Biological and medical sciences
Freshwater
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Gonyostomum semen
Plants and fungi
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Summary:Gonyostomum semen was first recorded in Scandinavia in 1894, but mass development of the alga was not observed until the early 1950s when bathers complained of itching and allergic reactions. In surveys of small (over 70 per cent with an area of 0.5 km2 or less), generally shallow lakes in acid vulnerable areas of Sweden, Gonyostomum was recorded in only 51 of the 300 lakes sampled in 1958-59, but dominated in 16 of the 28 lakes surveyed in 1980-85 and was common in the remaining 12 lakes. Mass development was favoured by low pH and high water colour, suggesting a connection between the on-going acidification of the lakes and the increasing prevalence of Gonyostomum. However, the effects of pH changes on lake ecosystem and organization were probably more important in this respect than were pH changes per se.
ISSN:0018-8158
1573-5117
DOI:10.1007/BF00044113