Changes in Distribution and Abundance of Submerged Macrophytes in the Inner Bay at Long Point,Lake Erie: Implications for Foraging Waterfowl

Submerged aquatic macrophytes in Long Point Bay provide food for several species of migrating waterfowl, particularly diving ducks. The percent occurrence of several plant species in the diets of six species (207 birds) of diving ducks were studied between 1992 and 1994. Of 29 plant species consumed, Vallisneria americana was the most commonly occurring in the diet. Chara vulgaris, Potamogeton spp., Polygonum spp., and Najas flexilis/quadalupensis were also important dietary items. The seeds of a number of emergent macrophyte species were also consumed. Submerged macrophytes were sampled at 312 locations in the Inner Bay of Long Point, Lake Erie, in 1991, 1992, and 1995. Distribution and percent abundance were compared with a similar study in 1976 and with observations of macrophytes in 1962. In comparison with the 1976 study, Chara vulgaris is still dominant over much of the Bay. V. americana and N. flexilis/N. guadalupensis have expanded their ranges, probably a result of increasing light penetration associated with the filtering of suspended material by introduced zebra mussels Dreissena polymorpha. The continued widespread distribution of C. vulgaris, and the expansion of V. americana and N. flexilis/N. guadalupensis, has probably benefitted waterfowl, as these species have a high nutritive value and are readily consumed by diving ducks at Long Point. Myriophyllum spicatum, an exotic species introduced in the early 1970s, increased in distribution between 1976 and 1991 but decreased in distribution and percent abundance by 1995. Increased light transparency may have contributed to this decline, as M. spicatum typically grows best in turbid, eutrophic environments. The decline of this species has probably been beneficial to waterfowl because it commonly out-competes native plants and it is underutilized by ducks at Long Point. Ceratophyllum demersum appears to be a more prominent member of the submerged macrophyte communities in the 1990s, as it was not reported previously. In comparison with 1962, major changes have occurred in species composition and relative abundance: M. spicatum, Najas spp., and Elodea canadensis have increased, Potamogeton spp. and Nitella spp. have declined. Macrophyte distribution and abundance on the Inner Bay is influenced by environmental, biological, geomorphological and geological variables. However, the anthropogenic introduction of two exotic species, M. Spicatum and the zebra mussel, appears to have had a pronounced influence on the community structure of submerged macrophytes in Long Point Bay.     

In situ experimental studies of Eurasian Watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) downstream from agricultural watersheds: Nutrient loading,foliar uptake,and growth

Recent studies in Conesus Lake, New York, documented significant decreases in the biomass of Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) near the mouths of streams draining sub-watersheds where reductions in nutrient loading occurred as a result of the implementation of agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs). In situ experiments were conducted to further investigate the relationship between stream loading, foliar uptake, and growth of Eurasian watermilfoil. In two of three experiments, plants cropped to a height of approximately 50 cm had the lowest growth (g/m²) downstream from a sub-watershed where major BMPs had been implemented (80% and 0%). In sub-watersheds where minimal or no BMPs were introduced, plants showed significantly higher growth as biomass increased (216% and 22%). In a second set of experiments, shoots of Eurasian watermilfoil plants were incubated for 24 h in ambient lake water and in lake water with enriched concentrations of nitrate and soluble reactive phosphorus comparable to rain event stream effluent concentrations and then allowed to grow in situ for a 2-week experimental period. For all experiments combined, the shoot biomass increased significantly in the enhanced nutrient treatments when compared to the ambient treatment at the Sand Point macrophyte bed (reduced loading) but not at the Eagle Point macrophyte bed (high loading). Overall, the results indicate that foliar uptake of nutrients in stream effluent can contribute to the growth of Eurasian watermilfoil and reinforce the hypothesis that reductions in stream loading through agricultural BMPs can help reduce macrophyte growth in the lake littoral.     

The composition of particulate phosphorus: A case study of the Grand River,Canada

We examined the fractions of particulate phosphorus (PP) in the lower reaches of the Grand River, Canada, to test the hypothesis that the river is a source of both particulate-bound orthophosphate and labile species of PP. At the mouth of the Grand River, the proportion of particulate organic P (POP) was, on average, 57.7% of total PP, which was significantly higher than the proportion of particulate inorganic P (PIP) in PP. Analysis with ³¹P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy showed that the proportion of P species other than orthophosphate in the NaOH- EDTA extract was 1.75 times greater than that of orthophosphate. Labile P species (e.g. nucleotides and pyrophosphate) were present in the NMR spectrum; whereas, refractory organic P (myo-inositol hexakisphosphate) was absent. These results suggest that during winter and spring, the Grand River supplies primarily bioavailable phosphorus species in organic forms to Lake Erie, rather than inorganic orthophosphate. These results suggest that labile organic P is contained in PP rather than alkaline extractable inorganic P. Future studies should examine POP species in other rivers of the Lake Erie watershed.     

Phosphorus Nutrition of Two Potentially Competing Filamentous Algae, Cladophora Glomerata (L.) Kütz. and Stigeoclonium Tenue (Agardh) Kütz. from Lake Ontario

Cladophora glomerata and Stigeoclonium tenue were isolated from Lake Ontario. Batch culture growth experiments at 20° C and 175 μE/m²?sec continuous light show the maximum growth rate of Stigeoclonium (2.0 day^?1) to be about 2.5 times that of Cladophora (0.8 day^?1). The maximum phosphorus uptake rate for Stigeoclonium is 20 times greater than that for Cladophora and the half-saturation coefficient is larger by a factor of three. From growth experiments, the level of minimum cellular phosphorus of declining-phase cells is similar for both species but Stigeoclonium exhibits a greater luxury maximum level (in lag-phase cells) by a factor of over two. This, plus the fact that the growth rate of Stigeoclonium exceeds that of Cladophora at all levels of external and cellular phosphorus, allows Stigeoclonium to be more successful at phosphate-based competition. This is further confirmed by the facts that (compared to Stigeoclonium) the half-saturation growth constant is three times greater in Cladophora and the ratio of this constant to maximum growth rate is also eight times greater in Cladophora. It is hypothesized that the present-day dominance by Cladophora in the littoral region of the lower Great Lakes may not be determined by phosphate limitation but by certain competitive aspects of the life cycle, growth form, and physiology.     

Effects of Food Type,Habitat, and Fish Predation on the Relative Abundance of Two Amphipod Species,Gammarus fasciatus and Echinogammarus ischnus

We evaluated the abundance patterns of Gammarus fasciatus and Echinogammarus ischnus in dreissenid and macrophyte areas in Hatchery Bay, Lake Erie before (1997) and after round goby (2001, 2002) invaded the area. Total amphipod abundance was higher before round goby invasion in both habitats. In mussel beds, E. ischnus abundance was similar or significantly higher than G. fasciatus. In macrophytes, G. fasciatus was significantly more abundant than E. ischnus. In laboratory experiments, we compared amphipod survivorship and growth when fed mussel feces and pseudofeces (F+P) or macrophytes with epiphytes (M+E). Gammarus fasciatus survivorship and growth were higher when fed F+P than M+E. Echinogammarus ischnus showed similar survivorship under both diets, but significantly higher growth when fed M+E than F+P. Therefore inter-habitat differences in food resources cannot explain the abundance patterns observed in the lake. We also estimated the relative vulnerability of G. fasciatus and E. ischnus to yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) predation in laboratory feeding trials using mussel colonies or macrophyte beds as substrate. Both fish strongly preferred E. ischnus in macrophytes, but consumed relatively more G. fasciatus than E. ischnus in dreissenid habitats. Our results suggest that dreissenid establishment may have facilitated the invasion of E. ischnus. However, habitat-specific differences in vulnerability to fish predation may mediate the coexistence of G. fasciatus and E. ischnus by minimizing expansion of E. ischnus to macrophyte areas. Our results also suggest that round goby invasion can alter amphipod abundance patterns in Lake Erie.     

Ecological Studies and Mathematical Modeling of Cladophora in Lake Huron: 2. Phosphorus Uptake Kinetics

Laboratory experiments were conducted with field populations of Cladophora glomerata to examine the phosphorus uptake process. Results from 35 experiments conducted over two field seasons emphasize the importance of two factors in regulating phosphorus uptake: dissolved phosphorus concentration and internal phosphorus pool size. The phosphorus uptake rate increases as dissolved phosphorus availability increases. Negative feedback on uptake rate by internal phosphorus pool size reduces the maximum phosphorus uptake rate as internal pools approach saturation. The absolute maximum phosphorus uptake rate for Cladophora was 4.5%P/day. Values for the half-saturation constant for uptake varied with internal phosphorus pool size and ranged between 30 and 250 μgP/L. The data were fit to published mathematical expressions which describe uptake as a function of internal and external phosphorus levels. The expressions may be used in mathematical models simulating the growth of Cladophora.     

生态型灌区应用伊乐藻修复受损水体的试验研究

本文将伊乐藻引入生态型灌区受损水体修复中。通过室内试验系统地研究了伊乐藻的净化效果，结果表明，伊乐藻是修复受损水体较理想的材料。伊乐藻对总氮(TN)、总磷(TP)和CODMn的累积去除率，在初夏分别为61%、89%和34%，在初冬为25.74%、26.59%和10.93%；伊乐藻对水体的净化能力高于菹草和金鱼藻。文中还探讨了修复过程中可能存在的二次污染问题。通过宏观的质量平衡估算，1g伊乐藻在1年内可以从1L水体中去除TN、TP和CODMn分别达到44.57、15.42和31.13mg。     

水污染对菹草及伊乐藻生长的影响

针对沉水植物在污染水体中的生存阈值问题,在满足光补偿点的条件下,研究不同劣Ⅴ类水质中菹草(Potamageton crispus)、伊乐藻(Elodea nattalii)的生长情况。结果表明:①如果能够保证水体光补偿点条件,在苏州市3种劣Ⅴ类水质中,菹草、伊乐藻均能保证基本存活,且无论从表观上还是从体内的保护酶来看,伊乐藻对污染的适应能力均优于菹草。②在实验过程中,菹草及伊乐藻的叶绿素含量基本上呈下降趋势,说明在污染环境中植物生长状况不良。③菹草及伊乐藻在水质相对较好的苗家河水样中的生长情况优于水质相对较差的薛家河及竹辉河。     

芦苇占优势农田溪流营养盐滞留能力分析与评估

2014年9月—2015年4月,在合肥地区二十埠河流域的某一典型农田源头溪流段,选择以Na Cl为保守示踪剂,NH4Cl和KH2PO4为添加营养盐,采用恒速连续投加的方式,开展了7次野外现场示踪试验。在此基础上,利用OTIS模型和营养螺旋原理,从机制层面分析和评估芦苇占优势农田源头溪流氮磷营养盐滞留能力和滞留特征。结果表明,该芦苇占优势渠段的比值As/A明显超过一般源头溪流水体,暂态存储对于营养盐滞留有较大影响;NH4+和SRP的暂态存储区营养盐一阶吸收系数都较主流区高一个数量级,且所有吸收系数均为正值,表明芦苇占优势渠段具有氮、磷"汇"的功能;NH4+吸收长度明显低于SRP,特别是冬季和初春,意味着溪流对于NH4+的滞留能力超过SRP;NH4+和SRP的总滞留率分别为14.46%和10.73%,生物滞留率平均值分别为9.17%和3.67%;主流区流动水体和暂态存储区对于NH4+滞留的平均贡献率分别为43.12%、56.88%;对于SRP滞留的平均贡献率分别50.13%、49.87%。     

Ecological Studies and Mathematical Modeling of Cladophora in Lake Huron: 5. Model Development and Calibration

The development of a mathematical model for calculating the spatial distribution and temporal variation in Cladophora biomass and selected forms of phosphorus at a site on Lake Huron is described. The model is intended for use in evaluating the utility of various phosphorus management strategies in reducing the nuisance growth of Cladophora in the Great Lakes. The model is composed of a transport component which accounts for bulk transfer and exchange of phosphorus within the system and a kinetic component which describes chemical and biological reactions. The kinetic component includes the effects of light, temperature, and internal phosphorus levels on Cladophora growth rate, aspects of phosphorus uptake, and the impact of sloughing and self-shading on standing crop. The numerical value of coefficients associated with kinetic equations have been independently determined through laboratory studies.The model has been calibrated to a data set collected in the vicinity of the Harbor Beach, Michigan, wastewater treatment plant. A satisfactory fit was achieved for model calculations and observed levels of Cladophora biomass, internal phosphorus, and soluble reactive phosphorus. The model has few degrees of freedom because the coefficient values were fixed from field and laboratory measurements. A standing crop of Cladophora biomass of 300 gDW/m² with an internal phosphorus level of 0.35%P was characteristic of stations in the vicinity of the nutrient source. Soluble reactive phosphorus levels fluctuated widely due to mixing of the effluent plume with offshore waters, but averaged approximately 30 μgP/L. A distinct spatial trend was observed with Cladophora biomass, internal phosphorus, and soluble reactive phosphorus decreasing with distance from the point source of nutrients. The opportunity for model verification by perturbation through phosphorus removal is discussed.     

新开河4种水生植物表面附着微生物群落特征

以水生植物金鱼藻、伊乐藻、萍蓬草和菱角为研究对象,利用扫描电镜、荧光显微镜和16S rRNA高通量测序技术,探究不同水生植物表面微生物群落特征。结果表明:沉水植物表面附生藻类密度比浮叶植物的高,且植物表面附生藻类组成与周围水体明显不同;浮叶植物萍蓬草和菱角根部的微生物群落结构与其叶表面的差异较大。4种水生植物表面附着细菌群落优势门类依次为变形菌门、厚壁菌门、绿弯菌门、拟杆菌门、酸杆菌门和疣微菌门,具有水体污染物质净化功能;两种类型水生植物表面附着有大量微生物,且不同植物之间和同种植物不同器官之间的优势种存在一定的差异。     

Macroinvertebrate Associations with Aquatic Macrophytes and Artificial Substrates

Macroinvertebrate populations associated with Myriophyllum exalbescens, Potamogeton richardsonii, and Vallisneria americana were compared with those on plastic ‘plants’ similar in morphology to P. richardsonii. The density of organisms varied according to macrophyte species (Myriophyllum ? Potamogeton > Vallisneria). The plastic imitations did not differ significantly from Potamogeton in the total numbers of macrophytes they harboured at two different sampling periods during the growing season. A similar macroinvertebrate species composition occurred in association with the three plant species and with the artificial substrates.     

Distribution of Heavy Metal and Organic Contaminants in Plants and Soils of Windsor and Essex County,Ontario

Concentrations of four contaminants were determined in the soils and plants of Essex County and the city of Windsor in southwestern Ontario. Concentrations of lead and cadmium in county soils were not significantly greater than accepted provincial background levels; average concentrations were 12 mg kg^–1 and 0.38 mg kg^–1 dry soil for lead and cadmium, respectively. Lead concentration in tissues of crop plants was less than 1/4 of that in adjacent soil; cadmium concentration was similar to that in adjacent soil. Concentrations of both metals were significantly higher within the city. Soil lead averaged 44.8 mg kg^–1 and soil cadmium 0.62 mg kg^–1 dry soil. These concentrations correlated significantly with traffic volume on nearby streets. In roots of Chenopodium averages were 18.1 mg kg^–1 for lead and 0.60 mg kg^–1 for cadmium. PCBs were generally undetectable or present only in trace amounts in both soils and goldenrod plants in Essex County. Octachlorostyrene (OCS), while undetectable in soil, was found in leaves at concentrations of about 1 μg kg^–1 in the county. City soils contained higher concentrations of PCBs; average Arochlor 1260 concentration was 13.17 μg kg^–1; OCS was not detectable. Concentrations of both OCS and Arochlors 1254 and 1260 were higher in goldenrod tissues in the city than in parallel county samples. These data suggest limited dispersal of pollutants from urban-industrial sources into the surrounding area.     

Variations in the Aquatic Vegetation of the Welland River (Ontario,Canada) Above and Below an Industrial Waste Discharge

The zonation of aquatic macrophytes, particularly Typha and Sagittaria sp. and associated periphyton communities, were investigated in relation to industrial point source discharges to the Welland River, Ontario. Severe reductions of macrophyte species densities and macrophyte and periphyton diversity were found immediately below the outfalls with distinct recovery zones in the downstream part. Normal macrophyte and periphyton density and diversity occurred at sites approximately 1.6 km below the outfall.     

Evaluating the Effects of Habitat Patchiness on Small Fish Assemblages in a Great Lakes Coastal Marsh

Wetlands are naturally heterogeneous ecosystems with resident species adapted to patchy environments. We measured how assemblages of small fish varied among four natural patches of coastal marsh in Mismer Bay, Lake Huron, USA. We sampled patches continuously for extensive time periods to describe both spatial and temporal fish distribution patterns. Fish richness and distribution varied spatially with some species restricted to one or two patches, such as Phoxinus eos and Margariscus margarita, and others widely distributed, such as Pimephales notatus and Culaea inconstans. For ubiquitous species, patch utilization varied temporally, which was explained by variation in habitat characteristics, such as macrophyte richness and growth form diversity, emergent macrophyte stem density, water temperature and depth. Northern Great Lakes coastal marshes are not static environments, and intensive sampling illustrates the dynamic interactions between fishes and this successional marsh environment. We conclude that extended sampling protocols in patchy, temperate wetlands are preferable to short surveys for making accurate evaluations about the spatio-temporal habitat utilization of fishes.     

The Impacts of the Non-native Macrophyte Cabomba caroliniana on Littoral Biota of Kasshabog Lake,Ontario

An established population of Cabomba caroliniana now covers extensive littoral areas in the shallow waters of Kasshabog Lake (Ontario). This is the first known naturalized population of this non-native aquatic macrophyte, commonly called fanwort, on the Canadian side of the Great Lakes basin, despite the fact that it was first reported in the 1930s. High dispersal potentials combined with the ability to adapt and grow in a range of environmental conditions have made C. caroliniana a nuisance species in Australia, Japan, and parts of the United States. However, little is known about the broader ecological implications of its introduction and establishment. Using a survey approach, we conducted a preliminary assessment of water chemistry, macrophyte, epiphytic algae, and macroinvertebrate communities found in C. caroliniana beds and compared them with native macrophyte beds in Kasshabog Lake. Light penetration was significantly reduced in the C. caroliniana beds and was the only sampled physio-chemical parameter that differed between bed types. We also found several notable differences in the structure and composition of biological communities within macrophyte beds. While native macrophytes were present in dense C. caroliniana beds, abundance was considerably low and unevenly distributed. Significantly more epiphytic algae was present on C. caroliniana plants, however community composition was comparable with epiphytic algae found on native macrophytes. The taxonomic composition of macroinvertebrates was similar between C. caroliniana and native beds, while abundance was substantially higher in C. caroliniana beds, owing to high densities of coenagrionids and chironomids. These differences suggest that C. caroliniana is changing macrophyte community composition in this lake, having an impact on epiphytic algae, and creating a new habitat for some macroinvertebrates. Further studies are required to determine the extent of these ecological impacts.     

From River to Lake: Phosphorus partitioning and algal community compositional changes in Western Lake Erie

The Maumee River is an important source of phosphorus (P) loading to western Lake Erie and potentially a source of Microcystis seed colonies contributing to the development of harmful algal blooms in the lake. Herein, we quantified P forms and size fractions, and phytoplankton community composition in the river–lake coupled ecosystem before (June), during (August), and after (September) a large Microcystis bloom in 2009. Additionally, we determined the distribution and density of a newly emergent cyanobacterium, Lyngbya wollei, near Maumee Bay to estimate potential P sequestration. In June, dissolved organic phosphorus (DOP) was the most abundant P form whereas particulate P (partP) was most abundant in August and September. Green algae dominated in June (44% and 60% of total chlorophyll in river and lake, respectively) with substantial Microcystis (17%) present only in the river. Conversely, in August, Microcystis declined in the river (3%) but dominated (32%) the lake. Lake phytoplankton sequestered < 6% of water column P even during peak Microcystis blooms; in all lake samples < 112 μm non-algal particles dominated partP. Lyngbya density averaged 19.4 g dry wt/m², with average Lyngbya P content of 15% (to 75% maximum) of water column P. The presence of Microcystis in the river before appearing in the lake indicates that the river is a potential source of Microcystis seed colonies for later lake blooms, that DOP is an important component of early summer total P, and that L. wollei blooms have the potential to increase P retention in nearshore areas.     

多级拦水堰坝调控农田溪流营养盐滞留能力的仿真模拟

为揭示多级拦水堰坝对于低等级小河流营养盐滞留能力的影响,以巢湖流域某一典型的农田源头溪流为对象,在野外示踪实验和计算机模拟的基础上,针对构建的多级简易水坝,采用暂态存储和营养螺旋指标,仿真模拟多级拦水堰坝对于氮磷营养盐滞留能力的调控效果。结果表明:多级拦水堰坝Darcy-Weisbach阻力系数明显超过无堰坝情形,但其弗劳德数Fr和雷诺数Re则较无堰坝情景低些;多级拦水堰坝相应的交换长度Ls值较无堰坝情景低1~2个数量级,水力持留因子Rh则较无堰坝情景明显增大,表明多级拦水堰坝使溪流的暂态存储能力得到很大提升;在多级拦水堰坝情景下,NH4+和PO43-的吸收长度Sw均有大幅度的下降,其中NH4+削减幅度达70.27%~89.47%,PO43-为75.59%~81.92%;不仅如此,在多级堰坝情景下,NH4+和PO43-的物质传输系数Vf、吸收速率U均显著增大,表明多级拦水堰坝可以有效提高农田溪流氮磷营养盐的滞留潜力。     

A comparison of biofilms from macrophytes and rocks for taste and odour producers in the St. Lawrence river.

Given their widespread and prolific annual development in the St. Lawrence River (SLR), macrophytes (i.e. submerged aquatic plants) represent large surface areas for biofilm growth and potentially important sites for associated production of taste and odour (T&O) compounds. We therefore evaluated the importance of submerged macrophytes and their associated biofilms for production of T&O compounds, 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin (GM), compared with biofilms from adjacent rocks. We also tested the hypothesis that production of these compounds would differ between macrophyte species, based on the premise that they are not inert substrates but directly influence the communities that colonise their surfaces. Samples collected from transects across the SLR between Kingston and Cornwall, ON were dominated by the flat-bladed Vallisneria spp., and the leafed Myriophyllum spicatum, Elodea canadensis, Chara spp., Potamgeton spp., and Ceratophyllum spp. Overall, MIB and GM levels in biofilms ranged widely between samples. Expressed per g dry weight of biofilm, median levels from macrophyte were 50 (range 1-5000) ng MIB g(-1) and 10 (<1 to 580) ng GM g(-1) compared with 50 (range 5-970) ng MIB g(-1) and 160 (1-1600) ng GM g(-1) from rocks. Based on non-parametric statistical analysis, levels of GM were higher on a g dry weight basis in biofilms from rocks than macrophytes (P = 0.02), but MIB levels were similar (P = 0.94). However, when normalised for differences in substrate surface area (i.e. ng cm(-2)), levels of both MIB and GM were higher in biofilms from rocks than from macrophytes (P < 0.01). There were no discernable differences in MIB and GM concentrations from biofilms of different macrophytes based on either g dry weight sample or surface area (P > 0.05). Overlying water (OLW) concentrations ranged between 2-45 ng L(-1) for MIB and 5-30 ng L(-1) for GM and were not correlated with levels in adjacent biofilms. However, OLW concentrations peaked in shallow, low energy embayments consistent with enhanced production and release of MIB and GM in nearshore areas. The results support our previous work showing the importance of biofilms on various surfaces (rocks, macrophytes and zebra mussels) for MIB and GM production in the SLR, but suggest that inert surfaces like rocks are more productive sites per unit surface area than macrophytes.     

Biomass and Distribution of Cladophora Glomerata in Relation to Some Physical-Chemical Variables at Two Sites in Lake Erie

Cladophora was collected from 0.25-m² quadrats on alternate weeks at two sites located in Lake Erie near Hamburg, New York, and Walnut Creek near Erie, Pennsylvania, between June and November 1979. Cladophora biomass and internal nutrients (total Kjeldahl nitrogen and total phosphorus) were determined. Water samples were analyzed for total phosphorus, soluble reactive phosphorus, nitrate + nitrite nitrogen, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, and ammonia nitrogen. Temperature and Secchi disk transparency were also recorded.The peak standing crop for Cladophora was 211 gDW/m² (July) at the Hamburg site and 57 gDW/m² (July) at Walnut Creek. The depth distribution of Cladophora at the sample sites was influenced by wave activity and drifting sand. As a result of sand scouring at the shallower depths, Cladophora biomass generally was greatest at the 3-m depth.Reductions in Cladophora internal nutrients corresponded to decreased nutrients in the water. Cladophora detached from its substrate during periods when low internal nutrient levels were observed. Internal total phosphorus concentrations were low and approached the minimum cell quota (0.05–0.06% –P) most of the time. Soluble reactive phosphorus values were also low (1–4 μgP/L). Levels of soluble reactive phosphorus and internal total phosphorus were low and almost always limiting, and may be responsible for the low biomass values observed. In addition, internal total phosphorus levels showed a significant positive correlation with Cladophora biomass. Internal total nitrogen values were generally less than 1%-N at Walnut Creek and ammonia nitrogen measurements were near detection limits. Cladophora was nitrogen-limited at the Walnut Creek site during part of the study period. Nitrate + nitrite nitrogen showed a significant positive correlation with Cladophora biomass at that site.