Four 700-liter cylindrical containers were filled with demineralized water, enriched with nutrients, and inoculated with 3.5-liter lakewater samples. The microcosms were maintained at a temperature of 18C under a 12:12 L:D cycle for 6 months and several manipulations of their trophic structure were carried out, including addition of snails (Physa sp.), mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis), and catfish (Placostomas placostomas). Temporal variation of the phytoplankton resembled the bimodal patterns in certain natural systems. Further analysis demonstrated a close analogy with the predator-prey oscillations of temperate marine waters: an initial bloom is terminated by zooplankton grazing; the resulting low phytoplankton levels lead to gradual starvation of the zooplankton; and a second bloom follows the final dieoff of zooplankton. Both decreasing the concentration of initial nutrients or stocking the microcosms with Gambusia decreases the time between the 'spring' and 'fall' blooms.

"LBL 5965" Prepared U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration under contract no. W-7405-ENG-48. UC-11. Includes bibliographical references (pages 37-39).