Abstract |
The incluence of the Fox River on certain chemical and physical parameters of water quality in lower Green Bay has been studied with respect to responses in the structure and phosphorus nutrition of the phytoplankton community. Secchi disc transparency, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, temperature, orthophosphate, nitrate, chlorophyll a, phytoplankton dry weight, and extractable phosphate (luxury uptake by algae) were analyzed weekly at nine stations along a transect running 13.5 miles up the Bay from the mouth of the Fox River. The existence of two water masses can be observed in the lower Bay, one characterized by Fox River parameters and the other representing the Bay water. The diffuse interface between the two masses can be located in the vicinity of Long Tail Point, approximately five miles from the mouth of the river. In the extreme lower Bay, the phytoplankton, dominated by river algal species, exhibit high biomass and low luxury uptake of phosphorus in the presence of high concentrations of available phosphate. The algal populations of the Bay are of lower biomass with higher luxury uptake of orthophosphate in the presence of low concentrations of available phosphate. (Author) |