During the recent 50 years, Lake Kinneret and its drainage basin Ecosystems has undergone significant changes. Climate change of temperature elevation, decline of precipitation, as well as innovated management of the drainage basin caused suppression of Lake inputs of Nitrogen. The Kinneret limnological trait shifted from phosphorus to nitrogen limitation accompanied by modifications of the phytoplankton population structure. The routine bloom forming Peridinium (Photo 1) in late winter was replaced by enhancements of Cyanophytes, Chlorophytes and Diatoms [1] . In the first part of the study (“I:Peridinium Cyanophyta alternate”), the impact of total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) on Peridinium replacement by Cyanophyta was analyzed. Here, a study of the enhancement of the non-Peridinium algal groups in relation to the “Total” and “Bio-available” (dissolved) species of nitrogen and phosphorus contents is presented.

Field observations i.e. routinely monitored data-base, are crucial in Ecological sciences. This information should be integrated with compatible experimental information. Moreover, routinely collected field data might be therefore significant for the formulations of conclusive confirmations of previously hypothesized conjectures. A famous Anthropologist, E. Adamson Hoebel [2] stated that the studies carried out and published by M. Mead [3] might be a classical example of how field observation is equally valued to experimental observations. The present paper evaluates field data set collected routinely during long-term period. The conclusive conjectures and/or hypothesis could not be implemented without the contribution of the experimental information such as chemical composition of lake water and algal matter. The combination of both experimental results and field-data are therefore suitable for future predictions given later. The impact of nitrogen and phosphorus on phytoplankton growth was widely documented [4] by many authors. The unique nutrient limitation trait of

Photo 1. SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) photo of Peridinium cells from Lake Kinneret: By courtesy of Dr. Boris Fichtman, Bar-Ilan University, Medical School (scale is given).

nitrogen and phosphorus, solely and in relation, was intensively studied as well, among others [5] [6] [7] . In the present study, the long term field data record is tentatively aimed at its impact on phytoplankton distribution. An attempt to give an insight into the paradigm of phytoplankton-nutrient relations in Lake Kinneret is presented. The compositional modifications of Phytoplankton assemblages in Lake Kinneret were previously studied. But the causation of nutrient trait dominance, presented here, is an innovative insight. Previous studies were not strictly focused on nutritional conditions as major impact which is tentatively present paper.

The following long-term (randomly taken: 1969-2001) information of monthly averages (weekly and bi-weekly samples) taken from Kinneret Limnological Laboratory Data Base [8] . The monthly means were condensed into annual averages in order to allocate the multiannual trend of relations. The following parameters were selected in the present study: phytoplankton (sampling methods are given in [1] [8] ), (Peridinium, Chlorophyta, diatoms and Cyanophyta) biomass (g(ww)/m²), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), total inorganic nitrogen (TIN), total dissolved phosphorus (TDP) as concentration (ppm) or total load in the Epilimnion (tonnes in the Epilimnion), N/P mass (w/w) ratio, water level (WL; mbsl) and Jordan River Discharge (Cubic Meter per Second). Two statistical methods were used: Simple Linear Regression, and the Nonlinear Fractional Polynomial Regression (STATA 9.1) with given r² (correlation coefficient).

All monthly mean values were compiled as annual averages on which statistical tests were carried out. Phytoplankton data is based on samples collected in Station A and chemical information is due to averaged values of samples collected in 7 stations throughout the entire lake (A, C, D, F, G, H, K) [9] .

Annual Grand total means of TN, TP, TIN and TDP [8] have indicated that TIN comprises 30% of TN and TDP comprises 26% of TP. Figure 1 and Figure 2 indicates moderate stability of seasonal relations between the total and bio-available

dissolved species of nitrogen (Figure 1) and phosphorus (Figure 2). TN represent long-term decline (1991 and 1992 exceptionally due to heavy floods) of epilimnetic load but stable TIN load doesn’t. Contrary to nitrogen, TP represent a slight increase but decline of TDP since mid-1980s. Fractional Polynomial Regression of the relations between epilimnetic loads of TDP (independent) and TIN (dependent) (Figure 3) indicates inverse relation when TDP was changed from 20 to 15 tonnes but positive-directly when TDP was changed below 15 tonnes.

Annual averages of total phytoplankton and Peridinium biomass (g/m²) shown in Figure 4 indicates a gradual decline of Peridinium since mid-1980s: 7 years with exceptional low biomass and 4 years with normal higher biomass but clear elevation of total phytoplankton biomass. Contrary to the Peridinium decline

the Biomass of Chlorpphyta, Cyanophyta and diatoms biomass (Figure 5) represent a prominent increase. The partial replacement of Peridinium by non-Peridium algal (Chlorpphyta, Cyanophyta and diatoms) biomass is clearly defined by deepening of Secchi depths (Figure 6): from 3.2 - 3.1 m until mid-1980s to 3.2 - 3.5 later. The clear replacement of Peridinium by Cyanophyta is presented in Figure 7.

The interrelationships between phytoplankton and nutrients were widely documented (among others) [4] [5] [6] [7] . Shifts from one to another algal group dominance was also widely documented [6] [7] [13] [14] [15] [16] . Experimental study of nutrient limitation for phytoplankton growth was quite often based on methodological approach of bioassay [7] [17] [18] . Nevertheless, the investigation of TN and TP content within the entire water column followed by TN/TP ratio indication is less common [10] [17] [19] [20] . The present study evaluates

long-term field data set aimed at analyzing causation for the fluctuations of phytoplankton composition.

The TN and TP concentration is a measure of nutrient standing stock whilst TIN and TDP is an indication of bio-availability; i.e. the efficient portion of those two total nutrients for algal growth (Table 2). The nitrogen sources are mostly external in the Kinneret ecosystem and transported into the lake by water inflows. It is related both to the total standing stock (TN) and partly to the dissolved N species (TIN), therefore a direct positive regression exist between TN and TIN. Part of the TIN is possibly a product of TN microbial mineralization

but within a close box which is fluxed from external sources. On the contrary, Kinneret sources of phosphorus are partly external (dust deposition and through water migration) and partly internal as microbial activity on sediments substrate and P mediated Peridinium cysts mineralization of the unlimited bottom sediments stock. The TP and TDP fluxes into the lake water are two independent processes and therefore the regression between them is not highly significant. The long term changes indicate decline of TIN, TDP and Peridinium in the lake. The TIN and partly TDP decrease (r² = 0.2 - 0.3) was probably the result of Jordan River discharge decline which respectively decreased nutrients inputs.

Moreover, because nitrogen is a limiting factor for Peridinium growth and Peridinium cysts, mediated phosphorus, being lowered in, TDP content in the Kinneret Epilimnion was suppressed. Decline of Jordan River discharge was obviously accompanied by lake water level decline which was independently related to nutrient content decline as well as Peridinium (the major component of the total phytoplankton “box”) decrease (r² = 0.5). Simple Linear Regression between monthly values of Jordan River Discharge and TN, TP and total phytoplankton were significantly positive: r² = 0.7 - 0.4, p = 0.0001 - 0.002. Nonetheless, simple Linear regression between temporal data (years), and epilimnetic bio-available nutrient loads (TIN, TDP), Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, diatoms, total phytoplankton represent positive relations (increase with time) whilst that

with Peridinium―the opposite, negative (decline with time). Actually, TN epilimnetic load decline was followed by increase of non-Peridinium algal biomass and vice versa (decline) in the Peridinium biomass. When epilimnetic TP load declined (Figure 18), Chlorophyta, and Cyanophyta biomass increased and that of diatoms and Peridinium declined. The water clarity factor is defined by Secchi depth (SEC) measurement: the deeper it is the water transparency is higher.

Figure 6 indicates an increase of SEC since early 1980s. Before the 1980s, Peridinium was heavily bloomed and resulted in shallowest SEC. After the disappearance of Peridinium, the non-Peridinium algal population dominated community, formed high water clarity, in which SEC was deepening (Figure 6). The inverse relation between Peridinium and Cyanophyte biomass density is prominently presented in Figure 7.

Including the water level (WL) parameter in the complex interactions between nutrients and algal community looks like being an “outsider” factor although ecological approach makes its integration justified. Figure 8 indicates WL decline since early 1980s. Moreover, Figure 9 and Figure 10 present the inverse relation between TDP, TIN and WL respectively. Obviously, the smaller the Jordan discharge, the lower is the WL and the lower are nutrient inputs. Nevertheless, decline of nutrient inputs lowered nitrogen supply which is demanded by Peridinium (Table 3) for normal growth rate. Consequently, decline of cysts mediated phosphorus supply, which has no interference to microbial and dust deposition of P fluxes, and therefore increases relative to nitrogen and non-Peridinium algae response, is being enhanced. The advantage of N₂-fixation by Cyanophytes is clearly presented in Figure 12, as a prominent biomass enhancement under TIN deficiency. Epilimnetic TDP sources are partly Peridinium cysts mediated (In addition to dust deposition and sediment microbial activity) and the decline of Peridinium [1] opened the Epilimnion space free for other algal growth (Figure 13 and Figure 14). It is also shown in Figures 15-17 as non-Peridinium biomass enhancement related to decline of Peridinium biomass which is correlated with the decline of TP loads in the Epilimnion (see also Table 1). The reason for the Peridinium decline was nitrogen deficiency as presented in Figure 19 and Figure 20, as there was a temporal decline of nitrogen and the increase of Cyanophtes, respectively.

Long-term data set of phytoplankton biomass, TN, TP, TIN, and TDP nutrient loads and concentrations in the Epilimnion of Lake Kinneret indicate decline of nitrogen, and a slight increase of phosphorus. Those changes initiated decline of Peridinium and enhancement of non-Peridinium algal biomass. The events sequence is briefed as follows: Climate changes, temperature increase [21] , and precipitation reduction as well as Jordan River discharge decline together with nitrogen removal in the drainage basin yielding lowered lake water level and nitrogen inputs. It also results in nitrogen decline and limitation for Peridinium and consequently decline of phosphorus fluxes into the Epilimnion through Cysts mediated phosphorus [22] . In addition, it results in Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta and diatoms growth rates enhancement partly as a result of absence of competition with Peridinium. Future management perspective suggests reappearance of Peridinium under present climate change, accompanied by declining Cyanobacteria by enhancement of nitrogen load in the Epilimnion together with suppression of phosphorus external inputs.

Gophen, M. (2017) The Impact of Nitrogen and Phosphorus Dynamics on the Kinneret Phytoplankton: II: Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta, Diatoms and Peridinium. Open Journal of Modern Hydrology, 7, 298-313. https://doi.org/10.4236/ojmh.2017.74017

TN, total nitrogen; TP, total phosphorus; TIN, total inorganic nitrogen; TDP, total dissolved phosphorus; WL, water level; mbsl, meter below sea level; m³/s, Cubic Meter per Second.