Ciliate symbiotic Chlorella contribution to total chlorophyll a in a South Andean lake

BALSEIRO, EG; QUEIMALIÑOS, CP; MODENUTTI, BE

Dublin

Congreso; XXVII SIL Congress; 1998

Vertical distribution of Chlorophyll a and solar irradiance were examined in Lake Moreno, a deep, oligotrophic lake of the South Andes. Nanoflagellates and ciliates with symbiotic Chlorella dominated planktonic communities. KdPAR was extremely low an extended euphotic zone up to 40m. Maximum Chlorophyll a concentrations were registered around 25-40 m. Ciliates with symbiotic Chlorella contributed from 30 to 90% of total pigment concentration, suggesting that symbiosis is especially favoured in this oligotrophic environment.