Periphyton community of Nahuel Huapi lake (Patagonia, Argentina).

BAFFICO, G.

Dublin, Irlanda

Congreso; XXVII Congreso de la Sociedad Internacional de Limnología (SIL).; 1998

International Association of Theoretical and Applied Limnology

Nahuel Huapi is a large (Area = 557 Km2) and deep (Zmax = 464 m) lake in Andean Patagonian Region of Argentina. Although the trophic state is oligotrophic, periphyton growth is important in some zones of the shore due to nutrient inputs from the surrounding city. Periphyton community is considered as sensitive indicator of trophic changes in freshwater and for this reason is a useful tool to detect the first signs of eutrophication. The results from sampling of the periphyton community in different areas of the lake will be discussed.