Time Lags between Hydrological Variables and Phytoplankton Biomass Responses in a Regulated River (the Nakdong River)
2009
Kim, M.C., Han-River Environmental Research Center, National Institute of Environmental Research, Yangpyeong, Republic of Korea | Jeong, K.S., Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea | Kang, D.K., Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea | Kim, D.K., Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea | Shin, H.S., Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea | Joo, G.J., Pusan National University, Busan, Republic of Korea
This study describes time lag responses between hydrological variables and phytoplankton biomass in a regulated river system, the lower Nakdong River in South Korea. The lower Nakdong is a typical flow-controlled lotic system, and its limnological characteristics are influenced by climatic variation such as monsoons and summer typhoons. Mean rainfall in the area during summer is about 1,200 mm, which comprises greater than 60% of annual rainfall. Our results show that the regulation of flow in the Nakdong by multi-purpose dams from 1995 to 2004 affected phytoplankton dynamics. Diatom blooms occurred in winter, when the limited discharge allowed for proliferation of the phytoplankton community. Using multiple regression analysis, we detected significant time-delayed relationships between hydrological variables and phytoplankton biomass. These results may be useful for water resource managers, and suggest that 'smart flow' control would improve water quality in large regulated river systems of the Republic of Korea.
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