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Impact of Algae Blooms on the Coastal Zone of the Curonian Lagoon of the Baltic Sea

  • PHYTOPLANKTON, PHYTOBENTHOS, PHYTOPERIPHYTON
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Abstract

The Curonian Lagoon (a lagoonal ecosystem with predominantly freshwater conditions) is a hypertrophic reservoir. Throughout the entire water area, including the coastal zone, which is of important fishery and recreational importance, phytoplankton blooms are observed annually. Monthly data obtained in 2014–2015 on chlorophyll a and hydrochemical parameters have been analyzed. The seasonal dynamics of chlorophyll a (phytoplankton abundance) throughout the Russian waters of the Curonian Lagoon and the influence of phytoplankton blooms on hydrochemical and microbiological indicators in the coastal zone near the Curonian Spit National Park (UNESCO World Heritage List) are analyzed. During the period of intensive development of cyanobacteria (“hyperbloom”), it’s spatial distribution in Russian waters, assessed by chlorophyll, is preconditioned by the wind regime, which causes local accumulation in certain areas. The accumulation of phytoplankton in the coastal zone (including the area along the Curonian Spit National Park) in summer and autumn may form harmful hydrochemical and microbiological conditions, corresponding to hypertrophic and hypersaprobic levels and multiple excesses of the maximum permissible concentration (BOD5 and ammonia nitrogen; anaerobic conditions).

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Notes

  1. UNESCO World Heritage List. http://unesco.ru/unescorussia/sites/.

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Funding

The analysis of spatial distribution was carried out within the framework of the state assignment of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology (no. FMWE-2021-0012); analysis of seasonal dynamics was supported within the state assignment of the Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University (no. FZWM-2023-0004).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Atlantic Branch of the Russian Federal Research Institute of Fisheries and Oceanography, 236022, Kaliningrad, Russia

    S. V. Aleksandrov

  2. Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 117218, Moscow, Russia

    S. V. Aleksandrov & M. M. Smirnova

  3. Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, 236041, Kaliningrad, Russia

    S. V. Aleksandrov

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  1. S. V. Aleksandrov
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  2. M. M. Smirnova
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Correspondence to S. V. Aleksandrov.

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Translated by D. Martynova

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Abbreviations: CFU, colony-forming units; SEB, scientific experimental base; MPC, maximum permissible concentration; O2, oxygen concentration; Chl, chlorophyll; CHEM, Center for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring; N-N\({\text{H}}_{4}^{ + }\) and Ntotal, ammonium and total nitrogen concentrations.

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Aleksandrov, S.V., Smirnova, M.M. Impact of Algae Blooms on the Coastal Zone of the Curonian Lagoon of the Baltic Sea. Inland Water Biol 16, 1043–1051 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1995082923060032

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