Role of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Iron in Occurrence of Algal Blooms at Abiquiu and Cochiti Reservoirs

摘要

The alkaline reservoirs in northern New Mexico were examined over the period of 1977-1979 to determine which nutrients influence the cyanobacterial blooms and to characterize phytoplanktonic activities. Nutrients found to limit growth, singularly or when combined, included nitrogen, phosphorus and iron. Aquazine, copper sulfate and paraquat were evaluated as chemical control agents for phytoplankton. Decreases and changes in the population of phytoplankton were observed after copper sulfate and Aquazine additions; however, paraquat eliminated all phytoplankton. The abundance of phosphorus relative to nitrogen in influent waters strongly favors nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria resulting in occasional Aphanizomenon blooms during the summer months.