Mineral Dynamics of the Submersed Macrophyte, 'Myriophyllum heterophyllum', and the Competitive Interactions for Nutrients between 'M. heterophyllum', Phytoplankton and the Sediments in Littoral Waters

摘要

Myriophyllum heterophyllum is a nuisance, submersed hydrophyte in New Hampshire. First observed in Lake Winnipesaukee, N. H. during the 1960's, the plant infested over 22 miles of the lake's shoreline by 1980. Lake Winnipesaukee now acts as a source for new infestations elsewhere in the region. The emergent floral stem, apex, sub-apex, mid-stem, lower stem, and roots of M. heterophyllum were analyzed for ash, P, Na, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, and Pb from June 1979 through July 1980 at two sites in Lake Winnipesaukee. Na and K were the dominant minerals, with the exception of Ca in the floral spike and Fe in the roots. The results suggest that nutrient levels in the water determine submersed macrophyte versus phytoplankton dominance in the littoral zone and the littoral sediments' capacity to sorb phosphorus is a critical factor in regulating nutrient availability in the water.