Hydrochemical Features of Lake Itcul Ecosystem and the State of Phytoplankton

Abstract

The results of hydrochemical analysis of water in Lake Itkul, which is a natural monument of Chelyabinsk oblast and an important recreation and tourist object for the population of Chelyabinsk and Sverdlovsk oblasts, are given. By its chemistry, the water of Lake Itkul is fresh, slightly alkaline, very soft, and enriched in oxygen. The concentration of nutrients, such as nitrite-, nitrate-, and phosphate-ions is low. The ecological groups of phytoplankton species in Lake Itkul are described and analyzed. The majority of phytoplankton in Lake Itkul is shown to be a complex of euribiont and indifferent species with a wide geographic occurrence. The analyses of the concentrations of zinc, copper, iron, manganese, and nickel ions in water and in the organs and tissues of Siberian roach showed that the residual nickel concentrations are in excess of admissible levels in fish skin and bones. The concentrations of iron and manganese, as well as other microelements, in water are far below the maximal allowable concentrations, thus suggesting that no industrial waters are discharged in the lake drainage area.