Importance of the ratios of the forms of nutrients for assessment of the modern state of Rybinsk Reservoir

Abstract

Various ratios of nutrient forms have been analyzed on the basis of the materials collected in Rybinsk Reservoir in the years 2001 to 2011. The analysis was used for assessment of the modern state of the reservoir. The total nitrogen (TN) to total phosphorus (TP) ratio is the most informative parameter. During the study period at all sampling stations, the average value of this ratio was 17.0. This value indicates the lack of limitation of development of phytoplankton by these nutrients. High values of the absolute concentration of nitrate nitrogen and its proportion in the total mineral nitrogen (which are important indicators of increasing eutrophication), as well as the percentage of inorganic phosphorus, were revealed in Volzhskii reach and the upper part of Sheksninskii reach of the reservoir. These values indicate the eutrophic state of the above areas of the reservoir.