Taxonomic Structure and Ecology of Phytoplankton in Small Forest Lakes in the Zone of Technogenesis of Sulphide Deposits (Southern Urals)

Abstract

Long-term data (2009–2017) on the taxonomic structure of phytoplankton in small forest lakes of the Southern Ural region in the territory of the sulfide copper–zinc deposits and in the zone of impact of a copper smelting plant have been systematized. Patterns of changes in the species richness of phytoplankton towards a considerable decrease in the taxonomic diversity of phytoplankton have been determined in the gradient of increasing acidity, concentrations of heavy metals, and sulfate ion content. The species richness of golden algae increases in oligoacidic conditions of forest lakes in the buffer zones of technogenesis. The relationships between the structural parameters of phytoplankton and abiotic factors are analyzed.