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Research article2008Peer reviewed

Increasingly ice-free winters and their effects on water quality in Sweden's largest lakes

Weyhenmeyer, Gesa A.; Westoeoe, Anna-Karin; Willen, Eva

Abstract

Mean global air temperatures have steadily increased during recent decades, resulting in an earlier timing of lake ice breakup. In Sweden's largest lakes, Vanern and Vattern, the breakup of ice has occurred considerably earlier since 1979 and ice-free winters have become more frequent. Comparison between the years when the lakes were ice covered with those when they remained ice-free in terms of 37 lake variables revealed significant differences in water temperatures, sulphate concentrations and the biomass of diatoms in May after ice breakup (P < 0.01). In particular, the biomass of the genus Aulacoseira increased significantly, which may explain increasing complaints about algae that clog fishing-nets, filter-beds and micro-strainers in waterworks in Vanern and Vattern. We assume that Aulacoseira is mainly affected by changes in climate-driven water circulation patterns. In contrast, other observed water quality changes such as changes in sulphate concentration might rather be attributed to changes in atmospheric deposition. To explain water quality changes in Sweden's largest lakes it is important to consider changes in both climate and atmospheric deposition as well as catchment measures.

Keywords

climate; atmospheric deposition; ice; water chemistry; phytoplankton

Published in

Hydrobiologia
2008, Volume: 599, number: 1, pages: 111-118
Publisher: Springer Verlag (Germany)

      SLU Authors

      • Associated SLU-program

      Lakes and watercourses
      Climate

      Sustainable Development Goals

      Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

      UKÄ Subject classification

      Fish and Aquacultural Science
      Ecology
      Climate Research

      Publication identifier

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-007-9188-9

      Permanent link to this page (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/18606