Author(s): Boros, E., Nagy, T., Pigniczki, Cs., Kotymán, L., Vörös, L. & Balogh, K. V.
Title: The effect of aquatic birds on the nutrient load and water quality of soda pans in Hungary
Year: 2008
Volume: 54
Pages: 207-224.
Abstract: This study implemented the following guild model concept to demonstrate the role of aquatic birds in the nutrient load of lakes: net importer guild, importer-exporter guild, and net exporter guild. The net C, N, and P load by aquatic bird guilds were estimated by the counted numbers of the aquatic birds. C-, N-, and P-contents and volumes of bird excrement based on our own and literature data of the six most important soda pans and a control site (without birds) in the southern part of Hungary. The following selected water quality parameters were also measured: salinity, pH, and the concentration of nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N), orthophosphate-phosphorus (PO4-P), total phosphorus (TP), total organic carbon (TOC), and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). It was demonstrated that investigated soda alkaline waters had high TOC and DOC concentrations and hypertrophic levels of TP, but the nitrogen-phosphorus ratio was unusually below 1. It was concluded that the low N/P ratio was caused by high pH (pH larger than 9). The aquatic bird contribution to the total external nutrient load was estimated to be approximately C: 50%, N: 35%, P: 70%. Significant linear regression was indicated between the yearly total carbon load (mg m–2 year–1) by aquatic birds and the yearly average TOC concentration (mg L–1), as well as between the yearly total phosphorus load (mg m–2 year–1) by aquatic birds and the yearly average TP concentration (mg m–3).
Keywords: soda pans, aquatic bird guilds, nutrient load, hypertrophic status, buttom up function
Journal: Acta Zoologica Academiae Scientiarum Hungaricae
Journal abbreviation:
ISSN: 1217-8837
Publisher: Hungarian Natural History Museum, Budapest
Editor(s): Bakonyi, G., Mahunka, S., Papp, L., Báldi, A., Csuzdi, Cs., Forró, L., Andrikovics, S. & Kerekes, J.
