Sami Vesala

Evaluating the utility of stable isotope analyses of archived freshwater sample materials

We evaluated the potential utility of stable isotope analysis of tissues commonly archived by aquatic biologists. Previous studies with chemically preserved samples have shown contradictory results, which present an obstacle for the use of archived sample materials. We tested the effects of ethanol and formalin preservation on zooplankton and of ethanol on benthic macroinvertebrate δ13C and δ15N values. We found that neither formalin nor ethanol had a significant effect on δ13C and δ15N values of preserved zooplankton. Nor did ethanol significantly affect δ13C or δ15N values of macroinvertebrates. However, ethanol preservation slightly, but significantly decreased C:N ratios of both zooplankton and macroinvertebrates, probably reflecting some extraction of lipids. Overall, the effects of preservatives on δ13C and δ15N values that we observed were minor. We also compared δ13C and δ15N values analysed from roach scales and perch operculum bones with those analysed from muscle tissue. Decalcification of scales and operculum bones only slightly improved our comparison to muscle tissue δ13C and δ15N values. Decalcified scales had slightly higher δ13C and lower δ15N values. Similarly, decalcified operculum bones showed slightly increased δ13C and decreased δ15N values to those for fish muscle. Our results confirm that scales and operculum bones can provide a suitable proxy for fish muscle in isotope studies with minor correction. We conclude that various archived sample materials can indeed be used with confidence for historical reconstructions of freshwater food webs by stable isotope analysis.

Recovery of the fish community and changes in the lower trophic levels in a eutrophic lake after a winter kill of fish

A severe oxygen deficit induced a fish kill in the eutrophicated two-basin Lake Äimäjärvi in southern Finland during winter 2002–2003, resulting in cascading effects on the lower trophic levels of the lake. Pikeperch disappeared from the lake and bleak and white bream decreased to low numbers. The recovery of the populations of other species started immediately when strong year-classes of roach and perch appeared in summer 2003 and onwards. A sharp increase in the growth of perch and roach was recorded, and perch became the dominant fish species during 2004–2006. Consequent responses after the fish kill included increased Secchi depth, expansion of submerged macrophytes, decreased nutrient concentrations and reduction of Cyanophyta from the more eutrophic northern basin of the lake, and a temporary increase in the size of Daphnia in the early summer 2003. However, the ecosystem of the lake returned gradually to the earlier structure and level of eutrophication. Bluegreen algae have returned since 2005, the water has become more turbid, macrophytes declined in 2007 and the fish community was again dominated by small cyprinid fishes in 2008.

Population responses of perch (Perca fluviatilis) and roach (Rutilus rutilus) to recovery from acidification in small Finnish lakes

Decreasing trends in atmospheric emissions and acidic deposition during the 1990s have resulted in chemical recovery from acidification in the sensitive surface water systems of southern Finland. Responses of perch and roach populations to the improved water quality were studied in 30 small lakes with the aid of water chemistry monitoring data gathered in 1987–2002 and the data collected from two consecutive periods of gillnet test fishing, 1985–1988 and 2001–2002. In the most acidified lakes, alkalinity and ANC have increased and sulphate and labile aluminium concentrations decreasæed markedly. The response of perch populations to the improved water quality is seen in improved reproduction success, indicated by a higher CPUE in numbers and a lower mean weight. The growth rate of perch has declined as the population density has increased. Roach populations have not recovered in the same way as perch, there being no major changes in NPUE or mean weight. Lower growth rates were, however, observed in the roach populations of all study lakes. The increased perch population density as an obstacle to the recovery of roach populations is discussed. Despite the chemical and biological recovery of the study lakes, the buffer capacity of many headwater lakes is low and the lakes will be sensitive to any increases in acidic deposition in the future.

Responses of zooplankton and fish to restoration in eutrophic Lake Tuusulanjärvi in southern Finland

Lake Tuusulanjãrvi ( surface area 6 km2, mean depth 3.2m, maximum depth !Om) is the largest lake of theVantaa river basin, located in a densely populated area o f southernmost Finland, 30 km north o f H e isinki. Symptoms of eutrophication of this originally slightly dystrophic lake were first recorded in the 1930s, and since the mid-1950s rapid eutrophication has taken place due to increased nutrient loading ftom settlement and agriculture. Winter aeration of the lake was started in 1972, and sewage discharge stopped in 1979, but the lake remained hypertrophic due to high diffuse pollution and interna! loading (PEKKARINEN 1990). After positive experiences from some restoration projects of large Finnish lakes, such as L. Vesijãrvi (HORPPILA et al. 1998) and L. Kõyliõnjãrvi (SARVALA et al. 2000), biomanipulation by means of mass removal of planktivorous fish in Tuusulanjãrvi was started in 1997. For details of methodology, see SAMMALKORPI (2000). The annual mass removal catches during 1997-2003 were 24-ll3metric tons, 40-190 kg ha-1, totalling ei ose to 420 metric tons and 700kg ha-1 (Table l).