Interactions of temperature and nutrient changes: effects on phytoplankton in the Piburger See (Tyrol, Austria)

1. Contemporary limnological and palaeolimnological data from Piburger See (Eastern Alps, Austria) allowed the reconstruction of its trophic state since the late 19th century and the assessment of changes in phytoplankton biomass and species composition in relation to selected environmental parameters. 2. A radiometrically dated sediment core from Piburger See was analysed for geochemical parameters, spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCPs), bacterial and algal pigments, and diatoms. The low SCP sediment inventory assigns Piburger See to the ‘cleaner’ sites in Europe with respect to fossil-fuel related air pollution. The sedimentary pigment and diatom record reveals moderate eutrophication during the 20th century, followed by a slow re-oligotrophication since the mid-1980s because of lake restoration starting in 1970. 3. Epilimnetic temperature for Piburger See was reconstructed using air temperature records. A pronounced temperature increase has been recorded during the mid-1940s and since the late-20th century, both promoting algal growth and changes in species composition (e.g. increase in centric diatoms and recent bloom of Asterionella formosa). 4. Climate scenarios project additional substantial warming for this mountain lake by the end of the 21st century which will be most pronounced during the growing season. The predicted change in lake water temperature and thermal dynamics represents a key driver for the trophic and ecological status of Piburger See in the futur