Colonization rates of algae on artificial substrates in Douglas Lake.

General EcologyThe term 'algae' is applied to a diverse group of photosynthetic, autotrophic organisms. In the temperate kettle-lake Douglas Lake in Pellston, MI there are both planktonic and benthic taxa. The benthic organisms live on the lake floor or to fixed substrata using a variety of attachment techniques and generally follow a typical succession pattern from fast growing diatoms, to green algae and climaxing with the large, colonial blue-green algae. The study examined whether different types of surfaces may be more conducive to colonization and subsequent colony expansion. It also looked at the depth of submergence and the time submerged and their effect on the total algal coverage and the coverage by diatoms, green algae and blue-green algae individually. Results showed that concrete was more likely to support growth, though this was only significant for certain situations. There was no significant difference between depth submerged and only significant difference in time submerged at the deeper depth. There was a significant decrease in diatom coverage of concrete and a biologically significant increase in blue-green algae coverage on concrete over time. The growth of algae on artificial surfaces may have implications for the formation of microenvironments in lentic ecosystems and further study should focus on more diverse substrata and longer testing times.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/95919/1/Beaudry_Daher_Nolan_Petersen_2012.pd