Conclusions
For the cyanobacterium Rivularia atra my results were opposite to the hypothesis. Whereas the hypotheses for the green and red algae were partly confirmed and partly not. Finally the project can be concluded asfollows:
• Rivularia decreases in growth with increased water temperature. This effect was independent from the addition of extra stress (copper).
• Ecophysiological responses to temperature (photosynthetic performance and carotenoids: chlorophyll a ratios) reflect the abundance patterns of Rivularia in relation to increased water temperature in the field.
• Rivularia and protect itself against oxidative stress at high temperature by an increased caro:chla ratio.
• The green alga Cladophor glomerata increases in abundance with higher water temerature, but the red alga Ceramium tenuicorne decreases in abundance with higher water temperature.
• Ceramium reacts positively to heating in winter and the green algae Ulva spp. negatively in late summer.
• Effects of heating in Forsmark are intertwined with the seasonal cycle of temperature and water movement (exposure).
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Last updated:
02/10/13