Effects of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on phytoplankton under eutrophic conditions

Abstract

We conducted two mesocosm experiments (2014 and 2017) to determine how invasive zebra mussels affected abundance and structure of phytoplankton community. Algae reaction was different for the introduction of D. polymorpha in 2014 and 2017. There was no influence of zebra mussels on the phytoplankton total abundance; however, it changed the biomass of individual taxa. Cyanoprokaryota reaction as a result the zebra mussels introduction was influenced by the initial phytoplankton structure and initial nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations in water. The biomass of Сyanoprokaryotа decreased at low N:P ratios and increased at high N:P ratios. Dreissena increased the biomass of large green filamentous algae, which is a poor food resource for zooplankton.