Chemotaxonomic responses of autotrophic periphyton communities to nutrient additions in pools of an intermittent stream

The algal groups present in periphyton communities form an important base of autochthonous food webs freshwater streams. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) are key macronutrients aquatic systems. Excess nutrients benefit some over others. We paired a nutrient-diffusing substrata limitation experiment with high performance liquid chromatography to (a) identify which nutrient(s) limit production, (b) how the biomass community structure changes between isolated pools differing hydrological characteristics along intermittent dryland stream. Unique peaks for 21 pigments were identified matched published values. then produced PERMANOVA model using pigment ratios CHEMTAX analysis explore resulting from nutrient addition. Periphyton these co-limited by N P. additions caused shift diatom- chlorophyte-dominated benefited cyanophyta growth. Phosphorus reduced relative proportion diatoms also resulted increase pheophoribide-a, indicative cell lysis, demonstrating detrimental impact P additions. Outcomes this study show that when adding system there may be subtle shifts composition can telescoped up web regardless system's status.