Nutrient Export and Periphyton Biomass in a Stream-Lake Basin from the Patagonian Andean Region

Abstract

AbstractWe characterized how land use influenced dissolved nutrients and periphytic algal biomass in an Andean basin from Northwest Patagonia. Nutrient export, especially dissolved inorganic nitrogen increased with human population density. However, no correlation between nutrient concentration and algal biomass was found, which could instead be limited by light availability. Our results suggest that local N-limited ecosystems are liable to eutrophication by increased demographic pressure and that alternative wastewater treatment strategies are necessary for sustainable growth.