[Biolgical problems of a manmade small lake (author's transl)]

In connection with an intensive hygienic supervision of public bathing facilities and the attempts to draw up a law on bathing hygiene, the lack of contamination standards for small lakes available to the public for bathing was particularly conspicuous. In addition to the current chemical and bacteriological routine examinations, a small bathing lake with a surface area of 3000 square metres containing about 7000 m3 of water and which has been in existence for over 10 years was objected to extensive biological investigations during the months July to September. The results of the analysis show a relatively constant hydrogen ion concentration (pH 8.2), small variations in electrolytic conductivity and 8 German degrees of hardness. The mean phosphourus level was 60 mug/L. the orthophosphate levels ranged between 5.2 and 18.5 mug/L. Oxygen saturation during the entire summer months was more than 100%. Altogether, 49 different kinds of phytoplankton- and 12 kinds of zooplancton-organisms were identified. The total biological mass of phytoplancton organisms was between 8.5 and 16 mg fresh weight per litre, bacterial biomass varied between 4.5 and 9.5 mg/l. Particularly striking for summer conditions was the high proportion of Cyclotella- and Synedra species among the phytoplancton mass, while the algal-bloom producing Microcystis flos aquae attained a maximum proportion of 15%. In spite of the great variety of its forms, green algae were present in small numbers only. The comparison of the described findings with the trophic-systems of HUTCHINSON, NYGAARD and RAWSON indicated an eutrophic type of lake; classification according to the types of the various saprobic systems of NAUMANN, KOLKWITZ and LIEBMANN yielded a predominantly beta-mesosaprobic type of lake. The investigations described show, however, that this is probably a lake rich in nutrients, but that there is a relatively stable biological equilibrium and that, consequently, there is no further threat of progressive eutrophism. Special hygienic parameters, contamination due to visitors and phytoplancton production will be reported in a second communication.