Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
https://actalb.org/article/doi/10.1590/S2179-975X6925
Acta Limnologica Brasiliensia
Artigo Original

Distinct hydrological scenarios influence phytoplankton community in urban lakes

Cenários hidrológicos distintos influenciam a comunidade fitoplanctônica em lagos urbanos

Ueslei Barbosa; Lara Maria Canedo; Priscilla Carvalho; Jascieli Carla Bortolini

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S2179-975X6925 Acta Limnol. Bras. (Online), vol.38, e16, 2026
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Abstract

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate the distribution of phytoplankton and the presence of indicative species of different hydrological scenarios, such as drought and rainfall, in a set of tropical urban lakes.

Methods: Samples were collected from 14 urban lakes distributed across different regions of Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. Two samples were taken: one during the rainy season and one during the dry season. For each lake, we collected phytoplankton data, as well as data on water temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and the concentrations of total phosphorus, orthophosphate, nitrate, ammoniacal nitrogen, and chlorophyll-a. These variables were used as indicators of environmental variability.

Results: A total of 173 taxa were recorded during the rainy season, compared to 165 during the dry season. We evaluated the constancy of each taxa in the sampled lakes during both hydrological periods, identifying similarities between the seasons and notable contributions from rare species. Additionally, Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) revealed greater variability in taxonomic composition between lakes during the dry season. For density, however, variability remained consistent throughout both seasons. The Permdisp indicated that these differences in variability within each season were not significant. However, Permanova identified differences in environmental and community structure between seasons. Finally, an indicator species analysis (IndVal) identified eight indicator taxa: five for the rainy season and three for the dry season.

Conclusions: The composition and density of the phytoplankton community in tropical urban lakes varies between the dry and rainy seasons, with distinct indicator species characterizing each season. During the dry season, greater variability in environmental conditions was observed between lakes, particularly with regard to higher concentrations of nutrients, electrical conductivity and turbidity. Thus, this heterogeneity was important for the selection of species with different adaptive strategies.

Keywords

environmental variability; planktonic algae; seasonality; shallow lakes; urban ecosystems

Resumo

Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a distribuição do fitoplâncton e a presença de espécies indicadoras de diferentes cenários hidrológicos, como seca e chuva, em um conjunto de lagos urbanos tropicais.

Métodos: As amostras foram coletadas em 14 lagos urbanos distribuídos por diferentes regiões de Goiânia, Goiás, Brasil. Foram realizadas duas amostragens: uma durante a estação chuvosa e outra durante a estação seca. Para cada lago, coletamos dados sobre o fitoplâncton, bem como dados sobre a temperatura da água, pH, condutividade elétrica, oxigênio dissolvido, turbidez e as concentrações de fósforo total, ortofosfato, nitrato, nitrogênio amoniacal e clorofila-a. Essas variáveis foram utilizadas como indicadores da variabilidade ambiental.

Resultados: Um total de 173 taxas foram registradas durante a estação chuvosa, em comparação com 165 durante a estação seca. Avaliamos a constância de cada táxon durante ambos os períodos hidrológicos, identificando semelhanças entre as estações e contribuições notáveis de espécies raras. Além disso, a Análise de Coordenadas Principais (PCoA) revelou maior variabilidade na composição taxonômica entre os lagos durante a estação seca. No entanto, em termos de densidade, a variabilidade permaneceu consistente ao longo das duas estações. O Permdisp indicou que estas diferenças na variabilidade dentro de cada estação não foram significativas. No entanto, a Permanova identificou diferenças na estrutura ambiental e comunitária entre as estações. Por fim, uma análise de espécies indicadoras (IndVal) identificou oito táxons indicadores: cinco para a estação chuvosa e três para a estação seca.

Conclusões: A composição e densidade da comunidade fitoplanctônica em lagos urbanos tropicais variam entre as estações, com táxons indicadores distintos caracterizando cada estação. Durante a estação seca, observou-se maior variabilidade nas condições ambientais, particularmente no que diz respeito a concentrações mais elevadas de nutrientes, condutividade elétrica e turbidez. Assim, essa heterogeneidade foi importante para a seleção de espécies com diferentes estratégias adaptativas.

Palavras-chave

variabilidade ambiental; algas planctônicas; sazonalidade; lagos rasos; ecossistemas urbanos

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Submetido em:
29/09/2025

Aceito em:
14/05/2026

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15/07/2026

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