Use of Microalgae to Establish the Trophic Status of Lake La Vi a (Argentina)

Construction of dams changes physical and chemical characteristics of water basins, producing variations on microalgal community. The Province of Córdoba, located in the Central Region of Argentina, bears more than twenty dams and lakes. One of these lakes is La Vi a. The main goal of this report was the evaluation of its trophic status using microalgae as bioindicators. Five sampling stations were established. Sample collection was performed monthly and physical and chemical parameters were monitored, according to standard methodology. Results show temporal variations, ranging from mesotrophic to eutrophic, according to weather conditions. Algal blooms happened frequently, produced by Cyanophyceae at eutrophic conditions and by Dinophyceae at mesotrophic conditions. Higher levels of chlorophyll a occurred during warm months, while lower levels ocurred during the cooler ones. As suggested by our results, urgent actions are required in order to revert this diagnosis and recover a good water quality of the lake.