Energy Reserves of Three Zooplankton Species from Two Lakes with Different Metal Concentrations

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Abstract
Dry weight and lipid content of three zooplankton species in two lakes differing in concentrations of copper, nickel, and aluminum were assayed for two consecutive summers. Epischura lacustris and Holopedium gibberum had lower lipid levels and were generally lighter in the lake with elevated metals. The lipid droplet in eggs of H. gibberum was 21% smaller in the lake with elevated metal levels. Total body burdens of copper in H. gibberum were twice as high in the lake with elevated metals. There was no difference in dry weight and levels of energy reserves of Diaptomus minutus between the lakes. Lower lipid content and decreased weight of E. lacustris and H. gibberum from Round Lake could not be explained by lowered food availability, since both the edible portion of phytoplankton biomass and abundance of small Bosmina were similar in the two lakes. Since there were no differences in food levels for E. lacustris and H. gibberum in the two lakes, we attributed lower energy reserves in these species to effects of heavy metal contamination.

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