Limnological studies in Connecticut; Part V, A contribution to regional limnology

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Abstract
Analysis of limnological data obtained from 49 lakes in Connecticut and adjacent New York gives evidence of a close relationship between regional geology and quantity of phytoplankton. Within the Central Lowland, underlain by soluble sedimentary and igneous rocks known to be rich in Fe, occur lakes rich in phytoplankton and P, while lakes surrounded by the metamorphic rocks composing the Eastern and Western Highlands are correspondingly poor. Although P seems to be the most important element controlling the growth of phytoplankton, N, as estimated by winter nitrate, also has a significant effect; the multiple correlation coefficient between chlorophyll content and P plus N in 30 lakes is 0.964. The distribution of bicarbonate alkalinity is closely correlated with the occurrence of limestone formations, but bicarbonate alone probably has no significant effect upon plankton production, except in hard-water lakes. It is not known whether the characteristic regional distribution of limnological features owes its origin to a differential abundance of P or to other lithologic differences. Humus color, a non-geologic correlative, appears to be of greater importance in reducing the penetration of light into the lakes than is the quantity of plankton. Comparison of the amts. of soluble and total P in the lakes with other bodies of data indicates that Connecticut resembles northeastern Wisconsin and Japan in being oligo-typic for P. From the standpoint of the increment of the areal hypolimnetic O2 deficit, however, the region is mesotrophic, and the lowland lakes may fall in the lower range of eutrophy. Evidently edaphic factors are only partly responsible for the phenomena of regional limnology, and climatic influences are also effective.

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