Hydrobiocenoses of a small arctic lake under urbanization conditions

The problem of conservation and study of small urbanized water bodies in the Arctic regions of Russia is quite acute, given their economic, biological and recreational significance. The article is devoted to the study of the hydrobiological features of Lake Kontokki, on the eastern coast of which the single-industry town of Kostomuksha (northern Karelia) is located, the main industrial enterprise of which, the Kostomuksha Mining and Processing Plant, makes a significant contribution to the economic development of the Republic of Karelia and north-west Russia. To solve the problem, a study of the current state of zooplankton communities, macrozoobenthos and ichthyofauna of the reservoir was conducted in 2024. The main dynamic factors affecting the ecosystem of the reservoir are associated with population growth and expanding urban infrastructure. These include increasing recreational load, as well as an increase in municipal, storm water runoff and melt water from the city. The object of the study is a small urban reservoir located within the Arctic zone of Russia. To achieve the goal, comprehensive hydrobiological studies were conducted using generally accepted laboratory techniques. The quantitative characteristics and species composition of the planktofauna, benthofauna and ichthyofauna of the reservoir under modern conditions were determined. Features of the development of the plankton fauna and macrozoobenthos of Lake Kontokki are primarily due to the geographical location of the object, its hydrological features, and the influence of anthropogenic factors. According to the level of quantitative development of zooplankton and macrozoobenthos, Lake Kontokki is characterized as an oligotrophic reservoir. The zooplankton biomass fluctuates within 0.6–0.8 g/m3, benthos 0.6–2.0 g/m2. The zooplankton community is formed by representatives of two dominant groups (rotifers, crustaceans), which in equal shares form the species richness (44 taxa). A significant number of oligochaetes and chironomid larvae tolerant to habitat conditions were found in the lake sediments. More than 70 % of the macroinvertebrate taxa in the benthos are represented by insect larvae (Ephemeroptera, Diptera, Trichoptera). According to the species composition of the ichthyofauna (8 species), the lake belongs to the water bodies of the first fishery category. The results obtained can provide additional information for complex environmental monitoring of urbanized water bodies in the northern regions of the taiga zone.

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