OBSERVATIONS ON THE UNDERWATER LIGHT FIELD OF TWO HYPERTROPHIC SOUTH AFRICAN IMPOUNDMENTS

Abstract

The spectral composition of the underwater light field was examined in two hypertrophic South African impoundments (Hartbeespoort and Roodeplaat Dams) under a range of inorganic turbidities and chlorophyll a concentrations. The data indicated that inorganic turbidity and gilvin were dominant to chlorophyll in regulating underwater light attenuation during the present study. Under all conditions the wavelengths between 405 and 510 nm were attenuated more rapidly than near UV and the wavelengths above 510 nm and the 623 nm component penetrated deepest. Under low turbidities the 546 nm wavelength was the next most penetrating component, but its attenuation increased with increasing turbidity. This characteristic of the underwater light field may be important to the cyanobacteria which dominate in these hypertrophic lakes.