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Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries LakeLab (LakeLab)
Identification
Hosting Legal Entity
Leibniz Association
Address:
Germany
Location
Alte Fischerhütte 2, Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Stechlin, PO: 16775 (Germany)
Structure
Type Of RI
Single-sited
Coordinating Country
Germany
Status
Status
Current Status:
Operational since 2012
Scientific Description
The LakeLab in Lake Stechlin, a deep clear-water lake 80 km north of Berlin, Germany, is a large experimental facility of the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB). Experiments conducted in the LakeLab address how freshwater biodiversity and lake ecosystems respond to direct and indirect impacts of global environmental change. The 24 experimental units of the facility isolated from the rest of the lake (mesocosms) are each 9 m in diameter. Unlike other pelagic mesocosms, they reach into the sediment at 20 m depth. All 24 mesocosms are equipped with automatic profilers whose sensors continuously record depth profiles of eight physico-chemical standard parameters: temperature, pH, oxygen, redox potential, electrical conductivity, turbidity, light intensity, and pressure. In addition, a fluorometer can differentiate up to four major algal taxa based on pigment composition of the phytoplankton communities. The data are continuously transferred to a central data base for further processing. Pumps and a water distribution ring facilitate experimental changes of mixing regimes. Sediment traps and floating gas flux chambers are available for use in experiments. That the LakeLab is located at 250 m from the laboratories of IGB Stechlin facilitates the processing and direct analyses of freshly collected samples.

RI Keywords
Aquatic ecosystem, Plankton, Biodiversity, Fresh water, Sediment, Lake ecology, Biogeochemical cycles, Food-web interactions, Mesocosms, Global change impact research
Classifications
RI Category
In situ Marine/Freshwater Observatories
Scientific Domain
Earth and Environmental Sciences
ESFRI Domain
Environment
Services
LakeLab

Access to research platform and laboratory facilities.

Equipment
LakeLab

Mesocosm facility - The research platform was set up in a natural clear-water lake for experiments conducted over a period of at least 20 years. It consists of 24 mesocosms, each 9 m in diameter and 20 m deep, which separate water volumes of about 1250 m3 from the lake. The enclosure walls, which extend into the lake sediment, are made of a special tarpaulin that is fixed to a floating aluminium ring. By opening zippers water can be occasionally exchanged between the mesocosms and the lake in a controlled manner. Submersible pumps, a tubing system, and perforated water distribution rings that can be lowered to any depth facilitate experimental changes of mixing regimes to simulate physical conditions expected in response to climate change. Sediment traps collect sinking particles and floating flux chambers capture gas emissions to the atmosphere. Automatic profilers continuously record depth profiles of eight physico-chemical standard parameters: light intensity, temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, oxygen, redox potential, turbidity and pressure. In addition, a fluorescent probe can distinguish up to four algal groups. The profilers are controlled by industrial computers that also store the recorded data and transfer them to a central data base for further processing.

Collaborations
Networks
GLEON Global Lake Ecology Observatory Network
BBIB Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research
NETLAKE Networking Lake Observatories in Europe
LTER-Europe
MESOCOSM
Date of last update: 04/05/2018
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