Attenuation of UVR and PAR in a clear and deep lake: spatial distribution and affecting factors

Abstract Light attenuation is considered as a sentinel for environmental change in lakes and has a profound influence on aquatic ecosystems. However, the spatial distribution of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) attenuation, and the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. We carried out a field investigation with 60 sampling sites covering the entire Lake Quandaohu from November 29 to December 1, 2013, during the weak stratification period to elucidate the spatial pattern and driving mechanisms. The diffuse attenuation coefficient of UVB (Kd(313)), UVA (Kd(340)) and PAR (Kd(PAR)) varied from 1.48 to 4.63 m-1, 1.09 to 3.43 m-1, and 0.26 to 0.94 m-1, respectively. The corresponding ranges for the 1% attenuation depths were from 0.10 to 3.11 m, 1.34 to 4.21 m and 4.87 to 17.58 m, respectively. Total suspended matter (TSM) concentration was highly significantly correlated with Kd(313), Kd(340) and Kd(PAR) indicating that TSM was the main driver of UVR and PAR attenuation in Lake Qiandaohu in the late autumn and early winter. TSM concentration, Kd(313), Kd(340) and Kd(PAR) had obvious horizontal spatial heterogeneity presenting a decreasing trend from the estuary area to the center area in the lake. These results suggested that the spatial distribution of TSM from the inflow drived the spatial distribution of UVR and PAR attenuation. Significantly positive correlations were also observed between the chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) absorption coefficient and Kd(313). TSM and CDOM absorption spectra showed that in the UVR waveband (350–400 nm), the mean relative contribution rates of CDOM (ag(λ)), non-algal particles (anap(λ)), phytoplankton (aph(λ)) and pure water (aw(λ)) to the total absorption were 67.5%, 24.0%, 5.0% and 3.5%, respectively. In the PAR waveband, the mean relative contribution rates of ag(λ), anap(λ), aph(λ) and aw(λ) to the total absorption were 25.4%, 18.6%, 9.4% and 46.6%, respectively. Our findings could provide support for ecological environment protection in Lake Qiandaohu considering the importance of UVR and PAR attenuation in aquatic ecosystems.