Studying quantitative parameters of detritus in aquatic ecosystems

Detritus is a component of many aquatic ecosystems. In this publication, studies of quantitative parameters of detrital particles in freshwater ecosystems were reported. Quantification of detritus in water column of two freshwater ecosystems was made. The two ecosystems that were studied were Mozhaiskoe Reservoir and a eutrophic pond in Moscow Region (Russian Federation). In Mozhaiskoe Reservoir, the detrital particles with size up to 10 μm (micrometers) comprise 52-56% of the total amount of detritus particles. In Mozhaiskoe reservoir, the detrital particles with size of 10-50 μm (micrometers) comprise 42-55% of the total amount of detritus. The bigger detrital particles with size more than 50 μm comprise 1-3% of the total amount of the detritus. The studies of detritus contribute to better understanding of structure and function of aquatic ecosystems.