Experimental study of the effect of microbiological preparation «Baikal EM-1» on the pond phytoplankton

Phytoplankton of the ponds in Yaroslavl Zoological Garden was studied. Field mesocosm experiments with the addition of microbiological preparation «Baikal EM-1» to the pond phytoplankton at dilutions from 1:400 to 1:40000 (preparation volume vs. pond water volume) to determine its effect on microalgae were carried out. The experimental approach used in the study reveald a good match between mesocosms and natural pond ecosystem within a week. Addition of «Baikal EM-1» in experimental mesocosms did not lead to negative changes of controlled abiotic parameters. The addition of «Baikal EM-1» to pond water at dilutions from 1:4000 to 1:400 resulted in significant increase in biomass of the dominant phytoplankton species, as well as the growth of chlorophyll «a» concentration in comparison with the control. Hypotheses about the effect of microbiological preparation «Baikal EM-1» on phytoplankton in the experiment, as well as possible ways of its practical application are proposed.