The physical and chemical status of Trichonis - the largest and deepes
t natural lake in Greece - is examined over two annual cycles (1985-86
and 1988-89). A correlation between lake nutrient patterns and phytop
lankton biomass is attempted. Limnological features are compared with
data from other warm and temperate lakes. With regard to its thermal r
egime, Trichonis is classified as a warm monomictic lake. The lake's s
tratification pattern and annual heat budget resemble those of other t
emperate lakes. Trichonis is a carbonate type, low conductivity lake (
'cIass II, low salinity' warm lake). Nitrogen and phosphorus concentra
tions were rather low. The inorganic nitrogen content fluctuated widel
y over the two annual cycles examined. On the contrary, phosphorus con
centrations showed no significant changes. The limiting factor during
1985-86 was P, while N was limiting during stratification in 1988-89.
A weak correlation was found between the plankton community features (
species abundance, biomass, chlorophyll-a) and light penetration. At p
resent the eutrophication process from oligotrophy towards mesotrophy
has not been essentially accelerated.