Water Quality and Conditioning in Natural Ecosystems: Biomachinery Theory of Self-Purification of Water

Abstract

General principles of the theory of polyfunctional role of biota in self-purification of water in aquatic ecosystems have been formulated. The theory includes the following elements: (1) energy sources for self-purification of aquatic ecosystems; (2) main functional units of the self-purification system; (3) main selfpurification processes; (4) contributions of major taxa to self-purification of aquatic ecosystems; (5) reliability of the system and mechanisms ensuring it; (6) self-regulation of biota; (7) response of the system to external stimuli (impacts); (8) analogy between an ecosystem and a bioreactor; (9) conclusions for nature conservation practice. The theory covers both freshwater and marine ecosystems.