Impact of Urban Pollution from the Hanoi Area on Benthic Diatom Communities Collected from the Red, Nhue and Tolich Rivers (Vietnam)

The effects of urban pollution from Hanoi city on the benthic diatom communities of the Nhue–Tolich river system were studied during the 2003 dry season. Benthic diatoms were allowed to grow on glass slides suspended in the water flow for 4 weeks. To reveal the relationship between water quality and diatom communities, Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) was used on data concerning relative abundances of diatom species and environmental variables. Two diatom indices, IPS and DAIpo, were applied to evaluate water quality in the three rivers. A total of 291 diatom taxa were found in the Red, Nhue and Tolich Rivers. These were mainly cosmopolitan taxa, with some tropical, subtropical and endemic taxa. The most abundant taxa at the Red site were Aulacoseira granulata, Achnanthidium minutissimum, Encyonema minutum, Navicula recens and other halophilous taxa such as Nitzschia kurzii, Seminavis strigosa, Entomoneis paludosa, Bacillaria paradoxa. Diatom assemblages at the Tolich site consisted mainly of Nitzschia umbonata, Nitzschia palea and Eolimna minima. Diatom density ranged from 660 to 30,000 cells/cm². Environmental variables and diatom assemblage composition at all sites were significantly correlated. Two diatom indices gave similar results and indicate the Tolich River with the lowest values as a highly polluted site.     

Distribution of Epilithic Diatoms in Response to Environmental Conditions in an Urban Tropical Stream, Central Kenya

Use of diatoms in monitoring water quality is well acknowledged in developed countries, but only recently has the assessment started gaining importance in developing countries. Diatoms can be obtained from natural and artificial substrates. Appreciating the differences and similarities of diatom assemblages on both substrates may contribute to a better understanding and standardization particularly during monitoring of water quality. During this study we assessed diatom assemblages, biodiversity and trophic indices in relation to water quality along the Nairobi River. Fifteen sites were sampled in September 2000 during the dry season. Diatoms were collected from natural substrates (stones, pebbles) and artificial substrates (100% acrylic wool). On artificial and natural substrates, a total of 190 and 151 taxa were found, respectively, the majority of these taxa (80%) have cosmopolitan distribution and are also widespread throughout tropical African. Species composition changed downstream, five taxa dominated upper and mid stream sites whereas lower stream sites were dominated by one or two taxa. Species richness, diversity, dominance and evenness were positively correlated with NO₃, O₂ and altitude but decreased markedly downstream with a simultaneous increase in total dissolved solids, alkalinity, chemical oxygen demand and PO₄. Ordination and classification (CANOCO and TWINSPAN) showed that diatom assemblages in the Nairobi River responded strongly to water quality changes with respect to concentrations of NO₃, NO₂, total dissolved solids and temperature. Taxa common at less impacted upstream sites included Gomphonema gracilis, Anomoeoneis brachysira and Fragilaria biceps; while common taxa at midstream sites with agricultural catchments were Gomphonema parvulum, Navicula cryptocephala, N. schroeteri, N. bryophila, N. halophila, Nitzschia linearis var. linearis and Cymbella silesica. Achnanthes minutissima var. saprophila, Gomphonema angustum, Navicula subminuscula, N. arvensis, Nitzschia palea and N. umbonata were most common at urban sites, which were polluted by residential and industrial effluents. Trophic diatom indices suggested that water quality was poor at most sites in the Nairobi River. Most sites along the river had low Generic Diatom Index values, GDI (<12) and high Trophic Diatom Index values, TDI 73–78 (median = 76) and 75–84 (median = 77) for artificial and natural substrates, respectively. This study showed that diatoms' response on natural and artificial substrates were similar and reflected environmental conditions correctly.     

Attached diatom communities from the lower Truckee River,summer and fall, 1986

The algal flora of the Truckee River below Reno, Washoe County, Nevada was examined during the summer and fall months of 1986. This reach of the lower Truckee River exhibited a substantial gradient in dissolved inorganic nitrogen associated with sources which included treated wastewater from the Reno metropolitan area. The algal communities were similar to those of other river systems of the Great Basin. Cyanophyta and Chlorophyta formed encrusting mats on the substrate, with the nitrogen fixer Calothrix atricha relatively abundant upstream from the nitrogen source. Diatoms were abundant within and upon this mat. A total of 139 diatom taxa and 11 taxa other than diatoms was identified from this flora. Several of the diatom taxa, including Achnanthes minutissima, Diatoma vulgare, Nitzschia dissipata, and Nitzschia palea, demonstrated distinct downriver patterns in relative abundance.     

Diatom assemblages of the Cuyahoga river,N. E. Ohio (USA)

The Cuyahoga River is a heavily polluted tributary of Lake Erie located in N. E. Ohio (USA).One hundred seventy taxa of diatoms were identified from seven locations along the Cuyahoga River. The most frequently collected diatoms from each station were Cyclotella meneghiniana, Gomphonema parvulum, Navicula cryptocephala, N. cryptocephala var. veneta, N. lanceolata, N. menisculus, N. minima, N. minuscula, N. pelliculosa, Nitzschia amphibia, N. ovalis, N. palea, and Rhoicosphenia curvata.In the most heavily damaged region of the river these widely-distributed taxa were the only frequently collected diatoms.The relatively undamaged section of the river contained 94% more taxa than the most heavily damaged section. Chief among these additional taxa were Achnanthes lanceolata, A. lanceolata var. dubia, Cocconeisplacentula, Fragilaria vaucheriae, Melosira varians, Meridion circulare, Navicula mutica var. tropica, N. symetrica, Nitzschia dissipata, Stephanodiscus astraea, and Synedra rumpens.The degree of similarity between diatom assemblages along the Cuyahoga River as measured by a modification of Sørensen's index of similarity in species-frequency of occurrence composition was related to the degree of chemical-physical water quality similarities and to the extent of similarity between areas of geologic and biologic substrates. The most dissimilar diatom assemblages usually occurred between locations that were the most dissimilar with respect to chemical-physical water quality conditions rather than to dissimilarities with respect to sediment-substrate composition.     

Diatom communities in small water bodies at H. Arctowski Polish Antarctic Station (King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica)

An investigation of ponds, puddles and slow-flowing waters situated in the area of the Polish Antarctic Station distinguished two groups of diatom communities. The first group characterized waters poor in nutrients and brackish. The number of taxa, abundance of species and diatom biomass index were all low. Nitzschia homburgiensis, Achnanthes laevis var. quadratarea and A. delicatula prevailed. The second group characterized water richer in nutrients and brackish. The number of species was also low, but the diatom biomass index was higher. Nitzschia gracilis, Navicula gregaria and Navicula wiesneri formed large populations. Received: 17 May 1996 / Accepted: 20 September 1997     

Diatom Communities and Water Quality Assessment in Mountain Rivers of the Upper Segre Basin (La Cerdanya,Oriental Pyrenees)

Epilithic diatoms of mountain rivers from the upper Segre catchment (Oriental Pyrenees) were studied in 1998, during three different seasons: March, July and September. Four rivers, the river Segre and its three most important tributaries, Duran, Molina and Querol, were sampled in upstream and downstream stretches. The diatom communities were comparable in all upstream stretches of these mountain rivers draining siliceous substrates. Dominant taxa were Achnanthidium subatomus, Diatoma mesodon, Encyonema cf. minutum, E. silesiacum, Fragilaria arcus, F. capucina, Gomphonema calcifugum, G. pumilum, Meridion circulare and Nitzschia pura. Changes in water quality in the downstream stretches lead to the appearance of pollution tolerant taxa, such as Eolimna minima, Gomphoneis minuta, Navicula gregaria, and Nitzschia inconspicua. As a result, the values obtained with the diatom water quality indices (IPS Specific Polluosensitivity Index, CEE and IBD Biological Diatom Index) decreased. The diatom community composition and the derived water quality values did not change in the upstream stretches over the year. In contrast, significant changes were observed in the downstream stretches with best water␣quality in July, during high flows due to melting snow, and worst values in September, during low␣discharge. The diatom indices, especially the IPS, showed a good performance in these mountain rivers.     

Dynamics of diatom colonization process in some rivers influenced by urban pollution (Hanoi, Vietnam)

Periphytic diatom communities’ colonization patterns were studied at three sampling stations of the Red–Nhue–Tolich hydrosystem presenting different urban pollution levels by using artificial substrates for 6 weeks in dry season 2005. Structural characteristics of periphytic diatoms developed on glass substrates at each sampling site were followed and compared. This experiment showed, through various general criteria (total diatom density, dry weight biomass) and specific criteria (relative diatom abundances, indices) that the structure of benthic diatoms developed on these substrates was strongly affected by pollution as early as the second week of colonization. Communities exposed to heavily and moderately polluted sites contained species which are known to be saprophilous or tolerant to organic pollution such as Nitzschia umbonata, Nitzschia palea, Cyclotella meneghiniana, Eolimna minima. Growth inhibition of diatom communities at the heavily polluted site was mostly related to a strong increase of organic load rather than to low metallic input, though metallic (Cd and Zn) burdens have been successfully quantified in the biofilms developed at the three studied sites. Nevertheless, no significant difference in species richness and diversity index between colonization duration times was observed. Based on values of diatom indices Indice de Polluosensibilité (IPS) and diatom assemblage index to organic water pollution (DAIPo), water quality could be classified as medium quality at Red site, polluted at NT₂ and heavily polluted at TL. Thus, the use of diatoms as a tool for water assessment appears suitable for monitoring rivers in Vietnam, as it is in several other countries.     

Responses and structural recovery of periphytic diatom communities after short-term disturbance in some rivers (Hanoi, Vietnam)

Field transfer experiments of periphytic diatom assemblages developed on artificial substrates were set up to assess the responses of those communities to environmental disturbances. The glass slides were positioned for colonization at the relatively unpolluted site (Red, in the Red River) and at the heavily polluted site (TL, in the To Lich River) in the beginning of the experiment. After a period of 2?weeks, the colonized glass slides were concomitantly transferred from the unpolluted Red site to the heavily polluted TL site and to the moderate polluted site (NT₂, in the Nhue River) and, conversely, from the TL site to the Red site, and then to the NT₂ site. The responses and the adapting capacity of periphytic diatom communities to environmental changes were assessed through the cell density, diversity index, species richness, taxonomic composition, and diatom indices after 2 and 4?weeks of transfer periods. For all transfers except for the transfer from the Red to the TL site in which the growth inhibition of diatom cells was found, the diatom density significantly increased until the end of the experiment. Thus, the diatom communities have expressed their pollution tolerance or sensitivities by changing their composition to adapt themselves to environmental changes. Characteristic species of the Red site (Gyrosigma scalproides, Navicula recens) were replaced by Nitzschia palea, Nitzschia umbonata, Aulacoseira granulate typical species of the NT₂ site, in the biofilm transferred from the Red site to the NT₂ site. The relative abundances of typical diatom species of the Red site proliferated in the biofilm transferred from the TL site to the Red site. The replacement of periphytic diatom communities appeared after the transfer from the second week at the different sites. The slow shift of the species towards the typical species at the TL site could result from the organized structure of diatoms within biofilm before the transfer from the Red site to the TL site. The shifts in values of the Index of Specific Polluosensitivity and Diatom Assemblage Index to organic pollution throughout the experiment indicated the clear sensitivity of these indices to water quality changes.     

Effects of water quality and season on diatom community structure in the Damour River,Lebanon

The diatom flora in the lower Damour River, a small coastal river in Lebanon, was studied during 1981. The study area included the Damour estuary and a tributary, the el-Hamam River. Achnanthes minutissima was the most abundant diatom in the flora. Other dominant taxa included Nitzschia dissipata and Navicula cryptocephala var. veneta in the spring and Anomoeoneis vitrea in the fall. The diatom community structure was characterized by 1 or 2 dominant taxa, a few common and many rare taxa, but the taxa in these categories varied according to season and locality. The freshwater flora had a group of 20 taxa which were widely distributed in the study area throughout the study period. These taxa, in addition to a few taxa of more restricted seasonal occurrence, were the major contributers to the flora and are characteristic of this river system. Certain aspects of the flora were resistant to change. Others were more sensitive to environmental conditions. The estuarine flora reflected brackish conditions beginning in June and extending through October.     

桂江流域附生硅藻群落特征及影响因素

研究了桂江流域水质、土地利用、地理因素对河流附生硅藻群落的影响。结果显示,桂江流域电导率(Conductivity,Cond.)由下游至源头呈降低趋势,其它水质参数变化趋势不明显。主成分分析(Principle Component Analysis,PCA)显示前两个主成分共解释了56.2%的水质特征,第一轴反映了氨氮(NH4-N)、硝氮(NO3-N)、总氮(Total Nitrogen,TN)的变化梯度,第二轴反映了水温(WT)、pH、Cond.、溶解氧(Dissolve Oxygen,DO)的变化梯度。桂江流域硅藻特定污染敏感指数(Specific PolluoSensitivity Index,IPS)和硅藻生物指数(Biological Diatom Index,IBD)下游低于源头,差异不显著,与多项水质、土地利用以及地理因子呈线性显著相关。24个样地共发现112种硅藻,丰富度大于5%的37种,丰富度最大的几个种类依次为Achnanthidium minutissimum,A.pusilla,A.tropica,Cymbella laevis。对应分析(Corresponding Analysis,CA)显示桂江流域存在3个差异较大的硅藻群落,流域下游以Nitzschia recta为优势种,A.lanceolata、Amphora montan、Planothidium frequentissimum在中下游丰度较高,上游区域种类较多。典型相关分析(Canonical Correspondence Analysis,CCA)排序前两轴解释了硅藻群落变异程度的28.60%,CCA排序轴1与水质(Cond.、WT、NH4-N、NO3-N、TN)和土地利用(城市面积、农田面积、植被覆盖)显著负相关,与地理因素(流域面积、海拔、坡度)显著正相关,第二轴与浊度(NTU)显著正相关(P<0.05)。偏典型相关分析(Partial CCAAnalyses)显示,土地利用、地理因子、水质分别解释了桂江流域硅藻群落变异的7.20%,17.50%,48.50%。结果表明,桂江流域附生硅藻群落结构是水质、地理因子和土地利用共同作用的结果,水质起决定性作用,电导和不同形态的氮是影响附生硅藻群落结构的主要水质因素。     

在种与属两个级别评价太子河硅藻群落与环境因子的关系

2009年8—9月,对辽宁省太子河流域67个点位进行采样调查,以硅藻群落为研究对象,比较硅藻属级水平与种级水平相对多度、物种丰富度以及生物多样性指数间的相关性,并比较硅藻属级与种级属性与环境因子的相关性。实验结果表明,太子河流域硅藻属级水平的相对多度、丰富度和多样性指数与硅藻种级水平都极显著相关。Pearson相关性分析表明,硅藻属级水平的丰富度与环境显著相关的因子与种级水平丰富度与环境显著相关的因子相一致。Mantel-Test相关性分析表明,硅藻属级水平的相对多度与环境因子的相关性弱于种级水平与环境因子相关性。典范对应分析结果显示,影响硅藻属级和种级群落结构分布的主要环境因子均为悬浮物。基于硅藻生物评价指数的流域健康评价结果表明,应用硅藻属级和种级属性对太子河流域进行健康评价,其评价结果相一致。     

A COMPOSITE RATING OF ALGAE TOLERATING ORGANIC POLLUTION2

From information on pollution-tolerant algae compiled from reports from 165 authors, the genera and species most often referred to as significant fall into a relatively stable series. Diatoms, pigmented flagellates, green, and blue-green algae are all well represented among the pollution-tolerant genera and species. The top 8 genera are Euglena, Oscillatoria, Chlamydomonas, Scenedesmus, Chlorella, Nitzschia, Navicula, and Stigeoclonium, and the top 5 species, Euglena viridis, Nitzschia palea, Oscillatoria limosa, Scenedesmus quadricauda, and Oscillatoria tennis. In some genera, e.g., Euglena, a single species is far more significant than all others as a pollution-tolerant form. In other genera, e.g., Oscillatoria, only a slight difference distinguishes the pollution tolerance of 2 or more species. Algal genus and species pollution indices arc presented for use in rating water samples with high organic pollution.     

Can a benthic diatom community complement chemical analyses and discriminate between disturbed and undisturbed saline wetland habitats? A study of seven soda pans in Serbia

Soda pans are protected in the European Union as Natura 2000 areas in the category of “Pannonic saline steppes and marshes”. There are at least six soda pans of reference status in Serbia and only a half have strict legal protection. The number of similar, but disturbed (modified) habitats that could be reconstructed is still unknown. We conducted sampling in five natural and two disturbed soda pans aiming to compare a difference in physical and chemical water properties and benthic diatom communities. In addition, we tried to apply recently developed Diatom Index for Soda Pans (DISP) and Trait-based index (TBI) to test the applicability of taxonomic and trait-based approaches in ecological status assessment of soda pans in the southern part of the Carpathian Basin. In contrast to natural soda pans, lower pH and nutrients levels were recorded in disturbed pans. A total of 86 taxa of benthic diatoms, including 11 new for diatom flora of Serbia, were identified. A lower species richness and Shannon index was recorded in natural soda pans. Nitzschia austriaca, N. supralitorea, Navicula veneta and N. wiesneri were dominant diatoms in soda pans of the reference status. Both diatom indices were in average lower in disturbed pans, and this difference was statistically significant for DISP index. We concluded that two indices, supplemented with indicator values for some local diatom species, can be a promising tool for soda pan conservation in this part of the Carpathian Basin.

     

Exudates from Gracilaria chilensis stimulate settlement of epiphytic ulvoids

In the diatom communities of the Vanishing and Ornithologist Creek 74 taxa were found. Most of the taxa have a cosmopolitan range and are resistant to various environmental stresses. For example, Achnanthes lanceolata var. lanceolata, is found in all types of waters and in several ecological conditions. Achnanthes delicatula ssp. delicatula, Nitzschia frustulum, N. capitellata, Navicula mutica, and N. gregaria develop both in fresh and brackish waters. Some of the organisms also settle in terrestrial environments. Navicula atomus, N. mutica, Pinnularia borealis, and Hantzschia amphioxys are common soil algae. Navicula digitulus, N. contenta, N. cohnii and Achnanthes coarctata also live in an aerial environment. Navicula atomus is well developed in eutrophic waters and Nitzschia capitellata can tolerate a high level of pollution, while Nitzschia gracilis, Fragilaria capucina, and F. alpestris appear both in oligotrophic, and enriched waters. Stenotopic ecological features are shown by Achnanthes marginulata and Navicula digitulus — known from the Alps and the North, and Navicula muticopsis characteristic for Antarctic and Subantarctic.The index of diatom biomass, usually of low and medium value, was highest in the area of possible impact by a penguin colony.     

A review of diatoms found in highly acidic environments

A review is presented of 28 studies in the literature of diatoms in environments at pH 3.5, including natural and anthropogenic acid sources. A total of 124 diatom taxa have been reported, but many are likely to have been accidental occurrences, because only a few specimens were found. Approximately 19 taxa abundant in at least one study or common in several studies are considered true inhabitants of highly acidic waters. These include: Achnanthes minutissima, Eunotia exigua, E. tenella, E. septentrionalis, E. osoresanensis, E. arcus, E. glacialis, E. pectinalis, Frustulia rhomboides, F. rhomboides var. saxonica, Nitzschia capitellata/subcapitellata, Nitzschia communis, Nitzschia pusilla, Nitzschia vasta, Pinnularia acoricola, P. obscura, P. braunii var. amphicephala, P. subcapitata and P. terminitina. There are inconsistencies in the taxonomy of several of these species and possible synonymies could lower the number of taxa to less than 9. Compared to diatom species richness in environments at pH 4.5–5.0, there are many fewer taxa in environments pH 3.5, suggesting a threshold between pH 4.5 and 3.5 below which many species are unable to maintain a population.     

扎龙湿地硅藻植物群落季节变化及其对环境的响应

扎龙湿地位于黑龙江省西部、松嫩平原乌裕尔河下游,是我国北方同纬度地区最完整的湿地。于2012年春、夏、秋3季,对扎龙湿地6个代表性区域进行硅藻标本采集,经观察鉴定,发现硅藻植物140个分类单位,包括121种19变种,隶属于2纲6目9科30属。羽纹纲物种较丰富,占总种类数的95%。硅藻植物群落呈现明显的季节演替,秋季硅藻种类丰富度及相对丰度明显高于春、夏两季,优势种多以淡水、半咸水、喜弱碱的种类为主,优势种与水体的盐度和酸碱度存在一定的响应关系。应用典范对应分析(Canonical Correspondence Analysis,CCA)探讨硅藻植物群落变化与环境因子之间的关系。CCA结果显示在扎龙湿地中,水温、电导率、pH、溶解氧是影响硅藻群落结构变化的主要因素,此外总氮、总磷也是硅藻群落季节演替的重要驱动因子。结合硅藻植物多样性指数和硅藻商对扎龙湿地水质进行综合评价,结果显示扎龙湿地整体为中-寡污带水体,部分水域水质较清洁,少数样点受人为因素影响,呈轻污染。     

Changes in the algal composition and water quality of the Sundays River,Karoo, South Africa,from source to estuary

A first survey was done on algae present in the Sundays River from its source to its confluence with the sea. Species found in the upstream sections of the river included indicators of good water quality, but the quality deteriorated downstream with peaks in algal abundance being ascribed to peaks in nutrient concentrations. Cyanobacteria and euglenoids were present in the upper and middle reaches of the river, but were absent downstream. Dinoflagellates became more important downstream, especially in the estuary. Dominant species, reaching high concentrations along the river, included Nitzschia frustulum, Nitzschia capitellata, Carteria klebsii, Chlorella vulgaris and Anabaena species. The presence of the diatom Eolimna comperei is a first record of its occurrence in South Africa. The Sundays River can be described as a brackish, hard water system with high nutrient concentrations in certain sections. The most important contributors to high nutrient concentrations were point sources in the vicinity of towns along the river banks, as well as diffuse sources contributing to high nitrogen concentrations in the fertile Sundays River valley. Increasing salinities were due to pollution, evaporation and agricultural activities in the valley.     

七项河流附着硅藻指数在东江的适用性评估

综合运用因子分析、聚类分析、箱型图分析等统计方法评估了河流附着硅藻生物指数(Biological Diatom Index,IBD)、硅藻营养化指数(Trophic Diatom Index,TDI)、斯雷德切克指数(Sládecˇek’s Index,SLA)、特定污染敏感指数(Specific Polluosensitivity Index,IPS)、硅藻属指数(Generic Diatom Index,IDG)、戴斯指数(Descy Index,DESCY)和欧盟硅藻指数(European Economic Community Index,CEE)在东江流域河流水质评价中的适用性。结果显示:SLA与IPS,CEE显著相关(P<0.05),CEE与TDI不相关,其余指标间均极显著相关(P<0.01)。SLA与13项水质理化指标均无相关性,TDI与含氯度(Cl)显著负相关,CEE与溶解氧(DO)、电导率(Cond.)、总氮(TN)显著正相关(P<0.05),其余指标与氨氮(NH4-N)、pH不存在线性相关,与五日生化需氧量(BOD5)、高锰酸盐指数(CODKMnO4)、亚硝氮(NO2-N)、硝氮(NO3-N),总磷(TP)具极显著相关性(P<0.01)。13项水质理化指标中主成分负荷贡献大于50%的八项理化参数DO、BOD5、CODKMnO4、TN、NO3-N、NO2-N、TP和SiO2将试验区水质分为四组。IPS、IBD、IDG和CEE与水质物化分类一致性较好。IPS、IBD、IDG和CEE的逐步判别分析(引入P=0.20,剔除P=0.25)显示IPS和CEE都只选出了NO2-N,分类判别的正确率分别为55.6%和48.1%;IBD引入了NO2-N,CODKMnO4和DO 3个解释变量,判别正确率74.1%;IDG引入BOD5和NO3-N两个变量,分组正确率63.0%。硅藻群落聚类显示,IBD和IDG在水质物化分类的箱型图中呈现出明显合理的趋势。以上研究表明IBD和IDG硅藻指数最适合用于东江河流水质生物监测与评价。     

Testing of the applicability of European diatom indices in the tropical rift valley lake,Lake Hawassa,in Ethiopia

Quantitative ecological monitoring of African lakes is needed to understand growing human pressures on ecosystems. Diatom-based indices are routinely used for this purpose elsewhere in the world, but have not yet been produced for the flora of African freshwater lakes. Here we tested the applicability of the European diatom indices on the biomonitoring system of Lake Hawassa, Ethiopia. Physico-chemical and benthic diatom sampling was done at nine sites with different degrees of human disturbance along the lakeshore area from February to November 2015 and 2016. A percentage disturbance score (PDS) was calculated at each site and categorised from no evident disturbance (0–25%) to high disturbance (75–100%). Based on this criterion and selected physico-chemical parameters, the sampling sites categorized into minimal, moderate and high disturbance. Seventeen diatom indices were calculated using Omnidia software version 5.3. Out of a total of 17 indices that were calculated using the Omnidia software, six were selected as potential metrics. The diatom indices had a high discrimination efficiency and were significantly correlated with most the environmental parameters (r > 0.6; p < 0.05). Among these, the trophic diatom index (TDI) and generic diatom index (IDG) showed the best potential to discriminate the three clustered sites, based on their ecological classification. Accordingly, although robust locally based indices are needed, the TDI and IDG diatom indices could be used in monitoring of water quality in tropical African rift lakes.     

Can Hydrodynamics Change Phosphorus Strategies of Diatoms?—Nutrient Levels and Diatom Blooms in Lotic and Lentic Ecosystems

Diatom blooms occur in many water bodies worldwide, causing significant ecological and social concerns. In order to understand the mechanisms of diatom blooms formation, the effects of varying phosphorus (P) concentration and hydrodynamics on the growth of diatoms were studied by combining results from field observations and laboratory experiments. The field investigation showed that spring diatom blooms (Cyclotella meneghiniana and Stephanodiscus hantzschii) occurred in Lake Taihu and Hanjiang River with similar environmental factors such as water temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen in 2008. Concentrations of total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen, and ammonia nitrogen (NH₄-N) in Lake Taihu were significantly higher than the concentrations in the Hanjiang River. Laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate growth and physiological responses of four lotic diatoms (Cyclotella atomus, Fragilaria crotonensis, Nitzschia palea, and S. hantzschii, isolated from the Hanjiang River) and three lentic diatoms (C. meneghiniana, Melosira varians, and Stephanodiscus minutulus, isolated from Lake Taihu, Lake Donghu, and Guanqiao Pond, respectively) to various P concentrations under small-scale turbulent and standing conditions. Our results showed that, with turbulence, lotic diatoms C. atomus, F. crotonensis, N. palea, and S. hantzschii demonstrated a significant increase in affinity for P compared with lentic diatoms C. meneghiniana, M. varians, and S. minutulus. Moreover, lotic diatoms C. atomus, F. crotonensis, and N. palea had higher growth rates and photosynthetic efficiencies with small-scale turbulence than with standing conditions both in P-limited and P-replete conditions. Lotic species S. hantzschii and three lentic diatoms (C. meneghiniana, M. varians, and S. minutulus) grew well under standing conditions. Our results may explain our field observation that the occurrence of diatom blooms in lakes is often associated with higher TP concentrations whereas in rivers, diatom blooms occur at a wide range of TP concentrations under flows. Therefore, different hydrodynamics and nutrient concentrations determined the dominant diatom species, according to their habitat-dependent physiological characteristics.