Partial recovery of moorland pools from acidification: Indications by chemistry and diatoms

In 1994 the atmospheric deposition on three moorland pools in The Netherlands was only one third of its value in 1980. The effects of this reduction on these moorland pool ecosystems were examined by regular sampling of surface water chemistry and diatoms between 1979 and 1994. Moreover, diatom samples taken at irregular intervals between 1916 and 1978 were studied. In the pools Gerritsfles and Achterste Goorven, the median sulphate concentrations in 1994 were only one third of recorded values in 1980. Peak concentrations of sulphate were found after extremely dry summers. In the pool Kliplo, with an initially low concentration of sulphate, there was 16% increase of the concentration over the same period. Ammonium increased significantly in Kliplo and showed large variations in the other pools. Redundancy analysis showed that sulphate was the most important variable for the distribution of diatoms. As a consequence, the abundance of the acidification indicatorEunotia exigua in 1994 was only 25% of its value in 1980 in Achterste Goorven and 14% in Gerritsfles. Peaks ofE. exigua were found after drought periods. In Kliplo no clear change was observed. In 1994 the diatom assemblages of Achterste Goorven were much more similar to those of 1916–1925 than they were in 1980. In Gerritsfles a new situation, without historical analogue, developed. Overall, the large reduction of SO_x-deposition had very positive consequences for the diatom assemblages.     

Assessing the short-term response of stream diatoms to acidity using inter-basin transplantations and chemical diffusing substrates

1. Acid‐base status has major effects on diatoms, but there is little information on their short‐term response to changing acidity. This is despite the use of diatoms as bioindicators in streams where acid episodes are important during rainstorms (hours to days) or snowmelt (days to weeks). In the Llyn Brianne experimental catchments (Wales, UK), we attempted to mimic the effects of short‐term acidification by (i) reciprocally transplanting diatoms between two streams of contrasting acidity and (ii) using acid‐diffusing substrates. 2. Diatom diversity decreased rapidly on substrata transplanted from the circumneutral into the acidic stream, and increased in the reciprocal transplantation. Changes in dominant taxa occurred within three days in the acidic stream because of the rapid growth of Eunotia exigua, and by nine days in the circumneutral stream because of the proliferation of Achnanthidium minutissimum. Transplants were near indistinguishable from ambient assemblages by day 12. 3. There were no effects of enclosures on assemblage composition, but diatoms responded more rapidly to altered chemistry in enclosures with coarse mesh (26 × 50 mm) than finer mesh (320 μm). 4. Chemical diffusing substrates comprised terracotta tiles attached to dosing reservoirs that created locally acid (using H₂SO₄) or metal‐rich conditions (using MnSO₄) in the circumneutral stream over 26 days. Diatom responses were compared with reference substrates dosed with deionised or circumneutral stream water, and we also assessed whether effects were moderated by macroinvertebrate grazers. 5. Surface pH was lower by 1–2 pH units on acid‐dosed substrates than on reference tiles or in surrounding streamwater. Grazed assemblages on acid‐dosed substrates differed significantly from ungrazed reference assemblages, acquiring significantly greater relative abundance of Eunotia spp. However, the magnitude of response was less than in the between‐stream transplantations either because (i) metal exposure and base cation concentrations differed between the transplants and dosing substrates or (ii) diatom response to reduced pH on the diffusing substrates was restricted by the scarcity of acidobiontic diatoms in the circumneutral stream. Similar filter, founder or dominance effects might also affect diatom responses to real acid episodes. 6. These data show that diatom assemblages can respond rapidly and directly to changes in acid‐base status, but short‐term acidification might affect diatoms more rapidly than subsequent recovery. Because the experimental methods used were imperfect representations of episodic effects, diatom response to real acid events requires further field evaluation.     

BIOGEOGRAPHY OF BATRACHOSPERMUM HELMENTOSUM (BATRACHOSPERMALES, RHODOPHYTA) IN NORTH AMERICA USING MOLECULAR AND MORPHOLOGICAL DATA

Over the course of 3 years (1997–1999), 72 stream sites were sampled for epilithic diatom communities. The analysis of these samples has led to the identification of over 325 species of diatoms. In addition to sampling the diatom community, selected physical and chemical parameters were recorded from each stream reach. These parameters included pH, specific conductance, current velocity, SRP, nitrate, silica, and total alkalinity. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) was used to identify influential environmental parameters and to assess the response of the diatom community to prominent anthropogenic inputs in the region (i.e. coal mine drainage, eutrophication). The initial analyses indicate that pH was the most influential environmental parameter along the first CCA axis. This shift was not unexpected, as acid mine drainage (AMD) in the region leads to a wide range of pH values (2.8–7.93). The highly acidic sites were characterized by species of the genus Eunotia (specifically E. exigua and E. steineckei ), Frustulia rhomboides , and Pinnularia subcapitata. Furthermore, Achnanthidium minutissimum was the most widely distributed of the diatom species encountered, being found at 94% of the sites sampled. Streams that fluctuated between acidic and circumneutral pH (termed "teeter-totter") had greater abundances of Brachysira vitrea than other streams in this survey. Further implications for the use of these diatom communities as biomonitoring tools and the distribution of assemblages within the Western Allegheny Plateau will be discussed.     

Correlation of surface sediment diatoms with the present lake water pH in 28 Algoma lakes,Ontario, Canada

The surface sediment diatom analysis of 28 Algoma lakes (pH 4.40–8.13) indicates that even though each lake has a widely different aquatic environment and characteristic diatom assemblage, a definite relationship exists between the lake water pH and their diatom assemblages. In the acidic lakes acidobiontic and acidophilous diatom species predominate whereas in circumneutral and alkaline lakes circumneutral and alkaliphilous diatoms were most common. Cluster analysis of the pH indicator diatom assemblages grouped the study lakes into three distinct cluster groups. These groups also closely corresponded to lake water pH. On the basis of published ecological information as well as their presence in our study lakes, the pH indicator status of a number of diatom taxa have been discussed. A detailed listing of the diatom taxa identified and their pH indicator status is provided in order to facilitate their use in future diatom-inferred pH studies.     

Diatoms and water quality in lowland streams in the province of northern Brabant (The Netherlands)

Summary The diatoms of two Dutch lowland streams were studied. The stream Beerze is heavily polluted by the effluent of a sewage treatment plant, causing a change in the pH from less than 4 to more than 6. The acidobiontic diatomEunotia exigua is replaced by more alkaline and eutraphentic species such asGomphonema parvulum, Cyclotelia meneghiniana andFragilaria capucina. The Simpson diversity index rises from 0.2 in the upper course to 0.9 in the middle course and maintains this level in the lower course.From stream Rosep samples of 1919–1930 and recent ones were studied. This stream is polluted now by agriculture. In the earlier samples oligo-mesotraphentic species dominated (Eunotia spp.,Melosira distans). In 1976 the species of organically polluted waters were most abundant. The oligo-mesotraphentic species were hardly recovered.In spite of the severe pollution the number of rare species in both streams is still high, compared with that in stagnant waters. Only in mesotrophic moorland pools and mesotrophic quivering bogs, which are situated in trophic gradients just like both streams, a comparable number of rare species may be found.     

DIATOM COMMUNITY STRUCTURE: TAXONOMIC AND STATISTICAL ANALYSES OF A MISSISSIPPI SALT MARSH1

Edaphic diatoms were collected on a seasonal basis from beneath five monospecific stands of spermatophytes on Graveline Bay Marsh (Mississippi) from 14 October 1976 through 21 June 1977. Of the 119 diatom taxa encountered. only seven were restricted to a single edaphic habitat, and five of these accounted for 17.2%of the individuals comprising the community associated with Distichlis spicata (L.) Greene. The single most abundant diatom was Navicula tripunctata (Müll.) Bory, which accounted for 21.5%of all individuals counted during the study. Based on a 2-way ANOVA of species diversity (H’) and the number of taxa in a sample, edaphic diatom community diversity was highest beneath D. spicata and Spartina patens (Ait.) Muhl., lowest beneath Sp. alterniflora Loisel. and Juncus roemerianus Scheele, and somewhat intermediate for the Scirpus olneyi Gray habitat. Structural differences between selected community pairs were quantified using a similarity index (SIMI) and the values generated were exceedingly variable. A multiple regression analysis revealed that structural differences amongst edaphic diatom communities were related to differences in elevation, far red light energy, ammonia nitrogen, soil moisture, and tentatively, height of the spermatophyte canopy.     

江汉平原47号钻孔中的化石硅藻及其在古环境分析上的意义

江汉平原47号钻孔,位于湖北省江汉平原的江陵县,在其上段的46.6-2.2m层位上,有丰富的化石硅藻,约有26属148种,其中绝大多数是现存的淡水种类,并以附生性、沿岸带和浅水性的种类为主。种类较多的属有:Navicula(28种)、Cymbella(23种)、Achnanthes(15种)、Gomphonema(14种)和Eunotia(13种)。主要种类有Gomphonema tropicale var. nonpunctatum、Cyclotella comta、Cocconeis placemula vat. lineata和Stephanodiscus dubius等。硅藻中的种数(种/层)和数量(个/每克干沉积物)经历了一个从无到有、由少到多再逐渐减少直至消失的过程。这反映了水体环境也相应地经历了一个漫长的变迁过程:河流(可能是长江古道)→边滩和河漫滩→泛滥平原的积水洼地(湖泊或沼泽)→水体变深加宽→水体消失。从不同沉积相中各种类型(适酸碱度不同)的硅藻比例(即硅藻种谱),可以推测当时水体的酸碱度的变化不大,在中性或中性偏碱的范围。由化石硅藻并结合孢粉的矿物分析,可以推测当时硅藻大量生长繁殖时期的水温较凉,气候可能偏冷。硅藻的数量与沉积物的平均粒度呈明显的相关性,硅藻的种数与沉积物的平均粒度也呈明显的相关性。     

Impact of acidification on diatoms and chemistry of Dutch moorland pools

Old (ca 1920) and recent (1978) diatom assemblages from sixteen pristine moorland pools are compared by analysis of pH-spectra, diversity (Hill's index), (dis)similarity (number of species in common, Dyer dissimilarity) and principal component analysis. The pH-spectra of clear water pools indicate that the formerly wide range of pH (4–6) is very narrow now (3.7–4.6). No significant change of pH (ca 4.5) is observed in brown water moorland pools. Diversity significantly declines in clear water pools and has a tendency to rise in brown water pools. The number of species in common does not change. The Dyer dissimilarity significantly decreases in clear water lakes, no change is found in brown water lakes. The first principal component (PC 1) explains 61% of total variance between samples and is nearly completely determined byEunotia exigua. PC 1 has a strong positive correlation with both the absolute and relative sulfate concentration and other factors related to acidification (Ca²⁺, Al³⁺, Mg²⁺, electrical conductivity). PC1 has a negative correlation with factors characterizing humic acid waters (K MnO₄-consumption, Fe, (Na⁺ + K⁺)/ (Ca²⁺+Mg²⁺) etc.). Old samples have low scores on PC 1. Recent samples from clear waters have high scores on PC 1. The original variation, caused by regional factors, is replaced by a sulfate controled variation. The factors which are responsible for the recent differences in sulfate concentrations between pools are discussed (sulfate reduction, accumulation by dry deposition in adjacent pine forests and drought). Some observations contribute to the opinion that acidification may be considered as eutrophication and not as oligotrophication.     

Diatom assemblies in some moorland pools in the Drenthian district (the Netherlands)

The results are presented of a survey of diatom assemblies in a number of moorland pools and lakes in the Dwingeloo area of Drenthe. Four assemblies, with some intermediate ones, are described. (1) An assembly characterized by an abundance ofFrustulia rhomboides var.saxonica, Eunotia lunaris, E. veneris var.rhomboidea andTabellaria flocculosa and found in oligotrophic water with a pH in the range 3.1–4.2 (2) An assembly solely consisting ofEunotia exigua which occurs in oligo-minerotrophic pools with brownish deposits of iron compounds and a pH of about 3.5. (3) An assembly consisting of 100%Eunotia paludosa found in the ombrotrophic habitat of emerged stands ofSphagnum with a pH averaging 3.1. This species was found in nearly all localities sampled. (4) An assembly characterized by the sympatric occurrence ofMelosira italica, Nitzschia gandersheimiensis, Gomphonema parvulum andTabellaria flocculosa and found in mesotrophic, disturbed habitats with an average pH of about 4.5. For the delimitation of these assemblies a cluster analysis was carried out by means of the TABORD computerprogram.     

Diatom communities of acidic mountain streams in Poland

A comparison has been made of the species composition of diatom communities developing in acidic Polish mountain streams which flow over calcium-poor substrates: sandstones in the Silesian Beskid (section of the Western Carpathians), the witokrzyskie Mts, and over granite in the Karkonosze range (in the Sudetic Mts). The number of taxa and diversity of the diatom assemblages decreased along a decreasing pH gradient. The correlation between pH and the number of taxa was positive and significant (r ² = 0.69, p < 0.005). A small number of species (< 20) and low diversity were found in the communities developing in strongly acidic streams such as in the witokrzyskie Mts with pH 4.1–5.2, and in the Silesian Beskid with pH 3.5–4.0. In the stream of the Karkonosze Mts, with pH 5.2–6.0, the communities were characterized by their greater number of species and higher diversity.Acidobiontic and acidophilous diatoms were generally dominant. The pH-indiferent forms were less abundant, and their proportion increased above pH 5.0. Eunotia exigua, E. paludosa var. trinacria, E. tenella and Pinnularia subcapitata dominated in streams with the lowest pH, while E. exigua, E. sudetica and Achnanthes kryophila predominated in a stream with water pH above 5.2. Eunotia exigua, a common acidobiontic species was present in all the examined communities, and was a strong dominant in waters of pH 5.0. A corresponding decrease in abundance of E. exigua was observed with an increase in pH.     

Diatom Diversity in Chronically versus Episodically Acidified Adirondack Streams

The relationship between algal species richness and diversity, and pH is controversial. Furthermore, it is still unknown how episodic stream acidification following atmospheric deposition affects species richness and diversity. Here we analyzed water chemistry and diatom epiphyton dynamics and showed their contrasting behavior in chronically vs. episodically acidic streams in the Adirondack region. Species richness and diversity were significantly higher in the chronically acidic brown water stream, where organic acidity was significantly higher and the ratio of inorganic to organic monomeric aluminum significantly lower. Conversely, in the episodically acidic clear water stream, the inorganic acidity and pH were significantly higher and the diatom communities were very species‐poor. This suggests that episodic acidification in the Adirondacks may be more stressful for stream biota than chronic acidity. Strong negative linear relationships between species diversity, Eunotia exigua, and dissolved organic carbon against pH were revealed after the influence of non‐linear temporal trends was partialled out using a novel way of temporal modeling. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Melosira distans var. tenella and Eunotia zasuminensis, two poorly known planktonic diatoms in Finnish lakes

The occurrence and ecology of two poorly known planktonic diatoms, Melosira distans var. tenella (Nyg.) M.-B. Florin and Eunotia zasuminensis (Cabejsz.) Körner in central Finland is discussed. Both species have their maximum in late summer when water temperature is > 15°C and they prefer slightly acid water (pH < 7), low conductivity (less than 4 mS/m) and a moderate degree of dystrophy with C.O.D. 10–20 mg O₂/l and water colour 60–120 mg Pt/1. Melosira distans var. tenella was found in ca. 80% of the central Finnish lakes studied, but it is not reported in previously published papers. Eunotia zasuminensis is rarer, but is, however, recorded in at least 22 lakes in central Finland.     

黑龙江省七星河湿地硅藻植物的初步研究

报道了2004年对黑龙江省七星河湿地国家级自然保护区的硅藻门植物研究的结果,共发现155个分类单位,包括113种39变种3变型,分别隶属于2纲6目9科26属,其中中国新记录2种2变种1变型共计5个分类单位,初步分析了七星河湿地硅藻植物群落的种类组成及生态类型,大部分的硅藻属于普生种类,同时出现了一些喜酸种类如：Eunotia pectinalis var. ventralis(Ehr.)Hust., Tabellaria flocculosa(Roth) Kütz.,Gomphonema augur Ehr.,Navicula subtilissima Cl.等,还有少量的嗜碱性种类出现。     

Diatom communities along pH and hydrological gradients in three montane mires,central China

The distribution patterns of epiphytic diatom assemblages in three montane mires in central China were investigated to examine their relationships with selected environmental variables (pH and depth to water table, DWT). Two of the mires are considered to be in good ecological condition (Dajiuhu and Qizimeishan Mires) while Erxianyan Mire is extensively affected by acid deposition and human activities. A total of 206 taxa belonging to 56 genera were found in 44 Sphagnum samples. Multivariate analysis revealed that pH and DWT were significantly correlated with diatom distribution. In Erxianyan Mire, the characteristic taxa (Eunotia minor and Eunotia intermedia) had lower pH optima and may therefore be useful indicators of highly-acidic conditions. In Dajiuhu Mire, the dominant species had higher pH optima, and abundant xerotolerant taxa (Hantzschia amphioxys, Pinnularia borealis, Luticola mutica and Diadesmis contenta) were observed. In the partial canonical correspondence analyses with mire location as a covariable, the correlation between diatom data and pH was insignificant, likely because pH differences between mires were greater than those within mires. In contrast, diatom data were significantly correlated with DWT, suggesting that diatoms are good sensors of hydrological variability along the hollow to hummock gradient. Together, these data can expand current autecological information for these potential diatom indicator species, which is critical for refining our interpretations of bio-monitoring and palaeolimnological studies in montane mires.     

Seasonal variation in diet of Chironomus plumosus (L.) and C. anthracinus Zett. (Diptera: Chironomidae) in mesotrophic Lake Erken

SUMMARY. 1. Microscopic gut content analysis of Chironomus plumosus (L.) and C. anthracinus Zett. collected from 18m depth in mesotrophic Lake Erken. revealed significant seasonal differences between the two species.
2. C. plumosus dietary constituents showed greater seasonal variation than those of C. anthracinus , with diatom contribution to the gut contents reflecting temporal changes in the phytoplankton.
3. Overall the percentage of gut content constituted by detritus, algae, animal remains, and inorganic matter averaged 96%, 4%, 0.4% and 0.03% for C. plurnosus and 97%, 3%, 0.6% and 0.03% for C. anthracinus .
4. Coefficients ot dietary overlap for non-detrital foods decreased markedly from August to September. During this period the proportion of centric diatoms in the guts of C. plumosus increased by 94% while no marked changes were noted in C. anthracinus .
5. C. ptttmosus ingested more diatoms than C. anthracinus , especially during diatom blooms in spring and autumn. These results are consistent with the known differences in feeding behaviour between these two speeies.     

BENTHIC DIATOM DISTRIBUTION IN A PENNSYLVANIA STREAM: ROLE OF pH AND NUTRIENTS1

Buffalo Creek is in a forested watershed in eastern Pennsylvania and is relatively acid in upstream reaches (pH～6), becoming alkaline downstream (pH～8). Temperature, nitrogen (NO₃-N) and phosphorus (O-PO₄) increase significantly downstream whereas N/P declines. Nutrient-diffusing substrata were deployed in triplicate at an upstream and downstream site. Six treatments included two concentrations of nitrate, two concentrations of phosphate, nitrogen + phosphate, and a control. Substrata were collected after 18 days, scraped and analyzed for accrual of chlorophyll a and algal community structure. Chlorophyll a and algal biovolume were greatest downstream across all nutrient treatments. At the community level, accrual appeared to be limited by phosphorus at upstream sites. Downstream accrual also may have been phosphorus-limited, but the results were equivocal. Benthic algae on all treatments at both sites were ～96% diatoms. Minimal overlap in species composition was observed between upstream and downstream sites. Of the 75 species of diatoms encountered in the study, 58 species did not occur at the upstream site and 10 species did not occur at the downstream site. The upstream site was depauperate in species and dominated by Eunotia exigua (Bréb. ex Kütz.) Rabh., which showed a positive response to phosphorus and accounted for over 50% of the biomass across treatments. The downstream site showed a four-fold increase in species richness. Communities at this site contained some species that appeared to be phosphorus-limited, e.g. Melosira varians Ag., and others that seemed to be nitrogen-limited, e.g. Diatoma vulgare Bory and Navicula seminulum Grun. We conclude that extreme conditions upstream (low pH, high N/P) result in a species-poor community dominated by acidophilous phosphorus-limited diatoms. Increases in downstream nutrients and pH result in a relatively rich and diverse community.     

“INTERNAL THECAE” OF EUNOTIA SOLEIROLII (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE): DEVELOPMENT,STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION AS RESTING SPORES1

The “double thecae” or “internal septa” of Eunotia soleirolii (Kütz.) Rabenh, are shown to represent the thecae of resting spores, as characterized by their physiology, as well as morphology. They differ from all resting spores of centric diatoms by the formation of both their valves as a result of unequal cell divisions; and, from the majority of centric spores by the presence of several girdle bands in both their thecae. Spore formation can be induced by high or low pH, high temperature (24 C), and iron, silica, phosphate or nitrate deficiencies, whereas low temperatures defer it. Spores do not germinate directly, but dormancy can be removed by dark treatments (–2 to 15 C) for a minimum of 4–5 wk. Longer dark treatments result in higher germination rates. At 15 C, a minimum of 2 mo is required and 4 mo is better. Heat treatments (27–42 C) are ineffective, but may shorten the dormancy-breaking subsequent cold period. Instances of secondary dormancy, as well as relative dormancy, were observed. Germination usually occurs in the light between 2 and 21 C. An equal division of the spore is followed by unequal divisions of both new cells with only the two resulting large cells being viable. The experiences in the laboratory aided the discovery of stages of spore germination in nature.     

Fossil Diatoms in No.47 Borehole of Jianghan Plain and Their Significance to Paleoenvironmental mental Analysis

The No. 47 borehole is located at Jiangling County in the Jianghan Plain, Hubei Province, China. There are abundant sedimentary diatoms (about 26 genera and 148 taxa) in the upper section (46.6 – 2.2 m) of the borehole. Most of them belong to the existent freshwater diatoms, being mainly epiphytic, littoral and shallow-water-inhabitant species. Among them some gerera are rich in taxa such as Navicula (28 taxa), Cymbella (23 taxa),Achnanthes (15 taxa), Gomphonema (14 taxa) and Eunotia (13 taxa). The dominant species are Gomphonema tropic& var. nonpunctatum, Cyclotella comta, Cocconeis placentula var. lineata and Stephanodiscus dubius, etc. From the lower to the upper section of the sediment, species number (Sp./strat. ) and amount ( Ind./g dry sed. ) of the diatoms underwent a change from scantiness to plenty, then gradually decline to final disappearance. The change of the diatoms obviously reflects a paleoenvironmental change of water bodies in this area, i. e. :at the early stage, this area was possibly a river (might have been an obsolete course of the Yangtze River), then it gradually became a side bank in the river, which later turned into a depression retaining water perphaps in the form of a lake or a swamp in a flood plain. Then it gradually became deepened and widened with final disappearance of the retained water. According to the diatom assemblages in different sedimentary phases, it may be inferred that the pH range in these water bodies were basically stable, ranging from neutral (pH = 7) to slightly alkaline (pH > 7). Combining pollen amdysis (mainly the pollens of Pinus and Betula ) and mineral analysis with diatoms,it might be deduced that the paleoclimate of this area during the period of luxuriant growth of diatoms was somewhat colder than the present time. In the sediment, the amount and species number of the diatoms all significantly correlated with the mean grain size of the sediment.