Comparison of zoobenthos and zooperiphyton of large and medium rivers

The results of a study of zoobenthos and zooperiphyton of two rivers of the Ob’ River middle reaches are shown. A comparative analysis of the composition and abundance values of two ecological groups of zoobenthos and zooperiphyton hydrobionts has revealed the difference in their taxonomic compositions and dominant complexes. The similarity in total number and biomass of zoobenthos and zooperiphyton in the large river and the higher values of zooperiphyton quantitative development in a medium river have been identified.     

Ecologically Tolerable Levels of Abiotic Factors. Study of Freshwater Bodies in Asiatic Part of Russia and Uzbekistan

Ecologically tolerable levels (ETL) of environmental factors have been determined for freshwater ecosystems in Asiatic part of Russia and neighboring countries (basins of Ob, Yenisei, Lena, Amur, and Syr-Darya rivers). Inobservance of ecologically tolerable levels degrades ecological status of the ecosystems manifested as deviation from normal saprobic indices of phytoplankton, zooplankton, and periphyton as well as biotic indices of zoobenthos. The basins were compared by the calculated ETL values for over 40 physicochemical indices. The revealed ecologically tolerable levels were compared with the standard maximum allowable concentrations.     

Studies of aquatic insects in the Atna River 1987–2002

River Atna is situated in south-eastern Norway and stretches from approx. 1400 m a.s.l. in the Rondane Mountains, through Lake Atnsjøen, at 701 m a.s.l.; to the confluence with River Glomma at 338 m a.s.l. The catchment area is 1323 km², oligotrophic and very susceptible to acid precipitation. The river water is very poor in nutrients and ions, and pH varies from 5.0 to 7.2. Samples were taken each year from 1987 to 2002 at three to five localities from 1280 to 380 m a.s.l. Insect larvae were collected by Surber sampling and by kick sampling. Malaise traps were used to collect adults of Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Chironomidae and Limoniidae. A total of 16 taxa of Ephemeroptera, 24 taxa of Plecoptera, 39 taxa of Trichoptera, 125 taxa of Chironomidae and 52 taxa of Limoniidae, were identified. Our results from Atna provide some support for a zonation of the river based on zoobenthos. The occurrence and abundance of functional groups among the Plecoptera, Trichoptera, and Chironomidae are discussed in relation to the River Continuum Concept (RCC). Our conclusion is that grazers dominate in the zoobenthos in streams in the treeless alpine region in Norway. Natural lakes, which occur in most watercourses in Norway, appear to cause a disturbance in relation to the original RCC concept, as the zoobenthos community in and below the lake outlet is dominated by collectors (filter feeders). The pattern found in the Atna watercourse is probably a general pattern for a northern watercourse in the Holarctic, where the glacial periods created lakes in most watercourses. The results of the long term sampling in Atna are discussed in relation to the practicalities and the cost-benefit of zoobenthos in efficient bio-monitoring in rivers.     

中国东部沿海中小型河流鱼类的整体遗传多样性评价——以曹娥江为例

研究将曹娥江作为东部沿海中小型河流代表, 基于线粒体细胞色素b基因(Cyt b)分子标记对其鱼类的整体遗传多样性水平进行了评估。结果表明, 21个种26个群体鱼类Cyt b基因的单倍型多样性指数(h)和核苷酸多样性指数(π)水平分别为0.074—0.987和0.00019—0.00520, 物种间遗传多样性水平差异较大; 比较不同江段鱼类遗传多样性水平发现, 曹娥江鱼类的单倍型多样性指数水平从河口到中下游再到上游逐渐降低(P<0.05)。比较同一物种的遗传多样性水平发现, 曹娥江鱼类的核苷酸多样性指数水平低于长江、珠江等大型河流鱼类的相应指数水平(P<0.05), 提示曹娥江鱼类的整体遗传多样性处于中等偏下水平, 鱼类资源亟需科学的保护和修复。进一步分析人为扰动因素对曹娥江鱼类遗传多样性水平的影响发现, 敏感型鱼类的单倍型多样性指数水平显著低于中等耐受型鱼类(P<0.05); 麦穗鱼(Pseudorasbora parva)、光泽黄颡鱼(Pelteobagrus nitidus)和刺鳅(Mastacembelus aculeatus)3种鱼类的上游镜岭群体单倍型多样性指数和核苷酸多样性指数水平均低于其中游仙岩群体的相应指数水平。结果提示, 水体污染、过度捕捞可能是造成目前曹娥江鱼类遗传多样性水平较低的主要原因。研究结果将为曹娥江乃至东部中小河流的鱼类资源的管理、保护和开发利用提供重要的理论依据。     

Testing the coherence of several macroinvertebrate indices and environmental factors in a large lowland river system (Volga River,Russia)

In contrast to most large rivers in Europe, the biggest European river Volga including its tributaries has still remained uncontaminated in its headwaters. Therefore the upper Volga River system represents an appropriate system for investigation of relations of bioassessment indices with natural environmental factors. Moreover, it allows the definition of reference conditions for medium-size and large lowland rivers in Europe. The aim of this study was to analyse relations between Saprobic Index (SI), SPEAR indices, and other macroinvertebrate community indices and basic environmental factors in the upper Volga River system. Besides, preliminary ecological status classification (according to the EU Water Framework Directive) was proposed for SI and SPEAR_pesticides indices for the system investigated. The analysed data set contained information on macroinvertebrates, basic habitat characteristics and water physico-chemical parameters from 53 sample sites. The results showed that SI and SPEAR indices were independent of channel width and related river longitudinal factors. Furthermore, the results indicated the index SPEAR_pesticides to be potentially applicable across different types of watercourses as well as across different biogeographical regions in Europe showing similar boundaries of ecological status classes (at least between High, Good, and Moderate). A Multi-Habitat-Sampling method was recommended for SPEAR_pesticides. Saprobic reference conditions of the lowland rivers were found to be beta-mesosaprobic. The relatively high boundary between High and Good classes resulted from naturally high organic matter concentrations. Due to indicating common pollution sources (i.e. organic, agricultural and industrial), the herein suggested methodologies have a potential to be applied in other large river systems in Europe. The reference condition characteristics described for the headwaters of the Volga River system can be used as a reference for medium-sized and large rivers in the regions where establishment of reference sites of these types is impossible (e.g., many regions in Europe).     

拒马河原生动物和底栖动物初步调查及水质分析

2003年3月和4月,对拒马河(北京段)的原生动物及底栖动物群落结构和物种多样性进行了调查分析,并且就其水质现状及水生动物种类和数量变化对环境污染的指示意义加以探讨。共鉴定出原生动物125种,底栖动物17种。结果表明,拒马河水生动物种类较为丰富,物种多样性高,水质生物指标综合评价拒马河水体受到轻度和中度污染。此外,通过对软体动物、环节动物、水生昆虫在不同站点分布的差异分析,表明河流水体污染可导致底栖动物多样性明显降低。从水生生物指示种的变化,可预测水质的变化。     

黄河三角洲滨岸潮滩湿地碱蓬对水沙条件及氮输入的适应性

调水调沙工程的实施为黄河三角洲带来大量淡水恢复退化湿地的同时,也改变了湿地的水沙状况并带来大量的外源物质。本研究采用3因素4水平的正交试验,以黄河口滨岸潮滩湿地典型的先锋物种碱蓬为研究对象,探讨了其对淹水深度、泥沙埋深及外源氮输入的适应机制。结果表明: 泥沙埋深对碱蓬叶片蛋白含量及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性的影响较大;氮输入对过氧化物酶(POD)活性的影响较大,而3种处理对过氧化氢酶(CAT)活性的影响无显著差异。淹水深度对叶、茎及总干重具有显著影响,且随淹水深度的增加呈现减小趋势,最大值(25.70、40.86、69.73 g)均出现在2 cm淹水处理;而氮输入及泥沙埋深对碱蓬干重的影响不显著。极差分析表明,淹水深度对碱蓬叶、茎、根及总干重的影响最为显著,其次为氮输入和泥沙埋深,2 cm淹水深度+12 cm埋深深度+9 g·m^-2氮输入量最有利于碱蓬的生长。可见,淹水深度的变化对碱蓬的生长起到决定性的作用,在调水调沙等工程的实施过程中应注重淹水深度的把控。     

Zoobenthos in riffles of salmon river in southeast of Kola Peninsula

The species composition and abundance of zoobenthos in salmon rivers of the southeastern part of the Kola Peninsula have been studied. Poor species composition and low values of abundance and biomass have been recorded. Apparently this is due to severe climate conditions and the low input of vegetative organic matter into the stream. The maximum number of species and abundance of zoobenthos is recorded on detrital rock grounds and in sites of the input of leaf litter in the forest-tundra zone. The maximum biological diversity is in the riffles covered with Fontinalis moss. Feeding conditions of juvenile salmonids are poor in the rivers of the tundra and medium in the south of the region in the forest-tundra zone.     

以底栖动物评价湘江污染的研究

湘江底栖动物种类较丰富,而上游种类尤多,生物多样性明显。中、下游某些江段因污染等因素影响,多样性有差异。shannon多样性指数反映出了这些变化。上游江段属于清洁水体,中、下游多数江段属于轻污染,少数江段为中污染,而霞湾港江段为重污染。进行了水和底泥中化学毒物的含量与生物主要种类的数量变化的相关分析。       

Assessing structural and functional ecosystem condition using leaf breakdown: studies on a polluted river

1. Leaf breakdown rates of Alnus glutinosa were determined and the structure of decomposer assemblages associated with leaves were analysed to assess the effect of pollution on the ecological condition of the Ave River (North‐west Portugal). 2. Increase in organic and inorganic nutrients was associated with an increase in density and a decrease in richness of macroinvertebrates, a dramatic decline in the conidial production of aquatic hyphomycetes, but no major change in the richness of aquatic hyphomycetes. 3. Downstream nutrient enrichment was correlated with accelerated leaf breakdown rates. 4. The degree of functional impairment assessed by the ratio of leaf breakdown rates in coarse‐mesh and fine‐mesh bags was in accordance with the gradient of pollution defined by two biotic indices. 5. This study supports the contention that leaf breakdown experiments are a valuable tool to assess the effect of pollution on the ecological condition of rivers.     

Applicability of a generic index for diatom assemblages to monitor pollution in the tropical River Tsanwun, Taiwan

A generic index (GI) utilizing epilithic diatom assemblages as abioindicator of water pollution in subtropical rivers in Taiwan was applied toastudy of a tropical river. Seven sites on the River Tsanwun were sampledseasonally from August 1995 to June 1998. Although there is a marked differencein water chemistry between tropical and subtropical rivers in Taiwan, thedominant genera of their diatom assemblages are quite similar. The six generaused for the calculation of GI in the subtropical rivers were also the maincomponents of diatom assemblages in the River Tsanwun. The calculated valuesdisplayed a close correlation with water quality, evaluated on the basis ofphysical and chemical variables. A strong correlation was found between this GIand other diatom-based indices of water quality.     

Using stressor gradients to determine reference expectations for great river fish assemblages

We describe a simple empirical modeling approach for determining least-disturbed conditions for the great rivers of the Upper Mississippi River basin: Missouri, Upper Mississippi, and Ohio Rivers. We used multivariate analysis to identify reference strata (reaches for which a single reference expectation was appropriate) on each river. Strata included the Upper Missouri, Lower Missouri, impounded Upper Mississippi, unimpounded Upper Mississippi, and the Ohio River. We created a multimetric stressor gradient for each stratum using a suite of site- and landscape-scale metrics. Site-scale metrics included water chemistry, aquatic and riparian habitat, and human disturbance metrics. Landscape-scale metrics included land use, land cover, and proximity to human disturbance. The gradient was scaled from 0 (least stressed) to 1 (most stressed). Multimetric indices of condition based on fish assemblages for the Lower Missouri and Upper Mississippi River were responsive to stressor gradients based on 18–24 abiotic stressor metrics. Ohio River fish assemblages were responsive to a hand-picked three-metric gradient. We used the y-intercept of quantile regression to predict the fish index value for a stressor gradient value of 0 (the fish index value at a site with the lowest mean stressor gradient score in the reference stratum) which we designated as least-disturbed condition for the fish index for that stratum. We trisected the difference between predicted least-disturbed condition (ceiling value) and a floor value set at the 5th percentile of the sample to create thresholds for three condition classes: least-disturbed, intermediate, and most-disturbed. Based on the derived condition class thresholds for the fish index, 10% (by length) of the Lower Missouri was in least-disturbed condition, compared to 14% of the Ohio River and 19% of the impounded Upper Mississippi River. The index of condition exhibited longitudinal variation that was associated with the location of major urban areas along each river. We conclude that empirical modeling based on an abiotic stressor gradient can provide an alternative approach for deriving internal reference expectations for great rivers with few, if any, minimally disturbed sites.     

滆湖入湖河流春季大型底栖动物群落结构及水质生物学评价

分别于2018年4月和2019年4月对滆湖入湖河流底栖动物开展调查,并利用生物指数对水质进行生物学评价。结果表明:共鉴定滆湖入湖河流底栖动物28种,以重度耐污种霍甫水丝蚓(优势度为0.46)和中等耐污种铜锈环棱螺(优势度为0.11)占据绝对优势。生物多样性方面以鹤溪河最高,湟里河、扁担河次之,夏溪河及入湖河口最低,水生植物分布是影响各区域底栖动物多样性的重要因素。卡尔森营养状态指数(TSI)与水质污染等级生物评价结果基本一致,以新孟河延伸拓浚工程沿线为界,鹤溪河、夏溪河、湟里河中上游河段处于中度富营养化水平,水体为轻-中污染状态,而下游河段、扁担河及入湖河口处于重度富营养化水平,水体为中-重污染状态。     

Mitochondrial DNA variation in populations of the chum salmon Oncorhynchus keta (Walbaum) from rivers of the Prymorye and Sakhalin

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation was studied using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in chum salmon populations from three rivers in southern Primorye and one river in Sakhalin Island. Significant differences were detected between the samples from Primorye and Sakhalin Island. No differences were found between the samples from the rivers of Primorye, which can be explained by a high rate of gene flow due to transplantation of spawn from one river to another. The effect of fish breeding on the chum salmon populations correlated with the indices of haplotype and nucleotide diversity (h and pi, respectively). The lowest diversity was found in the completely artificial population from the Ryazanovka River; the highest, in natural populations from the Narva and Naiba rivers. Frequencies of haplotypes in consecutive generations were significantly different, which confirms the effects of genetic drift on the small-size chum salmon populations of Primorye.     

Application of multivariate statistics and toxicity indices to evaluate the water quality suitability for fish of three rivers in the Kruger National Park,South Africa

The water quality of the Olifants, Letaba and Luvuvhu rivers within the Kruger National Park was assessed for their suitability to sustain fish populations. Since water quality assessments result in huge datasets, principal component analysis and an aquatic toxicity index (ATI) were employed to reduce these to more manageable indices. Water quality changed over time, with metal concentrations decreasing, and high flows resulted in increased concentrations of suspended metals. The ATI indicated that metals had no major effect on lowering index values in any of the rivers, and that these values were affected by turbidity in both the Olifants and Letaba rivers, whilst nutrients such as ammonium and orthophosphates negatively affected index scores in the Luvuvhu River. Water quality has improved from the 1990s to 2011.     

长江下游南京至江阴江段底栖动物的种群密度与分布状况

本文报道了1979年10—11月在长江下游南京至江阴江段53个采集点上共采到寡毛类8种,多毛类2种,水生昆虫14种,软体动物10种。干流中种类最多,支流次之,支流的河口地带最少。在种群密度方面,支流>干流>支流的河口地带;生物量支流>支流的河口地带>干流。关于长江下游的环境因子对底栖动物种类组成及数量分布的影响,作者也进行了扼要的分析。     

洞庭湖底栖动物种类分布及水质生物学评价

1 995年枯水、平水、丰水期对洞庭湖设 6个断面进行采样 ,共采到底栖动物 58种 ;其密度变幅为 78～ 544 .5个 /m2 ;1 0种常见种均成聚集分布。采用综合生物污染指数评价水体质量 ,结果显示洞庭湖整体水质受到轻度污染 ,评价结果与化学污染指数评价结果一致 ;各采样断面综合生物污染指数均明显大于 1 981～ 1 982年的测量结果 ,表明水体质量变差     

The dynamics of terrestrial invertebrate inputs to the food web of a small salmon river

The qualitative composition and quantitative characteristics of the syrton allochthonous fraction in one of the rivers of the Russian Far East are examined. It is assumed that the daily dynamics of terrestrial invertebrate drift is determined by the specificity of their daily migrations on land. A counterargument to the theory of the zoobenthos nighttime drift strategy as a way to avoid drift-feeding predators is suggested.     

Habitat and hydrology condition indices for the upper Mississippi,Missouri, and Ohio rivers

Habitat and hydrology indices were developed to assess the conditions in reaches of the impounded Mississippi river, the Fort Peck and Garrison reaches of the upper Missouri river, the Missouri National Recreational river (MNRR), the channelized lower Missouri river, and the Ohio river. Data were obtained from field sampling, air photo interpretation, and U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) hydrologic records. Habitat and hydrology attributes were incorporated into four habitat indices (channel complexity, substrate quality, littoral cover, and riparian condition) and one hydrology index. Construction of habitat indices for these very large rivers was complicated by a lack of previous research demonstrating methods for choosing and weighting the metrics used to compose these indices. Many habitat metrics used to assess habitat quality in small rivers proved irrelevant or impractical for assessing habitat quality in the upper Mississippi, Missouri, and Ohio rivers. In addition, these very large rivers, unlike smaller streams, were subject to physical and hydrological alterations due to channelization, revetment, levees, and dams. Because of the lack of proven indicators of habitat condition in very large rivers, we began with a large number of measures of natural and anthropogenic stress, eliminating only those metrics that failed tests of range, redundancy, and correlation with longitudinal position along the river. The lock and low-head dam sequences on the impounded Mississippi and Ohio influenced both hydrological patterns and the resident fish community, with conditions recovering with increased distance below dams, until hydrology was once again altered by impoundment from a downriver dam. Channel complexity and hydrology indices displayed the highest correlations with a multimetric fish index, possibly because these indices integrated habitat condition over a larger scale than the transect- and site-scaled littoral cover and riparian indices. Data limitations prevented the calculation of a littoral cover and a channel complexity index for the upper Missouri and Ohio rivers, respectively.     

Defining and measuring river health

1. Society benefits immeasurably from rivers. Yet over the past century, humans have changed rivers dramatically, threatening river health. As a result, societal well-being is also threatened because goods and services critical to human society are being depleted. 2. ‘Health’— shorthand for good condition (e.g. healthy economy, healthy communities) — is grounded in science yet speaks to citizens. 3. Applying the concept of health to rivers is a logical outgrowth of scientific principles, legal mandates, and changing societal values. 4. Success in protecting the condition, or health, of rivers depends on realistic models of the interactions of landscapes, rivers, and human actions. 5. Biological monitoring and biological endpoints provide the most integrative view of river condition, or river health. Multimetric biological indices are an important and relatively new approach to measuring river condition. 6. Effective multimetric indices depend on an appropriate classification system, the selection of metrics that give reliable signals of river condition, systematic sampling protocols that measure those biological signals, and analytical procedures that extract relevant biological patterns. 7. Communicating results of biological monitoring to citizens and political leaders is critical if biological monitoring is to influence environmental policies. 8. Biological monitoring is essential to identify biological responses to human actions. By using the results to describe the condition, or health, of rivers and their adjacent landscapes and to diagnose causes of degradation, we can develop restoration plans, estimate the ecological risks associated with land use plans in a watershed, or select among alternative development options to minimize river degradation.