Green algae in spruce forests in the north-east of European Russia

The green algal communities in podzolic soils under coniferous forest in N.E. European Russia were studied in areas that were subjected to different technogenic pollution intensities. Sixty-five green algal species belonging to 4 classes, 12 orders, 20 families and 27 genera were recorded. The algal communities in the investigated soils of the different type spruce phytocoenoses included from 15 to 38 taxa on one site. Indicator species were identified for background spruce forests (Chalmydomonas gelatinosa, Tetracystis aggregata, T. dissociata, Pseudopleurococcus botryoides, Myrmecia bisecta) and for aerotechnogenically polluted spruce forests (Actinochloris sphaerica). The results may be used for the monitoring of the ecological state of biota in soils under boreal forests of protected areas and spruce forests exposed to intense aerial technogenic pollution. Presented at the International Symposium Biology and Taxonomy of Green Algae V, Smolenice, June 26–29, 2007, Slovakia.     

Protozoan communities in chalk streams

This study assessed the individual effects of three mayflies (Paraleptophlebia sp., Ephemerella subvaria McDunnough and Epeorus sp.) and one caddisfly (Psilotreta sp.) on periphyton communities associated with clay tiles and leaves. Algal densities were estimated for leaf discs and tiles from experimental chambers (with individual grazers) and control chambers (i.e., no grazers). Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of leaf discs and tiles also were taken for all mayfly grazing experiments. Densities of algae on leaf discs were two to five times lower than on tiles. Mouthpart morphology influenced how different insects grazed the periphyton community. Paraleptophlebia had typical collector-gatherer mouthparts and had no effect on diatom densities associated with leaves whereas diatom densities on grazed tiles were higher than densities on tiles from control chambers. Epeorus had brusher mouthparts and had little impact on diatom densities regardless of substratum type. The other two grazers had the blade-like mandibles of a scraper. Psilotreta did not reduce the numerical abundance of diatoms on either substratum, but did alter community structure by significantly reducing densities of stalked Gomphonema olivaceum and large species of Navicula and Nitzschia; densities of smaller diatoms (Achnanthes spp) increased. However, E. subvaria reduced densities of most algal species regardless of size on both substrata and also significantly altered community structure. SEMs of substrata grazed by mayflies showed reductions in fungal hyphae on all grazed leaf discs, decreases in filamentous algal forms on grazed tiles, and greatly shortened stalks of G. olivaceum (Paraleptophlebia only). Thus, periphyton communities are different on leaves versus tiles and grazers with different mouthpart morphologies have varying effects on both algal and heterotrophic microbial community structure.     

Green algae in tundra soils affected by coal mine pollutions

Green algal communities were investigated in clean and pollution-impacted tundra soils around the large coal mine industrial complex of Vorkuta in the E. European Russian tundra. Samples were collected in three zones of open-cast coal mining with different degrees of pollution-impacted soil transformation. A total of 42 species of algae were found in all zones. The species richness decreased from 27 species in undisturbed zones to 19 species in polluted zones. Under open-cast coal mining impacts the community structure simplified, and the dominant algae complexes changed. Algae that are typical for clean soils disappeared from the communities. The total abundance of green algae (counted together with Xanthophyta) ranged between 100–120 × 10³ (cells/g dry soils) in undisturbed zones and 0.5–50 × 10³ in polluted zones. Soil algae appear to be better indicators of coal mine technogenic pollution than flowering plants and mosses. Presented at the International Symposium Biology and Taxonomy of Green Algae V, Smolenice, June 26–29, 2007, Slovakia.     

Temporal and altitudinal variations in the attached algae of mountain streams in Colorado

Attached algae were examined from eight sites in Central Colorado streams (five sites on St. Vrain Creek and three on the Snake River) between June and November, 1995. The sites ranged in elevation from 1600 m to 3500 m a.s.l.(plains zone to alpine zone). Seasonal variation in algal communities were qualified in forms of species composition and abundance (cell counts and biovolumes). The Ochiai coefficient of similarity was used to estimate degree of similarity between communities at different times, on different streams, and at different locations on the same stream. The composition of communities across streams for alpine and foothills zones was very close, but montane communities differed greatly across streams (similarity < 0.1). Temporal variability of attached algae was almost absent in the alpine zone, but was high in other zones. The composition of the alpine community in August developed downstream with a temporal shift: October in the montane and foothills zones, November in the plains zone. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Local disturbance history affects patchiness of benthic river algae

1. Recent research has shown that high‐flow events in streams leave a small‐scale mosaic of bed patches that have experienced scouring, sediment deposition (fill), or remained stable. Few studies have investigated if this ‘local disturbance history’ contributes to the patchy distribution of benthic organisms in streams and rivers. 2. In the present research, we demonstrate that local disturbance history in a mid‐sized river can have both short‐ and long‐term effects on epilithic algae. Chains buried vertically in the substratum of the river bed (236 in a 800‐m reach) indicated that two floods (return periods ≤1 year) caused a mosaic of bed patches with different disturbance histories. Once after the first and twice after the second flood, we sampled epilithic algae (mainly diatoms) in replicate patches that had been scoured, filled, or remained stable during the respective event. Algal biomass and cell density per substratum area were determined. 3. Three months after the first flood, algal biomass, total diatom density, diatom taxon richness, and densities of six of nine most common taxa were highest in fill patches. Six days after the second flood, biomass was highest in stable patches, indicating a refugium function of these patches. The refugium patches consisted of average‐sized stones, in contrast to previous studies of flood refugia for benthic algae in which these refugia were always large and/or immobile substrata. Four weeks after the second flood, diatoms tended to be most abundant in scour patches. With one exception, these differences between patch types could not be attributed to differences in local near‐bed current velocity or water depth. 4. The effects of disturbance history were more complex than a simple refugium function of stable patches because algal patterns changed with time since the last disturbance, possibly depending on the successional state of the algal mats.     

绿藻光合生物制氢技术进展

氢能作为可再生、环境友好的能源,已成为营造可持续发展的经济节约型社会的理想能源。绿藻因能利用光能分解水产氢,被称为最有应用前景的方法之一。本文将综述绿藻光合产氢的原理,介绍该生物制氢技术的研究现状和最新进展,并对其发展趋势做以展望。     

Structural characteristics of algal communities in thermally altered artificial streams

Algal community structure on natural substrates of thermally altered artificial streams was studied for one year. The streams were fed by a natural blackwater stream near Aiken, South Carolina. Temperature-related shifts in the abundance of major species were demonstrated. Red algae were absent from a stream heated 12·5°C above ambient, but remained abundant in streams heated 7·5°C or less. Water temperatures above 30°C produced blue-green algal dominance and eliminated several indigenous species. Substrate specificity was exhibited by all major taxa. Several taxa were abundant only on the bottom sediments and some showed a distinct affinity for either sand or silt, the principal bottom types.     

Comparison of the long-wave chlorophyll fluorescence in various green and blue-green algae and diatoms

Two types of long-wave fluorescence bands with similar band shape occur at room temperature in various algae: F_II700 and F_I715. F_II700 occurs in a limited number of algae, follows PS II transients, increases with culture age and is moderately increased by cooling to 83 K. F_I715 occurs in most algae, especially Anabaena, but much less in most diatoms and Tribonema. It does not follow PS II transients, does not increase with culture age and is much increased by cooling to 83 K.An interpretation for the characteristics of F_II700 and F_I715 is given.     

Planktic green algae of Bulgarian coastal wetlands

The present paper reports on the contribution of green algae to the phytoplankton community structure in 13 euto hypertrophic Bulgarian coastal wetlands which were different in morphometry and salinity. The results obtained revealed the important role of green algae, which formed 43% of the total species composition, 18% of numbers and 21% of biomass and often had a dominant or subdominant role in phytoplankton community structure.     

Utilisation of blue-green algae as biofertilisers

Biologically active compounds may be liberated from blue-green algae growing on the surface of moist soils. Such compounds may also be released as exudates from algae grown in liquid culture.This report describes inoculation of soils in pots, containing radish or tomato plants, with algal suspensions or exudates, which resulted in increased growth rates of both plants and increased their overall yield. Autoclaved exudates were generally as effective as fresh exudates. Interaction of effects between the various active substances depends on the algal species and method by which the soils are amended.     

Bacterial communities of some brown and red algae from Peter the Great Bay, the Sea of Japan

The structure of microbial communities of brown algae, red algae, and of the red alga Gracilaria verrucosa, healthy and affected with thallus rot, were comparatively investigated; 61 strains of heterotrophic bacteria were isolated and characterized. Most of them were identified to the genus level, some Vibrio spp., to the species level according to their phenotypic properties and the fatty acid composition of cellular lipids. The composition of the microflora of two species of brown algae was different. In Chordaria flagelliphormis, Pseudomonas spp. prevailed, and in Desmarestia viridis, Bacillus spp. The composition of the microflora of two red algae, G. verrucosa and Camphylaephora hyphaeoides, differed mainly in the ratio of prevailing groups of bacteria. The most abundant were bacteria of the CFB cluster and pseudoalteromonads. In addition, the following bacteria were found on the surface of the algae: Sulfitobacter spp., Halomonas spp., Acinetobacter sp., Planococcus sp., Arthrobacter sp., and Agromyces sp. From tissues of the affected G. verrucosa, only vibrios were isolated, both agarolytic and nonagarolytic. The existence of specific bacterial communities characteristic of different species of algae is suggested and the relation of Vibrio sp. to the pathological process in the tissues of G. verrucosa is supposed.     

A critical review of soil algae as a crucial soil biological component of high ecological and economic significance

Aero-terrestrial algae are ecologically and economically valuable bioresources contributing to carbon sequestration, sustenance of soil health, and fertility. Compared to aquatic algae, the literature on subaerial algae is minimal, including studies of distinctive habitats such as forest soils, agricultural fields, deserts, polar regions, specific subaerial zones, artificial structures, and tropical soils. The primary goal here was to identify the gaps and scope of research on such algae. Accordingly, the literature was analyzed per sub-themes, such as the “nature of current research data on terrestrial algae,” “methodological approaches,” “diversity,” “environmental relationships,” “ecological roles,” and “economic significance.” The review showed there is a high diversity of algae in soils, especially members belonging to the Cyanophyta (Cyanobacteria) and Chlorophyta. Algal distributions in terrestrial environments depend on the microhabitat conditions, and many species of soil algae are sensitive to specific soil conditions. The ecological significance of soil algae includes primary production, the release of biochemical stimulants and plant growth promoters into soils, nitrogen fixation, solubilization of minerals, and the enhancement and maintenance of soil fertility. Since aero-terrestrial habitats are generally stressed environments, algae of such environments can be rich in rare metabolites and natural products. For example, epilithic soil algae use wet adhesive molecules to fix them firmly on the substratum. Exploring the ecological roles and economic utility of soil and other subaerial algae could be helpful for the development of algae-based industries and for achieving sustainable soil management.     

Use of algae and other plants for monitoring rivers

Abstract A brief account is given of the methods developed for use of algae, bryophytes and angiosperms to monitor rivers and streams. The methods fall broadly into those based on features of populations of representative species, those based on part or all of the whole photosynthetic community and those based on various types of bioassay and ecotoxicological test. The methodology for using bioaccumulation of heavy metals, insecticides and other organic molecules is well developed and has been applied widely in western Europe for practical purposes. Coarse filamentous algae and bryophytes are especially useful, but some angiosperms are suitable, provided general information about bioaccumulation in the particular species is available; it is difficult to use periphyton. Other methods based on species include measurement of genetic tolerance, physiological approaches (chlorophyll: phaeophytin ratio, tissue N: P ratio and surface phosphatase assays) and observations on cyanobacterial and eukaryotic algal morphology. Among community-based methods for monitoring, measurement of biomass is used widely for phytoplankton, but seems of little use for benthos. The use of indices based on benthic communities, especially diatoms, has, however, been applied widely. The earlier indices based on diversity have been replaced almost entirely by ones integrating ecological information from component species. In addition, the authors have started to produce a diatom-based parallel to the macroinvertebrate-based RIVPACS by obtaining floristic data from ‘clean’ sites. Bioassays and ecological tests, mainly using algae or Lemna, are often carried out together with the other methods.     

Quantitative and qualitative variability of epiphytic algae on one Apiaceae (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Apium nodiflorum</Emphasis> L.) in a karstic river (Southeast of France)

Spatial distribution of the firmly attached epiphytic algae was investigated directly on the leaves of one Apiaceae (Apium nodiflorum L.) commonly found in chalky Mediterranean rivers, at two sampling dates (summer and autumn). The composition and structure of the epiphytic communities of the samples were determined at different levels: along the leaves, on both their sides and within each leaflet (n = 13). Forty-eight leaflets from four randomly selected plants were cut along the longitudinal and vertical axes so as to define 16 microhabitats located on the edge, the centre and the vein. Only a few species of algae were found to be constantly present whatever the sampling date, and dominated all microzones (n = 768). Their presence seemed to depend, rather, on the architectural structure of the plant. The other algae represented the major part of the epiphytic community and were only occasionally present. Those were more subject to temporal and environmental variations and less specific of the substrate. The epiphytes showed considerable spatial heterogeneity within their microhabitats, with an evident preference for the centre and the edge of the leaves, whereas two inhospitable spaces were the vein and apex. On the other hand, when the study was performed at a larger scale (along the leaf), the epiphytic populations of the youngest leaves (near the surface) and the eldest ones (close to the sediments) were homogenous, hence suggesting that other factors, independent from the physiology of the plant, may have an impact on epiphytic distribution.     

Birds as transporters of algae

The gut contents of 21 birds caught on Windermere were examined and cultures made from them to test for viable algae. Benthic algae were frequently viable while planktonic species were not.     

Development of filamentous green algae in the benthic algal community in a littoral sand-beach zone of Lake Biwa

Temporal changes of biomass and dominant species in benthic algal communities were investigated in a littoral sand-beach zone in the north basin of Lake Biwa from December 1999 to September 2000. Chlorophyll-a amounts of benthic algal communities per unit area of the sandy sediments rapidly increased from late April to June. Increases in biomass of the benthic algal communities are considered to result from the propagation of filamentous green algae Oedogonium sp. and Spirogyra sp. The cell numbers of filamentous green algae and chlorophyll-a amounts of benthic algal communities at depths of 30 and 50cm at a station protected by a breakwater in May were significantly higher than those of a station exposed directly to wave activity. Thus, the biomass accumulation of the benthic algal communities seems to be regulated strongly by wave disturbance. The development of filamentous green algae may contribute to the increase in biomass of the benthic algal community and to the changes in seasonal patterns of biomass in the sand-beach zone of Lake Biwa. We consider that the development of the filamentous green algal community in the littoral zone of Lake Biwa is the result of eutrophication.     

The use of periphyton communities for nutrient removal from polluted streams

The results of experiments on the efficiency of periphyton communities for nutrient removal from polluted streams in a continuous flow-through are given. The artifical stream (5 m × 0.7 m × 0.5 m) was made of wood, with silon (a kind of nylon) screens, as a substratum for periphyton growth. The elimination of nutrients was monitored by ammonium, nitrite, nitrate and orthophosphate analyses. In addition, the elimination of organics and the decrease in trophic state were determined. During two field experiments a marked elimination of nitrogen and phosphorus was demonstrated. The maximum efficiency of ammonium and orthophosphate removal was 80% and 70%, respectively. Organic removal reached 35% (C.O.D._Mn-Kubel) and 54% (B.O.D.₅). Inorganic and organic nutrient elimination caused significant changes in periphyton community structure in the outflow portion of the through, evaluated by the saprobic index and the similarity coefficient. The experiments confirmed that periphyton communities are a useful means of nutrient removal from polluted streams.     

Co-isolation of high-quality DNA and RNA from coenocytic green algae

A protocol is presented for the simultaneous isolation of DNA and RNA from giant-celled green algae. The overall quality of the DNA was examined by the A²⁶⁰/A²⁸⁰ ratio, agarose gel electrophoresis, and restriction enzyme analysis. Denaturing gel electrophoresis and cDNA cloning were used to investigate the quality of the RNA. These assays indicated that both the DNA and RNA isolated by this procedure are of high quality, suitable for further molecular analyses. Since many of these algae are slow growing and therefore only a few grams may be available, the isolation of DNA and RNA from the same plant material has obvious advantages.Abbreviations: Etbr, ethidium bromide.     

Observations on tolerance to heavy metals of four green algae in relation to pH

Abstract

The inhibition of growth by different concentration of eight heavy metals: Cd, Cr, Co, Cu, Hg, Ni, Se and Tl, in inorganic medium at pH 3 and 6.5, was studied in four green algae: Chlorella protothecoides Krüger, Chlorella saccharophila (Krüger) Migula, Coenochloris sp. and Stichococcus bacillaris Naegeli.

The results suggest that pH has an important effect on heavy metal toxicity in algae although it is difficult to establish a relationship between pH and heavy metals.     

Effect of external pH on inorganic carbon assimilation in unicellular marine green algae

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) induction has been studied in three marine green algae under acidic (pH 4.5) or alkaline (pH 8.0) conditions. An inhibition of the induction of the external CA in acidic conditions, similar to that observed in some freshwater green algae, could be observed in only Chlorella saccharophila. In the two other species, Chlorococcum littorale and Stichococcus bacillaris, no significant difference in CA induction was found under two pH conditions. The exact function of the external CA of C. saccharophila remains unclear, since cells grown under acidic conditions (under which this enzyme is repressed) possess the same abilities to use inorganic carbon (Ci) as alkaline‐grown cells. Internal pH values were not modified by the pH of the medium used to cultivate C. saccharophila. Regardless of the growth conditions, activities related to carbon fixation, that is, photosynthetic oxygen evolution, Ci uptake and assimilation were enhanced when the measurements were performed at acidic pH. This indicates that this marine alga is able to use CO₂ more efficiently than HCO₃^?. No evidence could be found for a specific Ci uptake and assimilation system in the acid‐grown cells.