Shrimps of an ancient Balkan lake: Bionomy and conservation

In order to have a comprehensive evaluation and classification of the natural biota of Lake Pamvotis, the present study aims at investigating shrimps’ bionomic traits. Information on shrimps’ habitat preferences, abundances, and syntopic species in relation to the physicochemical profile of the lake’s water are investigated for the first time. The study was carried out on a bi-monthly base, at six littoral sites of the lake. Samples’ study from different habitats and seasons revealed that the freshwater shrimp Atyaephyra thyamisensis was the most abundant species, accounting for 44.76% of the total taxa catch, while the grass shrimp Palaemonetes antennarius was less abundant (7.54%). Syntopic fish species in the littoral zone of Lake Pamvotis such as Economidichthys pygmaeus, Gambusia holbrooki, Knipowitschia caucasica and Rutillus panosi showed interannual differences with abundances of 24.12%, 19.13%, 4.26% and 0.20%, respectively. Correspondence analysis revealed clear patterns between species and stations. A. thyamisensis was predominant in shallow, well oxygenated water bodies rich with aquatic vegetation, but it was absent from deeper habitats. P. antennarius was found mainly in lentic water bodies, rocky substratum and deeper habitats. Taking into account the high ecological importance of the freshwater shrimps in ecosystems’ energy flow, ecological and biological data of lake’s shrimps are discussed and presented thoroughly. Threats and conservation measures for both shrimp species are debated also in detail.     

Studies on the Paramecium aurelia species complex in Lake Pamvotis (Ioannina, N.W. Greece)

Paramecium sexaurelia was identified in Lake Pamvotis, Grecce. The occurrence of this species there was confirmed.     

Variation in clones of the sperm-dependent parthenogenetic Carassius gibelio (Bloch) in Lake Pamvotis (north-west Greece)

Variation in three different clones of the invasive sperm-dependent, cyprinid fish Carassius gibelio were examined in Lake Pamvotis (north-west Greece). Differences between the clones were found in their proportion in the population, in their age structure, in the time of arrival to their spawning grounds and in the coefficients of the von Bertalanffy growth equation.     

Correlation Between Urea and Other Chemical and Biological Parameters in Waters of Lake Suwa,Japan

The vertical profiles of chemical and biological parameters, including urea concentration, have been measured periodically since February of 1977 at a central station in Lake Suwa, which is one of the typical eutrophic lakes in Japan. The seasonal trend in the standing stock of urea in the central water column, together with the ratio of urea versus total inorganic nitrogen in the euphotic zone from 12 March, 1977 to 25 July, 1978, are presented. The possible importance of bacterial decomposition of dead phytoplankton as a urea source in natural waters is demonstrated by this study. At times, a highly significant correlation between the vertical profile of urea and vertical distributions of other chemical and biological parameters which were also measured was found. An apparent in situ utilization of urea by phytoplankton is suggested on the basis of vertical profiles of urea and other chemical and biological parameters.     

THE LAKE ST. LUCIA SYSTEM—A RESEARCH ASSESSMENT

SUMMARY

This paper assesses the research undertaken at Lake St. Lucia over the past 25 years based on over 300 documents from that period. Trends related to both time and subject matter are evident, and these are considered in relation to the gaps in our current knowledge concerning the system.

A feature evident throughout the period under consideration is that the major portion of documented material available relates to reports and contributions to workshops (77%) with only 23% from scientific publications. Contributions by these two sources to the subject group being considered for St. Lucia are markedly different with research publications dominating the biological field and reports dominating in physical aspects, catchment characteristics, man's activities, management, dredging and hydrological modelling. However, some 55% of all unpublished data related to reviews or assessments of the state of research on St. Lucia.

The importance of the scientific publications group as an indicator of the state of research into the system is considered in the light of an apparent decline in the number of completed projects being published. It is also considered in the light of the recent establishment of a co-ordinated Lake St. Lucia Research Programme, which may provide the impetus for a more concentrated and directed research effort on the Lake System.     

Comparative biological characteristics of zander <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sander lucioperca</Emphasis> (L.) in Lakes Onega and Vygozero

The work on the introduction of the zander Sander lucioperca (L.) from Lake Onega to Lake Vygozero is reviewed. A comparative analysis is performed for the biological parameters of zander from these lakes. The zander population from Lake Vygozero differs from that of Lake Onega in its lower growth rate, later maturation, and lower fat content of internal organs; these differences are determined by the limnological parameters and food supplies of both waterbodies.     

Current status and future tendency of lake eutrophication in China

Current trophic status and trend of Chinese freshwater lakes were investigated in this study. The results showed that all lakes studied were commonly undergoing the eutrophication process, water quality decreased and lake’s ecosystem is being declined. Most of the urban lakes are facing serious eutrophication. Many medium-sized lakes are in metrophic or eutrophic status, some local water are even approaching the hypertrophic level. The famous five freshwater lakes in China have entered into eutrophication in the condition of higher nutrient load. Lake Taihu, Hongze and Caohu are already in eutrophic state. Eutrophic lakes are mainly distributed in the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River and Yungui plateau. Lake eutrophication developed rapidly. Among the 34 lakes studied in 1970’s, most of lakes were in the mesotrophic status, mesotrophic water area accounted for 91.8%. With the nine year of 1978–1987 the area percentage of oligotrophic lakes decreased from 3.2% to 0.53%, and that of eutrophic lakes increased from 5.0% to 55.01%. Recent data showed 57.5% lakes were in eutrophic and hypertrophic status of the 40 surveyed lakes.

Eutrophic trend of Lake Taihu, Chaohu and Xuanwu in the region of the middle and lower reaches of Yangtze River was predicated using the ecological stress model. The results showed that in 2008 Lake Taihu, Chaohu and Xuanwu might be of eutrophication, eutrophication and hypertrophication, respectively if no control measurement is taken. Provided the pollution water treatment rate is 60% in 2030, approximately 30 billion ton pollution water would still be discharged directly in the lakes. Therefore, in 2030 the urban lakes in China might be eutrophication or hypertrophication, and most of the medium-sized lakes at the urban-rural fringe might be in eutrophication or hypertrophication. The famous five biggest freshwater lakes in China might be eutrophication if control countermeasures are taken as now.

Lake eutrophication has become a serious environmental problem in China. Based on the domestic and foreign experiences of the eutrophic control technologies, both nutrient pollution control and lake ecological restoration should be carried out and this may be the guidance for the eutrophic control of lakes in China.

     

Long-term investigations on the changes of the MPN values of bacterial communities participating in the sulphur cycle in Lake Velencei,Hungary

Lake Velencei is a shallow lake with a fairly variable water quality due to the effect of the earlier basin reconstruction and external factors, such as the weather and the organic matter loading from the catchment areas. For studying the changes in sediment of Lake Velencei, MPN technique, based bacteriological investigations, as well as measurements of water chemical parameters were performed. Microbial communities of aerobic thiosulphate-oxidising, anaerobic phototrophic, and sulphate-reducing bacteria taking part in the sulphur cycle were monitored between 1993 and 2001. In the western part of the lake the bacteriological results and the chemical parameters verified the presence of sulphuretum. In the first low water period of the studies the quantity of the bacteria contributing to the sulphur cycle was low in the sediment. After the increase of the water level the distribution of these microbes became somewhat homogeneous in the sediment. However, the different sediment regions might be characterised with dissimilar MPN values of the studied bacterial communities.

     

Vertical stratification of physical,chemical and biological components in two saline lakes Shira and Shunet (South Siberia,Russia)

A feature of meromictic lakes is that several physicochemical and biological gradients affect the vertical distribution of different organisms. The vertical stratification of physical, chemical and biological components in saline, fishless meromictic lakes Shira and Shunet (Siberia, Russia) is quite different mainly because both mean depth and maximum depth of lakes differ as well as their salinity levels differ. The chemocline of the Lake Shira, as in many meromictic lakes, is inhabited by bacterial community consisting of purple sulphur and heterotrophic bacteria. As the depth of the chemocline is variable, the bacterial community does not attain high densities. The mixolimnion in Lake Shira, which is thermally stratified in summer, also creates different habitat for various species. The distribution of phytoplankton is non-uniform with its biomass peak in the metalimnion. The distribution of zooplankton is also heterogeneous with rotifers and juvenile copepods inhabiting the warmer epilimnion and older copepods found in the cold but oxic hypolimnion. The amphipod Gammarus lacustris which can be assigned to the higher trophic link in the fishless lake’s ecosystem, such as Lake Shira, is also distributed non-uniformly, with its peak density generally observed in the thermocline region. The chemocline in Lake Shunet is located at the depth of 5 m, and unlike in Lake Shira, due to a sharp salinity gradient between the mixolimnion and monimolimnion, this depth is very stable. The mixolimnion in Lake Shunet is relatively shallow and the chemocline is inhabited by (1) an extremely dense bacterial community; (2) a population of Cryptomonas sp.; and (3) ciliate community comprising several species. As the mixolimnion of Lake Shunet is not thermally stratified for long period, the phytoplankton and zooplankton populations are not vertically stratified. The gammarids, however, tend to concentrate in a narrow layer located 1–2 m above the chemocline. We believe that in addition to vertical inhomogeneities of both physicochemical parameters, biological and physical factors also play a role in maintaining these inhomogeneities. We conclude that the stratified distributions of the major food web components will have several implications for ecosystem structure and dynamics. Trophic interactions as well as mass and energy flows can be significantly impacted by such heterogeneous distributions. Species spatially separated even by relatively short distances, say a few centimetres will not directly compete. Importantly, we demonstrate that not only bacteria, phytoflagellates and ciliate tend to concentrate in thin layers but also larger-sized species such Gammarus (amphipods) can also under certain environmental conditions have stratified distribution with maxima in relatively thin layer. As the vertical structure of the lake ecosystem is rather complex in such stratified lakes as ours, the strategy of research, including sampling techniques, should consider potentially variable and non-homogeneous distributions.     

The effect of long-term exposures to hypersaline particles originated from drying Urmia hypersaline Lake on the increased cardiovascular risks in the villagers around the Lake

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The world’s second largest permanent hypersaline lake, Lake Urmia, is drying in recent years and the dried bed of the Lake acts as a hypersaline particle emission source. Therefore, we aim to evaluate (for the first time to our knowledge) the association between hypersaline particles and biomarkers of inflammation and coagulation (hs-CRP and fibrinogen) in the residents around the Lake Urmia.

Methods: Three regions were selected as clean (region No.1) and polluted regions (region No.2 and No.3) for ambient particulate matter around the Urmia Lake from 2008 to 2015. In order to confirm the selected regions concentration of APM was measured in the selected regions for six months. Totally 123 participants were selected randomly, fibrinogen, hs-CRP and covariates were measured in the selected regions and were analyzed using multiple linear regression models.

Results: We found a statistically significant association between the hypersaline particles and fibrinogen in both polluted regions. This is while an association between hypersaline particles and hs-CRP was significant only in the polluted region No.2.

Conclusions: These results are consistent with our hypothesis that long-term exposure to hypersaline particles originated from drying Urmia hypersaline Lake is related to increased levels of hs-CRP and fibrinogen.     

Isolation and evaluation of South African isolates of Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) on Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae) is an entomopathogenic fungus that has shown promising results as a biocontrol agent of ticks. Locally isolated B. bassiana are better acclimatised to the natural conditions of their geographical origin; therefore, they are essential in developing effective biocontrol agents for ticks. The current study aimed to isolate native strains of B. bassiana that are pathogenic to Rhipicephalus microplus ticks. The virulence of the isolates was tested against R. microplus larvae using a formulation containing 15% avocado oil, 0.05% adjuvant and 10⁸ conidia mL^?1. The two best strains were further evaluated for various biological parameters on adult engorged female ticks. Breakthru® or Ballista® (adjuvant) was mixed with the formulation to compare their effect on the isolates' virulence. In total 61 entomopathogenic fungi were isolated from the 360 greater wax moth larvae, Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) used. The virulence test identified Bb-40 and Bb-41 to be the most virulent isolates against R. microplus larvae with mortalities of 91 and 93% and LT₅₀ values of 5.8 and 6.2 days, respectively. Compared to the control, both strains significantly affected all the measured biological parameters. The type of adjuvant also considerably affected the susceptibility of ticks to the fungi. In conclusion, the two isolates combined with adjuvants can be used as a biocontrol agent to control R. microplus.

     

Lake Trehörningen restoration project. Changes in water quality after sediment dredging

An increased load of domestic wastewater to Lake Trehörningen induced oxygen-poor water conditions and the development of a reduced sulphide-rich sediment layer. Severely polluted, the lake did not recover, even after advanced wastewater treatment and sewage diversion. Restoration measures with suction dredging and macrophyte elimination were applied in 1975 and 1976. The loose topmost sediment was pumped into an embanked and overgrown bay which was used as a settling pond. The activities also included a restoration of the shorelines. This project is the largest restoration programme carried out in Sweden on a single lake, corresponding to a cost of about US $2 000 000.

The restoration of Lake Trehörningen was followed by a highly intensive research programme which included water chemistry and algal assays. The concentrations of phosphate and total phosphorus decreased by 73 and 50% respectively, as summer average values, two years after the restoration. However, the concentrations of phosphorus are still too high to permit this element to act as a prime algal growth-limiting nutrient. The algal biomass has also remained at the same magnitude as before the restoration. Nitrate-N concentrations showed a tenfold increase, based on average values for the summer period. However, based on the results of the algal assays, a rapid and marked response was obvious, with a drastic decline in the algal growth potential.

In addition, the water quality of the tributaries was frequently of an objectionable character (0.1–0.2 g P m⁻³). The nutrient loading from these sources exceeds the critical level for the lake, and measures have now been carried out to treat all the inflowing waters for the removal of phosphorus.

     

Serum prolidase enzyme activity and oxidative status in patients with Behçet's disease

Abstract

Objectives

To assess serum prolidase enzyme activity and oxidative stress in patients with Behçet's disease (BD).

Methods

The study population consisted of BD patients (n = 42) and healthy participants (n = 29). BD patients were classified as active (n = 18) or inactive (n = 24) according to disease activity. Serum prolidase enzyme activity, total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidative status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured.

Results

In BD patients with active disease, serum prolidase activity was significantly higher compared with the inactive and control participants. Serum prolidase activity was also significantly higher in all BD patients in comparison with controls. Serum prolidase activity was also positively correlated with OSI, C-reactive protein, and active BD. MDA, TOS, and OSI levels were all significantly higher in the BD group when compared with the healthy control participants. Serum TAS levels were significantly lower in BD patients in comparison with healthy controls.

Conclusion

High prolidase activity may indicate critical biological activities relevant to pathological events in BD, and this activity may be a biological indicator of disease. Further studies are needed to verify these findings.     

Bacterial Diversity among the Sediments of Glacial Lakes in the Western Balkans: Exploring the Impact of Human Population

16S rRNA gene-based metagenomic approach was used to assess the biodiversity of bacterial communities in the sediments of selected glacial lakes in the Western Balkans and to assess the impact of human population on these microbial communities. Sediment samples were collected from three glacial lakes, viz., Plav Lake (in a zone of the highest impact of human population), Black Lake (a zone of medium impact of human population), and Donje Bare Lake (a remote lake with minimal impact of human population).

Canonical correlation analysis analysis indicated correlation between the distance of the lake from urbanized population and bacterial diversity in Donje Bare Lake sediment. Bacterial diversity of Black Lake sediment was correlated with high content of phosphorous and pH value. Chemical compounds exhibiting the most prominent correlation with bacterial diversity of Plav Lake were NH₄-N, K₂O, CaCo₃, and total nitrogen . Additionally, CCA analysis indicated that population density was correlated with biodiversity of bacterial communities in Plav Lake sediment, which is the most exposed to human population. Multivariate regression revealed the highest correlation between the presence of Proteobacteria classes and population density and levels of NH₄-N.

The influence of human population was observed to be important for shaping the sediment communities in addition to biological and chemical factors.     

Lake Chapo: a baseline study of a deep, oligotrophic North Patagonian lake prior to its use for hydroelectricity generation: II. Biological properties

The present paper focuses on the biological properties of Lake Chapo prior to the installation of a hydroelectric power station. Most of the biological parameters indicate that the lake is oligotrophic, i.e., it has very low values of chlorophyll a and primary production. The phytoplankton community of 73 species shows a predominance of only a few species in terms of density and biomass. The zooplankton community is poor in species, with one of the lowest densities measured in the North Patagonian lakes. The fish community is dominated by two introduced salmonid species. Comparison with other North Patagonian lakes reveals that Lake Chapo is the most oligotrophic.     

Biological traits of rare males in the population of Carassius gibelio (Actinopterygii: Cyprinidae) from Lake Pamvotis (north‐west Greece)

The gynogenetic population of Prussian carp Carassius gibelio in Lake Pamvotis (north‐west Greece) included a small percentage of males (2–3%). Cytogenetic analysis revealed heterogeneity of the population at the ploidy level: all females were triploid (modal chromosome number 156–162 chromosomes) while the males were either triploid (modal number 156–158 chromosomes) or tetraploid (modal number 200–214 chromosomes). Morphometric analysis revealed significant differences in body shape among these three groups. The males were more slender than females, while the triploid males could be discriminated from the tetraploid by the morphology of their caudal peduncle. The males attained a significantly lower asymptotic standard length (L_S) (25·04 cm) than females (29·75 cm) and had lower exponent b of the L_S and mass relationship. Under laboratory conditions, intraspecific crossings of C. gibelio males with females could give viable all‐female offspring; in comparison with goldfish Carassius auratus males, the fertility of the C. gibelio males was generally reduced but remained highly variable among individuals.     

Changes in the chemistry and biota of Lake Carey: a large salt lake impacted by hypersaline discharge from mining operations in Western Australia

The environment of Lake Carey, a large salt lake in the goldfields of Western Australia, has been subjected to mining for the past 100 years. The effect of discharge of hypersaline water to the playa as a result of pit dewatering has been a grave concern. The aim of this paper was to investigate the influences of seasonal parameters and mining activity on the physico-chemical and biological attributes of Lake Carey. Assessment of water and sediment chemistry and benthic microbial communities (BMCs) has been carried out opportunistically since 1999, with particular emphasis on the differences between sites receiving dewatering discharge currently or in the past (Impacted Sites), and those which have never received dewatering discharge (Control Sites). Results of water and sediment analyses indicated that the impacts of dewatering discharge on Lake Carey were localised and evident in the vicinity of the discharge sites. However, large rainfall events, such as the cyclonic rainfall in 2004, could result in flushing and amelioration of sediments. This was also reflected in the sites which were historically impacted by dewatering discharge. The sites directly impacted by dewatering discharge displayed poor abundance and species richness of diatoms compared to the sites unaffected by dewatering discharge. However, recovery of these sites in terms of species richness and abundance is also initiated by large rainfall events, as shown by data collected from the historical dewatering discharge sites. Guest Editors: J. John & B. Timms Salt Lake Research: Biodiversity and Conservation—Selected papers from the 9th Conference of the International Society for Salt Lake Research     

Validating annulus formation and examining the potential use of pectoral spines for age determination in Aristotle’s catfish (Silurus aristotelis)

The potential use of pectoral fin spines for ageing purposes was examined in Aristotle’s catfish (Silurus aristotelis) and validated for growth proportionality and growth mark periodicity. Monthly samples (n = 436, total length range: 11.10–36.70 cm) were collected in Lake Pamvotis, Greece from November 2002 to December 2003. Marginal increment analysis showed that the spine width (SW) radius grew proportionally to total body length (TL) (TL = 9.581 + 6.83SW, r² = 0.66, n = 431, P < 0.01), and was at a minimum in January and February, indicating a single growth mark formation per year (i.e. annulus). Further analyses showed that the morphometric characteristics of the spines did not differ significantly (r² > 0.80 in all cases) when removed from one side of the fish or the other. The procedure was based on individuals no older than 5 years of age; extrapolation to higher age classes may be critical.     

Diversity and ecology of algae from the Lower Jordan River,Israel

Abstract

The Lower Jordan River stretches from the outlet of Lake Kinneret till the Dead Sea and is one of the most polluted rivers in Israel. In order to estimate the aquatic ecosystem of the northern part of the Lower Jordan River we used algal communities as biological indicators in the rainy and dry seasons of 2005 and 2007. We found 152 species of algae and cyanoprokaryotes from seven taxonomic divisions, which were mostly dominated by diatoms accompanied by the greens, blue‐greens and euglenoids. The xanthophycean species Heterococcus viridis, a red freshwater alga Audouinella hermannii, and a cyanobacterium Microcrocis marina were found for the first time in Israel. In the ecological analysis we revealed groups of freshwater algae according to pH, salinity, and saprobity as well as temperature, streaming and oxygenation. Quantitative information on the relationship between species and environmental variables was obtained using CCA analysis, emphasizing the major seasonal parameters. The extent of association of species with the environmental variables vector allowed us to determine the bio‐sensors and bio‐indicators, which may be relevant for monitoring of pollutants in the Lower Jordan River. The combination of bio‐indicational methods and statistics were effective in the determination of the main factors influencing algal diversity, as well as in revealing the indicators or bio‐sensing species for the most important environmental variables.     

Vertical profiles of water and sediment denitrifiers in two plateau freshwater lakes

The present study investigated the abundance, richness, diversity, and community composition of denitrifiers (based on nirS and nosZ genes) in the stratified water columns and sediments in eutrophic Dianchi Lake and mesotrophic Erhai Lake using quantitative PCR assay and high-throughput sequencing analysis. Both nirS- and nosZ denitrifiers were detected in waters of these two lakes. Surface water showed higher nosZ gene density than bottom water, and Dianchi Lake waters had larger nirS gene abundance than Erhai Lake waters. The abundance of sediment nirS- and nosZ denitrifiers in Dianchi Lake was larger than that in Erhai Lake. nirS richness and diversity and nosZ richness tended to increase with increasing sediment layer depth in both lakes. The distinct structure difference of sediment nirS- and nosZ denitrifier communities was found between in Dianchi Lake and Erhai Lake. These two lakes also differed greatly in water denitrifier community structure. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis indicated the presence of several different groups of nirS- or nosZ denitrifiers in both lakes. The novel nirS denitrifiers were abundant in both Dianchi Lake and Erhai Lake, while most of the obtained nosZ sequences could be affiliated with known genera.