Bacterioplanktonic biomass and production in the river Meuse (Belgium)

This paper presents results of bacterial biomass determination by epifluorescence microscopy after acridine orange staining and ³H-thymidine incorporation measurements in the river Meuse. Bacterial production is calculated from thymidine incorporation using an experimental conversion factor (0.5 10¹⁸ bacterial cells produced per mole of thymidine incorporated into macromolecules). Seasonal variations of bacterial biomass and production at two stations are presented. Biomass ranges between 0.05 mgC · 1⁻¹ (in winter) and 0.8 mgC · 1⁻¹ (in summer). The variations of bacterial production seem to be closely linked to those of primary production; values lower than 1 μgC · 1⁻¹ · h⁻¹ are found in winter and high values (> 5 μgC 1⁻¹ · h ⁻¹) in summer. Longitudinal profiles in the Belgian course of the river show important increase of biomass and production from upstream to downstream. Bacterial growth yield (Y) has been determined (Y = 0.3) in order to calculate bacterial carbon uptake from bacterial production.     

Development and ecological importance of phytoplankton in a large lowland river (River Meuse,Belgium)

The ecological importance of the River Meuse phytoplankton with regard to carbon and nutrient transport has been examined in two reaches of the Belgian course of the river.Field measurements of total particulate organic carbon (POC), particulate organic nitrogen (PON) and particulate phosphorus (PP) show that the large autochtonous production of organic matter strongly affects the carbon and nutrient budget of the aquatic system. During the growing season, phytoplankton accounts for nearly 60% of the POC and dominates the PON. Calculations of the carbon and oxygen budget in the upper reach of the Belgian Meuse demonstrates that the ecosystem is autotrophic, i.e. that autochtonous FPOM (fine particulate organic matter) production is the major carbon input. This suggests that in large lowland rivers, primary production (P) may exceed community respiration (R), i.e. P:R>1, whereas they are assumed to be heterotrophic (P:R<1) in the River Continuum concept.The question of maintenance of phytoplankton in turbid mixed water columns is also addressed, and the case of the River Meuse is treated on the basis of studies of photosynthesis and respiration (ETS measurements). The results suggest that the potamoplankton may show some low-light acclimation, through an increase of chlorophyll a relative to biomass, when it comes to deep downstream reaches, and that algal respiration rate may be reduced. A simulation of the longitudinal development of the algal biomass shows the different phases of algal growth and decline along the river and brings support to the importation hypothesis for explaining maintenance of potamoplankton in the downstream reaches.     

Phytoplankton dynamics in the River Meuse as affected by pollution

The temporal and spatial dynamics of phytoplankton in the River Meuse and a number of physical and chemical parameters were analyzed to gain insight into the pollution level in the river affecting the phytoplankton community. During 1993, samples were taken every two months at eight stations along the River Meuse for physical, chemical and biological characterization of the water. In February, water samples were also taken for laboratory incubations of the natural plankton community. The algae showed a rapid successive development with highest densities (up to 77 mg chlorophylla l^–1) in the middle reach of the river in spring and summer. During winter algal biomass remained very low. A substantial input of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) was observed in the middle reach of the river. Concurrently, an increase in temperature and a reduction in pH was observed. Furthermore, the toxicity of polar organic compounds in the Microtox test showed a strong increase up to the city of Liège and the Belgian/Dutch border; the water quality improved further downstream. The relatively high toxicity at the location Liège was reflected in relatively low growth rates of phytoplankton in the laboratory experiments using water from these locations.     

Zooplankton distribution in flowing waters and its implications for sampling: case studies in the River Meuse (Belgium) and the River Moselle (France, Luxembourg)

Zooplankton spatial distribution was studied on four occasions by transectsampling on the rivers Moselle and Meuse in July 1996. Sampling sites wereselected for their variety in morphology. A pseudoreplicate-based samplingscheme was adopted that allowed small-scale longitudinal variations indensity to be tested along with transversal position and depth. In theMoselle, zooplankton were unevenly distributed transversally, anobservation tentatively linked with the complexity of the river channel andthe influence of tributaries. In the Meuse, spatial heterogeneity wasstronger, and depth also played a key role. Its effect was different forrotifers and microcrustaceans. The occurrence of zooplankton patches,similar to those commonly reported from lakes, was noted. The factorsleading to the establishment of such distribution patterns, and theirrelevance to routine sampling, are briefly discussed; a short list ofrecommendations for sampling in large rivers is proposed.     

Impact of the Tihange nuclear power plant on the periphyton and the phytoplankton of the Meuse River (Belgium)

A survey was made from 1976 to 1981 of the possible effects of Tihange nuclear power plant on the Meuse river. Phytoplankton and periphyton were affected only during low water flow. Both decreases and increases of biomass were recorded for phytoplankton but, for periphyton, only increases. The structure of diatom communities is affected downstream of the plant during low water flow, because sensitive species are replaced by more tolerant ones. In the reach downstream of the plant, the maximum observed temperature increase is 4.2 °C and the maximum decrease in dissolved oxygen is 15%. Except for these two parameters immediately below the plant, any changes observed cannot be attributed solely to the nuclear power plant, but rather to the combination of thermal effects with effluents from other industries which together contribute to the more significant changes observed further downstream.     

The phytoplankton community of the River Meuse,Belgium: seasonal dynamics (year 1992) and the possible incidence of zooplankton grazing

Qualitative and quantitative aspects of the phytoplankton of the River Meuse were studied during 1992, at a point 537 km from the source. The phytoplankton was dominated by diatoms and green algae. The Stephanodiscus hantzschii-group was especially prominent. Other important taxa were Cyclotella meneghiniana, small Cyclotella and Thalassiosira, Aulacoseira ambigua and Nitzschia acicularis. Cell abundances varied from less than 1000 units ml^–1 to about 25 000 – 30 000 units ml^–1 during the blooms. The Stephanodiscus hantzchii-group constituted almost entirely the first spring bloom. During the summer period, small Thalassiosiraceae developed markedly and large Thalassiosira weissflogii appeared. During this period, green algae dominated diatoms as expressed in cell abundances. The main Chlorococcales were Scenedesmus quadricauda, Scenedesmus div. sp., Dictyosphaerium ehrenbergianum and Pediastrum duplex. Dinophyceae contributed a significant biomass during the summer period. Total biomass varied between 100 and 3 650 µg Cl^–1. As previously observed (Descy, 1987), the factors regulating the phytoplankton growth were clearly physical variables: discharge, temperature and irradiance. However, in the summer period, low abundances might indicate a regulation by biotic factors. The impact of grazing by zooplankton is discussed, on the basis of observations of zooplankton development in the River Meuse and on the basis of simulation by a mathematical model. A comparison is carried out with recent data of phytoplankton in large European rivers.     

Trophic links in the lowland River Meuse (Belgium): assessing the role of bacteria and protozoans in planktonic food webs

Trophic interactions within the plankton of the lowland RiverMeuse (Belgium) were measured in spring and summer 2001. Consumptionof bacteria by protozoa was measured by monitoring the disappearanceof ³H-thymidine-labelled bacteria. Metazooplankton bacterivorywas assessed using 0.5-µm fluorescent microparticles (FMPs),and predation of metazooplankton on ciliates was measured usingnatural ciliate assemblages labelled with FMPs as tracer food.Grazing of metazooplankton on flagellates was determined throughin situ incubations with manipulated metazooplankton densities.Protozooplankton bacterivory varied between 6.08 and 53.90 mgC m^–3 day^–1 (i.e. from 0.12 to 0.86 g C^–1bacteria g C^–1 protozoa day^–1). Metazooplankton,essentially rotifers, grazing on bacteria was negligible comparedwith grazing by protozoa (1000 times lower). Predation of rotiferson heterotrophic flagellates (HFs) was generally low (on average1.77 mg C m^–3 day^–1, i.e. 0.084 g C^–1 flagellatesg C^–1 rotifers day^–1), the higher contribution ofHF in the diet of rotifers being observed when Keratella cochleariswas the dominant metazooplankter. Predation of rotifers on ciliateswas low in spring samples (0.56 mg C m^–3 day^–1,i.e. 0.014 g C^–1 ciliates g C^–1 rotifers day^–1)in contrast to measurements performed in July (8.72 mg C m^–3day^–1, i.e. 0.242 g C^–1 ciliates g C^–1 rotifersday^–1). The proportion of protozoa in the diet of rotiferswas low compared with that of phytoplankton (<30% of totalcarbon ingestion) except when phytoplankton biomass decreasedbelow the incipient limiting level (ILL) of the main metazooplantonicspecies. In such conditions, protozoa (mainly ciliates) constituted50% of total rotifer diet. These results give evidence thatmicrobial organisms play a significant role within the planktonicfood web of a eutrophic lowland river, ciliates providing analternative food for metazooplankton when phytoplankton becomesscarce.     

Phytoplankton, bacterial production and protozoan bacterivory in stratified, brackish-water Lake Shira (Khakasia, Siberia)

Rates of oxygenic and anoxygenic photosynthesis, chemoautotrophic and heterotrophic bacterial production and protozoan bacterivory were measured in the pelagic zone of the stratified brackish-water lake with the purpose to determine the vertical distribution of these processes and to estimate their significance in the functioning of planktonic community of the lake. In midsummer, total daily primary productivity was about 1.3 g C m^–2, of which 72% was produced by the phytoplankton, 24% by the chemoautotrophic bacteria, and only 4% by the phototrophic sulphur bacteria. Thus anoxygenic photosynthesis is a negligible source of organic matter in the lake. The production of heterotrophic bacteria averaged 1.5 g C m^–2 d^–1 and exceeded the total photosynthesis of phytoplankton and photosynthetic bacteria by a factor of 1.5. The estimated total primary production was too low to sustain the bacterial production. Probably the carbon cycle in the lake is dependent on the input of allochthonous organic matter. As a rule, the maximal rates of primary production and heterotrophic bacterial production were found in the chemocline or at the upper boundary of the chemocline. Heterotrophic flagellates dominated among the protozoan populations and were the major consumers of the bacterioplankton production in the lake. They showed maximal ingestion rates from 2.3 to 2.9 mg C m^–3 h^–1 at the upper boundary of the chemocline, where they consumed from 50 to 54% of the production of heterotrophic bacteria. Data obtained indicate that in Lake Shira the oxic-anoxic interface is the site of the most intensive production and mineralization of organic matter.     

Zooplankton development in two large lowland rivers, the Moselle (France) and the Meuse (Belgium), in 1993

Zooplankton population dynamics were studied along a 120 kmsection of the River Moselle, in France, and at one locationalong the Belgian course of the River Meuse. Community compositionand population densities were assessed on fresh material. Rotifersoverwhelmingly dominated the zooplankton of both rivers, especiallyin the Meuse where microcrustaceans were abundant only seasonally.The maximal densities recorded lie in the range of values commonlyreported for large European rivers. Zooplankton dynamics inthese two rivers are discussed in relation to their hydrologicalcharacteristics, differing morphologies and degree of regulation.     

Annual cycle of gross primary production and respiration in the Viroin River (Belgium)

Gross primary production, community respiration and reaeration coefficient were determined during an annual cycle on the Viroin River (South Belgium), based on the daily variations of dissolved oxygen concentration. Reaeration coefficient remains remarkably constant (0.26 h⁻¹) during the year in spite of discharge variations. The autotrophic community is dominated by ‘Ranunculus fluitans’. Primary production parallels the variations of total solar radiations. It ranges from 0 in winter to 8 g O₂ m⁻² d⁻¹ in summer. In spring and summer, respiration variations parallel those of primary production (average value: 10 g O₂ m⁻² d⁻¹); in the dry autumn, decomposition of dying macrophytes considerably enhances the community respiration (15 g O₂ m⁻² d⁻¹). A P/R diagram is used to characterize the trophic state of the Viroin.     

Effects of human land use on the terrestrial and aquatic sources of fluvial organic matter in a temperate river basin (The Meuse River,Belgium)

The impact of human activities on the concentrations and composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and particulate organic matter (POM) was investigated in the Walloon Region of the Meuse River basin (Belgium). Water samples were collected at different hydrological periods along a gradient of human disturbance (50 sampling sites ranging from 8.0 to 20,407 km²) and during a 1.5 year monitoring of the Meuse River at the city of Liège. This dataset was completed by the characterization of the DOM pool in groundwaters. The composition of DOM and POM was investigated through elemental (C:N ratios), isotopic (δ¹³C) and optical measurements including excitation emission matrix fluorescence with parallel factor analysis (EEM–PARAFAC). Land use was a major driver on fluvial OM composition at the regional scale of the Meuse Basin, the composition of both fluvial DOM and POM pools showing a shift toward a more microbial/algal and less plant/soil-derived character as human disturbance increased. The comparison of DOM composition between surface and groundwaters demonstrated that this pattern can be attributed in part to the transformation of terrestrial sources by agricultural practices that promote the decomposition of soil organic matter in agricultural lands and subsequent microbial inputs in terrestrial sources. In parallel, human land had contrasting effects on the autochthonous production of DOM and POM. While the in-stream generation of fresh DOM through biological activity was promoted in urban areas, summer autochthonous POM production was not influenced by land use. Finally, soil erosion by agricultural management practices favored the transfer of terrestrial organic matter via the particulate phase. Stable isotope data suggest that the hydrological transfer of terrestrial DOM and POM in human-impacted catchment are not subject to the same controls, and that physical exchange between these two pools of organic matter is limited.     

Relationships between mesohabitats, ichthyological communities and IBI metrics adapted to a European river basin (The Meuse, Belgium)

We investigated the influence of mesohabitats on fish communities and on attributes of a multimetric index of fish integrity in the River Meuse basin. Three consecutive 150 m sectors in a Meuse tributary (Ourthe, Belgium), each divided in two or three sub-sections presenting various percentages of mesohabitats (riffles, runs and pools), were sampled by electrofishing. In each sub-section, relative and absolute biomasses of each fish species were estimated. The presence of limnophilic cyprinids was inversely correlated (r ² = 0.70 and 0.56 for absolute and relative biomass, respectively) with the percentage of riffles. Salmonids preferred runs and their absolute biomass was highly dependent (r ² = 0.71) on the proportion of this mesohabitat, whereas biomass of limnophilic cyprinids was highly correlated (r ² = 0.75 and r ² = 0.82 for absolute and relative biomass, respectively) with pools. A positive correlation (r ² = 0.58) was established between relative biomass of predators and the percentage of this mesohabitat. An IBI was calculated for the three sectors on the basis of results from the entire Meuse catchment. Scores of most metrics showed low variation among sectors but values of two metrics (% of individuals as tolerant, % of individuals as ubiquitous spawners) were greatest in sector 2, where pools predominated. Further, the lowest IBI score (51/65, integrity class: fair to good) was recorded in sector 2 where pools dominated, while sector 1 (where runs dominated) obtained the highest score (63/65, integrity class: excellent). Sector 3 which has a balanced proportion of riffles and runs obtained an intermediate score (57/65). Considering the response of IBI to the natural variation of mesohabitat proportions, it appears that an accurate sampling requires the prospection of a variety of mesohabitats (with a majority of runs) for the evaluation of river quality.     

Phytoplankton primary production in Lake Grevelingen (II)

Summary During the period 1976–1978 particulate phytoplankton production and phytoplankton excretion were estimated at weekly intervals at anchor station G11 in Lake Grevellingen. Additional data were gathered in a monthly measuring programme at four localities spread over the lake.     

Phytoplankton growth rates in the freshwater tidal reaches of the Schelde estuary (Belgium) estimated using a simple light-limited primary production model

During the course of 1996, phytoplankton was monitored in the turbid, freshwater tidal reaches of the Schelde estuary. Using a simple light-limited primary production model, phytoplankton growth rates were estimated to evaluate whether phytoplankton could attain net positive growth rates and whether growth rates were high enough for a bloom to develop. Two phytoplankton blooms were observed in the freshwater tidal reaches. The first bloom occurred in March and was mainly situated in the most upstream reaches of the freshwater tidal zone, suggesting that it was imported from the tributary river Schelde. The second bloom occurred in July and August. This summer bloom was situated more downstream in the freshwater tidal reaches and appeared to have developed within the estuary. A comparison between phytoplankton growth rates estimated using a simple primary production model and flushing rate of the water indicated that no net increase in phytoplankton biomass was possible in March while phytoplankton could theoretically increase its biomass by 20% per day during summer. Chlorophyllaconcentrations at all times decreased strongly at salinities between 5–10 psu. This decline was ascribed to a combination of salinity stress and light limitation. Phytoplankton biomass and estimated annual net production were much higher in the freshwater tidal zone compared to the brackish reaches of the estuary (salinity > 10 psu) despite mixing depth to euphotic depth ratios being similar. Possible reasons for this high production include high nutrient concentrations, low zooplankton grazing pressure and import of phytoplankton blooms from the tributary rivers.     

Comparative monitoring of diatoms, macroinvertebrates and macrophytes in the Woluwe River (Brussels, Belgium)

The river Woluwe in Brussels and Flanders (Belgium) is a small tributary of 15 km length that drains an area of 9400 ha in the Schelde river basin. The headwaters of the Woluwe are highly fragmented by diverse pond systems and are vaulted in the Brussels agglomeration. Hyporheic zones locally influence the water quality. The downstream stretch of the river receives sewage waters from households and industry. As the river Woluwe within a short distance represents a typical gradient from groundwater-fed sources in the forest towards severely polluted water, a comparative monitoring using diatoms, macroinvertebrates and macrophytes was done. The saprobic index based on diatoms, the Belgian Biotic Index (BBI) for macroinvertebrates and a macrophyte index based on the N-values of Ellenberg were used in this comparison and for estimating the correlation with the bimonthly measured chemical variables in 16 sampling stations. The diatom saprobic index and the macrophyte index were strongly correlated. Both groups showed strong correlations with phosphate, ammonium and chemical oxygen demand. The Belgian Biotic Index showed lower correlations with the nutrient variables, but was slightly better correlated to chemical oxygen demand, chloride and dissolved oxygen. None of the indices showed a correlation with nitrate. Local substrate or light conditions could interfere with the indicator system, especially for the macrophytes and occasionally for the macroinvertebrates. It was concluded that at least in this particular river system, the indices based on the primary producers were more indicative for the trophic status, whereas the BBI showed a broader relationship to the general degree of pollution. Therefore, these three indices are considered as complementary for monitoring the biological quality and the ecological status of a river system.     

Phytoplankton and Nutrients in the River Strymon,Greece

Phytoplankton species composition, biomass, diversity, nutrients and chlorophyll a were studied at monthly intervals from December 1991 to December 1992 in a selected area of the river Strymon. SRP ranged from 53 to 182 μg⁻¹ l⁻¹ and DIN from 265 to 850 μg⁻¹ I⁻¹. Nutrient values do not indicate strong anthropogenic effects. Chlorophyll α ranged from 1.0 to 35.3 μg⁻¹ I⁻¹ and followed the temporal distribution of total phytoplankton biomass. Phytoplankton biomass exhibited maxima in winter – spring and summer (6.8 g m⁻³ in December 1991, 4.8 g m⁻³ in April 1992 and 9.3 g m⁻³ in August 1992) composed mainly of diatoms, chlorphytes, cyanophytes and dinophytes. Nanoplankton was the most important component of phytoplankton biomass (69.5%) revealing increased values in winter and early spring. Phytoplankton diversity ranged from 0.8 to 3.2. The hydrological conditions in the river Strymon seem to be appropriate for the algae to reproduce themselves in the running water and so, to develop as a true potamoplankton. However, significant populations of phytoplankton must have been carried out from the Kerkini reservoir, situated at the north of the sampling station. The phytoplankton species composition and their periodicity in the river resemble those of typical, large, lowland and nutrient – rich rivers of Europe.     

Phytoplankton structure in two contrasting cascade reservoirs (Paranapanema River,Southeast Brazil)

A series of eleven reservoirs was constructed in the Paranapanema River, southeast Brazil, for hydropower production. The phytoplankton structure and its relations with the environmental variables were studied in two of these reservoirs: a large upstream located storage system (high water retention time) and a small run-of-river system (short water retention time). The samples were collected quarterly for two consecutive years, at four sampling stations in each reservoir. Higher phytoplankton richness was observed in the semi-lotic compartments. Higher values of diversities were observed in the upper region of the run-of-river reservoir, under the influence of the larger storage reservoir discharges, and lower values were observed in deeper layers of this same reservoir. The pronounced variation on seasonal rain precipitation and operational water releases, retention time and quota had major influence in the phytoplankton assemblages. The influence of other environmental variables was also indicated by a canonical correlation analysis. Chlamydophyceae, Dinophyceae, Zygnemaphyceae, Chrysophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae and Cyanobacteria were positively correlated with higher transparency and depth; Euglenophyceae with temperature and Cryptophyceae with total phosphorus, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, turbidity, total nitrogen and total suspended solids. The influence of the storage reservoir on the phytoplankton of the downstream run-of-river reservoir was more evident in the dry period. During the rainy period the lateral tributaries effects seems to have a higher influence, especially on the smaller studied reservoir.     

Phytoplankton diversity (alpha,beta, and gamma) from the Araguaia River tropical floodplain lakes (central Brazil)

Alpha, beta and gamma are three components of species diversity. Knowing these attributes in floodplain lake phytoplankton communities is vital when selecting conservation areas. Species diversity is commonly used with other taxonomic groups, but rarely with phytoplankton. We compared the number of phytoplankton species (alpha diversity) from 21 Middle Araguaia River floodplain lakes in the 2000 and 2001 rainy and dry seasons. From these samples we estimated complete survey species richness (gamma diversity), quantified differences in species composition between lakes (beta diversity) and assessed the influence of abiotic variables on beta diversity. We recorded a total of 577 taxa. The Sjack1 estimator indicated that 62.31% of taxa were sampled in the 2000 rainy and 67.65% dry seasons, and 68.36% in the 2001 rainy and 73.5% dry seasons. In almost all seasons, alpha diversity negatively correlated with latitude. Beta diversity (β-1) was higher in high water periods, especially in 2000. This may have been caused by isolated heavy rainfall, which would have increased environmental heterogeneity and raised beta diversity. DCA showed differences in phytoplankton composition between rainy and dry seasons in 2000 and 2001, reflecting the influence of flood pulses on phytoplankton composition. The Mantel test indicated spatial distribution patterns where geographically more distant lakes had less-similar phytoplankton communities. Handling editor: J. Padisak     

Potential re-establishment of diadromous fish species in the River Scheldt (Belgium)

This study (2002) documents on the inland penetration off diadromous fish species into the tidal and non-tidal part of the River Scheldt and on the impact of two lock-weir complexes. Long-term trends in oxic conditions show the river is undergoing a natural recovery process, nevertheless five of ten diadromous species recorded were still restricted to the brackish part of the estuary. Despite poor conditions, five species reached the upper freshwater part of the estuary. Erratic free-flowing conditions at the tidal weir offered limited opportunities for some diadromous species to migrate into the non-tidal part of the river. Upstream migration over the second barrier is almost completely blocked. Rehabilitation schemes to restore self-sustaining populations of diadromous fish in the cross-border River Scheldt need to include the building of fish bypasses and improved wastewater treatment and habitat restoration programmes. Guest editors: S. Dufour, E. Prévost, E. Rochard & P. Williot Fish and diadromy in Europe (ecology, management, conservation)     

One decade of benthic macroinvertebrate biomonitoring in the River Meuse

The benthic macroinvertebrate community of the River Meuse was studied at four locations in Belgium and The Netherlands from 1983–1993. Macroinvertebrates were collected from artificial substrates, placed near the river bottom from June–August. The results were analyzed using autecological information. At an upstream sampling site in the Belgian Ardennes (Hastière) the most diverse fauna was found. One quarter of the taxa found at this site are known to be confined to running waters and none of the dominant or subdominant taxa could be characterized as a specialized riverine taxon. These findings indicate an impoverished riverine fauna. This was especially the case in years with low discharge, indicating a delicately balanced ecosystem, easily susceptible to disturbances in the environment. Further downstream, in the heavily industrialized region of Liège (Hermalle) and just across the Belgian-Dutch border (Borgharen) the macroinvertebrate fauna consisted of taxa tolerating severe organic pollution. The ecosystem at these sites is on the brink of collapse. Recent results indicate an improvement of this situation at Borgharen. The macroinvertebrate fauna in the lowland reach (Keizersveer) indicates ecological recovery. It is concluded that abatement of the severe pollution must be the first step for an ecological rehabilitation of the degraded ecosystem and for the safe drinking water supply for millions of people in Belgium and The Netherlands.This article is dedicated to my friend and colleague Nicole Frantzen, who died in 1992 at the age of 27.