GRAZING OF FRESHWATER RHODOPHYTA1

Grazing of freshwater Rhodophyta was examined from three perspective: observation of algal fragments in gut contents of herbivores collecte from streams with populations of red algae, measurement of ignestion rates of three inveratebrates in single diet and choice experiments and analysis of potential food value of the rhodophytes by determining protein, carobohydrate, lipid and estimated caloric contents. The algal thallus forms studied were Audouinella violacea (Kütz.) Hamel, which consists of simple filaments growing in dense tufts, Batrachospermum virgatum (Kütz.) Sirod., which is a densely branched mucilaginous filament, and Tuomeya americanna (Harv.) Papenfuss, which is a branched cartilaginous psedoparenchyma. The thirteen invertebrate taxa containing pieces of one or more of these algae in theri guts included two amphipods, two mayfly larvae, three caddisfly larvae, one beetle larva, four chironomids and one snail. The frequencies with which the Rhodophyta were found in the gut contents were as follows: Audouinella 31%, Tuomeya 38%, Batrachospermum 46% and “chantransia stages” 54%. In all of the individual and choice experiments, Audouinella was ingested at the greates rate, followed by Batrachospermum and then Tuomeya, regardless, of the grazer. Audouinella had the highest protein and lipid contents while Tuomeya displayed the opposite trent. All three rhodophytes had very large calofic values (5.0–6.8 kcal μg^?1 dry weight) due to their high lipid and low ash contents. Therefore, preferential grazing of Audouinella appears to be bases on its simple thallus and high protein contents rather than its calorific value.     

Ecology and morphological characterization of gametophyte and 'Chantransia' stages of Sirodotia huillensis (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta) from a stream in central Mexico

The morphology and phenology of Sirodotia huillensis was evaluated seasonally in a central Mexican first‐order calcareous stream. Water temperature was constant (24–25°C) and pH circumneutral to alkaline (6.7–7.9), and calcium and sulfates were the dominant ions. The gametophyte stages were characterized by the presence of a distinctive mucilaginous layer, a marked difference in phycocyanin to phycoerythrin ratio between female and male plants, and the presence of a carpogonia with a large trichogyne (>60 µm). Occasionally three capogonia were observed on a single basal cell. The ‘Chantransia’ stages were morphologically similar to those described for the other members of Batrachospermales. A remarkable observation was the formation of dome‐shaped structures, consisting of prostrate filaments that are related with the development of new gametophytes. Chromosome numbers were n = 4 for fascicle cells, cortical filament cells and dome‐shaped cells, and 2n = 8 for gonimoblast filament cells and ‘Chantransia’ stage filaments. Gametophytes and ‘Chantransia’ stages occurred in fast current velocities (60–170 cm/s) and shaded (33.1–121 µmol photons/m²/s) stream segments. The population fluctuated throughout the study period in terms of percentage cover and frequency: the ‘Chantransia’ stages were most abundant in the rainy season, whereas gametophytic plants had the highest frequency values during the dry season. These results were most likely a result of fluctuations in rainfall and related changes in current velocity. Some characteristics of this population can be viewed as probable adaptations to high current velocities: the mucilaginous layer around plants that reduces drag; potential increase in fertilization by the elongate and plentiful trichogynes and abundant dome‐shaped structures producing several gametophytes.     

SUBSIDY AND STRESS RESPONSES OF STREAM PERIPHYTON TO GRADIENTS IN WATER VELOCITY AS A FUNCTION OF COMMUNITY GROWTH FORM

Previous studies have shown major differences in the way biomass of stream periphyton is controlled by spatial variations in velocity. We hypothesize that these differences may be the result of different growth forms within the community. Some dense and coherent growth forms (e.g. mucilaginous diatom/cyanobacterial mats) may be resistant to diffusion and also resistant to dislodgment by shear stress. Higher velocities applied to such communities could therefore be expected to enhance biomass accrual by increasing rates of mass transfer, but without greatly increasing losses through sloughing. Conversely, other growth forms (e.g. long filamentous green algae) have an open matrix, and high rates of diffusion into the mats can potentially occur even at low velocity. However, as velocities increase, high skin friction and form drag should lead to higher rates of sloughing. The overall result of these processes should be that maximum biomass occurs at low velocities. This “subsidy-stress” hypothesis was tested twice with each of three different periphytal growth forms: a coherent, mucilaginous, diatom community; a moderately coherent, stalked/ short, filamentous diatom community; and an open-weave, long, filamentous green algal community. A monotonic increase in chl a biomass occurred as a function of near-bed velocities for the first of the two mucilaginous diatom communities investigated. No biomass-velocity relationship was found, however, with the second mucilaginous community, probably because the waters were highly enriched and mass transfer driven by molecular diffusion was probably high throughout the velocity gradient. Biomass was moderate at low velocities, peaked at near-bed velocities from 0.18 to 0.2 m·s^?1 (～0.40–0.45 m·s^?1 mean column velocity), and then decreased at higher velocities in both of the stalked/ short filament communities of diatoms analyzed. With the long filamentous green algal communities, a monotonic reduction in biomass occurred as a function of increases in velocity. Proliferations greater than 100 mg·m^?2 chl a occurred at low near-bed velocities (i.e. <0.2 m·s^?1), after which biomass declined nearly exponentially as a function of increasing velocity to less than 10 mg·m^?2 chl a at velocities greater than 0.4 m·s^?1. These biomass-velocity trends support our hypothesis that community growth form determines periphytal responses to spatial variations in velocity within stream reaches.     

Microscale measurements reveal contrasting effects of photosynthesis and epiphytes on frictional drag on the surfaces of filamentous algae

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MUCILAGINOUS CAPSULE ADSORPTION AND INTRACELLULAR UPTAKE OF COPPER BY KIRCHNERIELLA APERTA (CHLOROCOCCALES)1

The purpose of the present investigation was to evaluate possible ecological and physiological functions of mucilaginous capsules produced by the freshwater algae Kirchneriella aperta Teiling (Chlorococcales) as related to copper ions. All experiments were performed using synthetic media under laboratory‐controlled conditions. Copper interactions were investigated by distinguishing between adsorption onto the mucilaginous material present at the surface of the cells, intracellular uptake, and differentiation between total dissolved copper and free copper ions in the culture medium. Kirchneriella aperta is sensitive to copper, as revealed by a 96‐h EC₅₀ value of 10 ^{? 9.22} M Cu^{2 +} . We demonstrated that the mucilaginous capsules were able to sequester copper ions from the medium through a passive mechanism, thus providing the cell with a mechanism able to postpone the toxic effects of copper. The organic material that diffuses into the test medium as well as the mucilaginous capsules produced by K. aperta both effectively complex copper; thus, toxicity must be related to free copper ions and not the total dissolved copper concentration in the medium.     

Patterns of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> exchange and productivity of the herbaceous vegetation and trees in a humid savanna in western Kenya

Factors governing the dynamics between woody and herbaceous vegetation in the savanna are of ecological interest since they determine ecosystem productivity and stability. Field measurements were conducted in a humid savanna in the Lambwe valley, western Kenya, to compare CO2 exchange of the herbaceous vegetation and trees and its regulation. Soil characteristics and root distribution patterns under tree canopies and in the open locations dominated by the herbaceous vegetation were profiled in 1-m-deep soil layers. Soil water content (SWC) was measured at 30 cm depth both in the herbaceous vegetation and also under the tree canopies. The mean maximum monthly gross primary production (GPPmax) in the herbaceous vegetation was determined from chamber measurements, while daily GPP (GPPday) in both the grass and tree canopies was simulated using the PIXGRO model. The highest mean GPPmax in the herbaceous vegetation was 26.2 ± 3.7 μmol m-2 s-1 during April. Seasonal fluctuations of GPP in the herbaceous vegetation were explained by soil water availability (R ² = 0.78) within the upper 30-cm soil profile. Seasonal GPPday fluctuations were larger (between 1 gC m-2 d-1 and 10 gC m-2 d-1) in the herbaceous vegetation compared to the trees, which fluctuated around 4.3 ± 0.3 gC m-2 d-1 throughout most of the measurement period. Daily tree canopy transpiration (Ec), canopy conductance (Gc), and GPPday were decoupled from SWC in the top 30-cm soil profile. On average, ecosystem GPPday (mean of tree and herbaceous vegetation) was 14.3 ± 1.2 gC m-2 d-1 during the wet period and 6.1 ± 0.9 gC m-2 d-1 during drought. Differences between the herbaceous and tree canopy responses were attributed to soil moisture availability.     

Copper adsorption kinetics of cultured algal cells and freshwater phytoplankton with emphasis on cell surface characteristics

Comparative studies were carried out on the adsorption of copper by a range of laboratory-cultured algae and freshwater phytoplankton samples. The level of surface mucilage associated with the cultured algae ranged from high (Anabaena spiroides, Eudorina elegans) to moderate (Anabaena cylindrica, Microcystis aeruginosa) to complete absence (Chlorella vulgaris, Asterionella formosa, Aulacoseira varians, Ceratium hirundinella). With laboratory cultures, the rapid uptake, EDTA release and quantitative similarity between living and dead (glutaraldehyde-fixed) algae were consistent with physical binding of Cu at the cell surface. The higher Cu adsorption per unit surface area and longer adsorption time of mucilaginous algae in the time-course study, and the relatively high level of Cu bound to mucilage found by X-ray microanalysis suggest that mucilage played an important role in metal binding. For all species examined, Cu adsorption kinetics (external Cu concentrations 1 to 1000 mg L⁻¹) showed a clear fit to the Freundlich, but not the Langmuir isotherm, indicating a monolayer adsorption model with heterogenous binding sites. The Freundlich adsorption capacity constant (K_f) was higher in mucilaginous (3.96–12.62) compared to nonmucilaginous (0.36–3.63) species, but binding intensity (Freundlich constant 1/n) did not differ between the two cell types. The results suggest that mucilaginous algal species may have potential as biosorbents for treatment of industrial effluents containing heavy metals. Investigation of the Cu adsorption behavior of four mixed phytoplankton samples also revealed a good fit to the Freundlich, but not the Langmuir, isotherm. Freundlich constants were in the range 2.3–3.2 for samples dominated by Chlorophyta, Bacillariophyta and Cyanophyta, but recorded a value of 7.4 in the sample dominated by Dinophyta. Comparison with data from laboratory monocultures suggested that the adsorption kinetics of mixed environmental phytoplankton samples cannot be predicted simply in terms of the major algal species.     

Morphological predictors of swimming speed performance in river and reservoir populations of Australian smelt Retropinna semoni

Dam construction is a major driver of ecological change in freshwater ecosystems. Fish populations have been shown to diverge in response to different flow velocity habitats, yet adaptations of fish populations to river and reservoir habitats created by dams remains poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate divergence of morphological traits and prolonged swimming speed performance between lotic and lentic populations of Australian smelt Retropinna semoni and quantify the relationship between prolonged swimming speed performance and morphology. Prolonged swimming speed performance was assessed for 15 individuals from each of three river and two reservoir populations of R. semoni using the critical swimming speed test (U_crit). Body shape was characterized using geometric morphometrics, which was combined with fin aspect ratios and standard length to assess morphological divergence among the five populations. Best subsets model-selection was used to identify the morphological traits that best explain U_crit variation among individuals. Our results indicate R. semoni from river populations had significantly higher prolonged swimming speed performance (U_crit = 46.61 ± 0.98 cm s⁻¹) than reservoir conspecifics (U_crit = 35.57 ± 0.83 cm s⁻¹; F_1,74 = 58.624, Z = 35.938, P < 0.001). Similarly, R. semoni sampled from river populations had significantly higher fin aspect ratios (AR_caudal = 1.71 ± 0.04 and 1.29 ± 0.02 respectively; F_(1,74) = 56.247, Z = 40.107, P < 0.001; AR_pectoral = 1.85 ± 0.03 and 1.33 ± 0.02 respectively; F_(1,74) = 7.156, Z = 4.055, P < 0.01). Best-subset analyses revealed U_crit was most strongly correlated with pectoral and caudal fin aspect ratios (R²_adj = 0.973, AIC_c = 41.54). Body shape, however, was subject to a three-way interaction among population, habitat and sex effects (F_3,74 = 1.038. Z = 1.982; P < 0.05). Thus sexual dimorphism formed a significant component of unique and complex variation in body shape among populations from different habitat types. This study revealed profound effects of human-altered flow environments on locomotor morphology and its functional link to changes in swimming performance of a common freshwater fish. While past studies have indicated body shape may be an important axis for divergence between lotic and lentic populations of several freshwater fishes, fin aspect ratios were the most important predictor of swimming speed in our study. Differences in body morphology here were inconsistent between river and reservoir populations, suggesting this aspect of phenotype may be more strongly influenced by other factors such as predation and sexual dimorphism.     

Investigating a major assumption of predictive instream habitat models: is water velocity preference of juvenile Atlantic salmon independent of discharge?

The mean column velocity preference of juvenile Atlantic salmon Salmo salar (LF 30–55 mm) was investigated by observing their spatial pattern of habitat use in a laboratory flume while varying discharge (Q) over a 18‐fold range (Q=2·6–46·8l s^‐1). Based on 341 fish observations at three discharges (Q=2·6, 15·0 and 46·8l s^‐1), three separate velocity preference curves were developed using standard procedures. The mean column velocities measured at 0·6 depth for the fish positions at the set low, medium and high discharges had medians of 7, 10 and 24 cm s^‐1, respectively, and varied significantly between the discharges. Across the range of flows, the fish utilized mean column velocities between 0 and 56 cm s^‐1, but the three velocity preference curves differed. Differences between juvenile Atlantic salmon use of habitat, defined according to mean column velocities at different discharges, were greatest at the lower end of the available range of velocities (<20 cm s^‐1). Weighted usable area (WUA), the output of the instream flow model PHABSIM that is used to describe the available habitat at a given discharge, was calculated for the flume using the preference curves built at the three set discharges. The model was highly sensitive to differences between the three preference curves and WUA varied by up to a two‐fold difference. Furthermore, habitat‐discharge relationships derived from the three preference curves were very different. Predicted habitat losses across the modelled range of discharges varied by up to 150% depending upon which velocity preference curve was used in the model. Thus, the assumption that a single preference curve can be applied across a range of discharges is not valid and is likely to result in large errors when employing PHABSIM and other models that use similar principles.     

THE SIZE OF PORES IN COLLODION MEMBRANES

By the application of Poiseuille''s law to the rate of flow of water through collodion membranes, it is calculated that the membranes used had pore radii of the order of 0.3 to 2 x 10^–6 cm. On the same basis the number of pores per sq. cm. appears to vary from 270 x 10¹⁰ to 7 x 10¹⁰, decreasing with increase in pore size. Reasons are given for preferring these figures for the radii to figures, 100 times as large, which were calculated by others. Microscopic examination of the membranes, with dark-field illumination, indicates that they are made up of solid granules or filaments of collodion much less than 1 x 10^–4 cm. in thickness.     

The occurrence of Zanardinia prototypus on the South Coast of England

Studies were made to investigate the minimum time that should be allowed for settling of fixed, freshwater phytoplankton prior to enumeration. Results using a 16 cm vertical column at 20°C indicated that to obtain complete sedimentation the sample should be allowed to settle for a minimum period of 48 h (8 cm day^-1) when small diatoms are absent, and for at least 96 h (4 cm day^-1) when they are present and to be counted. Green algae settled faster than diatoms. Blue-green algae were absent from all samples in this study.     

Responses of periphyton to changes in current velocity, suspended sediment and phosphorus concentration

SUMMARY.

• 1 Research was performed in laboratory streams to evaluate periphytic biomass accrual, export, and community composition over a range of limiting nutrient (phosphorus) concentrations with variable velocity, and suspended sediment addition, in comparison to constant velocity and no suspended sediment. In fixed-velocity treatments, velocity increase to 60 cm s^?1 significantly enhanced biomass accrual, but further increase resulted in substantial biomass reduction. Average biomass loss rates did not change significantly over a velocity range of 10–80 cm s^?1. Diatoms were favoured at relatively high velocities and low phosphorus concentrations, whereas the blue-green Phormidium tended to dominate at higher SRP concentrations and the green Mougeotia seemed to prefer lower velocities.
• 2 Sudden increases in velocity raised instantaneous loss rates by an order of magnitude or more, but these high rates persisted only briefly. As a result, marked biomass reductions were not apparent a day after the velocity change. Dominance change from filamentous green or blue-green to diatoms immediately after the increase was reversed within 2 days. Loss rate increases due to solids addition were much smaller than those accompanying velocity increase, but simultaneous velocity elevation and solids addition produced instantaneous loss rates approximately double those with velocity increase alone.
• 3 The experiments demonstrated that an elevation in velocity, above that to which algae were accustomed, led to increased loss rates and temporarily reduced biomass. However, recolonization and growth after biomass reduction were apparently rapid. Substantial export of periphyton following solids addition required erosion of the protective boundary layer accompanied by a velocity increase. These results arc applicable to understanding the response of lotic periphytic algae to elevated, turbid storm discharges and similar runoff or high-flow events.
• 4 Areal uptake rates of P by algae growing in the laboratory streams increased with soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) concentration, up to approximately 15 μg I^?1 in overlying water. They also increased above 35 cm s ^?1. Overall, uptake rate seemed to vary inversely with biomass. The ralio of areal uptake rate/biomass was significantly less where mean biomass was 411±6 mg chl a m^?2 compared to 223±17 mg chl a m^?2.
• 5 The results suggested that although nutrient uptake is primarily a surface phenomenon, diffusion to interior cells can also determine the responses of attached communities. Both diffusion and uptake rate were stimulated by increasing nutrient concentration and velocity up to certain levels, but became limited by biofilm thickness and scouring.

     

Effect of short schemes on body composition measurements using Air-Displacement Plethysmography

Background

Air-displacement plethysmography (ADP) is becoming a popular method to assess body composition. Several studies have shown certain types of clothing can affect measurements of body density, however no study has specifically investigated the effect of cotton gym shorts and spandex bicycle shorts on body density.

Methods

Thirty-seven males (23.0 ± 3.2 yr., 177.3 ± 5.4 cm., 74.8 ± 7.5 kg.) and thirty-eight females (23.7 ± 5.3 yr., 163.6 ± 8.4 cm., 57.1 ± 7.0 kg.) had their body density measured by ADP in three clothing schemes: 1) a tight fitting Speedo^® swim suit (criterion measure), 2) cotton gym shorts, and 3) spandex bicycle shorts. The clothing was provided by the University of Oklahoma Body Composition Laboratory and the testing schemes were performed in random order.

Results

The regression of body density by the criterion measure against body density while wearing cotton gym shorts for the entire group (y = 0.001 + 0.991x, SEE = 0.003 g/cm³) and the females (y = 0.059 + 0.934x, SEE = 0.003 g/cm³) did not significantly deviate from the line of identity. However in males the regression significantly deviated from the line of identity (y = 0.052 + 0.944x, SEE = 0.002 g/cm³). Body density by the criterion measure and body density while wearing spandex bicycle shorts did not significantly differ from the line of identity for the entire group (y = -0.018 + 1.013x SEE = 0.003 g/cm³), in males (y = -0.002 + 1.001x, SEE = 0.003 g/cm³), or females (y = 0.073 + 0.925x, SEE = 0.003 g/cm³). Residual plot analysis revealed no group or gender bias in either the cotton gym shorts or in the spandex bicycle shorts.

Conclusion

It would appear bicycle spandex shorts are an acceptable alternative to a Speedo^® like swim suit, however we advise that subjects adhere to the strict clothing protocol that is recommended by the manufacturer.

     

Effects of desiccation and rewetting on the release and decomposition of dissolved organic carbon from benthic macroalgae

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Water velocity dependence of phosphate uptake on a coral-dominated fringing reef flat,La Réunion Island,Indian Ocean

Phosphate uptake (P-uptake) into coral reef communities has been hypothesized to be mass-transfer limited. One method of demonstrating mass-transfer limitation of P-uptake is to show dependence of P-uptake on water velocity. Water velocity across reef flats varies with tides and swell; thus, we measured P-uptake over the entire reef flat on eight different days, representing a range in water velocities. P-uptake was calculated from changes in P concentration of the water column. Changes in P concentration were measured by water sampling at six sites along a 300-m cross-reef transect while simultaneously measuring water velocity. To smooth the variability in phosphate concentrations, peristaltic pumps were used to get time-integrated water samples for 4–6 h at each site. Water velocities were measured in the middle of the transect using an acoustic Doppler current profiler and were averaged to match the time-integrated water sampling. Depth-averaged cross-reef water velocities were 0.031 ± 0.013 m s⁻¹ (mean ± SD), while the root-mean-square water velocities, accounting for oscillatory flow, averaged 3.3 times higher, 0.101 ± 0.021 m s⁻¹ (mean ± SD). Phosphate decreased along all transects. The first-order rate constant for P-uptake (S) was 8.5 ± 2.4 m d⁻¹ (mean ± SD) and increased linearly with root-mean-square water velocity. The Stanton number derived from oscillatory flow, the ratio of the first-order rate constant for P-uptake to the root-mean-square water velocity (S/U _rms), was (9.4 ± 1.2) × 10⁻⁴ (mean ± SD). P-uptake ranged from 0.2 to 1.1 mmol P m⁻² d⁻¹, demonstrating that P-uptake is variable on short time scales and is directly related to P concentration and water velocity.

     

苋菜的光合特性

宽菜Amaranthus cruentus cv.生长在调控的温室条件。在光强0至800μmol.m~(-2)S~(-1),光合速率(PN,μmol.CO_2m~(-2)、s~(-1))随光强(PFD,μmol、m~(-2)、s~(-1))增高而增大,其关系为PN=56.82 PFD×10~(-3)—2.13。光补偿点为60μmol.m~(-2)、s~(-1)。叶片在1400 μmol.m~(-2)、s~(-1)达到光合光饱和点。在叶温35℃,叶片/空气水蒸汽压陡度20 m Pa、Pa~(-1)和外界CO_2浓度340μ1、1~(-1),光饱和光合速率为51.63±4.90μ mol.CO_2、m~(-2)、S~(-1)。在光强0至600μmol.m~(-2)、s~(-1),气孔传道率随光强增高而增大。光强高于600μmol.m~(-2)、s~(-1),气孔传道率变化较小。细胞间CO_2浓度为120μ1.1~(-1)由于细胞间CO_2浓度在光合速率——CO_2关系曲线的转折点,可能表明光合作用不受气孔限制。结果表明,苋菜适于高光强环境生长,在干旱条件下具有高的光合速率。     

广东中部两种常见灌木的生态学比较

 通过对广东中部的阳生性灌木桃金娘和阴生性灌木九节的形态学、解剖学、植物生态学以及植物生理学等方面的比较发现：处于强光照下的桃金娘通过大的根系、多的枝叶和小的叶片在水分和养分竞争中处于优势,并利用小的枝角和叶毛来避免强光的伤害,而九节则是通过其叶、枝的最经济数量和最佳位置排列来充分利用阴暗不足的光线;桃金娘通过叶片和栅栏组织厚度以及短的小脉间距在强光下能继续进行光合作用并尽快运出光合产物,而九节的叶片则可充分利用森林底层有限的光照;在南亚热带,30％左右的透光率是林下耐荫性树种九节入侵和阳生性灌木桃金娘消亡的辐射条件;九节的生态对策为K对策,而桃金娘遵循r对策;九节和桃金娘的平均光合速率分别为5.9±1.6μmol CO2·m-2·s-1和11.9±0.4μmol CO2·m-2·s-1,光补偿点分别为0.005和0.012mmol·m-2·s-1,光饱和点分别为0.04和0.39μmol CO2·m-2·s-1,气孔传导率分别为0.053±0.037μmolCO2·m-2·s-1和0.101±0.013 mol·m-2·s-l,暗呼吸速率分别为0.42±0.0lμmol CO2·m-2·s-1和0.16±0.15μmolCO2·m-2·s-1,这些生理学差异、形态解剖学差异等与其生境差异有密切的关系。     

Influences of salinity on the physiology and distribution of the Arctic coralline algae,Lithothamnion glaciale (Corallinales,Rhodophyta)

In Greenland, free‐living red coralline algae contribute to and dominate marine habitats along the coastline. Lithothamnion glaciale dominates coralline algae beds in many regions of the Arctic, but never in Godthåbsfjord, Greenland, where Clathromorphum sp. is dominant. To investigate environmental impacts on coralline algae distribution, calcification and primary productivity were measured in situ during summers of 2015 and 2016, and annual patterns of productivity in L. glaciale were monitored in laboratory‐based mesocosm experiments where temperature and salinity were manipulated to mimic high glacial melt. The results of field and cold‐room measurements indicate that both L. glaciale and Clathromorphum sp. had low calcification and photosynthetic rates during the Greenland summer (2015 and 2016), with maximum of 1.225 ± 0.17 or 0.002 ± 0.023 μmol CaCO ₃ · g^?1 · h^?1 and ?0.007 ±0.003 or ?0.004 ± 0.001 mg O₂ · L^?1 · h^?1 in each species respectively. Mesocosm experiments indicate L. glaciale is a seasonal responder; photosynthetic and calcification rates increase with annual light cycles. Furthermore, metabolic processes in L. glaciale were negatively influenced by low salinity; positive growth rates only occurred in marine treatments where individuals accumulated an average of 1.85 ± 1.73 mg · d^?1 of biomass through summer. These results indicate high freshwater input to the Godthåbsfjord region may drive the low abundance of L . glaciale , and could decrease species distribution as climate change increases freshwater input to the Arctic marine system via enhanced ice sheet runoff and glacier calving.     

Swimming performance is reduced by reflective markers intended for the analysis of swimming kinematics

The present study aimed to clarify whether swimming performance is affected by reflective markers being attached to the swimmer’s body, as is required for a kinematic analysis of swimming. Fourteen well-trained male swimmers (21.1 ± 1.7 yrs) performed maximal 50 m front crawl swimming with (W) and without (WO) 25 reflective markers attached to their skin and swimwear. This number represents the minimum required to estimate the body’s center of mass. Fifty meter swimming time, mid-pool swimming velocity, stroke rate, and stroke length were determined using video analysis. We found swimming time to be 3.9 ± 1.6% longer for W condition. Swimming velocity (3.3 ± 1.8%), stroke rate (1.2 ± 2.0%), and stroke length (2.1 ± 2.7%) were also significantly lower for W condition. To elucidate whether the observed reduction in performance was potentially owing to an additional drag force induced by the reflective markers, measured swimming velocity under W condition was compared to a predicted velocity that was calculated based on swimming velocity obtained under WO condition and an estimate of the additional drag force induced by the reflective markers. The mean prediction error and ICC (2,1) for this analysis of measured and predicted velocities was 0.014 m s⁻¹ and 0.894, respectively. Reducing the drag force term led to a decrease in the degree of agreement between the velocities. Together, these results suggest that the reduction in swimming performance resulted, at least in part, from an additional drag force produced by the reflective markers.     

Threshold environmental concentrations of cations determining the boundaries of survival of the filamentous alga <Emphasis Type="Italic">Spirogyra</Emphasis> sp. in freshwater reservoirs

The threshold concentrations of elements in fresh water necessary for the survival of Spirogira sp. were determined. The concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in the algae were maintained at a level of (84.3 ± 0.8), (23.9 ± 0.5), (3.5 ± 0.2), (8.5 ± 0.2) mmol/kg wet weight, respectively; the water content was (92.5 ± 0.21)%. It was shown that the threshold concentrations of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium in water determining the boundaries of the range of Spirogyra sp. in freshwater reservoirs are 0.003–0.007, 0.002–0.003, 0.0017–0.0022, and 0.0012–0.0018 mmol/L, respectively. A decrease in water mineralization was accompanied by a substantial increase in the gradient of cation concentration between the algae and the environment, thus enhancing the load on the systems maintaining water-salt metabolism. It was shown on the basis of comparative analysis that Spirogyra sp., being the primary link of the trophic chain, possesses a more efficient ability to extract ions from water in comparison to freshwater animals.