Seasonal Physical,Chemical and Algal Changes in Five Rivers Flowing Through the Oil Sands Region of Alberta,Canada

Seasonal studies concentrating upon physical and chemical parameters and the epilithic algal community were conducted at specific sites in five tributary rivers flowing through the oil sands region of northeastern Alberta, Canada into the Athabasca River. Numerically cyanophycean algae (Lyngbya aerugineo-caerulea, Phormidium sp., Calothrix braunii, Nostoc spp. and Anabaena affinis) dominated followed by diatoms (Achnanthes lanceolata, Cocconeis pediculus, Cocconeis placentula, Epithemia sorex, Epithemia turgida, Gomphonema acuminatum, Gomphonema longiceps v. subclavata, Gomphonema olivaceum, Nitzschia fonticola, Nitzschia palea, Synedra rumpens, and Synedra ulna). One exception was the Hangingstone River where chlorophycean algae (Stigeoclonium pachydermum and Cladophora glomerata) were next in importance to the cyanophytes. Seasonal fluctuations in algal species and numbers were influenced by a myriad of interacting parameters. Physically disruptive forces (current velocity and discharge) appeared more important than dissolved nutrients. They were also responsible for affecting the chemical composition of the water itself.     

Diatomées épilithiques et qualité biologique des ruisseaux du mont Stratonikon,Chalkidiki (Grèce)

During two sampling periods (lowflow and highflow) epilithic diatoms were collected in two hydrographic sectors of Stratonikon mountain. In the study 162 taxa were identified from which 42 species, one sub-species and nine varieties are first records for the Greek flora. Running waters present a high species richness and most of the dominant species found in the study area are cosmopolitan, alkaliphilous, prefering well oxygenated waters. The species Achnanthes minutissima var. minutissima, Amphora pediculus, Cocconeis placentula, Rhoicosphenia abbreviata, and Nitzschia dissipata var. dissipata were dominant during both sampling periods. Under highflow conditions, the species Gomphonema olivaceum var. olivaceum and G. tergestinum became also dominant. The Shannon's index values varied from 0.6 to 5.0 and evenness from 0.15 to 0.86. Dendrograms and MDS plots showed the floristic particularities of sites due to human activities and environmental conditions.The values of IPS diatomic index showed that the biological quality of the water was very good during the study period.     

Phytoplankton competition along a gradient of dilution rates

Natural phytoplankton from Lake Constance was used for chemostat competition experiments performed at a variety of dilution rates. In the first series at high Si:P ratios and under uniform phosphorus limitation for all species, Synedra acus outcompeted all other species at all dilution rates up to 1.6 d^-1, only at the highest dilution rate (2.0 d^-1) Achnanthes minutissima was successful. In the second series in the absence of any Si a green algal replacement series was found, with Mougeotia thylespora dominant at the lowest dilution rates, Scenedesmus acutus at the intermediate ones, and Chlorella minutissima at the highest ones. The outcome of interspecific competition was not in contradiction with the Monod kinetics of P-limited growth of the five species, but no satisfactorily precise prediction of competitive performance can be derived from the Monod kinetics because of insufficient precision in the estimate of k _s .     

Distribution patterns of benthic diatoms in a Pampean river exposed to seasonal floods: the Cuarto River (Argentina)

The diatom community growing on cobbles and sand substrata along the Cuarto River (Córdoba, Argentina) was studied during 2000 and 2001. Multivariate analyses of the data (PCA and CCA) showed distinct differences in water chemistry and substrata types between the upstream sites (sites 1–10) and downstream sites (sites 11–19). Sites 1–10 supported an epilithic diatom community associated with low water conductivity and gravel substrata. This consisted of adnate Achnanthes (A. biasolettiana, A. minutissima), as well as stalked (Gomphonema aff. angustum, Reimeria uniseriata, Fragilaria capucina var. rumpens) or prostrate (Nitzschia lacuum) taxa. Downstream sites were associated with high conductivity, fast flowing waters and finer substrata (sand, silt), and were colonised by prostrate diatoms, including several species of Navicula (N. pupula, N. mutica, N. veneta, N. insociabilis) and Nitzschia (N. umbonata, N. palea). Variations in water flow caused significant changes in the diatom communities of the river. During periods of low flow (winter and autumn), chain forming (Diatoma vulgaris, D. moniliformis) or stalked (Synedra ulna) taxa partially replaced the former community of Navicula and Nitzschia in the downstream sites. High flow (in summer) led to diatoms of large size being replaced by smaller size diatoms, such as Achnanthes lanceolata, Navicula mutica, Hantzschia amphioxys and Amphora montana. The severe effect of floods in the lower part of the Cuarto led to these taxa having a much higher proportion in the lower stretch of the river, taking advantage of the subaerial conditions created by the floods. Local episodes of water pollution were associated with a transient shift towards the dominance of Navicula pupula, Synedra ulna, Nitzschia lacuum and Reimeria uniseriata during winter, when inputs were least diluted because of the low flow.     

Assessment of Water Pollution using Diatom Community Structure and Species Distribution — A Case Study in a Tropical River Basin

A study on biological assessment of water pollution using diatom community structure and species distribution was carried out in the Linggi River Basin, Malaysia which was polluted by various urban, industrial and agricultural wastes. A total of 86 diatom taxa belonging to 21 genera were recorded from all eight sampling stations located in the basin, of which 70 species were found on artificial substrates; the remaining 16 species were recorded exclusively on natural substrates. The number of diatom species observed between the stations varied from 22-47 species. The dominant diatom species in decreasing order of abundance were Eunotia vanheurckii, Nitzschia palea, Achnanthes saxonica, Gomphonema parvulum and Achnanthes minutissima. The most common clean water species were Achnanthes minutissima, A. linearis and Synedra rumpens. The most tolerant species were Nitzschia palea followed by Gomphonema parvulum and Pinnularia braunii. Eunotia vanheurckii and Navicula cryptocephala occurred in high densities at both unpolluted and polluted stations and can be considered as the common facultative or indifferent species. Although a large number of species were recorded at the unpolluted stations, equivalent number of species were also found at the moderately polluted stations. However, the number of species was reduced at grossly polluted stations. Nevertheless, a marked variation in species association exists between the unpolluted and polluted stations, but not among the polluted stations to distinguish the type and degree of pollution.     

RESPONSE OF MICROALGAL EPIPHYTE COMMUNITIES TO NITRATE ENRICHMENT IN AN EELGRASS (ZOSTERA MARINA) MEADOW1

The community structure and productivity of epiphytic microalgae on field populations of eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) from a high flow regime were characterized under water-column nitrate enrichment over a 30–d period during the autumn growing season for the macrophyte. Epiphyte communities in replicate low-nitrogen sites (LOW-N, median water-column nitrate concentrations below detection) were compared to communities in replicate N-enriched sites wherein nitrate was leached from clay pots filled with enriched agar (N-ENRICH, median concentration ca. 6 μM NO₃^?_-N; pots replaced at 8– to 12–d intervals). In experimental chambers, total epiphyte community productivity as ¹⁴C-bicarbonate uptake was determined from short-term (3–h) laboratory assays. Track light microscope-autoradiography enabled estimates of species-specific productivity for abundant algal taxa. After 6 d in the LOW-N and N-ENRICH communities, the crustose adnate red alga Sahlingia subintegra (Rosenvinge) Kornmann was dominant in terms of cell number and codominant in biovolume. Photosynthetic dinoflagellates, not previously reported as abundant in eelgrass epiphyte communities, were dominant in biovolume contribution after both 6 and 30 d in LOW-N communities. Nitrate enrichment stimulated the adnate monoraphid diatom Cocconeis placentula Ehr. but apparently inhibited dinoflagellates and the diatom Melosira sp. Total productivity of the epiphyte communities remained comparable in both the LOW-N and N-ENRICH sites. Shifts in community structure and species-specific productivity, however, indicated a controlling influence of nitrate supply on microalgal epiphytes in the field eelgrass community.     

ASSOCIATION OF A FREE-LIVING EUGLENA WITH A COLONIAL ROTIFER

Large epiphytic and epilithic diatom species hosting other diatoms were observed in several fresh- and brackish water sites in Southern California. The most commonly encountered hosts were species forming long filaments attached to rocks or macroalgae, Hydrosera whampoensis (Schwarz) Hendey, Melosira varians Agardh, Pleurosira laevis (Ehrenberg) Compere and Terpsinoe musica Ehrenberg. These large diatoms often had smaller diatoms attached, usually to the girdle bands and occasionally to the mucilage pads connecting the cells. For example, cells of T. musica were observed supporting growth of a diverse diatom assemblage composed of species of the genera Achnanthes , Achnanthidium , Amphora , Cocconeis and Tabularia; Synedra sp. was attached to M. varians and B. paxillifer; and Cocconeis placentula was seen on H. whampoensis. Thus, large epiphytic and epilithic diatoms seem to provide suitable sites for attachment of small epiphytic diatom species, and it appears that this phenomenon is more common than previously thought.     

EFFECTS OF CHIRONOMID (INSECTA: DIPTERA) TUBE-BUILDING ACTIVITIES ON STREAM DIATOM COMMUNITIES1,2

Chironomid retreats, constructed out of sand grains upon submerged wood debris, increase the surface area available for diatom colonization. The three dimensional substratum afforded by chironomid tubes supports up to twelve times the diatom biavolume found upon adjacent, unmodified substratum in a northern Michigan stream. Diatom enumeration within scrapings from small defined areas on artificial substrata, combined with examination of intact natural substrata through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), reveals distinct, microdistribution patterns. The larval retreats of two major taxa of tube-dwelling chironomid's (Micropsectra sp. and Pseudodiamesa cf. pertinax Garrett) display significantly different diatom communities relative to adjacent masonite substratum. Substratum without chironomid tubes is primarily colonized by Achnanthes minutissima Kütz. and Cocconeis placentula Ehr., exhibiting the lowest species diversity of microhabitats examined. The diatom flora upon sand tubes of Micropsectra sp. is dominated by Opephora martyi Herib., as is the flora of sand grains collected from the stream sediment load. These two micro-habitats exhibit a high community similarity (SIMI). The SIMI index also suggests that the flora of P. pertinax tubes is highly similar to that of sand grains. Diversity, however, is almost three times greater on P. pertinax tubes and SEM observations reveal that this microhabitat is characterized by a more spatially complex flora; Nitzschia and Navicula spp. dominate the upperstory, and O. martyi is located on underlying sand grains. Results indicate that tube-building chironomids in Carp Creek affect diatom microdistribution by: (1) stabilizing sand grains and associated flora within their retreats, (2) providing a ‘refugium’ for upperstory diatom taxa from the mayfly grazer, Baetis vagans McDunnough (Insecta: Ephemeroptera), and (3) through local nutrient enrichment.     

Effects of copper on production of periphyton, nitrogen fixation and processing of leaf litter in a Sierra Nevada, California, stream

SUMMARY.

• 1 Production of periphyton, nitrogen fixation and processing of leaf litter were examined in an oligotrophic Sierra Nevada stream and the responses of these processes to copper (2.5, 5 and 10μg 1^-1 Cu_T [total filtrable copper]; approximately 12, 25 and 50 ng 1^-1 Cu²⁺) were determined.
• 2 Autotrophic and total production were estimated from 3-week accumulations of biomass on artificial substrates. Mean autotrophic production in the control ranged from 0.22 to 0.58 mg C m^-2 h^-1 in summer-autumn 1979, but declined to 0.08–0.28 mg C m ² h^-1 after peak discharge in summer 1980, apparently due to phosphorus-limited growth. Total production in the control ranged from 0.30 to 0.82 mg C m^-2 h ^-1 in summer-autumn 1979 and from 0.16 to 0,68 mg C m ^-2 h ^-1 in 1980. Mean autotrophic productivity, estimated by ^l4C-bicarbonate uptake in daylight, ranged from 0.30 to 2.8 mg C m^-2 h^-1.
• 3 Autotrophic productivity was reduced by 57–81% at 2.5μg 1^-1 Cu_T, 55–96% at 5μg 1^-1 Cu_T, and 81–100% at 10μg 1^-1 CU_T, Heterotrophic productivity (based on dark ³⁵S-sulphate uptake) was inhibited to a lesser extent (28–63% at 2.5μg 1^-1 Cu_T, 24–84% at 5μg 1^-1 Cu_T, and 67–92% at 10μg 1^-1 Cu_T), The inhibition of autotrophic and heterotrophic productivity persisted through the year of exposure. Production in stream sections previously exposed to 2.5 and 5μg 1^-1Cu_T increased to control levels within 4 weeks after dosing, but remained depressed for more than 7 weeks after exposure to 10μg 1^-1 Cu_T.
• 4 The specific rate of photosynthesis (mg C mg chlorophyll a^-1 h^-1) of mature periphyton communities declined at all test concentrations of copper, but the rate for periphyton on newly-colonized surfaces did not change. The species composition of benthic algae shifted during exposure to an assemblage more tolerant of copper. Achrtanthes minutissima and Fragilaria crotonensis were the primary replacement species on newly-colonized surfaces.
• 5 The nitrogenase activity of blue-green algae was low. with controls ranging from 2.4 to 12 nmol C₂H₂ m^-2 h^-1. Nitrogenase activity was inhibited during the initial weeks of exposure by 5 and 10μg 1^-1 Cu_T. However, after 9 months of exposure, control and copper-treated sections did not differ.
• 6 The rate of processing of leaf litter, estimated by microbial respiration and nutrient quality of litter of resident riparian woodland taxa, was inhibited at all test concentrations of copper.

     

雅砻江（锦屏段）及其主要支流底栖藻类群落与环境因子的关系

分别于2004年5月和11月对雅砻江(锦屏段)及其主要支流22个采样点的底栖藻类进行研究.共采获底栖藻类150种,分属3门(硅藻、绿藻和蓝藻),37属.其中硅藻门占绝对优势(96.5%),线性曲壳藻(Achnanthes linearis)和Achnanthes deflexa为绝对优势种,其相对丰富度分别为35.3%和11.0%.细端菱形藻(Nitzschia dissipata)和小型异极藻(Gomphonema parvulum)是雅砻江(锦屏段)干流的优势种,而线性曲壳藻、扁圆卵形藻(Cocconeis placentula)和Achnanthes deflexa是其他支流的优势种.基于底栖藻类的物种组成和相对丰度,对两次的采样点进行去势对应分析(DCA),结果发现:两次采样雅砻江(锦屏段)干流样点与其他支流样点在DCA第一轴上得到了很好的分化,表明研究区域底栖藻类群落存在明显的空间差异,这主要是由干流的特殊生境所致.典范对应分析(CCA)结果显示不同季节影响底栖藻类群落结构的环境因子有所差异.总磷(TP)是5月份影响底栖藻类空间分布的最主要因素;11月份影响底栖藻类空间分布的最主要环境因子为氨氮(NH4-N)和海拔(Elevation).     

Effects of water quality and season on diatom community structure in the Damour River,Lebanon

The diatom flora in the lower Damour River, a small coastal river in Lebanon, was studied during 1981. The study area included the Damour estuary and a tributary, the el-Hamam River. Achnanthes minutissima was the most abundant diatom in the flora. Other dominant taxa included Nitzschia dissipata and Navicula cryptocephala var. veneta in the spring and Anomoeoneis vitrea in the fall. The diatom community structure was characterized by 1 or 2 dominant taxa, a few common and many rare taxa, but the taxa in these categories varied according to season and locality. The freshwater flora had a group of 20 taxa which were widely distributed in the study area throughout the study period. These taxa, in addition to a few taxa of more restricted seasonal occurrence, were the major contributers to the flora and are characteristic of this river system. Certain aspects of the flora were resistant to change. Others were more sensitive to environmental conditions. The estuarine flora reflected brackish conditions beginning in June and extending through October.     

Distribution of algae in the San Joaquin River, California, in relation to nutrient supply, salinity and other environmental factors

1. The taxonomic composition and biomass of the phytoplankton and the taxonomic composition of the phytobenthos of the San Joaquin River and its major tributaries were examined in relation to water chemistry, habitat and flow regime. Agricultural drainage and subsurface flow contribute to a complex gradient of salinity and nutrients in this eutrophic, ‘lowland type’ river. 2. Because of light‐limiting conditions for growth, maintenance demands of the algae exceed production during summer and autumn in the San Joaquin River where there is no inflow from tributaries. In contrast to substantial gains in concentration of inorganic nitrogen and soluble reactive phosphorus during the summer of normal‐flow years, net losses of algal biomass (2–4 μg L^?1 day^?1 chlorophyll a) occurred in a mid‐river segment with no significant tributary inflow. However, downstream of a large tributary draining the Sierra Nevada, a substantial net gain in algal biomass (6–11 μg L^?1 day^?1) occurred in the summer, but not in the spring (loss of 1–6 μg L^?1 day^?1) or autumn (loss of 2–5 μg L^?1 day^?1). 3. The phytoplankton was dominated in summer by ‘r‐selected’ centric diatoms (Thalassiosirales), species both tolerant of variable salinity and widely distributed in the San Joaquin River. Pennate diatoms were proportionally more abundant (in biomass) in the winter, spring and autumn. Abundant taxa included the diatoms Cyclotella meneghiniana, Skeletonema cf. potamos, Cyclostephanos invisitatus, Thalassiosira weissflogii, Nitzschia acicularis, N. palea and N. reversa, and the chlorophytes Chlamydomonas sp. and Scenesdesmus quadricauda. Patterns in the abundance of species indicated that assembly of the phytoplankton is limited more by light and flow regime than by nutrient supply. 4. The phytobenthos was dominated by larger, more slowly reproducing pennate diatoms. Few of the abundant species are euryhaline. The diatoms Navicula recens and Nitzschia inconspicua and cyanophytes, Oscillatoria spp., were the principal late‐summer benthic species upstream in the mainstem and in drainages of the San Joaquin Valley. Many of the other abundant diatoms (Amphora veneta, Bacillaria paxillifer, Navicula symmetrica, Nitzschia amphibia, N. fonticola, N. palea, Pleurosigma salinarum) of late‐summer assemblages in these segments also are motile species. While many of these species also were abundant in segments downstream of confluences with rivers draining the Sierra Nevada, the relative abundance of prostrate (Cocconeis placentula var. euglypta, Navicula minima) and erect or stalked (Achnanthidium deflexum, Achnanthes lanceolata, Gomphonema kobayasii, G. parvulum var. lagenula) diatoms and Stigeoclonium sp. was greater in these lower San Joaquin River segments. 5. A weighted‐averaging regression model, based on salinity and benthic‐algal abundance in the San Joaquin River and segments of its major tributaries within the San Joaquin Valley, yielded a highly significant coefficient‐of‐determination (r²=0.84) and low prediction error between salinity inferred from the species and that observed, indicating that salinity tolerance is a primary constraint on growth and assembly of the phytobenthos. The same measures of predictability indicated poor performance of a model based on inorganic nitrogen. However, with a greater representation of tributaries (including segments within the Sierra Nevada foothills) in the sample set, an inorganic nitrogen model also yielded a highly significant coefficient‐of‐determination (r²=0.87) and low prediction error between the species‐inferred and the observed concentration. As with the salinity model (r²=0.94) for the enlarged data set, a systematic difference (increased deviation of residuals) existed at high inorganic nitrogen concentrations. These results indicate substantial interaction between salinity and inorganic nitrogen as constraints on the structure of benthic‐algal communities of the San Joaquin River basin.     

COMPARISON OF ATTACHED DIATOM COMMUNITIES ON NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL SUBSTRATES1

A study of attached diatom communities on artificial and natural substrates was conducted in Wheelwright Pond, New Hampshire, during 1975. There were differences in the species composition growing on artificial glass slides and natural substrates. The slides favored the accumulation of Achnanthes minutissima Kütz. and decreased the relative abundance of Eunotia incisa W. Sm. ex. Greg. and Cocconeis placentula v. euglypta (Ehr.) Cleve. Large growths of planktonic species were also noted on the slides. Compositional differences between slides positioned at 15–30 cm (upper) and 1 m (lower) from the surface of the water were minimal. A similar community composition of periphytic diatoms was found on five aquatic macrophytes.     

The diatom flora of the Salton Sea, California

We report on diatom species of the Salton Sea, a highly saline (43 g l^–1) inland lake in California. We identified and photographed all diatom taxa encountered in the phytoplankton and benthos of the Salton Sea and its immediate tributaries. Ninety-four taxa were distinguished based on their morphological features using light- and electron microscopy. In the Salton Sea, there are four general categories of diatom assemblages related to their habitats: (1) A planktonic assemblage composed of Chaetoceros muelleri var. subsalsum, Cyclotella choctawhatcheeana, Cyclotella sp., Cylindrotheca closterium, Pleurosigma ambrosianum, Thalassionema sp.; (2) a benthic assemblage with diatoms that live on the bottom (e.g. genera Caloneis, Diploneis, Entomoneis, Gyrosigma, Plagiotropis, Pleurosigma, Surirella and Tryblionella), or in algal mats (Proschkinia bulnheimii, several species of Navicula and Seminavis gracilenta); (3) an epiphytic community attached to the macroscopic green algae which grow on the rocks and other hard surfaces near shore (e.g. Achnanthes brevipes, Licmophora ehrenbergii, Tabularia parva); and (4) a freshwater assemblage composed of species that get washed in by the rivers and other inflows discharging into the Sea (e.g. Achnanthidium minutissimum, Cocconeis pediculus, Cyclotella atomus, C. scaldensis, Nitzschia elegantula, T. weissflogii). The most striking feature of the phytoplankton is the abundance of species formerly known only from marine environments; this is not surprising given the high salinity and the peculiar history of the lake.     

The effect of current on the distribution of diatoms settling on submerged glass slides

Glass microscope slides were submerged for two to six week periods at selected sites in a small, spring-fed stream near Lennoxville, Quebec. Slides were oriented parallel and perpendicular to the current. Qualitative and quantitative data from transects across slides show that diatoms are randomly distributed on slides perpendicular to the current but not on slides oriented parallel to the current. In the later case, most individuals first settled near the upstream or downstream edge of the slide. Non-random distribution is most pronounced on slides containing Cocconeis placentula. This species and two others, Achnanthes linearis and A. minutissima, are abundant and determine most distribution patterns found on slides. Preference of diatoms for the edges of slides appears to be affected by current. We propose a model, based upon water flow, to explain the preferential distribution of diatoms on slides oriented parallel to the current. Light appears not to affect settling patterns to a great extent in this study.     

EPIPELIC AND EPILITHIC DIATOM ASSEMBLAGES IN MONTEZUMA WELL NATIONAL MONUMENT,ARIZONA1

Epipelic and epilithic diatom assemblages in Montezuma Well National Monument, Arizona, were identified and analyzed by H' (species diversity), species number, J' (evenness), relative abundance, SIMI (similarity index), and DI (dissimilarity index) values. The epipelic assemblage was found to be a tri-dominant association of Cyclotella pseudostelligera f. parva Czar. & Blinn, Cocconeis placentula var. lineata (Ehr.) V.H. and Achnanthes linearis (W. Sm.) Grun. The epilithic assemblage was a tri-dominant association of Rhoicosphenia curvata (Kütz.) Grun. ex Rabh., Cy. Pseudostelligera f. parva and Synedra ulna (Nitz.) Ehr. Both associations persisted throughout the year. Of the 83 taxa observed, 51 were common to both assemblages, 24 were restricted to the epipelon, and 8 were restricted to the epilithon. On a yearly basis, the epipelic assemblage exhibited less diversity (H') than the epilithon, even though the latter exhibited fewer taxa. The use of mean diversity values was also determined to be unacceptable. Cy. Pseudostelligera f. parva and S. ulna appeared more abundant under high light intensity and duration, Fragilaria construens var. venter (Ehr.) Grun. favored low light intensity and duration, whereas A. linearis, R. curvata and Co. placentula var. lineata were tolerant of a variety of intensities and durations. On a yearly basis, both assemblages exhibited slight similarity (SIMI, DI). The use of SIMI values for comparing assemblages with few highly abundant taxa was determined to be unacceptable and under these conditions, the use of DI was recommended.     

Spatial distribution of benthic algae in the Gangqu River,Shangrila, China

This study consisted of sampling benthic algae at 32 sites in the Gangqu River, an important upstream tributary of the Yangtze River. Our aims were to characterize the benthic algae communities and relationships with environmental variables. Among the 162 taxa observed, Achnanthes linearis and Achnanthes lanceolata var. elliptica were the dominant species (17.10% and 14.30% of the total relative abundance, respectively). Major gradients and principal patterns of variation within the environmental variables were detected by principal component analysis (PCA). Then non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMS) divided all the sites into three groups, which were validated by multi-response permutation procedures (MRPP). Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated that three environmental variables (TN, TDS, and TP) significantly affected the distribution of benthic algae. Weighted averaging regression and cross-calibration produced strong models for predicting TN and TDS concentration, which enabled selection of algae taxa as potentially sensitive indicators of certain TN and TDS levels: for TN, Achnanthes lanceolata, Achnanthes lanceolata var. elliptica, and Cymbella ventricosa var. semicircularis; for TDS, Cocconeis placentula, Cymbella alpina var. minuta, and Fragilaria virescens. The present study represents an early step in establishing baseline conditions. Further monitoring is suggested to gain a better understanding of this region.     

Diatom Succession and Interaction in Littoral Periphyton and Plankton

Periphyton and plankton samples were collected at four littoral stations in a relatively shallow, eutrophic lake (Elk Lake, B.C., Canada) over a six month period from August 1967 to January 1968. The most abundant planktonic diatoms demonstrated a pattern of seasonal succession typical of temperate lakes, and all were present in the periphyton. This pattern was identical at all stations:Fragilaria crotonensis was dominant from August to October,Asterionella formosa in November and December, andMelosira italica (plusM. varians) in January.F. virescens, although never dominant, peaked in October. Periphyton communities were dominated byAchnanthes minutissima, Cocconeis placentula, F. crolonensis andF. virescens. Considerable station variation in successional patterns occurred over different exposure periods; station differences were least in those samples immersed for monthly intervals, and greatest in those immersed for a cumulative four-month period. Interaction between the phytoplankton and periphyton was illustrated by the occurrence of species common to both habitats. A decrease in cell numbers and percent abundance of these species in planktonic populations coincided with their increase in the periphyton, a relationship which appeared dependent on the breakdown of thermal stratification in November. For example, following turnover,F. crotonensis andA. formosa settled out of the plankton and correspondingly increased in percent abundance in the periphyton. This interdependence was less evident in the four-month samples, whereA. minutissima andC. placentula dominated throughout the entire period and appeared to out-compete the more typical planktonic components for diminishing substrate area. Species interaction or competition was accentuated as exposure duration and periphyton total cell standing crops increased and species diversity decreased, and appeared to account in part, for station differences in successional patterns.     

A NUTRITIONAL ANALYSIS OF A SUBLITTORAL DIATOM ASSEMBLAGE EPIPHYTIC ON ENTEROMORPHA FROM A LONG ISLAND SALT MARSH1,2

The diatom population structure of a salt marsh epiphytic community growing on Enteromorpha intestinalis was studied at one station throughout the summer. A total of 218 species or varieties were recognized. Six species— Fragilaria construens, Cocconeis scutellum, Cocconeis placentula, Achnanthes hauckiana varieties, Achnanthes pinnata, and Amphora coffeaeformis (var. acutiuscula)–dominated the Enteromorpha epiphytic community during the summer months and comprised ∼ 40% of the total populations. Melosira nummuloides, Opephora martyi, Synedra fasiculata var. tabulata, S. affinis, Navicula platyventris, and N. pavillardi were also very common species (13% of the total population). The distribution of many species in the community was seasonal. A series of differential media have been developed which are effective as tools for the isolation and nutritional characterization of the algae and bacteria from the community. Many diatom species can be recognized by their colony type or growth pattern on solidified media. A key and illustrated plates aid in identification. Changes in population structure of the community were reflected by changes in the nutritional patterns as judged by differences in the growth of diatoms and bacteria on the differential media tested. The nutritional requirements, selectivity, and rank order of media for individual species is given. Almost half of the colony types (32–33) grew on either unenriched seawater from the collection site or basal synthetic seawater. Erdschreiber was a poorer medium for the isolation of algae than seawater alone. Few algal colonies grew on either marine nutrient agar or trypticase soy agar. Nitrite inhibited algal growth. Media enriched with thiamine, biotin, or nitrate, phosphate, and B₁₂ were stimulatory. Soil extract or an acetone extract of Enteromorpha tripled growth; a complex vitamin mixture, or glycerol, or mannitol, or an autoclaved extract of Enteromorpha doubled colony numbers. The greatest numbers of diatom types (43) and total colonies (655) were recovered on media enriched with acetone extract of Enteromorpha, suggesting a possible nutritional relationship between Enteromorpha and its epiphytes. The representativeness of the isolations from the natural community as a function of time was also considered. Concentrations of selected dissolved potential growth-stimulating nutrients were measured within and external to Enteromorpha communities. We conclude that the algal assemblage growing epiphytically on Enteromorpha intestinalis has a diverse auxotrophic profile which contributes to the productivity and stability within this important component of the epiphytic community and that much of the organic substrates used by individual species originate within and are recycled among the community members.     

High Power Factors of Thermoelectric Colusites Cu26T2Ge6S32 (T = Cr,Mo, W): Toward Functionalization of the Conductive “Cu–S” Network

The introduction of hexavalent T⁶⁺ cations in p‐type thermoelectric colusites Cu₂₆T₂Ge₆S₃₂ (T = Cr, Mo, W) leads to the highest power factors among iono‐covalent sulfides, ranging from 1.17 mW m^?1 K^?2 at 700 K for W to a value of 1.94 mW m^?1 K^?2 for Cr. In Cu₂₆Cr₂Ge₆S₃₂, ZT reaches values close to unity at 700 K. The improvement of the transport properties in these new sulfides is explained on the basis of electronic structure and transport calculations keeping in mind that the relaxation time is significantly influenced by the size and the electronegativity of the interstitial T cation. The rationale is based on the concept of a conductive “Cu–S” network, which in colusites corresponds to the more symmetric parent structure sphalerite. A detailed structural analysis of these colusites shows that the distortion of the conductive network is influenced by the presence in the structure of mixed octahedral–tetrahedral [TS₄]Cu₆ complexes where the T cations are underbonded to sulfur and form metal–metal interactions with copper, Cu–T distances decreasing from 2.76 Å for W to 2.71 Å for Cr. The interactions between these complexes are responsible for the outstanding electronic transport properties. By contrast, the thermal conductivity is not significantly affected.