珠江口南沙河涌浮游植物群落结构时空变化及其与环境因子的关系

随着城市生态健康理念的提出,城市河涌生态健康也受到了前所未有的关注。为更好的了解河涌的水环境和浮游植物现状,于2015年3月至2016年2月对珠江口南沙河涌8个站位水环境和浮游植物群落结构进行调查。结果显示:共发现浮游植物164种(属),隶属7门73属,其中以绿藻种类最多,达33属79种,占48.17%;硅藻次之,17属41种,占25%。优势种为梅尼小环藻(Cyclotella meneghiniana)、假鱼腥藻属(Pseudanabaena sp.)和小球藻(Chlorella vulgaris)。浮游植物细胞密度在0.19×10~6—101.34×10~6个/L内变动,呈现单峰型,在4月发生拟菱形弓形藻(Schroederia nitzschioides)水华,14涌密度高达87.38×10~6个/L,随后因强降雨细胞密度骤降。浮游植物群落的季节演替基本符合PEG(Plankton Ecology Group)模型,从冬季的硅藻,到春夏季的绿藻,再到秋季的蓝藻。One-way ANOVA分析显示,各月份浮游植物细胞密度差异显著(P0.01)。Pearson相关性分析表明绿藻细胞丰度变化主导着浮游植物总丰度的变化(r=0.454,P0.01)。运用Margalef物种丰富度指数、Shannon物种多样性指数、Pielou均匀度指数对水体进行评价表明,调查水体呈中度污染。相关加权营养状态指数表明,河涌全年处于富营养化状态。浮游植物聚类分析表明,时间异质性较高,总体相似性较低;空间上相似性较高,人为活动可能是导致空间差异的关键因子。冗余分析显示,叶绿素a、溶解氧、盐度、水温、总氮和p H与浮游植物群落结构关系最为密切。p H对硅藻门浮游植物影响较大,碱性条件适宜直链藻生长,春季水华形成的驱动因子是盐度、温度和总氮。     

Effects of the halocline on water quality and phytoplankton composition in a shallow brackish lake (Lake Obuchi, Japan)

The relationships of the halocline to both water quality and phytoplankton composition in Lake Obuchi, a shallow brackish lake in northern Japan, were investigated from April 2001 to December 2004. The halocline in this lake became stronger in summer (July–September, mean maximum density gradient 4.3–5.8 ρ_tm⁻¹) but weaker in spring, fall, and winter (1.9–3.3 ρ_tm⁻¹). Although the difference in water quality between the upper and lower layers separated by the halocline was high in summer, nutrients (PO₄³⁻-P and NH₄⁺-N) were eluted from the bottom sediment as levels of dissolved oxygen decreased in the bottom layer because of the strong stratification caused by the halocline formed over the long term. Moreover, phytoplankton taxa composition also differed between the upper and lower layers in summer, but was similar in other seasons. The dominant phytoplankton taxa in the upper layer in summer were Skeletonema costatum and Cyclotella spp., whereas in the lower layer, Gymnodinium spp. (Dinophyceae) and Chlorophyceae, which prefer eutrophic and low dissolved oxygen conditions, dominated. This suggests that the halocline was related to differentiations in both water quality and ecosystem components between the upper and lower layers in the brackish lake water.     

Winter phytoplankton communities in different depths of three mesotrophic lakes (Łęczna-Włodawa Lakeland, Eastern Poland)

Phytoplankton samples were collected from three mesotrophic lakes: Piaseczno, Rogóźno and Krasne during winter seasons (from January to March). The samples were analyzed for species analysis and abundance of planktonic algae in relation to different depths of water column (0–7 m). Selected water physical-chemical parameters were also measured. Abundance of phytoplankton depended strongly on the thickness of snow and ice cover or mixing conditions. The maximal phytoplankton total number reached about 5 × 10⁶ ind. L⁻¹ beneath the clear ice in the Krasne Lake, minimal numbers were recorded under the thick snow and ice layers in the Piaseczno Lake (2 × 10³ ind. L⁻¹). The winter phytoplankton communities were dominated by flagellates principally cryptomonads (Cryptomonas spp. Rhodomonas minuta), euglenophytes (Trachelomonas volvocina, T. volvocinopsis), dinoflagellates (Peridinium bipes, Gymnodinium helveticum) and chrysophytes (Mallomonas elongata, M. akrokomos, Dinobryon sociale) or non-motile small species of blue-green algae (e.g. Rhabdoderma lineare, Limnothrix redekei), diatoms (Stephanodiscus spp., Asterionella formosa), and green algae (e.g. Scenedesmus spp., Monoraphidium spp.). Phytoplankton abundance and structure showed differentiation during the winter season and along the water column as well.     

Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Dissolved Inorganic Nutrients and Phytoplankton in Mida Creek,Kenya

The spatial and temporal distributions of dissolved inorganic nutrients were investigated between May 1996 and April 1997 in Mida Creek, a mangrove area along the north coast region of Kenya. The nutrient levels of pore water from boreholes/wells within the surrounding area of the creek were also investigated for comparison. In addition, phytoplankton distribution in Mida Creek was assessed in three stations within the creek in order to determine the structure and succession stages of the phytoplankton community and to provide an indication of the status of primary productivity of the creek. Measurements carried out within the creek revealed that the mean concentration ranges for NH₄⁺ –N, (NO ₂⁻ + NO₃⁻)−N, PO₄³⁻ −P and SiO₃²⁻ −Si were: 0.002–5.45; 0.12–5.63; 0.10–0.58 and 1.31–81.36 μM, respectively. For the case of boreholes/wells found in the surrounding area, their respective nutrient levels were found to lie in the ranges 0.4–907.0; 16.7–4897.0; 1.09–22.39 and 83.9–596.0 μM. A total of 295 species of phytoplankton belonging to 78 genera were identified with great temporal variability in abundance in all the stations sampled. The most dominant algal members in the Creek included Chaetoceros spp., Chroococcus limneticus and Oscillatoria spp. The diversity values recorded were indicative of mesotrophic conditions. The highest nutrient concentration levels within the creek were measured during the wet season as compared to dry season and this trend closely corresponded with that of the phytoplankton productivity. However, no significant variation ( p > 0.05) was found in all cases with respect to the tidal cycles. On the contrary, diurnal nutrient concentrations especially in areas with high flooding duration (>12 h) were found to be highest during the dry season as opposed to wet season for all nutrients except for SiO₃²⁻. The relatively high nutrient laden groundwater outflow into the creek water, coupled with surface runoff events during wet season, are the two main factors responsible for the elevated nutrients in the creek waters in the absence of river inflow into the creek.     

2021-2022年春、秋季嵊泗列岛浮游植物群落状况及长期变化特征

为更好地了解嵊泗列岛海域在人类活动和气候变暖影响下的生态现状以及变化特征,于2020年秋季和2021年春季在该海域进行了浮游植物的拖网与水样采集及环境要素分析。水采样品中共检出浮游植物6门54属105种。其中,硅藻33属68种,甲藻14属30种,蓝藻、金藻和隐藻各2属2种,绿藻1属1种。春、秋季浮游植物主要优势种为骨条藻(Skeletonema spp.),并在秋季占据绝对优势(Y=0.975)。春季平均细胞丰度[(7.17±7.78)个/mL]明显低于秋季[(77.23±73.44)个/mL]。春季Shannon-Wiener多样性指数和Pielou均匀度指数均高于秋季。Spearman相关分析表明,浮游植物丰度与水温和透明度呈显著正相关,与盐度呈显著负相关。冗余分析显示,浮游植物群落组成与水温、营养盐密切相关。网采样品中共检出浮游植物4门46属94种,硅藻占比最大;春、秋季平均细胞丰度分别为838.17×10³和19406.43×10³个/m³。与水样相比,骨条藻仍为主要优势种,且优势度更高;网采获得的秋季多样性指数和均匀度指数(分别为0.23和0.05)低于水采(分别为0.38和0.10)。将本次网采结果与1990年、2007年调查资料对比发现,嵊泗列岛春、秋季浮游植物群落组成发生了明显改变:丰度明显升高,硅甲藻占比无明显变化,暖水种种类数明显增加,骨条藻优势地位增强,多样性指数和均匀度指数下降。这可能与变暖与富营养化加剧相关。近30年来,溶解无机氮在春季无显著变化,但在秋季显著升高;活性磷酸盐浓度在春、秋季均显著降低;氮磷比在春、秋季均显著升高。浮游植物的变化特征较好地指示了嵊泗列岛海域在富营养化和气候变暖下的生态环境变化。     

Variation of the phytoplankton community across the subtropical convergence zone in the west pacific sector of the southern ocean during early austral Summer 1995/6

Phytoplankton of the Southern Ocean, 140–148°E and 40–53°S, was sampled from early austral summer Nov. 1995 to Dec. 1995 to examine cell abundance, cell volume and biomass (cell carbon) distribution across the fronts. A total of 90 phytoplankton taxa were identified. They were 50 diatoms, 37 dinoflagellates, 2 silicoflagellates, and 1 prymnesiophyte. 73 species were observed from north of the subtropical convergence zone and 71 species from south of the subtropical convergence zone.Pseudonitzschia spp. was the most widely distributed species. Nanoplankton predominated cell number of phytoplankton throughout the stations. The abundance of diatoms was higher than that of dinofiagellates. Total biomass profiles were dependent to microphytoplankton biomass. Maximum cell number and biomass were observed from subsurface layer. Phytoplankton community changed across the subtropical convergence zone and 50–53°S (antarctic convergence zone), and physicoehemical factors seem to controll the distribution.     

Possible cause of allergy for the librarians: books manipulation and ventilation as sources of fungus spores spreading

The objective of this study was to investigate the airborne viable spore concentrations and identify the fungal species in all indoor spaces from the lending library at the Technical University “Gheorghe Asachi” Iaşi, Romania. Samples were collected using the settle plate method and swab samples from PC cooler fan grids as well as from the wall in it’s vicinity and from paper/wood fragments. There were no air conditioning systems in the library rooms. The heating systems were standard with an environmental temperature of 20°C in winter, except for the storage area of old/rare books stacks II, where the temperature was below 15°C and the humidity was very high due to water infiltrations in the walls and poor maintenance. More than 296 fungal colonies from over 78 samples were identified, enumerated, and reported. Indoor airborne fungal spore deposition rates were within the range of 419–1,677 CFU/m², with the predominance of genera being Aspergillus spp., Penicillium spp., Cladosporium spp., Alternaria spp. and Chaetomium spp. Approximately ten fungal colonies could not be identified. The PC fans move particles from the low levels (floor) to the air, and are thus responsible for maintaining a constant air velocity and contribute to fungal-spore aerosolization, transport, deposition and resuspension. Book paper and wood furniture are known to be suitable substrates for cellulose degrading fungi.     

3种不同营养水平的河流浮游植物群落结构及其与环境因子的相关性

为了更好地了解人类活动干扰下,河流水质和浮游植物群落结构的变化情况以及河流生态系统的演变过程,于2019年6月对贵州境内3种不同营养类型的河流（锦江河、湘江河和南明河）进行调查。研究了3条河流的理化因子、浮游植物种类组成及密度,结合冗余分析（RDA）研究了它们之间的关系,并应用聚类分析法研究3条河流浮游植物的空间分布特征。结果表明：水体富营养化程度排序为南明河>湘江河>锦江河,3条河流的综合营养指数分别为61.76、48.76和36.05。锦江河共有浮游植物6门19属21种,其中硅藻门种类最多,占总种数的57.14%;湘江河共有浮游植物6门34属43种,其中硅藻门和绿藻门种类最多,分别占总种数的41.86%和37.21%;南明河共有浮游植物6门32属46种,其中硅藻门和绿藻门种类最多,分别占总种数的39.13%和32.61%,锦江河、湘江河、南明河水体中浮游植物细胞数的平均值分别为12.66×10⁵、38.66×10⁵、132.61×10⁵个/L。浮游植物细胞密度与溶解氧呈显著正相关（P<0.05）,浮游植物细胞密度与电导率、溶解性总固体、盐度、总氮、总磷、氨氮、硝酸盐氮也呈显著正相关（P<0.01）。锦江河的电导率、盐度、溶解性总固体和营养盐含量最低,南明河的最高。此外,聚类分析显示3条河流的浮游植物群落按结构特征可分为两大类。这表明,随着人类活动的加强,河流的电导率、盐度、溶解性总固体、营养盐含量升高,浮游植物的细胞密度增加,其群落结构会由硅藻门占优势,逐渐转变为蓝藻门占优势。     

Seasonal dynamics and grazing rate of zooplankton in Yueqing Bay, China

The species composition, biomass, abundance, and species diversity of zooplankton were determined for samples collected from August 2002 to May 2003 from 14 stations in Yueqing Bay, China. Phytoplankton growth rate and microzooplankton grazing rate were obtained by using the dilution method developed by Landry and Hassett. The spatial and temporal variations of zooplankton and its relationship with environmental factors were also analyzed. The results showed that the zooplankton in the Yueqing Bay could be divided into four ecotypes, namely coastal low saline species, estuary brackish water species, offshore warm water species, and eurytopic species. A total of 75 species of zooplankton belonging to 56 genera and 17 groups of pelagic larva were identified in the Yueqing Bay. The coastal low saline species was the dominant ecotype in the study area, and the dominant species were Labidocera euchaeta, Acartia pacifica, Acrocalanus gibber, Pseudeuphausia sinica, and Sagitta bedoti among others. There was considerable seasonal variation in zooplankton biomass and abundance in the surveyed areas. The peak biomass appeared in August, descending in November and in May, and the lowest biomass appeared in February. Similarly, the highest abundance of zooplankton was observed in August, with the abundance descending in the following months: May, November, and February. There were similar horizontal distribution patterns for the biomass and the abundance of zooplankton. They both increased from the upper to the lower bay in February and May, but decreased from the upper to the lower bay in August. Biomass and abundance were evenly distributed in the Yueqing Bay in November. Moreover, there was marked seasonal variation in the species diversity of zooplankton, which conformed to the abundance of zooplankton. Results of the dilution experiments indicated that there was grazing pressure of microzooplankton on phytoplankton in the Yueqing Bay throughout the year though the rate of microzooplankton grazing on phytoplankton varied seasonally. Phytoplanktons were growing at 0.26–2.07/d and grazed by microzooplankton at a rate of 0.15–0.48/d in different seasons. __________ Translated from Acta Ecologica Sinica, 2005, 25(8): 1853–1862 [译自: 生态学报, 2005, 25(8): 1853–1862]     

Taxonomic revision of the genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Orloffia</Emphasis> (Nematoda: Ostertagiinae) based on an ITS-2 rDNA study

A comparative study of ITS-2 rDNA of the nematodes of the genera Orloffia, Ostertagia, Teladorsagia, and Trichostrongylus was performed. The obtained results allow us to consider Orloffia, Ostertagia, and Teladorsagia as closely related but distinct genera. The results of the study indicate that O. bisonis is the only valid species in the genus Orloffia, which has two morphologically distinct forms of males: O. bisonis (major morph) and O. kasakhstanica (minor morph). The percentage of similarity of ITS-2 sequences was 83.3–84.5% between Orloffia spp. and Ostertagia ostertagi, 84.9–86.1% between Orloffia spp. and Teladorsagia circumcincta, and 73.8–74.6% between Orloffia spp. and Trichostrongylus colubriformis.     

The larval retreat and feeding net of macronema carolina banks (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae)

Larvae of the caddisfly Macronema carolina, which is widely distributed in the eastern United States, construct chambers on and in the bark and outermost wood of submerged tree limbs in large streams. Each chamber consists of two main parts, a feeding chamber and a larval retreat. A feeding net 10–11 mm² in area is spun diagonally across the inside of the open ended, tubular feeding chamber, the anterior end of which opens directly into the current. This feeding net has a very fine mesh with openings of approximately 5 × 40 μ and is used to strain microseston (fine particulate organic matter, phytoplankton and bacteria) upon which the larva grazes while situated in a retreat opening into the side of the feeding chamber. This larval retreat has a small opening posteriorly which is apparently used as an exit for feces and water passing over the gills. We propose that the Holarctic distribution of Macronema spp., as inhabiting large streams, may be influenced more by feeding habits of the species, than the conventional water quality parameters often used by aquatic biologists to account for distribution. This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (U.S.A.). This research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (U.S.A.).     

Phytoplankton dynamics and structure: a comparative analysis in natural and man-made water bodies of different trophic state

Previous investigations on Sicilian man made lakes suggested that physical factors, along with the specific morphology and hydrology of the water body, are important in selecting phytoplankton species. In particular, the variations of the z _mix/z _eu ratio due to the operational procedure to which reservoirs are generally subject were recognised as a trigger allowing the assemblage shift. To investigate if these variations may be considered analogous to those occurring in natural lakes as trophic state and phytoplankton biomass increase, causing a transparency decrease and a contraction of the euphotic depth, phytoplankton were collected in two natural water bodies, one mesotrophic (Lake Biviere di Cesarò) the other eutrophic (Lake Soprano), and compared with those collected in two reservoirs with analogous trophic characteristics (Lake Rosamarina, mesotrophic and Lake Arancio, eutrophic). Particular attention was paid to the dynamics of two key groups: Cyanophytes and chlorophytes. In all four water bodies, transparency mainly depended on chlorophyll level. Annual average value of phytoplankton biomass in the mesotrophic environments was below 2.0 mg l^–1, whereas in the eutrophic systems it was well above 10 mg l^–1. All water bodies showed the presence of cyanophytes (e.g. Anabaena spp., Anabaenopsis spp., Microcystis spp., Planktothrix spp.) and chlorophytes (e.g. Chlamydomonas spp., Botryococcus spp., Oocystis spp., Scenedesmus spp., Pediastrum spp.), but their relative proportions and body size dimensions were different. In particular, small colonial chlorophytes and large-colony forming cyanophytes were most common in the most eutrophic water bodies, whereas larger colonies of green algae in those with a lower trophic state. The results showed that, under the same climatic conditions, autogenic (increase of biomass, decrease in light penetration and euphotic depth) and allogenic (use of the stored waters, anticipated breaking of the thermocline, increase of the mixing depth) processes may shift the structure of phytoplankton assemblage in the same direction even though the quantity of biomass remains linked to nutrient availability.     

Spring phytoplankton assemblages in the Southern Ocean between Australia and Antarctica

Variations of phytoplankton assemblages were studied in November–December 2001, in surface waters of the Southern Ocean along a transect between the Sub-Antarctic Zone (SAZ) and the Seasonal Ice Zone (SIZ; 46.9°–64.9°S; 142°–143°E; CLIVAR-SR3 cruise). Two regions had characteristic but different phytoplankton assemblages. Nanoflagellates(<20 μm) and pico-plankton (∼2 μm) occurred in similar concentrations along the transect, but were dominant in the SAZ, Sub-Antarctic Front (SAF), Polar Front Zone (PFZ) and the Inter-Polar Front Zone (IPFZ), (46.9°–56.9°S). Along the entire transect their average cell numbers in the upper 70 m of water column, varied from 3 × 10⁵ to 1.1 × 10⁶ cells l⁻¹. Larger cells (>20 μm), diatoms and dinoflagellates, were more abundant in the Antarctic Zone-South (AZ-S) and the SIZ, (60.9°–64.9°S). In AZ-S and SIZ diatoms ranged between 2.7 × 10⁵ and 1.2 × 10⁶ cells l⁻¹, dinoflagellates from 3.1 × 10⁴ to 1.02 × 10⁵ cells l⁻¹. A diatom bloom was in progress in the AZ-S showing a peak of 1.8 × 10⁶ cells l⁻¹. Diatoms were dominated by Pseudo-nitzschia spp., Fragilariopsis spp., and Chaetoceros spp. Pseudo-nitzschia spp. outnumbered other diatoms in the AZ-S. Fragilaropsis spp. were most numerous in the SIZ. Dinoflagellates contained autotrophs (e.g. Prorocentrum) and heterotrophs (Gyrodinium/Gymnodinium, Protoperidinium). Diatoms and dinoflagellates contributed most to the cellular carbon: 11–25 and 17–124 μg C l⁻¹, respectively. Small cells dominated in the northern region characterized by the lowest N-uptake and new production of the transect. Larger diatom cells were prevalent in the southern area with higher values of N-uptake and new production. Diatom and nanoflagellate cellular carbon contents were highly correlated with one another, with primary production, and productivity related parameters. They contributed up to 75% to the total autotrophic C biomass. Diatom carbon content was significantly correlated to nitrate uptake and particle export, but not to ammonium uptake, while flagellate carbon was well correlated to ammonium uptake, but not to export. Diatoms have contributed highly to particle export along the latitudinal transect, while flagellates played a minor role in the export.     

Variations in the microalgal structure in paddy soil in Osaka, Japan: comparison between surface and subsurface soils

Seasonal variations in microalgal communities were compared between surface and subsurface paddy soils in Osaka, Japan. Soil samples were collected from depths of 0–1 (surface), 8–9, and 17–18 cm. Diatom cells were counted directly, and the numbers of other microalgae were estimated using a culture method. The microalgal community as well as the soil properties changed drastically in the surface soil as a consequence of alternate flooding and drainage. In the soil collected at a depth of 0–1 cm, the cell density of diatoms and the viable count of other microalgae markedly increased, and Chlorella spp., Nitzschia spp., and Navicula spp. were predominant during the flooding period, whereas Scenedesmus spp. and Hantzschia spp. were predominant during the drainage period. In contrast, in the soils collected at depths of 8–9 and 17–18 cm, the cell density of diatoms and the viable count of other microalgae remained constant. Despite the unavailability of light, a large number of microalgae were present in these subsurface soils throughout the annual cultivation cycle, and Scenedesmus spp. and Nitzschia spp. were always dominant. Cyanophytes were also present at all the depths but had low relative frequencies. These results suggest that the algae that are predominant in paddy soil can survive not only drastic changes in water content but also complete darkness.     

Early Silurian (Telychian) rugose coral fauna of Daguan area, northeast Yunnan province, China

Study on rugose coral fauna of the Sifengya Formation (early Telychian) and Daluzhai Formation (mid-late Telychian) in Daguan area, northeast Yunnan Province, China was carried out. Rugose coral fauna of the Sifengya Formation included 18 genera and 34 species, while Daluzhai Formation with nine genera, ten species. We described rugose coral fauna (12 genera, 19 species) including one new genus and five new species, i.e. Protoketophyllum daguanense gen. et sp. nov., Crassilasma huanggexiense sp. nov., Pseudophaulactis heae sp. nov., P. convolutus sp. nov., and Shensiphyllum minor sp. nov. The characteristics and geological significance of rugose coral fauna of Sifengya Formation and Daluzhai Formation were analyzed. Particularly, rugose coral fauna of the Sifengya Formation represent early Telychian rugosan fauna in the Upper Yangtze region and improve the sequences of early Silurian (Llandovery) rugose coral assemblages in Yangtze region. It is therefore very meaningful to further analyze radiation period of rugose coral fauna in such epoch. __________ Translated from Acta Palaeontologica Sinica, 2005, 44(2): 229–246 [译自: 古生物学报, 2005, 44(2): 229–246]     

Variability of nutrients and phytoplankton biomass in a shallow brackish water ecosystem (Chilika Lagoon, India)

Seasonal and spatial variations in water quality parameters, such as nutrients [NH₄ ⁺–N, NO₂⁻–N, NO₃⁻–N, PO₄³⁻–P, total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP)], Secchi disc depth, salinity, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll a, primary productivity and phytoplankton standing stock, were studied in Chilika Lagoon (from 27 sampling locations) during 2001–2003 to assess the present ecological status. The study was undertaken after a major hydrological intervention in September 2000, which connected the lagoon body and the Bay of Bengal via a manmade opening (new mouth). Current and old data on water quality were also compared to establish the changes that had occurred after the hydrological intervention. Multivariate techniques and gridding methods were used to investigate the spatial and seasonal variability of the data and to characterize the trophic evolution of the basin. Results of principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that the 27 stations can be classified into five groups based on similarities in the temporal variation of nutrients, chlorophyll a concentration, salinity, and other physicochemical parameters. The tributaries and the exchange of lagoon water with the Bay of Bengal most probably determine the water quality and the dynamics of the ecosystem. Hydrodynamics of the lagoon, weed coverage, input of urban sewage through tributaries and agricultural runoff are probably the key factors controlling the trophic conditions of the lagoon. An increase in salinity and total phosphorus was noted after the new mouth was opened, while the total suspended sediment load, the water column depth, and nitrogenous nutrients decreased. The new mouth opening also brought changes in the phytoplankton species composition.     

Dynamic of phytoplankton size-class and photosynthetic activity in a tropical hypereutrophic lake: the Yaounde municipal lake (Cameroon)

This study carried out within the framework of a multi-disciplinary project, aimed at highlighting the fundamental processes governing the functioning of the hypertrophic Yaoundé Municipal Lake. It was based on the hypothesis that, even within a small range of lake trophic status, important variations can occur in the species composition, biomass and photosynthetic activity of the phytoplankton size-fractions. For this purpose, samples were taken at weekly intervals from November 1996 to December 1997 at a fixed set of depths in the water column. Spatial-temporal fluctuations of some physical–chemical variables, associated with biological variables such as phytoplankton size-class species composition, phytoplankton size-class biomass, phytoplankton primary production and chlorophyll-a were analysed. The water transparency was low and rarely exceeded 100 cm. Conductivity values relatively higher increased generally from the top to the lake bottom. The oxygen deficiency, and sometimes anoxia, recorded from 2.5 m depth resulted in high quantities of ammonium nitrogen. Total phosphorus and total Kjeldahl nitrogen concentrations were characteristics of hypertrophic lakes. The fertility of this biotope favoured the development of a high phytoplanktonic community with remarkable physiological adaptations to the variations of the nutritive potentials of the lake, characterized by the size-structure of these organisms. Cells of small size (<12 μm) contributed up to 11.42% of the total phytoplanktonic biomass. Species with average size (12–45 μm), dominated by Chlamydomonas spp., represented a more significant contribution reaching up to 69.85%, whereas the cells of big size (>45 μm), mainly Euglenophyta, maintained the relatively most important biomass, accounting for up to 89.85% of the total phytoplanktonic biomass. Chlorophyll-a concentrations are among the highest reported for both fresh water and sea water, being a consequence of high proportions of Chlorophyta and Euglenophyta. This led to intense phytoplanktonic photosynthetic activity which continued throughout the year, even though it was confined to the upmost first meter of the water column. Analyses pointed out the allogenic nature of the functioning of this urban lake ecosystem, due to a poor waste management on the surrounding landscape. Handling editor: J. Padisak     

Seasonal correlations of elemental and ω3 PUFA composition of seston and dominant phytoplankton species in a eutrophic Siberian Reservoir

The elemental and fatty acid composition of seston was studied for 3 years, from May to October, in a small Reservoir. Under comparatively low C:P ratio, multivariate canonical analysis revealed no straightforward simple correlations between phosphorus and single ω3 PUFA species, but complex significant interaction between elemental composition (stoichiometry) of seston and total sestonic ω3 PUFA as a whole. Since sestonic C, P and N were found to originate mostly from phytoplankton, the contents of particulate elements and PUFA were attributed to single species in periods of their pronounced dominance. Phytoplankton species of genera of Stephanodiscus, Peridinium, Gomphosphaeria, Planktothrix and Anabaena in periods of their pronounced dominance had relatively constant species-specific elemental and PUFA composition. Phytoplankton species significantly differed in their elemental and PUFA composition, as well as in ratios of C:N, N:P, PUFA:P and partly C:P that indicate food quality for zooplankton. Hence, there were no phytoplankton species of clearly high or low nutritional value. All of phytoplankters, or at least detritus, that originated from them, may meet specific elemental and biochemical requirements of specific groups of zooplankton. Dividing phytoplankton on basis of their elemental and biochemical composition, i.e., nutrition quality, into large taxa (cyanobacteria, diatoms, etc.) appeared to be too coarse for assessing nutritional value for zooplankton.     

Field and experimental studies on the combined impacts of cyanobacterial blooms and small algae on crustacean zooplankton in a large,eutrophic, subtropical,Chinese lake

Field and experimental studies were conducted to evaluate the combined impacts of cyanobacterial blooms and small algae on seasonal and long-term changes in the abundance and community structure of crustacean zooplankton in a large, eutrophic, Chinese lake, Lake Chaohu. Seasonal changes of the crustacean zooplankton from 22 sampling stations were investigated during September 2002 and August 2003, and 23 species belonging to 20 genera were recorded. Daphnia spp. dominated in spring but disappeared in mid-summer, while Bosmina coregoni and Ceriodaphnia cornuta dominated in summer and autumn. Both maximum cladoceran density (310 ind. l⁻¹) and biomass (5.2 mg l⁻¹) appeared in autumn. Limnoithona sinensis, Sinocalanus dorrii and Schmackeria inopinus were the main species of copepods. Microcystis spp. were the dominant phytoplankton species and formed dense blooms in the warm seasons. In the laboratory, inhibitory effects of small colonial Microcystis on growth and reproduction of Daphnia carinata were more remarkable than those of large ones, and population size of D. carinata was negatively correlated with density of fresh large colonial Microcystis within a density range of 0–100 mg l⁻¹ (r = −0.82, P< 0.05). Both field and experimental results suggested that seasonal and long-term changes in the community structure of crustacean zooplankton in the lake were shaped by cyanobacterial blooms and biomass of the small algae, respectively, i.e., colonial and filamentous cyanobacteria contributed to the summer replacement of dominant crustacean zooplankton from large Daphnia spp. to small B. coregoni and C. cornuta, while increased small algae might be responsible for the increased abundance of crustacean zooplankton during the past decades.     

Phytoplankton of the Middle Paraná River During an Anomalous Hydrological Period: A Morphological and Functional Approach

The Paraná River mainstem was sampled monthly (November 1999–December 2000) in order to analyse phytoplankton structure and dynamics during a period of extreme low water discharge. Physiognomic groups, size fractions, taxonomic groups, species and Reynolds et al. [2002, Journal of Plankton Research, 24: 417–428] functional groups were studied in relation to environmental variables. The phytoplankton comprised an unusual development of small unicellular flagellates (1–20 mm), whereas large size algae such as the commonly recorded Aulacoseira were present with very low abundances. Groups Y (Cryptomonas spp.), X2 (Chlamydomonas spp., Rhodomonas minuta followed by a silicean chrysophyte) and D (Skeletonema cf. subsalsum and small centrics in minor proportion) dominated the phytoplankton community. Groups X2 and Y dominated at drought phase (November–December 1999). During the coupling of increasing waters and high-suspended solids (February–May 2000) minimum abundance was exhibited. The highest densities were registered during mid-waters (Y, D, X2) when a constant river-floodplain feedback occurred (September–December). The connectivity between the main channel and its alluvial valley, and their interaction resulting from the regular alternation of hydrological fluctuations, play a steering role in structuring the potamoplankton of large rivers. The multivariate RDA showed that water discharge and transparency highly explained a significant proportion of the functional groups variation. The functional classification is proposed as a useful approach in reconstructing the phytoplankton community. The differences in structure from the typically described potamoplankton for the Paraná were maintained throughout the study period. The perseverance of the community changes that occurred during the drought depends, in part, on the persistence and magnitude of this anomalous phase.