Impact of seasonal changes in stream metabolism on nitrate concentrations in an urban stream

Nitrate (NO₃ ^?) dynamics in urban streams differ from many natural streams due to stormwater runoff, sewage inputs, decreased groundwater discharge, often limited hyporheic exchange, increased primary productivity, and limited carbon input. We investigated NO₃ ^? dynamics in a first-order urban stream in Syracuse, NY, which has urbanized headwaters and a geomorphologically natural downstream section. Twice-monthly water sampling, NO₃ ^? injection tests, NO₃ ^? isotopic analysis, filamentous algae mat density, and riparian shading were used to identify processes regulating NO₃ ^? dynamics in the stream over a 12-month period. The urban headwater reach had low NO₃ ^? (0.006–0.2 mg N/L) in the spring through fall, with a minimum uptake length of 900 m, no canopy cover, and high algae mat density. The downstream natural reach (100% canopy cover during the summer and low algae mat density) had nitrate concentrations between 0.6 and 1.2 mg N/L from winter to summer, which decreased during autumn leaf-off. In the urban reach, autotrophic uptake by filamentous green algae is a major NO₃ ^? sink in summer. In the natural reach, the addition of organic matter to the stream at leaf-off led to a decrease in NO₃ ^? concentration followed by an increase in NO₃ ^? concentration in winter as gross primary productivity decreased. This study shows that the balance between autotrophy and heterotrophy in urban streams is variable and depends on an interplay of drivers such as temperature, light, and carbon inputs that are mediated by the riparian ecosystem.     

Hydrocarbon accumulation in freshwater sediments of an urban catchment

The top and bottom of two sediment cores collected from an urban receiving basin in NW London, and stormwater samples from the attendant catchment, have been analysed for their hydrocarbon content. In surface sediments, basal sediments and stormwater, total aliphatic hydrocarbon levels are 445–690 μg g⁻¹ dry wt., 43–224 μg g⁻¹ and 0.36–1.10 mg l⁻¹, respectively; and total levels of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are 780–1 100 μg g⁻¹, 310–640 μg g¹ and 5.83–18.21 mg l⁻¹, respectively. Biodegradation of aliphatics is assessed by phytane:n-C₁₈ and pristane: n-C₁₇ ratios. Hydrocarbon sources are determined from phytane: pristane ratios, odd: even carbon chain length ratios, the presence of an unresolved complex mixture, and by comparison of the amount of methyl-substituted PAH s with that of the parent compounds. Comparison of total levels between surface and basal sediments shows a 1 to 3 fold increase in total PAHs and a 3 to 10 fold increase in aliphatic hydrocarbons over a 120 year period.     

On the origin of neoblasts in freshwater planarians (Turbellaria)

Experiments on 1) regeneration of the cave-adapted planarian, Sphalloplana zeschi, 2) induction of sexuality in an asexual strain of Dugesia japonica japonica by feeding, and 3) culture of dissociated planarian cells, show that neoblasts originate from intestinal cells, i.e. phagocytic cells and granular clubs.     

Growth and survival of peritrich ciliates in an urban stream

Summary A computerized system was devised to trace the attachment, growth and disappearance of peritrich ciliates in an urban river. By tracing the development of each Carchesium polypinum colony in the river, it was possible to estimate the actual growth rate of this species without considering the effect of immigration. The survival and colonization rates of the colonies and individuals of solitary species could also be estimated. C. polypinum showed high growth rates (r=1.370 day^-1, doubling time 12.14 h). The number of daily colonizers also increased at a high rate, and the combination of growth and colonization caused very high population increase rates at the area level. Because of its low survivorship, the rate of Vorticella microstoma increase was much lower than previously reported. The survival of solitary species and small colonies was lower than with large colonies, and fewer new colonizers survived with the development of the attached microbial community.     

Evaluation of denitrification in an urban stream receiving wastewater effluent

Urban streams often contain elevated concentrations of nitrogen (N) which can be amplified in systems receiving effluent from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). In this study, we evaluated the importance of denitrification in a stream draining urban Greensboro, NC, USA, using two approaches: (1) natural abundance of ¹⁵N–NO₃⁻ in conjunction with background NO₃⁻–N concentrations along a 7 km transect downstream of a WWTP; and (2) C₂H₂ block experiments at three sites and at three habitat types within each site. Overall lack of a longitudinal pattern of δ¹⁵N–NO₃⁻ and NO₃⁻–N, combined with high concentrations of NO₃⁻–N suggested that other factors were controlling NO₃⁻–N flux in the study transect. However, denitrification did appear to be significant along one portion of the transect. C₂H₂ block experiments showed that denitrification rates were much higher downstream of the WWTP compared to upstream, and showed that denitrification rates were highest in erosional and depositional areas downstream of the WWTP and in erosional areas upstream of the plant. Thus, the combination of the two methods for evaluating denitrification provided more insight into the spatial dynamics of denitrification activity than either approach alone. Denitrification appeared to be a significant sink for NO₃⁻–N upstream of the WWTP, but not downstream. Approximately 46% of the total NO₃⁻–N load was removed via denitrification in the upstream, urban section of the stream, while only 2.3% of NO₃⁻–N was lost downstream of the plant. This result suggests that controlling NO₃⁻–N loading from the plant could result in considerable improvement of downstream water quality.     

Influence of urban tributaries on freshwater mussel populations in a biologically diverse piedmont (USA) stream

We investigated the distribution patterns of senescent and green leaf litter patches on a streambed to evaluate the hypothesis that the different immersion times of senescent leaves in long-term benthic storage and newly retained green leaves affect streambed distribution patterns in summer (June, July, and August). We counted all the leaf litter patches in the streambed of the study reach, comparing the physical condition of patches and classifying the trapping obstacles associated with each patch type. The distribution patterns of senescent and green leaf litter patches differed. Green leaf litter patches were more numerous at every sampling date, with most trapped by cobbles, whereas senescent leaf litter patches were retained by twig obstacles, backwaters, and cobbles. In June and July, senescent leaf litter patches were located in significantly deeper stream areas than were green leaf litter patches. The distribution of senescent leaves would be primarily determined during spring snowmelt-driven floods. We speculate that senescent leaves were originally located at the edges of pools in the main flow pathway of the channel, which overflowed in the floods. We conducted flume experiments to clarify the transport characteristics of senescent and green painted maple and manchurian alder leaves in the water column. Our hypothesis was that the transport characteristics of each leaf type differ when they first enter the water, because of differing leaf properties. The flume experiments showed that duration of surface flotation differed for senescent and green leaves and for the two tree species. These differences in the duration of leaves on the streambed and in the floating time of green leaves of different trees ensure varied food resources for macroinvertebrates in various physical conditions. Handling editor: B. Oertli     

中国淡水涡虫RAPD分析条件的优化（简报）

涡虫是动物界最早出现两侧对称、三胚层、营自由生活的扁形动物,也是由水生向陆生过渡的重要类群,因而在动物系统演化中占有重要地位。由于涡虫再生能力极强,因此成为研究细胞分化与去分化分子机理的理想材料,近百年来一直是国际动物学界热衷探索的研究领域之一。然而遗憾的是,我国动物学界从事涡虫研究者甚少,属于基础十分薄弱的     

Molecular phylogeny of land and freshwater planarians (Tricladida, Platyhelminthes): from freshwater to land and back

The suborder Tricladida (phylum Platyhelminthes) comprises the well-known free-living flatworms, taxonomically grouped into three infraorders according to their ecology: Maricola (marine planarians), Paludicola (freshwater planarians), and Terricola (land planarians). Molecular analyses have demonstrated that the Paludicola are paraphyletic, the Terricola being the sister group of one of the three paludicolan families, the Dugesiidae. However, neither 18S rDNA nor COI based trees have been able to resolve the relationships among species of Terricola and Dugesiidae, particularly the monophyly of Terricola. Here, we present new molecular data including sequences of nuclear genes (18S rDNA, 28S rDNA) and a mitochondrial gene (COI) of a wider sample of dugesiid and terricolan species. The new sequences have been analyzed, together with those previously obtained, in independent and concatenated analyses using maximum likelihood and bayesian methods. The results show that, although some parts of the trees remain poorly resolved, they support a monophyletic origin for Terricola followed by a likely return of some species to freshwater habitats. Relationships within the monophyletic group of Dugesiidae are clearly resolved, and relationships among some terricolan subfamilies are also clearly established and point to the need for a thorough revision of Terricola taxonomy.     

Evaluation of water quality of an urban stream in southeastern Brazil using Chironomidae larvae (Insecta: Diptera)

In order to estimate the water quality of S?o Pedro stream, through distribution and composition of Chironomidae larvae present in the sediment four sampling sites were selected. In each sampling site, three sediment samples were collected within a period of twelve months using the Petersen (0.0189 m2) and the van Veen (0.0518 m2) dredges. Samples were washed through a sieve with a 0.21 mm mesh and the collected organisms were sorted in transparent trays, with a light shine being reflected into the tray. The sites located in the greatest urban mesh showed high densities of the genus Chironomus and lower values for diversity, uniformity and taxa richness, in relation to sites located in a less urbanized area. A significant difference in density of Chironomidae larvae (p = 0.02; H = 5.89) was observed between the sites without domestic sewage effluents (site I) and those with the input of the effluents (sites II, III and IV). The Chironomidae larvae composition and the physical and chemical parameters were effective as indicators of the environmental alterations in S?o Pedro stream.     

Quantitative assessment of the genotoxicity of fecapentaenes

Fecapentaenes are a group of fecal mutagens of microbial origin isolated from human stools. Fecapentaene-12 (F-12) and fecapentaene-14 (F-14), differing only in two carbon atoms in the side chain, are glyceryl ethers with a highly reactive chromophoric aliphatic side chain incorporating a conjugated pentaene moiety. Although these compounds are known for their genotoxicity, no test systems have been developed to precisely assess their relative genotoxicity. In this study F-12 and F-14 were assayed for their genotoxicity using the SOS Chromotest in which the induction of beta-galactosidase in E. coli PQ37 was used as a quantitative measure of biological activity. The activity obtained with F-12 and F-14 was compared with that of 4-nitroquinoline oxide (4-NQO) as the reference standard of a direct acting mutagen. While F-14 was almost as active as 4-NQO, F-12 was only about 25% as active as F-14, the higher analog.     

Environmental heterogeneity limits the local dominance of an invasive freshwater crustacean

The impacts of an exotic species may vary along environmental gradients. We tested the hypothesis that site-specific heterogeneity in the physico–chemical environment alters the dominance of two competing amphipods: Gammarus fasciatus, the dominant native species in the upper St. Lawrence River, and Echinogammarus ischnus, a euryhaline Ponto-Caspian species that invaded the river in the late 1990s. E. ischnus has replaced G. fasciatus as the dominant amphipod at some sites, while remaining inferior at other sites—even several years after invasion. We tested the effect of water chemistry (conductivity) on the outcome of interactions between these two species in the laboratory and in the river in 2006 and 2007. Field experiments involved transplanting both species to different sites along a gradient of conductivity within the river, whereas the laboratory experiments examined interspecific predation in water collected from these sites. The laboratory experiments revealed that these species are mutual predators and their rate of predation on each other varies with conductivity; E. ischnus is the dominant predator at higher conductivity, while G. fasciatus dominates at lower conductivity. The field experiments showed interannual variation, but supported the lab results at high conductivity in 2006 and at low conductivity in 2007. E. ischnus was more sensitive than G. fasciatus to variation in conductivity, which apparently mediates this invader’s ability to replace or dominate the native species in a heterogeneous environment.     

Ecosystem metabolism and nutrient uptake in an urban,piped headwater stream

Piped streams, or streams that run underground, are often associated with urbanization. Despite the fact that they are ubiquitous in many urban watersheds, there is little empirical evidence regarding the ecological structure and function of piped stream reaches. This study measured ecosystem metabolism, nutrient uptake, and related characteristics of Pettee Brook—an urban stream that flows through several piped sections in Durham, New Hampshire, USA. Pettee Brook had high chloride and nutrient concentrations, low benthic biomass, and low rates of gross primary productivity (GPP), ecosystem respiration (ER), and nutrient uptake along its entire length during summer. Spring was a period of elevated biological activity, as increased light availability in the un-piped sections of the stream led to substantially higher GPP, ER, NH₄ uptake, and PO₄ uptake in these open reaches. Piped reaches of Pettee Brook were similar to open reaches in terms of water quality, dissolved O₂ concentration, temperature, and discharge. Piped reaches did, however, have significantly less light, shallower sediments, and no debris dams. The absence of light inhibited autotrophic activity in piped reaches, resulting in the complete loss of GPP as well as a significant reduction in benthic AFDM and chlorophyll a biomass. Heterotrophic activity in piped reaches was not impaired to the same extent as autotrophic activity. Reduced ER was observed in piped reaches during the summer, but we failed to find significantly lower DOC or nutrient uptake rates in piped reaches than in open reaches. Carbon consumption in piped reaches, which do not have significant autochthonous or allochthonous carbon replenishment, must rely primarily on upstream inputs of organic matter. These results suggest that although ecological conditions in piped streams may be degraded beyond the extent of other urban stream reaches, piped reaches may still sustain some measurable ecosystem function.     

Prediction and assessment of local stream habitat features using large-scale catchment characteristics

1. Knowledge of what a habitat should be like, in the absence of the effects of human activities, is fundamental to local stream habitat assessment. It has been suggested that stream habitats are influenced by large-scale catchment features. This study aimed to identify these relationships so that local-scale habitat features could be predicted from larger-scale characteristics.
2. Fifty-one reference sites from the Upper Murrumbidgee River catchment, south-eastern Australia, were classified on the basis of the local features of their stream habitat. Large-scale variables, namely catchment area, stream length, relief ratio, alkalinity, percentage of volcanic rocks, percentage of metasediments, dominant geology and dominant soil type, provided sufficient information for classifying 69% of reference sites into appropriate reference site groups.
3. A model created using these large-scale catchment variables was able to predict the local habitat features that were expected (E) to occur at a site in the absence of the effects of human activities. These were compared with observed (O) local habitat features to provide an observed-to-expected (O/E) ratio, an assessment score of the habitat at a site. The departure of this ratio from 1 enables identification of those sites that may be impacted. A list of habitat features that are expected at a site can provide targets for habitat restoration or enhancement.
4. For impacted sites, when habitat assessment from the habitat predictive model was compared with biological assessment from the Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS) predictive model, it was possible to identify whether habitat degradation or water quality degradation was the cause of biological impairment. Such assessment may make it possible to identify rehabilitation goals relevant to the biota.     

The fate of dead fish tagged with biotelemetry transmitters in an urban stream

Mortality is a key factor in understanding the population dynamics of fish. For studies using biotelemetry, missing individuals pose a challenge since the ultimate fate of both the animal and the tag are unknown. In this study, we document three releases of carcasses in a simulated small-scale summer fish kill in a small urban stream using juvenile white sucker (Catostomus commersonii). Passive integrated transponder (PIT) and radio tags were affixed to carcasses that were tracked to determine the fate of both the dead fish and the tags. Mean daily dispersal distances ranged from 0.0 to 7.6 m day^?1 and included downstream and lateral dispersal. Of the 44 radio-tagged carcasses, 26 tags (and presumably carcasses) were consumed by scavengers; the majority were consumed by snapping turtles (Chelydra serpentina) with fewer carcasses scavenged by great blue heron (Ardea herodias), raccoon (Procyon lotor) and muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus). We also contrasted the decomposition rates of in-stream carcasses with those experimentally placed on the riverbank and found that while there was no significant difference in the time to carcass evisceration, the rate of decomposition was more rapid in-stream compared to on-shore. Radio tag loss during the decomposition study was moderate (one of three lost); PIT tag loss occurred when carcasses became eviscerated, typically by invertebrates. By examining the role of scavengers, dispersal and decomposition, it is possible to understand the fate of dead fish, the fate of tags and role of mortality in tagging experiments and the connections between stream and riparian habitats and organisms. This information will help inform the interpretation of potential mortalities in fish tracking studies and improve fish kill investigations.     

Context-dependent effects of freshwater mussels on stream benthic communities

1. We asked whether unionid mussels influence the distribution and abundance of co‐occurring benthic algae and invertebrates. In a yearlong field enclosure experiment in a south‐central U.S. river, we examined the effects of living mussels versus sham mussels (shells filled with sand) on periphyton and invertebrates in both the surrounding sediment and on mussel shells. We also examined differences between two common unionid species, Actinonaias ligamentina (Lamarck 1819) and Amblema plicata (Say 1817). 2. Organic matter concentrations and invertebrate densities in the sediment surrounding mussels were significantly higher in treatments with live mussels than treatments with sham mussels or sediment alone. Organic matter was significantly higher in the sediment surrounding Actinonaias than that surrounding Amblema. Actinonaias was more active than Amblema and may have increased benthic organic matter through bioturbation. 3. Living mussels increased the abundance of periphyton on shells and the abundance and richness of invertebrates on shells, whereas effects of sham mussels were similar to sediment alone. Differences in the amount of periphyton growing on the shells of the two mussel species reflected differences in mussel activity and shell morphology. 4. Differences between living and sham mussel treatments indicate that biological activities of mussels provide ecosystem services to the benthic community beyond the physical habitat provided by shells alone. In treatments containing live mussels we found significant correlations between organic matter and chlorophyll a concentrations in the sediment, organic matter concentrations and invertebrate abundance in the sediment and the amount of chlorophyll a on the sediment and invertebrate abundance. There were no significant correlations among these response variables in control treatments. Thus, in addition to providing biogenic structure as habitat, mussels likely facilitate benthic invertebrates by altering the availability of resources (algae and organic matter) through nutrient excretion and biodeposition. 5. Effects of mussels on sediment and shell periphyton concentrations, organic matter concentrations and invertebrate abundance, varied seasonally, and were strongest in late summer during periods of low water volume, low flow, and high water temperature. 6. Our study demonstrates that freshwater mussels can strongly influence the co‐occurring benthic community, but that effects of mussels are context‐dependent and may vary among species.     

Ethylene oxide: evaluation of genotoxicity data and an exploratory assessment of genetic risk

A risk estimate of the heritable effects of ethylene oxide exposure, using the parallelogram approach, as suggested by Frits Sobels, is described. The approach is based on available data on the ethylene oxide-induced responses for the same genetic endpoint in somatic cells of both laboratory animals and humans, and for germ cell mutations in the same laboratory animal. Human germ cell effects are estimated. The available data sets for this approach were evaluated. We consider this as complementary to the genetic risk assessment carried out by U.S. EPA scientists, in which the risk from heritable (reciprocal) translocations induced by ethylene oxide was estimated. In the present study we restricted our assessment to dominant mutations. The sensitivity factor relating mouse to man was based on ethylene oxide-induced HPRT mutant frequencies in lymphocytes in vivo. From this comparison, it could be concluded that occupational exposure for 1 year to 1 ppm ethylene oxide would lead to a risk of a dominantly inherited disease in the offspring of 4 × 10⁻⁴ above the background level. The uncertainty interval of this figure is quite large (0.6–28) × 10⁻⁴. The values are compatible with the existing estimates of the corresponding risk from exposure to low LET radiation when the genotoxic potency ratio of ethylene oxide and radiation is considered. This risk estimation approach has allowed us to identify additional data that are required for a more complete risk estimation of the heritable effects of ethylene oxide, or indeed any mutagenic chemical.