The response of macroinvertebrates to experimental episodes of low pH with different forms of aluminium,during a natural spate |
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Authors: | N S Weatherley S J Ormerod S P Thomas R W Edwards |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Applied Biology, U.W.I.S.T., King Edward VII Avenue, CF1 3NU Cardiff, UK;(2) U.W.I.S.T., Acid Waters Unit c/o Welsh Water, Penyfai House, Furnace Llanelli, SA15 4EL Dyfed, UK |
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Abstract: | 24 h experimental episodes were created in a soft-water stream in upland Wales, by the simultaneous addition at separate points
of sulphuric acid, aluminium sulphate and citric acid. In an upstream reference zone (A) the pH remained above 7, while in
the treatment zones, B, C and D successively downstream, it was reduced to c. pH 4.9. Concentrations of filterable aluminium
were 0.05 mg l-1 in Zone B, 0.27 mg l-1 (0.11 mg l-1 ‘labile’) in Zone C, and 0.23 mg l-1 (0.00 mg l-1 ‘labile’) in Zone D. Chemical manipulation coincided with a spate, during which flow increased from 0.02 m3s -1 to a maximum of 0.07 m3s-1. Only the ephemeropteran B. rhodani showed a drift response: drift density was not affected by flow (Zone A) or by organically bound aluminium (Zone D), but
increased approximately 6-fold in both the acid (B) and ‘labile’ aluminium (C) zones; its benthic density declined significantly
in Zones C and D, by 78% and 89% respectively. We relate these results to the biological importance of aluminium chemistry
during natural acidic episodes. |
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Keywords: | pH aluminium drift macroinvertebrates |
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