LIMITING NUTRIENT DETERMINATION IN LOTIC ECOSYSTEMS USING A QUANTITATIVE NUTRIENT ENRICHMENT PERIPHYTOMETER1

ABSTRACT: The decline of water quality in United States’ lotic ecosystems (streams and rivers) has been linked to nonpoint source nutrient loading (U.S. EPA, 1990). Determining limiting nutrients in streams is difficult due to the variable nature of lotic ecosystems. We developed a quantitative passive diffusion periphyton nutrient enrichment system, called the Matlock Periphytometer, to measure the response of attached algae (periphyton) to nutrient enrichment. The system is simple to build and provides quantitative nutrient enrichment of a surface for periphytic growth. The periphyton grow on a glass fiber filter, which allows complete recovery of periphyton for chlorophyll a analysis. A 14-kilodalton dialysis membrane was used as a biofilter to prevent bacterial and algal contamination of the nutrient solution. We determined the rates of diffusion of nitrogen and phosphorus ions across the Matlock Periphytometer's dialysis membrane and glass fiber filter over a 21-day period (42 and 22 μg/cm²/hr, respectively). We used the Matlock Periphytometer to determine the limiting nutrient in a woodland stream. Six replicates each of a control, nitrogen, and phosphorus treatment were placed in the stream for 14 days. The results indicated that phosphorus was the limiting nutrient in the stream for the period and location sampled.     

ALGAL PRODUCTIVITY AND NITRATE ASSIMILATION IN AN EFFLUENT DOMINATED CONCRETE LINED STREAM1

This study examined algal productivity and nitrate assimilation in a 2.85 km reach of Cucamonga Creek, California, a concrete lined channel receiving treated municipal wastewater. Stream nitrate concentrations observed at two stations indicated nearly continuous loss throughout the diel study. Nitrate loss in the reach was approximately 11 mg/L/d or 1.0 g/m²/d as N, most of which occurred during daylight. The peak rate of nitrate loss (1.13 mg/l/hr) occurred just prior to an afternoon total CO₂ depletion. Gross primary productivity, as estimated by a model using the observed differences in dissolved oxygen between the two stations, was 228 mg/L/d, or 21 g/m²/d as O₂. The observed diel variations in productivity, nitrate loss, pH, dissolved oxygen, and CO₂ indicate that nitrate loss was primarily due to algal assimilation. The observed levels of productivity and nitrate assimilation were exceptionally high on a mass per volume basis compared to studies on other streams; these rates occurred because of the shallow stream depth. This study suggests that concrete‐lined channels can provide an important environmental service: lowering of nitrate concentrations similar to rates observed in biological treatment systems.     

Land Use,Geology, Enrichment,and Stream Biota in the Eastern Ridge and Valley Ecoregion: Implications for Nutrient Criteria Development1

Abstract: The eastern panhandle region of West Virginia is entirely within the Appalachian Ridge and Valley ecoregion. It is underlain by limestone in the eastern part and by shale and sandstone in the western part. Agricultural and urban development has affected the condition of the streams of this region. We examined samples from 165 stations in the Ridge and Valley, collected from 1998 to 2004. Land use, geological characteristics, physical and chemical parameters, and algal and macroinvertebrate assemblages were used to identify potential stressors that affect streams in the region. Our analyses indicated that both human land uses and ecoregional differences led to elevated nutrient concentrations in streams of the study areas. Multiple regression analyses indicated that both agricultural and urban land use in the watershed were associated with high nutrient concentrations (NO₂₊₃, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus) in streams. These elevated nutrient concentrations have led to increased algal biomass, increased trophic state, and degradation of macroinvertebrate community in the streams. Values of the West Virginia Stream Condition Index, as well as several other benthic macroinvertebrate metrics, decreased with increased nutrient concentrations and conductivity, especially in the limestone region. When regional differences were partitioned out in the analysis, nutrient concentrations became the strongest stressor in the limestone region while conductivity exhibited less of an effect on macroinvertebrate metrics. Meanwhile, periphyton diagnostic metrics also responded to increased nutrient concentrations, suggesting nutrients could be a cause of biological degradation in the Eastern Ridge and Valley region. Multiple approaches and multiple lines of evidence (reference approach and stressor‐response approach) were applied to develop nutrient benchmarks for different geological regions in the study watershed.     

滑石矿开采对着生藻群落结构和水环境的影响

为了解滑石矿开采对河流水生态环境的影响,分别于2015年11月、2016年4月和2016年7月这3个时期对汤河(太子河重要支流)上游6个监测断面(TH01~TH02为参照河段,TH03~TH04为受损河段,TH05~TH06为恢复河段)的水质状况和着生藻群落进行了调查分析.利用Mann-Whitney U检验分析比较了各河段水环境因子和着生藻群落结构组成的差异;利用Spearman相关性分析、典范对应分析(canonical correspondence analysis)和t值双标图(t value biplot)分析水环境因子与着生藻群落结构的相互关系.结果表明:(1)与参照河段和恢复河段相比,受损河段的Mg、Se、As、Fe、Mo、EC、HCO-3、NO-3和p H均值最高.其中,Mg、Mo、As、EC、HCO-3在受损河段与其他河段间存在显著差异(P0.05).(2)与其他河段相比,受损河段的着生藻密度、物种丰富度、具柄硅藻百分比、曲壳藻属(Achnanthes sp.)相对丰度均最小,可运动硅藻百分比、双菱藻属(Surirella sp.)相对丰度和舟形藻属(Navicula sp.)相对丰度最大,其中物种丰富度在受损河段与其他河段间存在显著差异(P0.05).(3)EC、HCO-3和Mg对研究区域的着生藻群落结构有显著影响,且均与物种丰富度、具柄硅藻百分比显著相关(P0.05).     

Predicting Periphyton Cover Frequency Distributions across New Zealand's Rivers

Regression models of mean and mean annual maximum (MAM) cover were derived for two categories of periphyton cover (filaments and mats) using 22 years of monthly monitoring data from 78 river sites across New Zealand. Explanatory variables were derived from observations of water quality variables, hydrology, shade, bed sediment grain size, temperature, and solar radiation. The root mean square errors of these models were large (75‐95% of the mean of the estimated values). The at‐site frequency distributions of periphyton cover were approximated by the exponential distribution, which has the mean cover as its single parameter. Independent predictions of cover distributions at all sites were calculated using the mean predicted by the regression model and the theoretical exponential distribution. The probability that cover exceeds specified thresholds and estimates of MAM cover, based on the predicted distributions, had large uncertainties (~80‐100%) at the site scale. However, predictions aggregated by classes of an environmental classification accurately predicted the proportion of sites for which cover exceeded nominated criteria in the classes. The models are useful for assessing broad‐scale patterns in periphyton cover and for estimating changes in cover with changes in nutrients, hydrological regime, and light.     

Serial variations of trace metal concentrations in aquatic insect Stenopsyche marmorata

Caddisfly larvae (Stenopsyche marmorata) instar V, periphyton, sediment and river water at a non‐contaminated upstream site, a metallic contaminated downstream site, and industrial wasterwater which caused the metallic contamination were collected once a month for 21 months. Nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and lead (Pb) concentrations in these samples were measured. Significant serial variations of the 4 metal concentrations in the larvae showed a seasonal tendency at the upstream site but not at the downstream site. The larvae more clearly indicated the influence of industrial wastewater than periphyton. As the larvae of Stenopsyche marmorata could be collected throughout the year, this larva is useful for monitoring trace metal contamination in rivers.     

自然生物膜对水体中罗丹明B的净化与响应

以RhB(RhodamineB, 罗丹明B)为模型染料,研究了自然生物膜对RhB的去除,并分别使用Biolog和PLFA(磷脂脂肪酸)为技术手段和指标,探究RhB的存在对自然生物膜微生物群落结构和微生物碳源利用多样性的影响. 结果表明,第1天自然生物膜对水体中RhB的去除率为29.2%,之后几天的平均去除率降至3.9%左右;在测试期内RhB的总去除率达到68.6%. PLFA测定结果表明,RhB使自然生物膜中的PLFA总量减少了52.23%,其中细菌、真菌和放线菌的数量分别减少了75.81%、67.03%和100%. Biolog测定结果表明,低质量浓度的RhB降低了自然生物膜中微生物群落对碳源的利用能力,改变了生物膜微生物群落对31种碳源的利用情况,但RhB并没有对自然生物膜的微生物结构造成完全的破坏. 综上,自然生物膜作为一种自然水体中自生的微生物聚集体具有显著的生态学意义,其对低质量浓度的RhB具有一定的净化作用,但是RhB的存在也会对自然生物膜的结构和功能产生影响.      

白洋淀底栖藻类与多环芳烃生态风险相关性研究——基于综合生物反应指数法

湖泊富营养化与有机污染物的交互作用是当前国内外研究热点,为了建立富营养化湖泊中多环芳烃(PAHs)生态效应与底栖藻类群落之间的相关关系。本研究以白洋淀为研究区,选取8个国控样点作为采样点,依据人为干扰程度不同将8个采样点划分为3种生境:生境1(S1和S2)主要遭受上游府河废水排放影响;生境2(S3、S6和S8)主要遭受水产养殖和生活污水的影响;生境3(S4、S5和S7)遭受人为干扰较小。分别在2009年4月、8月和11月收集了底栖藻类样品,并测定了白洋淀中15种PAHs。运用RQ_((NC))和RQ_((MPC))等改进风险熵值(RQ)方法计算PAHs生态风险。研究结果表明:(1)底栖藻类群落指标AD、Chl a、Chl b/a、CHL、CYA、APA、GLU、LEU、PSC和AFDW的值在11月最高,其次是8月和4月;就空间分布而言,这些指标值在生境1中最高,其次是生境2和生境3;而Chl c/a和BAC值在8月最高,其次是11月和4月,从空间分布特征而言,这些指标值在生境3最高;(2)相关分析结果表明,Chl a、Chl b/a、CHL、CYA、APA、GLU、LEU、PSC和AFDW的指标与PAHs污染物浓度呈显著正相关,而Chl c/a和BAC指标与污染物PAHs浓度呈显著负相关;(3)就空间分异特征而言,生境1中的ΣPAHs浓度最高,就季节变化而言,PAHs的浓度从4月到8月逐渐增加,而从8月到11月逐渐下降。各类PAHs表现出与ΣPAHs相同的时空变化特征;(4)IBR与RQ_(ΣPAHs(NCs))呈正相关关系(r=0.827,P0.01);除RQAcy(NCs)外,其他种类PAHs生态风险均与IBR呈相正相关关系(r=0.699~0.899),其中RQ_(BaP(NCs))与IBR显著正相关(r=0.899,P0.01)。此外,除沉积物TP外,IBR与TSI、水中TN、水中TP和沉积物TN也呈显著正相关(r=0.722~0.862)。因此,在富营养化湖泊中应考虑运用底栖藻类IBR生态监测PAHs污染水平。     

洱海流域沿岸带石质基质上周丛藻类群落研究

2009年12月~2010年1月调查了云南洱海流域中洱海、西湖和茈碧湖沿岸带周丛藻类群落的物种组成、生物量、群落多样性以及水体理化因子,并运用典范对应分析(CCA)探讨了影响周丛藻类群落结构的主要环境因子.结果表明,洱海周丛藻类优势种属是刚毛藻属、等片藻属、暗丝藻,而西湖和茈碧湖均以硅藻为主.洱海的周丛藻类生物量大于西湖和茈碧湖,最高值出现在洱海白族小庙(EH31), Chl-a达到78.71mg/cm2.洱海的绿藻密度也高于西湖和茈碧湖.茈碧湖的周丛藻类多样性最高,Shannon-wiener指数均值为2.47;西湖次之,Shannon-wiener指数均值为2.34;而处于流域下游的洱海沿岸带周丛藻类的耐污种数目增加,多样性最低.CCA结果表明水体中的NH4+及TP浓度是影响洱海流域物种分布的主要环境因子.     

罗非鱼对富营养型水体中沉水植物苦草的影响

通过室外模拟实验,分别设置罗非鱼组和无鱼对照组的两组处理,研究了尼罗罗非鱼（Oreochromis niloticus）对富营养型水体中沉水植物苦草（Vallisneria spiralis）的影响。结果表明：罗非鱼显著地增加了水中总氮和总磷的质量浓度,同时浮游植物的生物量（叶绿素a）也明显增加;罗非鱼组中的附着藻类的生物量却显著低于无鱼的对照组;罗非鱼组中苦草的相对生长率为-10mg·g-1·d-1,显著低于对照组中苦草的相对生长率7mg·g-1·d-1。罗非鱼的直接牧食可能是苦草生物量降低的主要原因。研究说明,过高的罗非鱼密度会导致沉水植被退化,要保持沉水植被为优势的湖泊清水态,必须控制罗非鱼密度。