CHLOROPHYLL-BIOMASS-NUTRIENT RELATIONSHIPS FOR NATURAL ASSEMBLAGES OF FLORIDA PHYTOPLANKTON1

Parallel determination of phytoplankton biomass and chlorophyll a concentration were made on spring and summer phytoplankton samples collected from 165 Florida lakes. There was a significant correlation between chlorophyll a concentration and phytoplankton biomass (r=0.80; P < 0.01). Chlorophyll content per unit phytoplankton biomass ranged over two orders of magnitude. Nitrogen seemed to be a major factor influencing the chlorophyll content of Florida algae. Multiple regression analyses indicated that phytoplankton biomass was dependent on both the total phosphorus and total nitrogen concentration. Nutrient-phytoplankton and Secchi-phytoplankton relationships for the Florida lakes had higher coefficients of determination if chlorophyll a concentrations rather than phytoplankton biomass data were used in regression analyses.     

Optimization of pretreatment conditions for enhanced sugar release

Present investigation was done to evaluate various algal genera found in water bodies of Varanasi city. The potential of any biomass for biofuels (bioalcohols, biohydrogen, etc.) production depends on the quantity of extractable sugar present in it. Acid (H₂SO₄) and alkali (NaOH) pretreatment were performed, and H₂SO₄ was chosen due to its nearly double yield as compared with alkaline pretreatment. Response surface methodology was utilized for the optimization of operating parameters such as treatment temperature, time, and acid concentration. Sugar yield up to 0.33 g/g of dry biomass was obtained using cyanobacterial biomass of Lyngbya limnetica, at 100°C, 59.19 min, and H₂SO₄ concentration of 1.63 M.     

Changing effluent chemistry affect survival,growth and physiological function of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia nilotica</Emphasis> seedlings in northwestern region of India

Recycling and conservation efforts for water are the need of the day because of the lack of new water sources and the ever-increasing demand for drinking water. Seedlings of Acacia nilotica L. were irrigated with: canal water (T₁, control); municipal effluent (T₂); textile effluent (T₃); steel effluent (T₄); textile + municipal effluent in 1:1 ratio (T₅); steel + municipal effluent in 1:2 ratio (T₆); steel + textile in 1:2 ratio (T₈) and steel + municipal + textile in 1:2:2 ratio (T₇) with views to observe effluents effect on the seedlings and its adaptability and to recommend safe disposal of these effluents. Seedlings in T₆, T₇ and T₈ showed 50% lesser height and collar diameter than those in control. Seedlings in T₂ attained greatest height, collar diameter, numbers of branches and produced 140 g dry biomass seedling⁻¹. Highest concentration of manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) and lowest concentration of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in the seedlings of T₄, T₆, T₇ and T₈ resulted in nutritional imbalance, mineral toxicity and reduction in photosynthetic (Pn) and transpiration (E) rates and caused seedling mortality. Seedlings of T₃ had highest sodium concentration and low concentration of Ca, Mg and micronutrients resulting in nutritional imbalance, augmented chlorosis and reduced gas exchange and biomass by half as compared to control. Increased growth, Pn and E and biomass in seedlings of T₅ over T₃ and survival period in T₆, T₇ and T₈ seedlings suggested a beneficial effect of effluents mixing. Unscientific disposal should be avoided and toxic concentration of metal ions␣may be reduced for long-term application and harmless disposal of effluents in afforestation and urban development.     

PREDICTIVE MODELS FOR THE BIOMASS OF BLUE-GREEN ALGAE IN LAKES1

In lakes which experience water quality problems due to the nuisance growth of blue-green algae, summer concentrations of chlorophyll a may not always be a meaningful measure of water quality for making management decisions. Models for the prediction of summer mean blue-green algal biomass were thus developed from data collected from five systems located in North America and Sweden. It is suggested that the model of choice is log BG =?0.142 + 0.596 log TP – 0.963 log Z, where BG is the biomass of blue-green algae (g m^?3), TP is the concentration of total phosphorus (mg m^?3), and Z is the mean depth of the lake (m). When coupled to current loading models, this model can potentially be used to assess the impacts of phosphorus loading reductions on threshold odor in water supplies.     

Consequences of livestock grazing on water quality and Benthic algal biomass in a Canadian natural grassland plateau

The effects of livestock grazing on selected riparian and stream attributes, water chemistry, and algal biomass were investigated over a two-year period using livestock enclosures and by completing stream surveys in the Cypress Hills grassland plateau, Alberta, Canada. Livestock enclosure experiments, partially replicated in three streams, comprised four treatments: (1) early season livestock grazing (June–August), (2) late season livestock grazing (August–September), (3) all season grazing (June–September), and (4) livestock absent controls. Livestock grazing significantly decreased streambank stability, biomass of riparian vegetation, and the extent to which aquatic vegetation covered the stream channels compared with livestock-absent controls. Water quality comparisons indicated significant differences among the four livestock grazing treatments in Battle and Graburn creeks but not in Nine Mile Creek. In Graburn Creek, the concentration of total phosphorus in the all-season livestock grazing treatment was significantly higher than that in the livestock-absent control, and the early season and late season grazing treatments. Concentrations of soluble reactive phosphorus in the all-season livestock grazing treatment also exceeded that in livestock-absent control. In contrast, differences in water quality variables in the remaining 22 comparisons (i.e., 22 of the total 24 comparisons) were minor even when differences were statistically significant. Effects of livestock grazing on algal biomass were variable, and there was no consistent pattern among creeks. At the watershed scale, spatial variation in algal biomass was related (P < 0.05) with concentrations of NO₂ ⁻ + NO₃ ⁻ and soluble reactive phosphorus in two of the four study creeks. Nutrient diffusing substrata experiments showed that algal communities were either nitrogen-limited or not limited by nutrients, depending on stream and season.     

INFLUENCE OF AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES ON WATER QUALITY IN NEBRASKA: A SURVEY OF STREAMS,GROUNDWATER, AND PRECIPITATION1

ABSTRACT Rainfall, stream flow and groundwater have been sampled systematically throughout Nebraska since 1970 and analyzed for mineral N and P and the character of any sediments contained. Fallout N and P in rainfall ranges from 5–14 pounds N and 1 pounds P/A/yr, increasing from west to east across the state with increasing rainfall. The amount of NH4-N is essentially double that of NO₃-N. The mean concentration of 2ppm N in rainfall is four times the mean N concentration of streams, demonstrating a substantial depolluting action of soils and growing crops. Where nutrient levels of streams are elevated, cause can usually be traced especially to industrial, sewage or livestock waste intrusion and not to crop production practices. The only significant quantity of nutrient N and P induced by cultivation is that accompanying sediments from eroded fields. The P content of Nebraska groundwater has remained essentially constant during the past 10 years while average NO₃-N has increased slightly, a period during which farmer fertilizer use quadrupled. During the same time, irrigation acreage has increased by 50%, livestock numbers by 30%, with corresponding growth in human population and attendant industries. Indications are that irrigation practice has contributed more than any other factor to the small increase in groundwater NO3-N recorded. Individual cases do exist where groundwater NO₃-N has increased substantially, especially in areas of intensive irrigation agriculture on very sandy soils and elsewhere with irrigation development in the proximity of ancient NO₃-N deposits in mantlerock above the water table.     

ALUM CONTROL OF INTERNAL PHOSPHORUS LOADING IN A SHALLOW LAKE1

ABSTRACT: Alum treatment of a shallow lake, with mean depth 2 m and area 137 ha, curtailed internal loading of P for at least one ear. Mean summer total P and chl a decreased from 76 and 27μg l^?1, respectively, in 1978 before treatment. to 29 and 14 μ l^?1, while mean summer Sed transparency increased from 1.6 to 2.2 m and blue green algae were no longer dominant. Macrophyte biomass and distribution retuned during the post-alum year, 1980-1981, to previous levels after a 1979 four-month lake level drawdown had reduced biomass by 84 percent The improved transparency, resulting from the decrease in chl a following treatment, could encourage greater biomass of macrophytes in the deeper area of the lake. Recovery of macrophyte biomass to predrawdown levels may restore internal loading of P through enrichment of deep water sediments during winter dieback and decomposition.     

Biohythane production from pineapple peel using Methanosarcina mazei enhanced with palm oil mill effluent (POME) sludge in single-stage anaerobic digestion

Biohythane production via single-stage anaerobic digestion (AD) is an effective way for sustainable energy recovery from lignocellulosic biomass. In this paper, biohythane was produced through the AD process from pineapple peel waste substrate using purely cultured Methanosarcina mazei with the enhancement of palm oil mill effluent (POME) sludge as the inoculum. This study focuses on the effects of the lignocellulosic pre-treatment method, the addition of POME sludge into M. mazei culture medium as inoculum, and various operational conditions (food to microorganisms (F/M) ratios, temperature, pH) on gas production performances. The experimental results indicate that these parameters influenced the efficiency of biohythane production by producing the peak maximum biohythane production rate values (HPR_max) and (MPR_max), H₂:CH₄ = 1.93:0.67 L/L-d, and biohythane yield (HY) and (MY), H₂:CH₄ = 1.18:0.55 mL/L-substrate. This study demonstrates that biohythane gas (H₂ + CH₄ + CO₂) production from pineapple waste can be accelerated by M. mazei only with the enhancement of POME sludge through single-stage AD system under mesophilic batch process conditions.     

Influence of Landfill Gas on the Microdistribution of Grass Establishment Through Natural Colonization

Many revegetated landfills have poor cover including bare areas where plants do not grow. This study, on the Bisasar Road Landfill site in South Africa, assessed grass species preferences to microhabitat conditions in a mosaic of patches of well-established grassed areas and bare, nonvegetated areas. Factors, including soil CO₂, CH₄, O₂, nutrients, and other general soil conditions, were measured in relation to species distribution and grass biomass in the field. Cynodon dactylon was the dominant grass in the established grass areas but was less abundant in the areas bordering the bare areas where Paspalum paspalodes and Sporobolus africanus were common. A number of soil factors measured were significantly correlated with grass biomass and these included Mg, Ca, Zn, Mn, K, temperature, moisture, and CO₂. However, a laboratory bioassay using the growth of C. dactylon with soils removed from the landfill indicated that there were no differences in the soils from the bare areas and those that supported high plant biomass. Thus, no nutrient deficiency or chemical toxicity was inherent in the soil in the laboratory. The results of the field investigation and bioassay indicated that soil CO₂ as a result of landfill gas infiltration into the root zone was probably the main factor causing bare areas on the landfill where no grass species could colonize and grow and that C. dactylon was more sensitive to elevated soil CO₂ than other grass species such as P. paspalodes and S. africanus.     

Nutrient Concentration Targets to Achieve Periphyton Biomass Objectives Incorporating Uncertainties

Nutrient concentration targets are an important component of managing river eutrophication. Relationships between periphyton biomass and site characteristics for 78 gravel‐bed rivers in New Zealand were represented by regression models. The regression models had large uncertainties but identified broad‐scale drivers of periphyton biomass. The models were used to derive concentration targets for the nutrients, total nitrogen (TN) and dissolved reactive phosphorous (DRP), for 21 river classes to achieve periphyton biomass thresholds of 50, 120, and 200 mg chlorophyll a m^?2. The targets incorporated a temporal exceedance criterion requiring the specified biomass threshold not be exceeded by more than 8% of samples. The targets also incorporated a spatial exceedance criterion requiring the biomass thresholds will not be exceeded at more than a fixed proportion (10%, 20%, or 50%) of locations. The spatial exceedance criterion implies, rather than requiring specific conditions at individual sites, the objective is to restrict biomass to acceptable levels at a majority of locations within a domain of interest. A Monte Carlo analysis was used to derive the uncertainty of the derived nutrient concentration targets for TN and DRP. The uncertainties reduce with increasing size of the spatial domain. Tests indicated the nutrient concentration targets were reasonably consistent with independent periphyton biomass data despite differences in the protocols used to measure biomass at the training and test sites.     

PREDICTION OF CHLOROPHYLL A CONCENTRATIONS IN FLORIDA LAKES: THE IMPORTANCE OF PHOSPHORUS AND NITROGEN1

ABSTRACT: Models for the prediction of chlorophyll a concentrations were developed and tested using data on 223 Florida lakes. A statistical analysis showed that the best model was log (Chl a) =?2.49 + 0.269 log (TP) + 1.06 log (TN) or log (Chl a) =?2.49 + 1.06 log (TN/TP) + 1.33 log (TP) where Chl a is the chlorophyll a concentration (mg m^-3), TP is the total phosphorus concentration (mg m^-3) and TN is the total nitrogen concentration (mg m^-3). The model yields unbiased estimates of chlorophyll a concentrations over a wide range of lake types and has a 95 percent confidence interval of 29–319 percent of the calculated chlorophyll a concentrations. Other models, especially the published Dillon-Rigler and Jones-Bachmann phosphorus-chlorophyll models, are less precise when applied to Florida lakes. The data support the hypothesis that nitrogen is an important limiting nutrient in hypereutrophic lakes.     

Soil Properties Predict Plant Community Development of Mitigation Wetlands Created in the Virginia Piedmont,USA

The study investigated vegetative and soil properties in four created mitigation wetlands, ranging in age from three to ten years, all created in the Virginia Piedmont. Vegetation attributes included percent cover, richness (S), diversity (H′), floristic quality assessment index (FQAI), prevalence index (PI), and productivity [i.e., peak above-ground biomass (AGB) and below-ground biomass]. Soil attributes included soil organic matter (SOM), gravimetric soil moisture (GSM), pH, and bulk density (D_b) for the top 10 cm. Species dominance (e.g., Juncus effusus, Scirpus cyperinus, Arthraxon hispidus) led to a lack of differences in vegetative attributes between sites. However, site-based differences were found for GSM, pH, and SOM (P < 0.001). Soil attributes were analyzed using Euclidean cluster analysis, resulting in four soil condition (SC) categories where plots were grouped based on common attribute levels (i.e., SC1 > SC2 > SC3 > SC4, trended more to less developed). When vegetation attributes were compared between SC groups, greater SOM, lower D_b, more circumneutral pH, and higher GSM, all indicative of maturation, were associated with higher H′ (P < 0.05), FQAI (P < 0.05), and total and volunteer percent cover (P < 0.05), and lower AGB (P < 0.001), PI (P < 0.05), and seeded percent cover (P < 0.05). The outcome of the study shows that site age does not necessarily equate with site development with soil and vegetation developmental rates varying both within and among sites. The inclusion of soil attributes in post-construction monitoring should be required to enhance our understanding and prediction of developmental trajectory of created mitigation wetlands.     

SIMPLE TROPHIC STATE CLASSIFICATION OF THE CANADIAN NEARSHORE WATERS OF THE GREAT LAKES1

ABSTRACT: Trophic classification of the Canadian nearshore waters of the Great Lakes is attempted using summer, surface water quality data for the early 1970's. A generalized Composite Trophic Index is developed using paired linear relationships for total phosphorus, chlorophyll a, and Secchi depth data for 66 defined nearshore regions. The chlorophyll a and total phosphorus relationship indicates that the nearshore waters contain a low chlorophyll a concentration for a given total phosphorus concentration than observed for the open waters of the Great Lakes or for smaller Canadian lakes. The most eutrophic nearshore regions occur in areas of relatively restricted circulation and/or high nutrient loadings. These include the Bay of Quinte, Toronto and Hamilton harbours, and portions of Lake We's Western Basin. Lakes Huron and Superior are generally oligotrophic, except for some embayments. Although nearshore water quality is highly variable, this apprach represents a reasonable compromise with respect to analytical complexity. The Composite Trophic Index removes biases introduced through the use of a single trophic state indicator and uniquely describes the nearshore water quality in terms generally comparable to other water bodies.     

DYNAMICS OF ADDED NITRATE AND PHOSPHATE COMPARED IN A NORTHERN CALIFORNIA WOODLAND STREAM1

ABSTRACT: Injections of NO₃ and PO₄ were made during September 1975 into Little Lost Man Creek, a small pristine stream in Redwood National Park, California. Chloride, a conservative constituent, was added in a known ratio to the nutrients. Nutrient loss at a downstream point was calculated using concentration of added Cl as a reference. Nitrate nitrogen (NO₃-N), added for 4 h, reached 920 μg/1 (above 5 μg/1 background) just below the injection point, but increased only to 405 μg/1 at 310 m downstream. The concentration decrease was attributed to dispersion and to uptake by stream biota. Percent of NO₃-N lost decreased with increasing concentration of NO₃-N. Phosphate phosphorus (PO₄-P) was added a week after the NO₃-N for 3 h, causing a concentration increase of 296 μg/1 (above 13 μg/1 background) just below the injection point, of 161 μg/1 at 90 m downstream, and of 98 μg/1 at 310 m. Percent loss of PO₄-P at downstream sites increased with increasing PO₄-P concentration and also for a short period after peak concentration occurred, but then decreased as PO₄-P concentration continued decreasing. Differences in stream response to added NO₃-N and PO₄-P are attributed to differing rates of reaction with biota and differing degrees of interaction with abiotic stream solids.     

Primary Productivity and the Impacts of the Exotic Weed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eupatorium Glandulosum</Emphasis> in a Montane Grassland of Garhwal Himalaya

Summary The biomass and productivity of a montane grassland of Garhwal Himalaya were estimated with the objectives to compare these values of the dominant exotic species, Eupatorium glandulosum HBK. (Asteraceae) with other species, and to compare the sites more dominated by this species with other study sites. The effect of dominance of this species on other species was undertaken because of its continuous spread in the grasslands of the Garhwal Himalaya causing replacement of some native grasses and economically important herbaceous plants. Out of six study sites, SW₁, SW₂, and NE₁ were more dominated by Eupatorium glandulosum. Total net primary productivity (TNP) ranged from 1528.5 to 2163.4 g m⁻² yr⁻¹. Eupatorium glandulosum showed individual highest biomass on all the study sites, and the sites more dominated by this species showed higher values of primary productivity, thereby reducing the biomass and production of other species on these sites.     

ASPECTS OF THE UNDERWATER LIGHT FIELD OF EIGHT CENTRAL NEW YORK LAKES1

ABSTRACT: The underwater light field of eight central New York lakes, which represent a wide range of trophic state, was characterized through paired measurements of Sechi disc transparency (SD, m) and diffuse light attenuation (K_d, m^?1). A total of 90 paired measurements are included in the data base. Substantial variability in the K_d SD product with time within individual systems, and amongst systems, was observed, which indicates differences in the relative contributions of absorption and scattering to attenuation. More than 50 percent of the temporal variability in K_d was attributable to attendant variations in chlorophyll a (C, mg m^?3) in only two of the lakes. Estimates of the adsorption (a, m^?1) and scattering (b, m^?1) coefficients based on paired K_d and SD measurements compared well with more precise determinations available for one of the lakes. Determinations of a and b for the eight lakes, from SD and K_d measurements, indicated great system-specificity and temporal variability in these characteristics. The temporal variability in relative contributions of a and b to K_d is consistent with covariation of different attenuating components and the lack of correlation between C and K_d in most of the study lakes.     

PHYTOPLANKTON IN THE FOX CHAIN OF LAKES1

ABSTRACT: As part of a comprehensive water quality investigation on the Fox Chain of Lakes during May to October 1975, water samples from the Chain and Cedar Lake (reference) at 25 locations were collected weekly or bi-weekly to determine the species and densities of algae. The results have been evaluated for algal composition, density, and succession for each location. Sixty-four algal species were recovered from 414 samples. The number of species per sampling location varied from 10 at Channel Lake and Lake Marie to 26 on Fox Lake (main) and Grass Lake. Blue green algae were predominant and occurred at 25 of the 25 sampling stations. They consisted mainly of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae. The only flagellate of importance was Ceratium hirundinella, and significant concentrations of this organism were limited to Channel Lake and Lake Catherine. The only green alga bloom was created by Ulothrix variabilis on the waters of Pistakee Lake. Diatoms were quite significant on the shallower water bodies. Algal densities ranged from about 25 to 14,000 cts/ml. The highest count occurred on Mineola Bay. Other high counts (>10,000 cts/ml) observed were waters taken from Channel Lake, Grass Lake, and Fox Lake (main). In Grass Lake, 60 percent of the collections had algal densities in excess of 2,000 cts/ml. Most of these were the diatom Cyclotella meneghiniana.     

Acquisition feasibility and methane fermentation effectiveness of biomass of microalgae occurring in eutrophicated aquifers on the example of the Vistula Lagoon

This study was aimed at establishing the feasibility of microalgae biomass acquisition from waters of the Vistula Lagoon with the use of an installation operating in the fractional–technical scale, and at determining the effectiveness of biogas production from the acquired substrate. Depending on the technological solution of the concentration process, the degree of aquatic biomass hydration ranged from 99.6 to 97.90%. The quantity of biogas produced during methane fermentation fitted within the range of 243.9 to 395.2 dm³/kg d.m.. The values achieved were found to depend directly on the concentration of organic matter in the acquired water biomass and on system’s loading with a feedstock of organic compounds. The content of methane in a gaseous mixture ranged from 41.4 to 61.9%. The biomass produced was predominated by taxa belonging to Cyanoprokaryota, Bacillarophyceae, and Chlorophyta.     

Trace Gas Emissions from Biomass Burning from Northeast Region in India—Estimates from Satellite Remote Sensing Data and GIS

Biomass burning associated with shifting cultivation areas from the northeastern region of India is an important source of trace gas emissions in the Southeast Asian region. In the present study, satellite data pertaining to IRS-P4 OCM data and DMSP-OLS has been used to quantify the intensity, areal extent and amount of biomass burnt in the northeastern region states at district level. Trace gas emissions have been quantified both by using IPCC based emission ratios and ground based emission ratios obtained from field based studies. Areal estimates with respect to shifting cultivation areas from IRS-P4 OCM satellite data of 4th April 2000 suggested nearly 112.99 km² of the northeastern region of India affected due to shifting cultivation. In the study, DMSP OLS nighttime data has been used to capture the real time fires during the dry season. The results suggested high amount of fires during the March season when compared to April and May. Using the emission ratios obtained from the ground-based studies and IPCC emission ratios, the emissions for the individual non-CO₂ trace gases have been computed in a GIS framework using the biomass data, combustion factors and emission ratios. Results suggested emissions of 2.063 Mt CH₄, 17.94 Mt CO, 1.419 Mt N₂O, and 51.28 Mt NO _x and 2.643 Mt release of CH₄, 3.7204 Mt CO, 0.145 Mt N₂O, and 8.477 Mt NO _x , respectively, from biomass burning due to shifting cultivation for the year 2000, from the northeastern region in India. The study highlights the importance of Satellite Remote sensing data and GIS in quantifying the trace gas emissions from biomass burning.     

SPATIAL DELINEATION OF BIOTIC AND ABIOTIC GRADIENTS IN A RURAL NEW YORK RESERVOIR1

ABSTRACT: The spatial changes in abiotic and biotic variables from riverine to lacustrine areas characterized by the river-lake concept of reservoir function was applied to the Tomhannock Reservoir, Rensselaer County, New York. To identify these longitudinal gradients, a two-year investigation (May 1991 to October 1992) was conducted to measure primary productivity, nutrient concentrations, chlorophyll α and phytoplankton biomass at three locations in the 705-ha water supply reservoir. Emphasis was placed on the measurement of primary production using the carbon-14 artificial incubator (photosynthetron) technique. The average annual production in 1992 was 247.3 gm^?2 245 d^?1, ranging from 52 to 2677 mg C m^?2. Mean alpha^B (assimilation efficiency), P^Bm (assimilation number), and I_k (saturation irradiance) were 4.40 mg C mgChl^?1 E^?1 m^?2, 3.82 mg C mgChl^?1 h^?1, and 236.5 μE m^?2 s^?1, respectively. Neither seasonal nor spatial variability of these photosynethetic parameters were observed. Except for Secchi depth, distinct longitudinal zones from river inflow to darn were not statistically demonstrated in the Tomhannock Reservoir. Mean extinction coefficient, chlorophyll α and total phosphorus concentrations decreased; Secchi transparency and phytoplankton biomass increased; while primary productivity and dissolved inorganic nitrogen concentration remained the same from headwater to darn. These baseline data will be used to assess the future effectiveness of best management practices (BMPs) recently instituted on selected watershed farmland in an attempt to reduce the detrimental impact of agricultural activities on drinking water quality.