Aquatic Ecology Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Plastic pollution is a global concern, leading to the abundance of macro-and microplastics (MPs) in the marine environment and subsequent accumulation in many marine organisms, particularly small pelagic and oceanic fish species. These small fishes are usually considered as the non-target catch or by-products of marine capture fisheries. However, these by-catch fishes convert into fishmeal due to their excellent nutritional value, and thereby, it used as the primary ingredient of artificial feeds for aquaculture and livestock animal production. The fishmeal and fish feed facilitates MPs' entry into the aquaculture systems when the MPs− contaminated feeds are supplied to cultured fish for regular feeding. Thus, MPs get access to interact with the elements of the culture pond ecosystem and leading to subsequent alterations in the physiological and behavioral attributes of cultured fishes. Consequently, MPs may accumulate in the edible portions of cultured fishes, which may cause severe physiological disorders in fish consumers. Thus, human exposure to MPs becomes a significant threat to global public health. Therefore, this review discussed the factors associated with MPs' introduction to the aquaculture systems via fishmeal. In addition, this article enlightened the possible consequences of MPs on the pond ecosystem, cultured fish physiology, and consumer health. We hypothesized that the growing concern among people about MPs might be impacted the demand for aquaculture goods. This study recommended taking necessary steps towards improving the MPs' screening process during fish feed production and focusing on more exclusive studies to elucidate the impacts of MPs on sustainable aquaculture production.

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- Aquatic Ecology, Fish Health, Aquatic Ecotoxicology, Human health

CITATIONS 25 READS 57 5 authors, including: Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: colonization of periglacial habitats, recently uncovered due to the retreating ice sheet in Western Greenland,... more

- by Thomas Davidson
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- Aquatic Ecology, Water quality, Ecology, Ecology of Submerged Macrophyte

Recently, a novel approach to a highly sensitive and quantitative detection of rare earth element (REE) ions including La3+, Eu3+ and Tb3+, by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, has been reported. The detection of REE ions is based on the catalytic nature of REE ions targeting the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), thus monitoring of the ions can be achieved by reading the level of intact DNA by PCR. Despite of its high sensitivity (at ppb to ppt levels), the conventional PCR-based REE detection protocol requires certain length of time (1-2 hours). In the present study, we modified the PCR-based REE detection protocols by employing the high-speed PCR, and performed the automated and rapid detection of La3+ in small-sized aqueous samples within 5min.

- by Tomonori Kawano
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- Environmental Engineering, Biochemistry, Marine Biology, Microbiology

50-day's free access https://authors.elsevier.com/a/1dnnLB8ccr0ST ........................................................................................................................................... Cyanobacteria are notorious for producing harmful algal blooms that present an ever-increasing serious threat to aquatic ecosystems worldwide, impacting the quality of drinking water and disrupting the recreational use of many water bodies. Remote sensing techniques for the detection and quantification of cyanobacterial blooms are required to monitor their initiation and spatiotemporal variability. In this study, we developed a novel semi-analytical approach to estimate the concentration of cyanobacteria-specific pigment phycocyanin (PC) and common phytoplankton pigment chlorophyll a (Chl a) from hyperspectral remote sensing data. The PC algorithm was derived from absorbance-concentration relationship, and the Chl a algorithm was devised based on a conceptual three-band structure model. The developed algorithms were applied to satellite imageries obtained by the Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HICO™) sensor and tested in Lake Kinneret (Israel) during strong cyanobacterium Microcystis sp. bloom and out-of-bloom times. The sensitivity of the algorithms to errors was evaluated. The Chl a and PC concentrations were estimated with a mean absolute percentage difference (MAPD) of 16% and 28%, respectively. Sensitivity analysis shows that the influences of backscattering and other water constituents do not affect the estimation accuracy of PC (~2% MAPD). The reliable PC/Chl a ratios can be obtained at PC concentrations above 10 mg m−3. The computed PC/Chl a ratio depicts the contribution of cyanobacteria to the total phytoplankton biomass and permits investigating the role of ambient factors in the formation of a complex planktonic community. The novel algorithms have extensive practical applicability and should be suitable for the quantification of PC and Chl a in aquatic ecosystems using hyperspectral remote sensing data as well as data from future multispectral remote sensing satellites, if the respective bands are featured in the sensor.

- by Ilia Ostrovsky
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- Algorithms, Remote Sensing, Aquatic Ecology, Aquatic Toxicology

A study was conducted to ascertain monthly changes in biomass of the plant and nutrient content in various organs of Nymphoides hydrophylla grown in a tropical pond during September 1999-August 2000 in relation to environmental factors. Biomass of N. hydrophylla ranged from 25 to 247 g dry weight m -2 . Among the various organs, leaf blade showed highest nitrogen (3.0-4.6%) and phosphorus content (0.9-2.4%). Comparative data of three Nymphoides species showed that N. peltata, the temperate species, had maximum potential of biomass production while long flowering period, year around growth, higher nitrogen content in various organs and presence of other associated flora were unique features of tropical species (N. hydrophylla and N. indica). Both water temperature and water level together appeared to be the best environmental variables that significantly explained the variability in biomass of N. hydrophylla.

- by Anjana Dewanji
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- Aquatic Ecology, Ecology, Phosphorus, Nitrogen

It has long been assumed that the peat underlying tropical peat swamp forests accumulates because the extreme conditions (water logged, nutrient poor, anaerobic and acidic-pH 2.9-3.5) impede microbial activity. Litterbag studies in a tropical Malaysian peat swamp (North Selangor peat swamp forest) showed that although the sclerophyllous, toxic leaves of endemic peat forest plants (Macaranga pruinosa, Campnosperma coriaceum, Pandanus atrocarpus, Stenochlaena palustris) were barely decomposed by bacteria and fungi (decay rates of only 0.0006-0.0016 k day -1 ), leaves of M. tanarius, a secondary forest species were almost completely decomposed (decay rates of 0.0047-0.005 k day -1 ) after 1 year. Thus it is intrinsic properties of the leaves (that are adaptations to deter herbivory in the nutrient poor environment) that impede microbial breakdown. The water of the peat swamp was very high in dissolved organic carbon (70-84 mg l -1 DOC). Laboratory studies revealed initial rapid leaching of DOC from leaves (up to 1,720 mg l -1 from 4 g of leaves in 7 days), but the DOC levels then fell rapidly. The leaching of DOC resulted in weight loss but the physical structure of the leaves remained intact. It is suggested that the DOC is used as a substrate for microbial growth hence lowering the concentration of DOC in the water and transferring energy from the leaves to other trophic levels. This would explain how nutrient poor tropical peatswamps support diverse, abundant flora and fauna despite low nutrient levels and lack of rapid litter cycling such as occurs in other types of tropical rainforests.

- by Catherine M Yule
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- Aquatic Ecology

We evaluated several factors influencing the taxonomic richness of macrophytes, benthic invertebrates, snails, and fish in a series of northern Wisconsin lakes. We chose the study lakes to decouple the potential effects of ionic strength of lake water and stream connection, two factors that are usually highly correlated and therefore have been confounded in previous studies. In addition, our study lakes covered a wide range in a variety of characteristics, including residential development, abundance of exotic species, nutrient concentrations, predator abundance, and lake size. Species richness within each of the four taxonomic groups was significantly positively related to ionic strength (as measured by specific conductance); we also found secondary associations with other variables, depending on the specific group of organisms. The relationship between richness and lake area was dependent on the specific conductance of the lake and the vagility of the organisms; less vagile groups of organisms showed stronger and steeper species–area relationships in low-conductivity lakes. Further, after variance owing to specific conductance was removed, the presence of stream connections was positively related to species richness for fish, snails, and macrophytes as well as familial richness in benthic invertebrates. Our results indicate that lakes with relatively more groundwater input have lower extinction rates for all four groups of taxa and that lakes with stream inlets and outlets have enhanced immigration rates for fish, snails, benthic invertebrate families, and macrophytes. These findings link processes of immigration and extinction of four groups of organisms of varying vagility to landscape-level hydrologic characteristics related to the glacial history of the region.

- by Ben Greenfield
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- Landscape Ecology, Geomorphology, Aquatic Ecology, Limnology

We sampled benthic macroinvertebrates and recorded oxygen and temperature regime during 2-day periods in 12 stream sites at an altitude of 3,800-4,000 m a.s.l. on the Bolivian Altiplano, during low flow conditions at the end of the dry season. Eight of the sites were relatively unpolluted, while the remaining four sites were affected by domestic/industrial sewage. Compared to other Andean streams, the fauna was poor with a total of 28 and a mean of 11 taxa (mostly families) in the unpolluted sites. The entire EPT group was represented by just five families. Of these, only Baetidae and Hydroptilidae were common. At all sites, the dominant taxa were found among just four taxa (Elmidae, Chironomidae, Oligocheata and Hyallelidae). Mean water temperature was 12.9°C, while mean diel amplitude was 13.4°C and the maximum range 17.4°C. Ten richness and biotic indices were used to analyse for effects of temperature and oxygen on the fauna. Most measures of fauna richness were negatively correlated with mean and max temperature (even excluding the four polluted sites), while biotic indices were mostly uncorrelated with temperature. Thus, the large fluctuations in temperature seemed to exclude taxa, thereby reducing overall diversity of Altiplano streams. Oxygen saturation also varied considerably, with a mean diel range of 48% and a maximum range of 93%. Richness measures were uncorrelated with oxygen %, while all biotic indices were positively correlated with either mean or min oxygen %. Most measures of faunal composition showed a marked shift at levels of 10-30% min oxygen saturation. Earlier studies of high Andean streams in Ecuador have shown a major shift in faunal composition at 50-60% oxygen saturation. The fauna in the Altiplano streams may be adapted to the large fluctuations in oxygen saturation, and therefore more robust towards low oxygen saturations. The implications for biotic assessment of Altiplano streams are discussed.

- by Ruben Marin Pantoja and +1
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- Aquatic Ecology, Ecology, Chironomidae, Water Temperature

The assessment of the levels of Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) in borehole and well water samples in Wukari, Northeastern Nigeria is presented in this study. Densely populated areas within the township were selected for this study. Mean... more

Studies on the effects of selective predation by fish on disease dynamics in Daphnia generally assume that consumption by fish means the death of the parasite. I use a combination of feeding trials and infection assays to test this assumption using the host Daphnia dentifera and its common, virulent yeast parasite, Metschnikowia bicuspidata. Approximately 50% of Metschnikowia spores consumed by bluegill sunfish were released in fecal pellets. These spores remained infective to D. dentifera. Therefore, consumption of infected hosts by fish is not necessarily a dead end for the parasite, and in some cases, fish predation may actually help fuel epidemics in natural populations.

- by Meghan Duffy
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- Aquatic Ecology, Community Ecology, Disease ecology, Freshwater Ecology

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is a rapid, non-invasive, cost-efﬁcient biodiversity monitoring tool with enormous potential to inform aquatic conservation and management. Development is ongoing, with strong commercial interest, and new uses are continually being discovered. General applications of eDNA and guidelines for best practice in freshwater systems have been established, but habitat-speciﬁc assessments are lacking. Ponds are highly diverse, yet understudied systems that could beneﬁt from eDNA
monitoring. However, eDNA applications in ponds and methodological constraints speciﬁc to these environments remain unaddressed. Following a stakeholder workshop in 2017, researchers combined knowledge and expertise to review these applications and challenges that must be addressed for the future and consistency of eDNA monitoring in ponds. The greatest challenges for pond eDNA surveys are representative sampling, eDNA capture, and potential PCR inhibition. We provide recommendations for sampling, eDNA capture, inhibition testing, and laboratory practice, which should aid new and ongoing eDNA projects in ponds. If implemented, these recommendations will contribute towards an eventual broad standardisation of eDNA research and practice, with room to tailor workﬂows for optimal analysis and different applications. Such standardisation will provide more robust, comparable, and ecologically meaningful data to enable effective conservation and management of pond biodiversity.

- by Cecilia Medupin
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- Aquatic Ecology, Biodiversity, Survey

A variety of chemicals including foaming agents are used to aid in the protection of forest resources from the wild land fires. The fire-fighting foams (FFFs) are formulations composed principally of surfactants. As a part of Japanese national project, environmentally inert FFFs have been developed. There is an emerging need for testing the impacts of these FFFs on the living organisms composing the typical landscapes or ecosystems in Japan. In the present report, we aimed to describe our latest attempt for assessing both the short-tem and long-term impacts of FFFs in aquatic (fresh water) and semi-aquatic (wetland) ecosystems , by employing the laboratory-sized model assays (preliminary studies) and the biotope-based observation, respectively. In the biotope assays which was based on the observation in compact biotopes mimicking the fresh water environments and wetland, both the acute and long-term eco-toxic impacts of two FFFs (soap-based and synthetic detergent-based) were assessed. Spraying of synthetic detergent-based foam formula was shown to be more toxic compared to soap-based formula and mock water treatment.

- by Tomonori Kawano
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- Environmental Engineering, Landscape Ecology, Marine Biology, Microbiology

Aquatic macrophytes are one of the biological quality elements in the Water Framework Directive (WFD) for which status assessments must be defined. We tested two methods to classify macrophyte species and their response to eutrophication pressure: one based on percentiles of occurrence along a phosphorous gradient and another based on trophic ranking of species using Canonical Correspondence Analyses in the ranking procedure. The methods were tested at Europe-wide, regional and national scale as well as by alkalinity category, using 1,147 lakes from 12 European states. The grouping of species as sensitive, tolerant or indifferent to eutrophication was evaluated for some taxa, such as the sensitive Chara spp. and the large isoetids, by analysing the (nonlinear) response curve along a phosphorous gradient. These thresholds revealed in these response curves can be used to set boundaries among different ecological status classes. In total 48 taxa out of 114 taxa were classified identically regardless of dataset or classification method. These taxa can be considered the most consistent and reliable indicators of sensitivity or tolerance to eutrophication at European scale. Although the general response of well known indicator species seems to hold, there are many species that were evaluated differently according to the database A. Kolada selection and classification methods. This hampers a Europe-wide comparison of classified species lists as used for the status assessment within the WFD implementation process.

- by Nigel Willby and +2
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- Aquatic Ecology, Ecology, Aquatic Macrophytes, Indicator species

We designed a new toxic bioassay using the green paramecia Paramecium bursaria as testing organisms. P. bursaria is a unicellular organism that occurs widely in rivers and ponds. Since P. bursaria uses metabolites of endosymbiotic green algae in the cytoplasm as a nutritive source, culturing P. bursaria is much easier than culturing mammalian cells. The use of P. bursaria will thus make quicker and more convenient evaluation of toxicity of various polluting chemicals. Here, we selected thirty-two pollutants such as pesticides, toxic metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Those substances were added at various concentrations to the culture medium of paramecia. Then the IC 50 values, defined as the concentrations of chemicals inhibiting the growth of organisms by 50%, obtained for both paramecia and mammalian cell cultures were compared. We found that parame-cia were much highly sensitive to some chemicals such as methylmercury chloride and mercuric chloride, compared to cultured mammalian cells. We conclude that P. bursaria is one of the best organism for assessing the effect of chemical pollutants in the aqueous environment.

- by Tomonori Kawano
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- Botany, Phycology, Aquatic Ecology, Environmental Studies

Aquatic invasive species are a major threat to native freshwater ecosystems and cause enormous ecological and economic damage worldwide.
Didymosphenia geminata (Lyngbye) M. Schmidt is an emerging invasive aquatic species that is spreading aggressively in Southern South America.
Using niche analysis and species distribution models (SDMs), we examined niche requirements of D. geminata using climatic, topographic, and
biological variables. We compared the realized niche of the species in the United States (US) with the niche in Chile. Within Chile, we also
examined the environmental conditions (environmental envelopes) of rivers with and without this alga, to assess whether this species has the
potential to colonize more rivers. Finally, we compared the SDMs from the US and Chile projected to Chile. Results showed that the potential
distribution of D. geminata varied significantly between US and Chile. The US-based model predicted a geographic distribution in Chile which
ranged from 32º to 55º S latitude while the Chile-based model predicted suitable habitats only from 36° to 48º S, and not so in the coastal ranges nor
in Southern Patagonia ( ̴ 52–55°S). In Chile, we found no differences in the environmental envelopes of the invaded and uninvaded rivers, thus
suggesting that this species has even more suitable habitats to invade. These results can be used for prioritizing survey sites in Southern Chile for an
early detection and management of D. geminata and for the conservation of native flora and fauna in freshwater ecosystems in Chile.

- by Sunil Kumar
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- Aquatic Ecology, Species Distribution Models, Invasive species ecology, Chile

1. Shallow lakes are often cited as classic examples of systems that exhibit trophic cascades but, whilst they provide good model systems with which to test general ecological theory and to assess long-term community change, their food web linkages have rarely been resolved, so changes associated with the structure and dynamics of the ecological network as a whole are still poorly understood.
2. We sought to redress this, and to demonstrate the potential benefits of integrating palaeolimnological and contemporary data, by constructing highly resolved food webs and stable isotope derived measures of trophic interactions and niche space, for the extant communities of two shallow U.K. lakes from different positions along a gradient of eutrophication. The contemporary surface sediment cladoceran and submerged macrophyte assemblages in the less enriched site, Selbrigg Pond, matched the palaeolimnological assemblages of the more enriched site, Felbrigg Hall Lake, in its more pristine state during the 1920s. Thus, Selbrigg was a temporal analogue for
Felbrigg, from which the consequences of long-term eutrophication on food web structure could be inferred. These data represent the first steps towards reconstructing not only past assemblages (i.e. nodes within a food web), but also past interactions (i.e. links within a food web): a significant departure from much of the previous research in palaeolimnology.
3. The more eutrophic food web had far fewer nodes and links, and thus a less reticulate network, than was the case for the more pristine system. In isotopic terms, there was vertical compression in d15N range (NR) and subsequent increased overlap in isotopic niche space, indicating increased trophic redundancy within Felbrigg. This structural change, which was associated with a greater channelling of energy through a smaller
number of nodes as alternative feeding pathways disappear, could lead to reduced dynamic stability, pushing the network towards further simplification. These changes reflected a general shift from a benthic-dominated towards a more pelagic system, as the plant-associated subweb eroded.
4. Although these data are among the first of their kind, the palaeo-analogue approach used here demonstrates the huge potential for applying food web theory to understand how and why these ecological networks change during eutrophication. Furthermore because of the rich biological record preserved in their sediments, shallow lakes represent potentially important models for examining long-term intergenerational dynamics, thereby providing a means by which models and data can be integrated on meaningful timescales – a goal that has long proved elusive in food web ecology.

- by Jonathan Grey
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- Aquatic Ecology, Limnology, Food web ecology, Shallow lake ecology

Several lines of evidence suggest that the effects of invasive speciesmay be greater in aquatic freshwaters than in terrestrial ecosystems.We argue that freshwaters are significantlymore invasible—from a number of poorly regulated sources—and also more susceptible to negative biodiversity, physical ecosystem, and socioeconomic impacts when invaded, than their terrestrial counterparts. Moreover, the nature
of freshwaters appears to result in impacts that are wide ranging and severe while being indirect, diffuse, and difficult to both detect and predict. For these reasons, we conclude that freshwater invasive species represent a special case,
when compared with terrestrial invasives, in which the likelihood of negative impacts, and their effects, is disproportionately severe. We suggest that future
approaches to research in this area should aim to audit the full array of impacts of a number of representative invasive species,with a view to building an evidence base
to support the global implementation of a precautionary approach to the release of aquatic freshwater non-native species.

studies were carried out to assess the water quality of Tv station reservoir at Davangele
City,Karnataka(ndia).Thestudyrevealedthatthglewelevariationsinphysico-chemical
concenhations during the rainy season. Except tu$idity, all the other physico-chemical
characteristics were found within the permissible limits. The results were compared with the
standards given by ISI for water quality.

- by Joann Mossa
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- Botany, Landscape Ecology, Aquatic Ecology, Conservation Biology

We conducted a study on the biology of mantis shrimp Harpiosquilla raphidea collected from a mudflat at the mouth of Tungkal River, Jambi Province, Indonesia. Some biological information is described such as sex ratio, size frequency distribution of the population, and gonad maturity stage of females. Gonad development was also observed in a laboratory. The results showed that for the entire population, the sex ratio was female biased. Three stages of gonad maturity occurred in the population indicating continual breeding. Based on the laboratory observation, shrimp collected from the field started to develop gonad within two weeks.

- by Yusli Wardiatno and +1
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- Marine Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Marine Ecology, Marine Aquaculture

this article is about all Ultimate Guide to Marimo Moss Balls. In this article talks all about keeping, cultivating, carrying and tips of marimo moss balls in the freshwater tank. Please visit our site aquascaper.org for more information... more

- by Angela D. Calvillo
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- Business, Botany, Aquatic Ecology, Conservation Biology

To document the relative distribution and abundance of the mottled sculpin Cottus bairdi and the aquatic invertebrate fauna of the Colorado River in Middle Park, Colorado in 2010 and compare the results with historical data and records compiled over the past 25-40 years, prior to the construction and operation of Windy Gap Dam in 1983. Document the relative abundance and distribution of the aquatic invertebrate fauna of the upper Colorado River between the confluence with the Blue River and Windy Gap Dam west of Granby, Colorado.

- by Brian Heinold
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- Aquatic Ecology, Rivers, River Ecology, Animal Species Loss and Decline

Only few of the numerous samplers for collecting invertebrate fauna associated with vegetation permit sampling at depths of more than approximately 0.5 m. This paper describes a sampler allowing collection of epifauna from submerged plants at a depth of up to approximately 2 m, growing in varied densities. The sampler is composed of two panels made of duralumin, connected on one side by means of piano-hinges. One of the panels has an opening covered with mesh, and the other is equipped with a cone-shaped net and detachable sample concentrator at its end. The sampler is coupled with a manipulator with a several meter extension for lowering the sampler under water, as well as for its opening, and closing. The initial assessment of the sampler efficiency, verified in beds of Potamogeton perfoliatus, provided similar results as two other, older and commonly used samplers. In comparison with the older devices, the sampler has the advantage of permitting collecting samples from greater depths. It also enables studying both the vertical and horizontal distribution of invertebrates within a plant patch.

- by Ryszard Kornijów
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- Aquatic Ecology, Ecology

Two bed media were tested (gravel and Filtralite) in shallow horizontal subsurface flow (HSSF) constructed wetlands in order to evaluate the removal of ammonia and nitrate for different types of wastewater (acetate-based and domestic wastewater) and different COD/N ratios. The use of Filtralite allowed both higher mass removal rates (1.1 g NH4–N m2 d1 and 3 g NO3–N m2 d1) and removal efficiencies (>62% for ammonia, 90–100% for nitrate), in less than 2 weeks, when compared to the ones observed with gravel. The COD/N ratio seems to have no significant influence on nitrate removal and the removal of both ammonia and nitrate seems to have involved not only the conventional pathways of nitrification–denitrification. The nitrogen loading rate of both ammonia (0.8–2.4 g NH4–N m2 d1) and nitrate (0.6–3.2 g NO3–N m2 d1) seem to have influenced the respective removal rates.

- by Joao Oliveira
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- Biogeochemistry, Architecture, Aquatic Ecology, Biochemical Engineering

This research work evaluates the impact of stormwater infiltration on the removal of organics, solids, nitrogen and phosphorus in a LECA-based horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetland. Stormwater runoff for the period between January 2008 and June 2010 (30 months) was estimated for the drainage basin of the Vila Fernando wastewater treatment plant (constructed wetland system) and it was observed proportionality between the increase in surface runoff and the infiltration flow rate that reached the plant. The average stormwater infiltration rate that reached the plant was 67.4 m(3) d(-1) (77% of the influent flow rate into the plant). The 30 month monitoring campaign set up at one of the reed beds showed that stormwater infiltration led to a high variation of the hydraulic loading rate (HLR) throughout the bed, which affected its performance in the removal of organic matter, suspended solids and nitrogen. For a HLR below 20 cm d-1 the removal efficiencies for BOD5, COD and TSS doubled. The removal of nitrogen was too low and was associated with the weak development of nitrifying biofilm and the poor growth of reeds. However, it was observed a good relationship between the applied and removed loads for most of the parameters, which seems to indicate that the organic, solid, nitrogen and phosphorus loading rates influenced the respective removal rates. The use of a bed material with high specific surface area, such as LECA, can only improve the treatment capacity of horizontal subsurface flow systems if the organic and solid loading rates, as well as the HLR, can be effectively controlled.

Plant pathogens in irrigation water were recognized early in the last century as a significant crop health issue. This issue has increased greatly in scope and degree of impact since that time and it will continue to be a problem as agriculture increasingly depends on the use of recycled water. Plant pathogens detected from water resources include 17 species of Phytophthora, 26 of Pythium, 27 genera of fungi, 8 species of bacteria, 10 viruses, and 13 species of plant parasitic nematodes. There is substantial evidence demonstrating that contaminated irrigation water is a primary, if not the sole, source of inoculum for Phytophthora diseases of numerous nursery, fruit, and vegetable crops. These findings pose great challenges and opportunities to the plant pathology community. A variety of water treatment methods are available but few have been assessed for agricultural purposes under commercial conditions. Investigations into their technical feasibility and economics are urgently needed. Aquatic ecology of plant pathogens is an emerging field of research that holds great promise for developing ecologically based water decontamination and other strategies of pathogen mitigation. Pathogen detection and monitoring as well as biological and economic thresholds are much-needed IPM tools and should be priorities of future research. Teaming with hydrologists, agricultural engineers, ecologists, geneticists, economists, statisticians, and farmers is essential to effectively attack such a complex issue of growing global importance. Research should proceed in conjunction with nutrient and pesticide management studies in a coordinated and comprehensive approach as they are interrelated components of water resource conservation and protection.

- by Chuanxue Hong
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- Aquatic Ecology, Plant Biology, Ecology, Water Treatment

Paratanytarsus longistilus Bolton, Ekrem, Sublette, and Sublette, new species is described for the adult male, pupa, and larva stages. This species has an unusual combination of characters that does not neatly place it into any genus as currently defined, but appears to best fit into the genus Paratanytarsus. The new species conforms to the current definition of Paratanytarsus except that the adult male lacks crests on the anal point; the pupa does not have a pearl row on the wing sheath; and the larva has the Lauterborn organ pedicel longer than antennal segments 3-5 combined and the pecten epipharyngis is composed of three pectinate plates. The new species inhabits cool streams in the eastern Nearctic Region from Wisconsin and Arkansas in the west to New Brunswick and Florida in the east.

- by Michael Bolton
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- Aquatic Ecology, Aquatic Insects, Chironomidae

Eight alkaline, saline crater lakes in western Uganda were surveyed between 26 th February and 3 rd March, 2014 with an aim of providing information on the physico-chemical features of these less known unique habitats and provide a basis for comparison with similar environments in other parts of the world. Lakes considered for this study included; Katwe, Kikorongo, Murumuli, Nyamunuka, Munyange, Bunyampaka, Bagusa and Maseche. Surface and Bottom measurements of physic-chemical parameters were measured in-situ from at least three georeferenced points. Water samples for alkalinity, nutrients and detailed ionic analysis were taken from each of the points. In the laboratory, collected water samples were analysed following APHA standard operating procedures. All the studied lakes were alkaline and saline in nature as reported in the previous studies except Lake Kikorongo which was found to be fresh with a salinity of zero in this present study. With the exception of Lake Murumuli which was found to be a Carbonate-chloride lake, the rest of the sampled lakes are carbonate-sulphate lakes which is contrary to earlier studies which reported lakes like Katwe and Kikorongo to be Carbonatechloride lakes.

- by Mujibu Nkambo
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- Aquatic Ecology, Limnology, Conservation Biology, Fisheries Science

The investigation was conducted on the socio-economic condition of fishermen in Jelepara under Pahartoli of Chittagong district. Randomly selected 50 were interviewed among 200 fishermen. From the survey it was found that 94% fishermen were male and 6% were female. A large portion was Hindus (88%) and rest was Muslims (12%). About 84% were found married. Single family was much more (94%) than joint families. It was found that the number of school going children was 1.9 per house and 54% were school dropout boy and 46% were girl. Eighty eight percent houses were full katcha, while semi-pacca were12% and all the families have electricity facilities. Different types of net were used viz: the set bagnet, tong jal, current jal, tanajal etc. They used engine boats and engine power ranges from 8 to 22 HP. On average a group of fishermen (4) caught 35-80kg/day using a boat. Maximum fishermen sold their fish after fulfilling their demand. Monthly average income was around BDT. 6000-15000. Fi...

- by Md Tariqul Alam
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- Aquatic Ecology, Climate Change, Molecular Biology, Fisheries

Resumen.-La contaminación biológica afecta a la acuicultura mundial con importantes impactos de productividad y rentabilidad, especialmente en el cultivo de moluscos, donde tanto la especie de cultivo objetivo como la infraestructura están expuestas a una diversidad de organismos contaminantes. En el cultivo de ostras, el impacto clave es la adherencia directa de organismos causando daño físico, interferencia mecánica, competencia biológica y modificación ambiental, mientras que también se efectúa la infraestructura. El presente estudio describe la composición de la bioincrustación en la superficie de la ostra de mangle Crassostrea rhizophorae, cultivada en un estuario Amazónico, ubicado en el estado de Pará, norte de Brasil. En total, 6.124 macroinvertebrados fueron muestreados en julio, agosto, octubre y diciembre de 2013. La epifauna recolectada estuvo representada por 5 grupos principales (Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Polychaeta, Crustacea y Anthozoa), 20 familias y 37 especies. Bivalvia fue la clase más abundante, presentando 5.183 mejillones de la especie Mytella charruana. El conocimiento sobre la composición de la incrustación biológica, así como la identificación de las principales especies que causan impactos directos, permite opciones de gestión más personalizadas y estratégicas, minimizando los costos, a menudo significativos, asociados con el control de la bioincrustación (antifouling). Abstract.-Biofouling affects global aquaculture with significant impacts on productivity and profitability, especially in marine shellfish culture, where both the target culture species and/or infrastructure are exposed to a diverse array of fouling organisms. In oyster culture, fouling of stock causes physical damage, mechanical interference, biological competition and environmental modification, with infrastructure also colonized. The present study describes the composition of the biofouling community inhabiting the surface of the mangrove oyster Crassostrea rhizophorae, cultivated in an Amazon estuary, in the state of Pará, northern Brazil. In total, 6,124 macroinvertebrates were collected during July, August, October and December 2013. Collected epifauna was represented by 5 groups (Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Polychaeta, Crustacea and Anthozoa), 20 families and 37 species. Bivalvia was the most abundant class, with the mussel Mytella charruana by far the most dominant species with 5,183 individuals. Knowledge about the composition of biofouling as well as identifying the main species that cause direct impacts allows more tailored and strategic management options, minimizing the often-significant costs associated with biofouling control (antifouling).

- by Rafael Anaisce das Chagas
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- Marine Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Marine Ecology, Marine Aquaculture

We evaluated the influence of environmental integrity and the potential as bioindicator of larval stages of species of Trichoptera in 20 streams of first to fourth order in the Pindaı´ba river basin, Mato Grosso, Central Brazil. We measured stream integrity with the habitat integrity index (HII), establishing three levels of conservation: preserved, altered and impacted environments. We used (i) simple regression to assess the effect of habitat integrity on species abundance of Trichoptera and (ii) the indicator species analysis (IndVal) to assess the potential as bioindicator of each species. We found that 12 morphospecies showed relationship with HII: six species were bioindicators of preserved and two species of altered environments. Morphospecies that showed relationship in the two analyses (i and ii) were considered strong bioindicators, considering that the other species supported higher environmental variation, becoming evident that loss of physical structure reduces the abundance of organisms specialized in preserved environments. The results showed that the distribution and abundance of trichopterans can be an indicator of habitat integrity. Trichopteran species have bioindicator potential, corroborating the hypotheses of this work that abundance
of organisms will be smaller in environments with low integrity, and that many species are specific to preserved environments, disappearing from impacted environments, and also characteristic species of altered environments.

- by Leandro Juen
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- Entomology, Herpetology, Aquatic Ecology, Conservation Biology

Reclaimed water from small wastewater treatment facilities in the rural areas of the Beira Interior region (Portugal) may constitute an alternative water source for aquifer recharge. A 21-month monitoring period in a constructed wetland treatment system has shown that 21,500 m3 year−1 of treated wastewater
(reclaimed water) could be used for aquifer recharge. A GIS-based multi-criteria analysis was performed, combining ten thematic maps and economic, environmental and technical criteria, in order to produce a suitability map for the location of sites for reclaimed water infiltration. The areas chosen for aquifer
recharge with infiltration basins are mainly composed of anthrosol with more than 1 m deep and fine sand texture, which allows an average infiltration velocity of up to 1 m d−1. These characteristics will provide a final polishing treatment of the reclaimed water after infiltration (soil aquifer treatment (SAT)),
suitable for the removal of the residual load (trace organics, nutrients, heavy metals and pathogens).
The risk of groundwater contamination is low since the water table in the anthrosol areas ranges from 10 m to 50 m. On the other hand, these depths allow a guaranteed unsaturated area suitable for SAT. An area of 13,944 ha was selected for study, but only 1607 ha are suitable for reclaimed water infiltration.
Approximately 1280 m2 were considered enough to set up 4 infiltration basins to work in flooding and
drying cycles.

Papua dikenal sebagai pulau yang alamnya relatif belum banyak dijamah manusia. Pulau ini menjadi rumah bagi banyak fauna termasuk ikan. Salah satu ikan yang hidup di sini adalah ikan pelangi arfak dan dalam beberapa literatur berbahasa Inggris dikenal sebagai arfak rainbowfish. Di daerah asalnya, yaitu di sekitar daerah Prafi, ikan ini disebut “Anggicak” dalam Bahasa Suku Arfak (Hatam) dan di daerah Kebar dikenal sebagai “Wadjen”. Berdasarkan hasil penelusuran dalam daftar merah IUCN (The International Union for Conservation of Nature) semenjak tahun 1996 sampai dengan tahun 2018, status konservasi ikan ini sudah termasuk dalam kategori rawan punah (vulnerable).

- by Emmanuel Manangkalangi and +1
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- Aquatic Ecology, Conservation Biology, Freshwater Biology, Freshwater Ecology

Physico-chemical properties of the marine environment play an important role in determining the type of ecosystem. The analyses of the physico-chemical factors of the waters at Kushalnagar beach, Kasaragod, Kerala was carried out for a period of two years from June, 2012 to May, 2014. The variation in temperature, salinity, pH, and conductivity were high during the pre-monsoon period, whereas, dissolved oxygen was at minimum. Nutrients such as nitrate, nitrite, inorganic phosphate, and reactive silica were high during monsoon, while, sulphate levels were at a minimum. The results of the present study revealed that the physico-chemical parameters of Kushalnagar beach were significantly influenced by the freshwater influx during the southwest monsoon.

- by Shini Krishnan
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- Marine Biology, Environmental Science, Aquatic Ecology, Marine Ecology

The diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates in the Upper (Zone 1) and Middle Thames Estuary (Zone 2) and its associated tributaries, creeks and dock basins was studied using the commonly used hand picking, kick-sampling, core-sampling and wall scraping (barking) methods to examine diversity similarity and differences in macroinvertebrates assemblages between them. Population densities, species lists, densities diversity, and similarity measures were used to analyse the macroinvertebrate dataset obtained from the sorting, identification and counting of the invertebrate species. Results suggested that the upper estuary sites produced the largest number of species/families and middle estuary and creek sites produced the largest number of individuals but the lowest number of species. The Royal dock basins had specialised benthic invertebrate groups, whilst the East India Dock basin had benthic macroinvertebrates composition similar to that of the main river. The mudflat of the mid estuary creeks display very high abundances and dominances by oligochaete and polychaete worms; and their central channels by freshwater species (mainly of upstream of the tributary origin). The study also indicated that habitats with similar physical and other environmental conditions yielded similar macroinvertebrate assemblages.

- by Kolleh Bangura
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- Aquatic Ecology, Marine Ecology, Marine Science, Estuarine Ecology

The CASSARINA Project is a coordinated joint study of recent environmental change in North African wetland lakes. Nine primary sites were selected for detailed study comprising three sites in each of Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt. Multidisciplinary studies were undertaken by scientists from each of these countries working in cooperation with colleagues in the UK and Norway. The detailed results are presented in a consecutive suite of papers that describe both modern ecosystem attributes and the recent environmental histories of each site. This paper presents an overview of the aims, structure and initial results of the project. Modern site attributes measured were water quality and phytoplankton (Fathi et al., 2001), zooplankton (Ramdani et al., 2001b), fish (Kraïem et al., 2001) and littoral vegetation (Ramdani et al., 2001a). Baseline water quality data showed that one site (Megene Chitane) was acid with low salinity but the others had high alkalinities with varying degrees of brackishness. All the sites tended to be eutrophic and the phytoplankton was mainly dominated by green or blue-green algae. Where fish were present, growth rates were high with marginally highest rates in the Egyptian Delta lakes (Kraïem et al., 2001). Marginal vegetation surveys showed that emergent macrophytes were still extensive only in the Delta lakes (Ramdani et al., 2001a) where they form important refuges and restrict water pollution. In 1998, one Moroccan wetland lake (Merja Bokka) was drained completely for cultivation. Site specific environmental change records for the 20th century period were obtained using palaeolimnological techniques. Sediment core chronologies (Appleby et al., 2001) were based mainly on radio-isotopes (210 Pb and 137 Cs). Sedimentary remains of aquatic biota, diatoms, zooplankton, higher plants and benthic animals (Flower et al., 2001; Ramdani et al., 2001c; Birks et al., 2001a) and pollen (Peglar et al., 2001) were investigated (Birks et al., 2001b). Major differences in past species abundances were found and were interpreted in terms relevant to biodiversity and water quality/availability change. Metals and pesticide residues in sediment cores indicated that lake contamination was generally lower than in some European sites but some DDE profiles showed a close correspondence with known usage histories (Peters et al., 2001). Hydrological changes affecting water quality and availability mainly arose from land-use intensification during the 20th century and are shown to be the main driver of biodiversity disturbance at all nine CASSARINA sites. Summarizing floristic and faunistic changes using species richness values indicated that freshening of the Delta lakes during this century generally increased aquatic diversity. Species richness also increased during the final drainage of Bokka but tended to decline in acid Chitane. Modern sampling showed that phytoplankton and epiphytic diatom diversity was higher in the Delta lakes but this was not so for zooplankton. Each biological group reacted differently to environmental disturbance and this lack of concordance makes overall diversity changes difficult to predict. Implications of the combined study are that water quality and availability changes through landuse intensification remain the greatest imminent threat to the ecological integrity of remaining North African wetland lakes. For most sites, recent changes in freshwater supply have occurred causing sometimes catastrophic changes in lake biota (Bokka). The acid lake (Chitane) supports an acidophilous biota that is unique in Tunisia but habitat quality is currently diminishing due to both enrichment and inflow water abstraction. However, sediment records indicate that earlier in the 20th century many of the CASSARINA sites experienced temporarily enhanced freshwater supply from land irrigation and drainage improvements. This was especially marked for the Delta lakes and these remain the most biodiverse sites today. Intensified time-space multidisciplinary environmental monitoring of aquatic ecosystems is identified as a key activity for effective wetland lake management and for validating future environmental change scenarios in North Africa.

- by Roger Flower
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- Aquatic Ecology, Stress, Ecology, Biodiversity

Internationally, waterways within urban areas are subject to broad-scale environmental impairment from urban land uses. In this study, we used in-stream macroinvertebrates as surrogates to measure the aquatic health of urban streams in the established suburbs of northern Sydney, in temperate south eastern Australia. We compared these with samples collected from streams flowing in adjacent naturally vegetated catchments. Macroinvertebrates were collected over a 30-month period from riffle, edge and pool rock habitats and were identified to the family level. Macroinvertebrate assemblages were assessed against the influence of imperviousness and other catchment and water quality variables. The study revealed that urban streams were significantly impaired compared with those that flowed through naturally vegetated non-urban catchments. Urban streams had consistently lower family richness, and sensitive guilds were rare or missing. We found that variation in community assemblages among the instream habitats (pool edges, riffles and pool rocks) were more pronounced within streams in naturally vegetated catchments than in urban waterways.

- by Shelley Burgin
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- Aquatic Ecology, Water quality, Ecology, Urban Development

Two stable isotopes d 13 C and d 15 N were used to identify the energy sources and trophic relationships of the main freshwater macroinvertebrates in a floodplain lake of the Beni River (Bolivian Amazonia). Four energy sources (seston, bottom sediment, periphyton, and aquatic macrophytes) and macroinvertebrate communities were collected during three periods of the river hydrological cycle. Macroinvertebrates showed greater temporal variation in isotope values than their food sources. Six trophic chains were identified: four were based on seston, periphyton, C 3 macrophytes, and bottom sediments, and the last two chains on a combination of two carbon sources. One mixed seston and periphyton sources during the wet season while the other mixed periphyton and macrophytes sources during the wet and dry seasons. Periphyton was the most important energy source supporting the highest number of trophic levels and consumers. The macrophytic contribution was only significant during the dry season. Bottom sediments constituted a marginal energy source. As each season is associated with different physical and chemical conditions, processes organizing macroinvertebrate food web structure in the Beni floodplain seem strongly linked to hydrological seasonality.

- by Zainal A . Muchlisin
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- Aquatic Ecology, Malacology (Biology), Mollusks, Aquatic Biology

The decline of the southern bluefin tuna (SBT) stock since the onset of industrialised fishing has been considerable with estimates of current stock levels being between 5 and 12% of the pre exploitation biomass. If the fishing fleet continues to harvest at its current levels there is a real possibility that the stocks may collapse. Quotas have been enforced dictating the amount of fish each of the participating nations can harvest in an effort to halt the decline and promote the recovery of SBT but there is little evidence that this is having an effect. This aim of this investigation was to examine whether the implementation of marine protected area (MPA) networks would be a more effective method of conserving SBT. The implementation and management of both terrestrial and marine protected areas were studied to gain a better understanding of how these measures work. Lessons were learnt from looking at case studies on how and why MPAs have succeeded or failed and the biology and lifecycle of the southern bluefin tuna was researched to better understand how different conservation measures might be effective. It was found that MPAs in and of themselves would only be useful if they were unrealistically large and covered a large majority of the SBT habitat. Further study indicated that in conjunction with fishing quotas and effort limitations a network of MPAs positioned where the fish are most vulnerable to fishing pressure could be a more effective method of conservation. If this strategy was implemented and successful it is likely that it would also prove to be effective in the conservation of other migratory pelagic species like sharks, rays, sailfish and the rest of the tuna family.

- by Nick Welburn
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- Marine Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Conservation Biology, Marine Ecology

International Journal of Research in Fisheries and Aquaculture 2014; 4(4): 150-155

- by KOUSHIK ROY
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- Aquatic Ecology, Hydrobiology, Aquaculture, Fish Farming

The suitability of using four bivalve molluscs (Sanguinolaria acuminata, Anadara granosa, Meretrix meretrix, and Pelecyora trigona) in biomonitoring of heavy metals (Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, and Hg) collected from intertidal regions of the Sunderban mangrove wetland, northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal, were evaluated. Both speciesdependent variability and temporal variations were pronounced. A high degree of organ specificity was evident in the bivalves where gill and mantle exhibited higher metal accumulation due to ion exchange property of the mucous layer covering these organs while shells represent very poor accumulation. Elevated values of Zn and Cu reflect high potential for biomagnification through marine food chain. Metal concentrations in different body size groups of the bivalves do not follow uniform trend. Correlation coefficient between different metal couplings as tested statistically revealed significant coupling for Pb -Zn, Pb -Cu, Zn -Cu, and Hg -Cu. Concentrations of all the metals in specific organs (visceral mass, mantle and gill) of the bivalves exceeded the safe levels according to the international standards for metals compiled by Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations and would be of great risk for human consumption. It is concluded that the mussel and clam are suitable biomonitors to employ in programs designed to assess changes in metal pollution in the Sunderban mangrove wetland.

- by Alma Bonita
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- Aquatic Ecology, Water resources, Ecotoxicology, Bioaccumulation

This study focused on the technical and economic feasibility of setting up an organic farm for the production of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in fresh water in Greece, going from growing to marketing size, all by calculating the size of the farm and by studying four production scenarios. The objective of the farm was to produce fresh fish which were to be transformed into smoked fillets by an intermediary and was finally destined to three different types of customers. The scenarios with an initial average weight of 2 gr were not retained since a monthly production could not be attained. In addition, the production cycles with an initial average weight of 10 gr were shorter and more stable (6 months). Production in the selected scenarios was doubled during periods of high demand (Easter and Christmas). The site (s) most suitable in physicochemical terms were assessed. The breeding system chosen was intensive flow-through (raceways - concrete tanks). The amount of investment is lower for a production of 50 tonnes (scenario 1), while the production costs do not vary significantly between the two scenarios. However, profitability is reached in the first year for the two scenarios in question.

The use of alternative feeds aims to maintain productivity and reduce animal production costs. The objective of this study was to determine the nutritional value of Water Spinach (WS) (Ipomoea aquatica), as well as replacement of fishmeal (FM) by water spinach in diets for Nile tilapia fry, Oreochromis niloticus. To determine the growth performance of Nile tilapia fed different levels of water spinach, 150 fish (3.25±0.44g; 3.6±0.2cm) were randomly distributed in flow through system of 15 plastic aquariums each containing about 20 liters, and fed during 7 weeks with isoprotein (30% digestible protein) and isoenergetic (14.35 kJ g-1 digestible energy) diets containing replacement levels of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% of FM digestible protein by WS digestible protein. The experimental design was completely randomized with five treatments and three replicates. The protein efficiency ratio, absolute body weight, live weight gain and feed conversion ratio content significantly decreased in fish fed diets containing WS levels above 25%. Therefore, WS can replace up to 25% of FM without impairing juvenile Nile tilapia growth performance, feed efficiency, and body composition.

- by Ramzy Yousif
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- Environmental Science, Aquatic Ecology, Aquatic Toxicology, Aquaculture

The present study Highlight the Diversity, different Variations of Bird species in Purbasthali, Chupi Lake, west Bengal
India. In this area has a lots of birds living place, such as migratory birds and local birds. According to the present report there are 108
Birds species are present in this area and also 16 orders and 39 families are present based on year of 2017-2018 record. Among the
Record Bird species-51 were Resident, 15 were local migrant and 42 were winter migrant and others were Indian Birds. The winter
Migratory birds were Brant Birds, Canada goose, spot Billed Duck, Pintail Birds, Ruddy Duck and local Birds were sparrow, Drongo,
Kite, Crow, Dove etc.

- by KOUSTAV SEN
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- Parasitology, Entomology, Aquatic Ecology, Conservation Biology

The aquatic and semi-aquatic Heteroptera represent a group of insects with a multitude of shapes, being the result of adaptations to a broad niche variety. Heteroptera were collected in five streams (from 1st to 4th order) in the Pindaíba River Basin, in order to, with different in the habitat integrity: (1) correlate the species richness with the Habitat Integrity Index and water physical-chemical parameters; and (2) to determine which species are capable to serve as bioindicators. In each stream, linear transects of 100m were demarcated. 1,425 specimens from 10 families, 30 genera and 67 morphospecies were collected. Nitrate negatively affected Nepomorpha and temperature with Gerromorpha species richness. The matrix of environmental variables showed no influence on the distribution of species. Three species (Rhagovelia trailli (White, 1879), Rhagovelia sp.4 and Tenagobia incerta Lundblad, 1928) were considered to be indicators of pristine sites. The results indicate that Gerromorpha can be an important tool to assess environmental habitat integrity and enhance conservation actions of riparian forests.

Aquatic angiosperms refer to the plants that grows in and around water bodies and are an important part of the aquatic ecosystem" or "those species which normally stand in water and must grow for at least part of their life cycle in water, either completely submersed or emersed. These plants are different from the terrestrial plants as these are delicate and fragile. Soon looses its identity when taken out of the water.

- by Prasanjit Mukherjee
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- Aquatic Ecology