Periphyton Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Periphyton communities have not received wider attention and often misunderstood with ‘biofilm’ for their nature of development and role in aquatic ecosystem. To clarify its functional objective in aquatic ecosystem, present review... more

Periphyton communities have not received wider attention and often misunderstood with ‘biofilm’ for their nature of development and role in aquatic ecosystem. To clarify its functional objective in aquatic ecosystem, present review proposes a functional definition for ‘periphyton’ in terms of ecological interactions and also outlines its ecological role in nutrient sharing with other aquatic components. The development and succession of periphyton is a function of nutrient and carbon (C) sharing with its constituent parts and ambient environment. Through mechanisms like entrapment, de novo synthesis, nutrient leakage, trophic upgrading etc., ambient nutrients are routed to periphyton and transferred to upper trophic levels. Periphyton communities stand next to phytoplankton for their contribution to primary productivity, in nutrient rich aquatic environment. Unlike phytoplankton, nutrient poor aquatic environment has no effect on periphytic primary productivity. As periphyton communities are attached to substratum, their ability to assimilate organic nutrient through substratum is an additional advantage over phytoplankton.

It is the first paper in which a synthesis of both authors new experimental data and international literature was made, which led to a new broad picture of the fundamental role of biological filtering in self-purification ( and... more

The present study sought to identify a minimal adequate model to describe the biomass dynamics of river epilithon, a functional indicator of river health. Identification of minimal adequate models is particularly necessary in river... more

The present study sought to identify a minimal adequate model to describe the biomass dynamics of river epilithon, a functional indicator of river health. Identification of minimal adequate models is particularly necessary in river management, given the reduced number of variables authorities are willing to measure routinely. A model previously developed for epilithon dynamics in a pre-alpine river was applied to epilithon biomasses recorded in contrasting hydrological, trophic and light conditions at various sites in the Agüera stream (Spain) over 3 years (11 case studies). A model selection tool, the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), was used to determine the optimal combination of parameters. In nine of 11 case studies, the best model described epilithon biomass dynamics as the equilibrium between phototrophic growth and discharge-dependent loss and ignored light, temperature and nutrient influences. The best adequate minimal model i.e. the model that is the best trade-off between goodness-of-fit and model simplicity performed best, in years in which clearly contrasting short low and high water periods occurred. During years with less marked hydrodynamics, many other abiotic or biotic processes influenced epilithon biomass dynamics. In these cases, weaker goodness-of-fit had to be accepted to avoid excessively increasing model complexity. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

This opinion paper introduces a special series of articles dedicated to freshwater benthic algae and their use in assessment andmonitoring. This special series was inspired by talks presented at the 9th International Congress on the Use... more

This opinion paper introduces a special series of articles dedicated to freshwater benthic algae and their use in assessment andmonitoring. This special series was inspired by talks presented at the 9th International Congress on the Use of Algae for Monitoring Rivers and Comparable Habitats (Trento, Italy, 2015), the latest of a series of
meetings started in 1991. In this paper, we will first provide a brief overview of phytobenthos methods in Europe. Then, we will turn towards
the ‘dark side’ of phytobenthos and describe four particular problems for phytobenthos assessment in the European Union: (1) over-reliance on a single group of algae (mostly diatoms) to the exclusion of other
groups; (2) relatively low adoption of benthic algae for ecological assessments in lakes; (3) absence ofmeasures of phytobenthos abundance; (4) approaches used to define boundaries between ecological classes. Following this, we evaluate the strengths and limitations of current phytobenthos assessment methods against
12 criteria for method evaluation addressing four areas: ecological rationale, performance, feasibility of implementation,
and use in communication and management. Using these criteria, we identify and discuss three general challenges for those developing new methods for phytobenthos-based assessment: a weak ecological
rationale and insufficient consideration of the role of phytobenthos as a diagnostic tool and for communicating ecosystem health beyond a narrow group of specialists. The papers in the special series allow a comparison with the situation and approaches in the USA, present new
methods for the assessment of ecological status and acidification, provide tools for an improved management of headwaters and petrifying springs, discuss the utility of phytobenthos for lake assessments, and test the utility of functional measures (such as biofilm phosphorus uptake capacity, PUC).

Altogether 209 species of algae and cyanobacteria has been revealed in 2014-2015 from four sites in the Kabul River that flow across the Peshawar Valley. Green algae, diatoms, and Charophyta filamentous algae were diverse and characterize... more

Altogether 209 species of algae and cyanobacteria has been revealed in 2014-2015 from four sites in the Kabul River that flow across the Peshawar Valley. Green algae, diatoms, and Charophyta filamentous algae were diverse and characterize regional feature in the river basin with high agricultural activity. Species richness and algal abundance were increase down the river. Index saprobity S varied between 1.55 and 1.59 (Class III of water quality) and reflects decreasing of water quality down the river as a result of pollutants impact, which brings mostly the Swat tributary. Bio-indication results show prevalence of benthic or plankto-benthic species, temperate temperature indicators, slow streaming middle oxygenated waters inhabitants, salinity-indifferents, eurysaprobes, mesotrophes, and autotrophic algae with tolerance to middle concentration of Nitrates that reflects middle polluted waters III-IV Class of Water 152 Sophia Barinova et al. Quality in the Kabul River. Our analysis shows that integral bio-indication in water quality assessment with using of algal communities can give relevant results of self-purification possibility, which can be employed in purpose of monitoring the regional water quality as economy and resultative method.

The article presents sessile ciliates (Ciliophora) found during first studies of biological diversity of the underwater part of the artificial canal, created in the middle of the 20th century on the western shore of the Balaklava Bay... more

The article presents sessile ciliates (Ciliophora) found during first studies of biological diversity of the underwater part of the artificial canal, created in the middle of the 20th century on the western shore of the Balaklava Bay (Sevastopol, the Black Sea), and the natural coastal Catherine Grotto (Cape Aya, the Black Sea). In total, 4 species of ciliates were found, one of which Cothurnia ovalis Kahl, 1933, is new not only for Balaklava Bay, but for the Black Sea. Description of the species, their systematic position, morphometric characteristics and information about their distribution are given.

A new benthic freshwater diatom, Fragilaria rinoi Almeida & C.Delgado sp. nov., is described from river periphyton samples in Portugal. Fragilaria rinoi sp. nov. is illustrated and discussed based on populations collected from the Vouga,... more

A new benthic freshwater diatom, Fragilaria rinoi Almeida & C.Delgado sp. nov., is described from river periphyton samples in Portugal. Fragilaria rinoi sp. nov. is illustrated and discussed based on populations collected from the Vouga, Mondego and Lis river basins in central Portugal and compared with the type material of Fragilaria vaucheriae (Kütz.) J.B.Petersen. The morphological features of the new diatom species are documented through light and scanning electron micrographs, including a comparative analysis with related species of the genus (F. candidagilae Almeida, C.Delgado, Novais & S.Blanco, F. intermedia Grunow in Van Heurck, F. neointermedia Tuji & D.M.Williams, F. recapitellata Lange-Bert. & Metzeltin, F. perminuta (Grunow) Lange-Bert., F. vaucheriae and F. microvaucheriae C.E.Wetzel & Ector). Fragilaria rinoi sp. nov. is characterized by solitary cells without spines, lanceolate valves with slightly rostrate apices, a narrow, linear axial area, and a large, unilateral central area. Fragilaria rinoi sp. nov. may be confused with F. microvaucheriae in terms of length, striae density and outline, although a morphometric analysis revealed that F. rinoi sp. nov. is significantly wider. Fragilaria rinoi sp. nov. is present in rivers with high dissolved oxygen concentrations, medium to high conductivity, neutral to slightly alkaline pH and high mean values of nitrates and ammonium.

Many alpine lakes have low concentrations of ultraviolet (UV) radiation-absorbing dissolved organic matter, yet receive higher UV radiation flux than low-elevation lakes. We tested whether ambient UV radiation affected periphyton... more

Many alpine lakes have low concentrations of ultraviolet (UV) radiation-absorbing dissolved organic matter, yet receive higher UV radiation flux than low-elevation lakes. We tested whether ambient UV radiation affected periphyton development in a small alpine lake in Banff National Park, Canada. After 30 d, total periphytic biomass and chlorophyll accrual on artificial substrates were enhanced - 100% (t-test, P <

This study examines the relationship between light history (i.e. light conditions during colonization) and sensitivity to atrazine for periphyton communities grown on etched glass substrates (colonized for 2–3 weeks) at seven stream and... more

This study examines the relationship between light history (i.e. light conditions during colonization) and sensitivity to atrazine for periphyton communities grown on etched glass substrates (colonized for 2–3 weeks) at seven stream and river sites differing in water chemistry and light regime. For each site, taxonomic composition of the community (by microscopic examination and cell counts), pigment composition, and photosynthetic parameters were measured and related to sensitivity to the herbicide. Photosynthetic parameters were estimated from photosynthesis– irradiance (P-I) curves; the responses of the algae to atrazine were analyzed using short-term concentration–response tests. Periphyton communities colonizing shaded sites were diatom dominated, had higher percentages of accessory pigments, and were more susceptible to photoinhibition at high light intensities compared to periphyton communities colonizing open sites; communities in the more open sites were dominated by green algae or cyanobacteria. Periphyton communities colonizing open sites were more sensitive to atrazine; the concentration of atrazine needed to inhibit photosynthesis by 50% in the short-term tests (EC50 values) was correlated with light conditions during colonization. The interaction between treatment factors (light conditions during colonization, irradiance of incubation, and atrazine concentration) was analyzed by three-way ANOVA. The two-way interactions were significant, indicating that the response of the periphyton to irradiance during incubation and to atrazine concentration both depend on light history. However, the magnitude of the interaction between light history and atrazine toxicity was attenuated by changes in irradiance during incubation (three-way ANOVA). This investigation presents evidence that the apparent toxicity of atrazine to lotic periphyton in natural communities is greater for algae that are adapted to high-light conditions than for those that are adapted to low-light conditions.

The effects of cypermethrin, a commonly used pyrethroid insecticide, were studied in small in situ enclosures situated in an eutrophic lake over an 11-day period. The experimental design used a regression principle that included three... more

The effects of cypermethrin, a commonly used pyrethroid insecticide, were studied in small in situ enclosures situated in an eutrophic lake over an 11-day period. The experimental design used a regression principle that included three untreated controls and a gradient of six unreplicated cypermethrin concentrations, ranging from 0.01 to 6 μg/l. This paper is the second in a series of two and describes the effects on the species composition of the crustacean, rotifer, periphyton and phytoplankton communities. Multivariate ordination technique (redundancy analysis (RDA) combined with Monte Carlo permutation tests) showed that exposure to cypermethrin caused significant changes in the species composition of the communities. Changes in the structure of the communities were observed following exposure to a nominal concentration of 0.13 μg cypermethrin per litre above. The direct acute effect of exposure to cypermethrin was a rapid decrease of many species of crustacean zooplankton. The alterations in crustacean species composition were probably due to variations in susceptibility to the direct toxic effects of cypermethrin. No effects concentration (NEC) for individual zooplankton species were calculated using inverse regression and revealed that copepod nauplii were the most sensitive (NEC=0.01 μg/l) of the crustacean groups examined. The observed alterations of the species composition of the autotrophic communities as well as of the rotifers were most likely caused indirectly by cypermethrin, mediated through the direct negative effects of the insecticide on the crustacean grazers. The results of this experiment provide further knowledge about the direct and indirect effects of pesticide stress on the ecosystem level. They also show that there is a variation in sensitivity between different species of zooplankton under natural conditions and thus exemplify the necessity of multispecies approaches in the risk assessment of pesticides.

Periphyton is sessile biota attached to submerged substrata which includes algae, invertebrates, detritus and microorganisms. It consists of mainly algae but also include bacterial and fungal matter. Diversity and abundance of algae is... more

Periphyton is sessile biota attached to submerged substrata which includes algae, invertebrates, detritus and microorganisms. It consists of mainly algae but also include bacterial and fungal matter. Diversity and abundance of algae is considered as indicator of water quality of aquatic systems. In lotic habitats, attached algal communities (periphyton) are often the only primary producers. The present study is based on the study of Periphyton population under tropical climatic condition. The present study was carried out at Hoshangabad site of River Narmada situated in Madhya Pradesh. Four sampling stations were selected viz. Shahgang (Site-1), Bandra Bandh (Site-2), Sethani Ghat (Site-3) and Bandra Bandh-2 (Site-4). During the present study a total 45 species of Periphytic forms were recorded from 13 different classes. In the present study high species diversity of Periphytic forms were recorded at the site having abundance of macrophytic vegetation.

1. The assessment of the environmental hazards posed by chemical pollutants typically results from single-species tests that are extrapolated to ecosystems. The aim of the present study was to compare this type of extrapolation for a... more

1. The assessment of the environmental hazards posed by chemical pollutants typically results from single-species tests that are extrapolated to ecosystems. The aim of the present study was to compare this type of extrapolation for a herbicide with the chronic effects that may be observed at a community level and to evaluate currently applied risk assessment strategies for their ability to predict chemical effects on complex communities.
2. Freshwater periphyton communities, grown in indoor aquaria, were exposed to the pollutant diuron for 3 months. Acute toxic effects of diuron were detected as photosynthesis inhibition using
quenching analysis of chla-fluorescence. Chronic effects of the herbicide were observed in terms of changes in biomass and algal class composition as well as pollution-induced community tolerance (PICT). The PICT concept is based on a chemical exerting selection pressure on a community and therefore eliminating sensitive species. As a result, the measured community tolerance increases.
3. Short-term effects of diuron arise from 4–9 μg L–1 as half-maximal effect concentration (EC50). It is further shown that diuron concentrations down to 0·08 μg L–1 caused chronic effects in two independent microcosm studies. The observed threshold concentration of 0·08 μg L–1 still caused
changes in biomass and class composition as well as an increased community tolerance. The determined EC50 values increased by a factor of 2–3 in diuron-exposed periphyton communities. This threshold value could not be predicted by advanced extrapolation methods such as species sensitivity distribution or acute-to-chronic effect ratios.
4. Synthesis and applications. The chronic community-level effects of the pollutant diuron were not predictable from single-species tests. However, regulations such as the EC Water Framework Directive or the EC-REACH process (Registrations, Evaluation and Authorisation of Chemicals) rely on this type of information. The management of chemicals in the environment should be based upon higher-tier assessment tools. Species interaction, detectable and quantifiable by the PICT methodology, may serve as a prognostic tool in chemical hazard assessment when extrapolating effects from single-species tests to community level.

The Florida Everglades is a mosaic of short and long-hydroperiod marshes that differ in the depth, duration, and timing of inundation. Algae are important primary producers in widespread Everglades’ periphyton mats, but relationships of... more

The Florida Everglades is a mosaic of short and long-hydroperiod marshes that differ in the depth, duration, and timing of inundation. Algae are important primary producers in widespread Everglades’ periphyton mats, but relationships of algal production and community structure to hydrologic variability are poorly understood. We quantified differences in algal biomass and community structure between periphyton mats in 5 short and 6 long-hydroperiod marshes in Everglades National Park (ENP) in October 2000. We related differences to water depth and total phosphorus (TP) concentration in the water, periphyton and soils. Long and short-hydroperiod marshes differed in water depth (73 cm vs. 13 cm), periphyton TP concentrations (172μg g−1 vs. 107 μg g−1, respectively) and soil TP (284 μg g−1 vs. 145 μg g−1). Periphyton was abundant in both marshes, with short-hydroperiod sites having greater biomass than long-hydroperiod sites (2936 vs. 575 grams ash-free dry mass m−2). A total of 156 algal taxa were identified and separated into diatom (68 species from 21 genera) and “soft algae” (88 non-diatom species from 47 genera) categories for further analyses. Although diatom total abundance was greater in long-hydroperiod mats, diatom species richness was significantly greater in short- hydroperiod periphyton mats (62 vs. 47 diatom taxa). Soft algal species richness was greater in long-hydroperiod sites (81 vs. 67 soft algae taxa). Relative abundances of individual taxa were significantly different among the two site types, with soft algal distributions being driven by water depth, and diatom distributions by water depth and TP concentration in the water and periphyton. Periphyton communities differ between short and long-hydroperiod marshes, but because they share many taxa, alterations in hydroperiod could rapidly promote the alternate community.

No one information about algal community diversity from the Arys River basin was before this study. The first data about algal and cyanobacteria species diversity was represented for the Arys River basin and compared it to freshwater... more

No one information about algal community diversity from the Arys River basin was before this study. The first data about algal and cyanobacteria species diversity was represented for the Arys River basin and compared it to freshwater algae patterns of the related mountain regions. Altogether 82 species were found in 28 samples of phytoperiphyton on 13 sampling stations of the Arys River and its tributaries. Diatoms prevail in studied algal flora. Bioindication characterize the Arys River waters as temperate, moderately oxygenated, fresh, neutral water affected by a low to moderate level of organic pollution, Class II-III of water quality. The pattern of algae and cyanobacteria diversity distribution depends on altitude and local climatic and environmental conditions. Bacillariophyta species was richest in high mountain habitats, green algae, cyanobacteria and charophytes avoid high mountain habitats and have negative correlation with altitude. These results can be used as indicator of environmental changes in the mountainous areas. Three floristic groups were recognized in the studied river communities corresponding to the upper, middle and lower parts of the watershed. The general trend is an increase of species diversity from lowland areas to the high mountains. Our analysis revealed the altitude of habitat and related climatic factors control over the major diversity patterns in the Arys River basin, the second largest river in Southern Kazakhstan.

How variability indices were determined for 130 sites on New Zealand rivers and the sites were divided into groups based on these indices. Univariate and discriminant analyses were used to identify the catchment characteristics which... more

How variability indices were determined for 130 sites on New Zealand rivers and the sites were divided into groups based on these indices. Univariate and discriminant analyses were used to identify the catchment characteristics which contributed to flow variability. Climate, as determined by topography, geographic location, and the composition of the regolith (especially water storage capacity and transmissivity characteristics), accounted for a broad regional distribution of groups. Flow variability decreased with catchment size and area of lake and, to a lesser degree, with catchment slope. Relationships were found between flow variability, and morphological and hydraulic characteristics. The longitudinal variability of water depth and velocity increased with flow variability, indicating a more pronounced pool/riffle structure in rivers with high flow variability. Mean water velocity at mean annual low, median, and mean flow was higher in rivers of low flow variability than in rivers of high flow variability. There were strong associations with periphyton communities and trout distribution and abundance and a weak association with benthic invertebrate communities. Water velocity was the most important hydraulic variable; it could be linked to changes in water temperature, benthic invertebrate and periphyton community structure, and trout distribution and abundance.

We aimed to access the knowledge of the structure of the periphytic algae community on a floating substrate, the macrophyte Ricciocarpus natans (L.) Corda, during two hydrological periods in a connected environment at the Paraná river... more

We aimed to access the knowledge of the structure of the periphytic algae community on a floating substrate, the macrophyte Ricciocarpus natans (L.) Corda, during two hydrological periods in a connected environment at the Paraná river floodplain. Attached algal was removed from the substrate with the aid of a softbristled brush and distilled water jets and was fixed immediately for qualitative and quantitative analysis. The total richness of the periphytic algae was 188 taxa. February showed the highest species richness (154 taxa), while total species density exhibited an inverse pattern, with the highest values occurring in June (273.4 103 ind. cm-2). Bacillariophyceae comprised the largest fraction of density, which was reflected by the abundance of Achnanthidium minutissimum (Kütz.) Czarn. Community structure of periphytic algae in R. natans followed the same pattern of other substrates, as previously determined. This suggests that main factor acting on the structure of periphyton at the Paraná river floodplain is primarily the floodpulses regime. The hydrochoric dispersion of R. natans across the various environments comprising the floodplain favors its communities associated, as the periphytic algae, subject to passive transport via water movement. Floating rhizoids of R. natans also may act as a
mesh retainer, promoting the colonization of many metaphytic and planktonic species. However, in order to better understand and delineate patterns of ecosystem functioning, it is recommended that natural substrates be used which have greater stability in the environment, such as rooted or submerged macrophyte species.

Abstract: Headwater streams and their riparian areas, i.e., headwater systems, differ from larger streams in a number of fundamental ways that shape their characteristic biological communities. We focus on three distinguishing... more

Abstract: Headwater streams and their riparian areas, i.e., headwater systems, differ from larger streams in a number of fundamental ways that shape their characteristic biological communities. We focus on three distinguishing characteristics of headwater systems in temperate, forested landscapes, particularly in the North American Pacific Northwest, in contrast to larger streams. Small channel size and closed canopy create a physical template of reduced light inputs, strong local microclimate gradients, higher input rates of organic matter, and low primary production. The predominance of organic matter inputs as the primary source of biologically available energy promotes detritus-based communities. Second, headwaters are either fishless or have smaller fish populations (numerically and/or size-wise), leading to reduced effects of fish predation and fewer, if any, piscivores along headwaters. A third difference is the dominant disturbance regime associated with loss of surface flow...