Impacts of Heavy Metals on Higher Aquatic Plant, Diatom and Benthic Invertebrate Communities in the Niagara River Watershed near Welland, Ontario

1990 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 131-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.D. Dickman ◽  
J.R. Yang ◽  
I.D. Brindle

Abstract Nickel, chromium, zinc and lead were 60 to 500 times more concentrated in the sediments downstream of the Atlas Specialty Steels Co. than they were in the sediments of the upper Welland River or in the nearby Lyon’s Creek. These metals reached concentrations of 4,900 mg kg−1 dry weight (ppm) of nickel versus 10 ppm upstream, 890 versus 5 ppm lead, 1,050 versus 30 ppm zinc and 5,120 verses 10 ppm chromium. Changes in higher aquatic plant species composition and relative abundance downstream of the Atlas Specialty Steels Co. were plotted as a function of the downstream distance (800 m) from the point source discharge of the company. Four zones in the distribution patterns of aquatic plants were recognized. In the first zone (0–10 m from the point source) benthic invertebrates and aquatic plants were absent. In zone 2 (10–15 m from the point source) pollution tolerant benthic invertebrates such as sludge worms and blood worms as well as pollution tolerant long stemmed emergent macrophytes such as bulrushes and cattails first appeared. Further downstream (15–120 m from the point source), short stemmed macrophytes became abundant and benthic invertebrate diversity and density began to increase (zone 3). Only in zone 4 (120–800 m from the point source) did submersed macrophytes first appear and benthic invertebrates such as isopods, snails and leeches became established. Sites where sediments displayed the highest levels of heavy metal contamination displayed low species richness and low benthic invertebrate densities. These same sites displayed the highest proportions of pollution tolerant chironomid genera such as Procladius cf. bellus and Phaenopsectra flavipes and the highest percentage of pollution tolerant diatoms such as Nitzschia hantzschia and N. palea. Chironomid density was significantly lower below the point source (19 individuals m−2 versus 162 individuals m−2 upstream) as was species richness (11 versus 20 species, P < 0.05). A similar pattern was evident for other benthic invertebrates as well as epipelic diatoms (15 vs. 34 species). In addition, the frequency of chironomid deformities was significantly higher at the downstream site than at the upstream “control” site (27% vs. 9%).

1981 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 978-981 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne S. Gardner ◽  
Thomas F. Nalepa ◽  
Michael A. Quigley ◽  
John M. Malczyk

Phosphate release rates by Stylodrilus heringianus, tubificids, and Chironomus spp. were quantified in laboratory experiments by incubating the animals in wet sand under two temperature regimes (5 and 20 °C) and under two nutritional states (full and empty guts). Inorganic phosphorus release rates (± SE) for animals incubated 24 h ranged from 0.12 ± 0.02 (n = 5) nmol phosphorus (P)∙(mg ash-free dry weight)−1∙h−1 for S. heringianus beginning with cleared guts at 5 °C to 0.81 ± 0.09 (n = 5) nmol P∙(mg ash-free dry weight)−1∙h−1 for chironomids beginning with full guts at 20 °C. Calculations based on total invertebrate bio-mass and mean basal release rate suggest that benthic invertebrate excretion could account for most P released from aerobic Lake Michigan sediments.Key words: phosphorus, benthic invertebrates, macroinvertebrates, excretion, nutrients, sediments, nutrient release


2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 252-256
Author(s):  
Heather Hasandras ◽  
Kimberly A. Moore ◽  
Lyn A. Gettys

Native aquatic plants are important to maintaining a balanced ecosystem, but they often are displaced by exotic invasive plant species. The research on the control and growth of the invasive aquatic species hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata) using sand substrates and controlled-release fertilizers (CRF) provides a potential production technique for other aquatic plants. We questioned if we could use hydrilla production techniques to grow southern naiad (Najas guadalupensis), a Florida-native aquatic plant that is often mistaken for hydrilla. We grew southern naiad cuttings in containers filled with 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, or 0:100 coarse builder’s sand and sphagnum moss (by volume). Before planting, containers were fertilized with 0, 1, 2, or 4 g·kg−1 CRF (15N–4P–10K). Containers were submerged in large storage tubs filled with rainwater and grown for 8 weeks. Southern naiad shoot dry weight was greater in the 100% sand substrate than that in the 0% sand substrate. Substrate electrical conductivity (EC) levels were greater in the 0% sand with no difference among the other substrates. Shoot and root dry weight of plants fertilized with 1–2 g·kg−1 CRF were greater than 0 or 4 g·kg−1 CRF. Substrate EC also increased as fertilizer rate increased, with the highest EC observed at 4 g·kg−1 CRF. Based on our results, we would suggest growing southern naiad in substrates with 100% sand and fertilized with 1–2 g·kg−1 CRF.


Water ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 1412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongwei Yu ◽  
Weixiao Qi ◽  
Chunhua Liu ◽  
Lei Yang ◽  
Ligong Wang ◽  
...  

In recent years, investigating the trend of aquatic plant diversity in response to different disturbance events has received increasing interest. However, there is limited knowledge of the different stages of aquatic vegetation succession over a long period in eutrophic lakes. In this study, we analyzed aquatic plant species richness and its relation to the physical and chemical characteristics of water in Chenghai Lake for the period of 1980–2018. This study shows that the richness and distribution of aquatic vegetation in Chenghai Lake are related to chlorophyll-a concentration, dissolved nutrients, base cations, and micronutrients. The results show that the long-term succession of aquatic plants in this lake classified in different stages: (I) A peak in species richness occurred at an intermediate stage that lasted from 1980 to 1992, and this was caused by more aquatic species being able to coexist since the competition for resources was lower; (II) after 26 years of secondary succession (1992–2018), the diversity and distribution area of aquatic plants gradually declined because pioneer species or human activities may have altered habitat conditions to render habitats less beneficial to pioneer species and more suitable for new aquatic plant species. Thus, species diversity and growth performance of aquatic plants in their communities may be useful indicators of Chenghai Lake’s trophic status, especially during the transition period from a mesotrophic lake to a eutrophic one.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Media Fitri Isma Nugraha ◽  
Ina Erlinawati ◽  
Deni Sahroni ◽  
Wening Enggarini ◽  
Rossa Yunita ◽  
...  

Bucephalandra sp. is a genus of aquatic plants endemic to Borneo Island, representing the Araceae family. Bucephalandra sp. is famous for its ornamental aquatic plants which are usually used in aquascaping. These aquatic plants come at fantastic prices, e.g. ±300 euros in European ornamental aquatic markets and Rp 50,000 – 700,000 in Indonesian aquatic plant markets. We collected 195 types of Bucephalandra from an ornamental aquatic plant market in Jakarta. In the market, they are sold under its commercial name. Therefore, the aim of this study is to collect and identify the species of all Bucephalandra types in the aquatic plant commercial market. These species that we identified are based on botanical taxonomist identification in the Herbarium Bogoriense Department Botany – Research Centre for Biology – Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI) Cibinong. The result of this study is from our collection (195 types) of which 102 types are Bucephalandra Motleyana Schott species and 90 types are the other species of Bucephalandra.


2011 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li-ping LI ◽  
Nurbay Abdusalih ◽  
Shao-peng WANG ◽  
Zhi-heng WANG ◽  
Zhi-yao TANG

1991 ◽  
Vol 23 (7-9) ◽  
pp. 1503-1507 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. M. Triet ◽  
N. T. Viet ◽  
T. V. Thinh ◽  
H. D. Cuong ◽  
J. C. L. van Buuren

The effluent from activated sludge treatment of petroleum wastewater was treated with the aid of a ponding system using aquatic plants (Water Hyacinth, Chlorella, Reed). A good result was obtained in this study. Pilot pond system shows that the purification efficiency depends on the residence time of about 14 days. The petroleum removal waa 97-98 %, the COD removal was from 88-93 %. The dissolved oxygen amount (with Chlorella) increased from 0.7 mg/l to 9.8 mg/l and the pH increased from 6.9 to 8-8.6. The application of 3 step biological pond with the use of Water Hyacinth, Chlorella, Reeds for post treatment of petroleum wastewater is appropriate in Vietnam.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3849
Author(s):  
Olesia Havryliuk ◽  
Vira Hovorukha ◽  
Oleksandr Savitsky ◽  
Volodymyr Trilis ◽  
Antonina Kalinichenko ◽  
...  

The aquatic plant Pistia stratiotes L. is environmentally hazardous and requires effective methods for its utilization. The harmfulness of these plants is determined by their excessive growth in water bodies and degradation of local aquatic ecosystems. Mechanical removal of these plants is widespread but requires fairly resource-intensive technology. However, these aquatic plants are polymer-containing substrates and have a great potential for conversion into bioenergy. The aim of the work was to determine the main patterns of Pistia stratiotes L. degradation via granular microbial preparation (GMP) to obtain biomethane gas while simultaneously detoxifying toxic copper compounds. The composition of the gas phase was determined via gas chromatography. The pH and redox potential parameters were determined potentiometrically, and Cu(II) concentration photocolorimetrically. Applying the preparation, high efficiency of biomethane fermentation of aquatic plants and Cu(II) detoxification were achieved. Biomethane yield reached 68.0 ± 11.1 L/kg VS of Pistia stratiotes L. biomass. The plants’ weight was decreased by 9 times. The Cu(II) was completely removed after 3 and 10 days of fermentation from initial concentrations of 100 ppm and 200 ppm, respectively. The result confirms the possibility of using the GMP to obtain biomethane from environmentally hazardous substrates and detoxify copper-contaminated fluids.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 741
Author(s):  
Rocío Fernández-Zamudio ◽  
Pablo García-Murillo ◽  
Carmen Díaz-Paniagua

In temporary ponds, seed germination largely determines how well aquatic plant assemblages recover after dry periods. Some aquatic plants have terrestrial morphotypes that can produce seeds even in dry years. Here, we performed an experiment to compare germination patterns for seeds produced by aquatic and terrestrial morphotypes of Ranunculus peltatus subsp. saniculifolius over the course of five inundation events. During the first inundation event, percent germination was higher for terrestrial morphotype seeds (36.1%) than for aquatic morphotype seeds (6.1%). Seed germination peaked for both groups during the second inundation event (terrestrial morphotype: 47%; aquatic morphotype: 34%). Even after all five events, some viable seeds had not yet germinated (terrestrial morphotype: 0.6%; aquatic morphotype: 5%). We also compared germination patterns for the two morphotypes in Callitriche brutia: the percent germination was higher for terrestrial morphotype seeds (79.5%) than for aquatic morphotype seeds (41.9%). Both aquatic plant species use two complementary strategies to ensure population persistence despite the unpredictable conditions of temporary ponds. First, plants can produce seeds with different dormancy periods that germinate during different inundation periods. Second, plants can produce terrestrial morphotypes, which generate more seeds during dry periods, allowing for re-establishment when conditions are once again favorable.


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