scholarly journals Factors affecting decomposition rates of chironomid (Diptera) pupal exuviae

Author(s):  
Rathi G. Kavanaugh ◽  
Alexander T. Egan ◽  
Leonard C. Ferrington, Jr.

<p>Collections of floating chironomid pupal exuviae are used to monitor water quality and assess ecological conditions. Factors controlling exuviae sinking rates are not well known, although they should have an effect on conclusions that can be drawn from collections. The current study was conducted to determine the rate of sinking under controlled laboratory conditions using water from three streams with different nutrient levels. Sinking rates ranged from less than a day to seven days, depending on microbial activity, nutrient concentrations, temperature and turbulence. Results also varied by genus, with pupal exuviae of <em>Chironomus riparius</em>, <em>Diamesa nivoriunda</em>, <em>Orthocladius</em> (<em>Euorthocladius</em>) <em>thienemanni </em>and <em>Eukiefferiella </em>sp. used in experiments. Four species of bacteria and eight genera of fungi colonized and metabolized exuviae, with bacteria dominant early and fungi dominant later in the decomposition process. Decomposition was faster in lightly chitinized abdominal conjunctive areas, which resulted in exuviae breaking apart and sinking. Examination of untreated, dewaxed and dewaxed-deproteinized exuviae indicated that untreated exuviae sank faster. Waxes appeared important for colonization and initial microbial metabolization was delayed when waxes were removed. Results confirm the importance of biological degradation of exuviae in determining floatation times. We predict that streams and other waterbodies with high dissolved nutrients will result in rapidly sinking exuviae, while exuviae in low nutrient waterbodies will float longer.</p><p><em>Article submitted 1. October 2014, accepted 18. November 2014, published 22. December 2014.</em></p>

Author(s):  
Bruce D. Lindsey ◽  
Marian P. Berndt ◽  
Brian G. Katz ◽  
Ann F. Ardis ◽  
Kenneth A. Skach

1990 ◽  
Vol 22 (5) ◽  
pp. 137-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. T. Dokulil ◽  
G. A. Janauer

The system “Neue Donau” functions as a control system for high waters of the river Danube and is an important recreational area for many people. Water quality and trophic status of the water body is thereforeof prime importance. The high nutrient concentrations of the river Danube (P-tot 238±41µg/l, N-tot 2.53±0.78 mg/l) reach the system via groundwater seepage. Present conditions in the basin of Neue Donau are,as a result of this nutrient in-flux,eutrophic to hypertrophic. Average values during the summer period have declined from 366 µg/l total phosphorus to 78 µg/l, and from 86 µg/l chlorophyll-a tol7µg/l between the years 1985 and 1988. However, a dam which is planned in the river at Vienna will permanently raise the water level of the river thus increasing the the groundwater flow in the direction to the Neue Donau and therefore the nutrient input which will enhance trophic conditions in the impoundment. Since macrophytes play an important role in one part of the system macrophyte management together with measures along the river are some of the suggested strategies to keep the system Neue Donau at acceptable trophic conditions and good water quality.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Łukasz Głowacki ◽  
Andrzej Kruk ◽  
Tadeusz Penczak

AbstractThe knowledge of biotic and abiotic drivers that put non-native invasive fishes at a disadvantage to native ones is necessary for suppressing invasions, but the knowledge is scarce, particularly when abiotic changes are fast. In this study, we increased this knowledge by an analysis of the biomass of most harmful Prussian carp Carassius gibelio in a river reviving from biological degradation. The species' invasion followed by the invasion's reversal occurred over only two decades and were documented by frequent monitoring of fish biomass and water quality. An initial moderate improvement in water quality was an environmental filter that enabled Prussian carp’s invasion but prevented the expansion of other species. A later substantial improvement stimulated native species’ colonization of the river, and made one rheophil, ide Leuciscus idus, a significant Prussian carp’s replacer. The redundancy analysis (RDA) of the dependence of changes in the biomass of fish species on water quality factors indicated that Prussian carp and ide responded in a significantly opposite way to changes in water quality in the river over the study period. However, the dependence of Prussian carp biomass on ide biomass, as indicated by regression analysis and analysis of species traits, suggests that the ecomorphological similarity of both species might have produced interference competition that contributed to Prussian carp’s decline.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 2117
Author(s):  
Su-mi Kim ◽  
Hyun-su Kim

The variations in water quality parameters and trophic status of a multipurpose reservoir in response to changing intensity of monsoon rain was investigated by applying a trophic state index deviation (TSID) analysis and an empirical regression model to the data collected in two periods from 2014 to 2017. The reservoir in general maintained mesotrophic conditions, and Carlson’s trophic state index (TSIc) was affected most by TSITP. Nutrient concentrations, particularly phosphorus, did not show strong correlations with precipitation, particularly in the period with weak monsoon, and a significant increase in total phosphorus (TP) was observed in Spring 2015, indicating the possibility of internal phosphorus loading under decreased depth and stability of water body due to a lack of precipitation. TSIChl was higher than TSISD in most data in period 1 when a negligible increase in precipitation was observed in the monsoon season while a significant fraction in period 2 showed the opposite trend. Phytoplankton growth was not limited by nutrient limitation although nutrient ratios (N/P) of most samples were significantly higher than 20, indicating phosphorus-limited condition. TSID and regression analysis indicated that phytoplankton growth was limited by zooplankton grazing in the Spring, and that cell concentrations and community structure in the monsoon and post-monsoon season were controlled by the changing intensity of the monsoon, as evidenced by the positive and negative relationships between community size and cyanobacterial population with the amount of precipitation in the Summer, respectively. The possibility of contribution from internal loading and an increase in cyanobacterial population associated with weak monsoon, in addition to potential for nutrient enrichment in the post-monsoon season, implies a need for the application of more stringent water quality management in the reservoir that can handle all potential scenarios of eutrophication.


2012 ◽  
Vol 63 (9) ◽  
pp. 788 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. E. Pettit ◽  
T. D. Jardine ◽  
S. K. Hamilton ◽  
V. Sinnamon ◽  
D. Valdez ◽  
...  

The present study indicates the critical role of hydrologic connectivity in floodplain waterholes in the wet–dry tropics of northern Australia. These waterbodies provide dry-season refugia for plants and animals, are a hotspot of productivity, and are a critical part in the subsistence economy of many remote Aboriginal communities. We examined seasonal changes in water quality and aquatic plant cover of floodplain waterholes, and related changes to variation of waterhole depth and visitation by livestock. The waterholes showed declining water quality through the dry season, which was exacerbated by more frequent cattle usage as conditions became progressively drier, which also increased turbidity and nutrient concentrations. Aquatic macrophyte biomass was highest in the early dry season, and declined as the dry season progressed. Remaining macrophytes were flushed out by the first wet-season flows, although they quickly re-establish later during the wet season. Waterholes of greater depth were more resistant to the effects of cattle disturbance, and seasonal flushing of the waterholes with wet-season flooding homogenised the water quality and increased plant cover of previously disparate waterholes. Therefore, maintaining high levels of connectivity between the river and its floodplain is vital for the persistence of these waterholes.


2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 87-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. S. Hyung ◽  
K. B. Kim ◽  
M. C. Kim ◽  
I. S. Lee ◽  
J. Y. Koo

Ozone dosage in most water treatment plants is operated by determining the ozone concentration with the experience of the operation. In this case, it is not economical. This study selected the factors affecting residual ozone concentration and attempted to estimate the optimum amount of hydrogen peroxide dosage for the control of the residual ozone concentration by developing a model for the prediction of the residual ozone concentration. The prediction formulas developed in this study can quickly respond to the environment of water quality and surrounding environmental factors, which change in real time, so it is judged that they could be used for the operation of the optimum ozone process, and the control of ozone dosage could be used as a new method in controlling the concentration of ozone dosage and the concentration of residual ozone.


Water Policy ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1206-1224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles Yaw Okyere ◽  
Felix Ankomah Asante

Abstract In this paper, we analyze perceptions and determinants of households' participation in a randomized experiment on water quality testing and information in southern Ghana. Beneficiary households assessed the components of the intervention including its relevance and adequacy in improving understanding of water quality issues. Motivating and constraining factors to participation in the randomized experiment are also assessed. We also estimate the correlates of participation in the intervention. Social and economic benefits derived from the intervention based on perceptions are compared with impacts of the intervention using an instrumental variable approach. We found evidence that subjective analysis estimates of the effects of the intervention are higher than the objective analysis estimates. Households generally perceived the intervention to be relevant in improving their understanding of water quality issues. However, there are differing opinions based on random assignment into either child or adult treatment groups on most- and least-liked attributes of the intervention, and also motivating and constraining factors affecting participation in the intervention. The factors that statistically and significantly influenced participation in the intervention include educational attainment, ethnicity, religious denomination and marital status of the household heads, in addition to the location of residence.


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