Nutrient limitation of algal periphyton in streams along an acid mine drainage gradient

© 2015 Phycological Society of America.

Bibliographische Detailangaben
Veröffentlicht in:Journal of phycology. - 1966. - 51(2015), 4 vom: 01. Aug., Seite 739-49
1. Verfasser: DeNicola, Dean M (VerfasserIn)
Weitere Verfasser: Lellock, Amber J
Format: Online-Aufsatz
Sprache:English
Veröffentlicht: 2015
Zugriff auf das übergeordnete Werk:Journal of phycology
Schlagworte:Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't acid mine drainage benthic algae iron precipitate metal oxyhydroxides nitrogen nutrient diffusing substrata nutrient limitation passive treatment mehr... periphyton phosphorus
Beschreibung
Zusammenfassung:© 2015 Phycological Society of America.
Metal oxyhydroxide precipitates that form from acid mine drainage (AMD) may indirectly limit periphyton by sorbing nutrients, particularly P. We examined effects of nutrient addition on periphytic algal biomass (chl a), community structure, and carbon and nitrogen content along an AMD gradient. Nutrient diffusing substrata with treatments of +P, +NP and control were placed at seven stream sites. Conductivity and SO4 concentration ranged over an order of magnitude among sites and were used to define the AMD gradient, as they best indicate mine discharge sources of metals that create oxyhydroxide precipitates. Aqueous total phosphorous (TP) ranged from 2 to 23 μg · L(-1) and significantly decreased with increasing SO4 . Mean chl a concentrations at sites ranged from 0.2 to 8.1 μg · cm(-2) . Across all sites, algal biomass was significantly higher on +NP than control treatments (Co), and significantly increased with +NP. The degree of nutrient limitation was determined by the increase in chl a concentration on +NP relative to Co (response ratio), which ranged from 0.6 to 9.7. Response to nutrient addition significantly declined with increasing aqueous TP, and significantly increased with increasing SO4 . Thus, nutrient limitation of algal biomass increased with AMD impact, indicating metal oxyhydroxides associated with AMD likely decreased P availability. Algal species composition was significantly affected by site but not nutrient treatment. Percent carbon content of periphyton on the Co significantly increased with AMD impact and corresponded to an increase in the relative abundance of Chlorophytes. Changes in periphyton biomass and cellular nutrient content associated with nutrient limitation in AMD streams may affect higher trophic levels
Beschreibung:Date Completed 26.07.2016
Date Revised 08.04.2022
published: Print-Electronic
Citation Status PubMed-not-MEDLINE
ISSN:1529-8817
DOI:10.1111/jpy.12315