Water quality along a river continuum subject to point and diffuse sources

The water quality along the River Kennet, in the Thames basin of southern England, was examined in terms of the influence of point- and diffuse-nutrient inputs. The river is supplied mainly from a Cretaceous Chalk aquifer and hence the waters are of a calcium bicarbonate type. The nitrate largely comes from agricultural sources, with concentrations decreasing downstream due to plant uptake and probable denitrification. In contrast, soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) is largely associated with sewage inputs and concentrations increase downstream in line with effluents from major towns such as Newbury and Reading. Adjacent to the river in the lower half of the catchment is the Kennet and Avon Canal and the two are in places hydrologically connected. The canal inputs may influence calcium carbonate (calcite) precipitation and increase suspended sediment and particulate phosphorus concentrations in the river. Monitoring upstream and downstream of Marlborough sewage treatment works (STW) showed that SRP concentrations in the effluent were highly variable due to variable efficiency of P stripping and still sufficiently concentrated to dominate downstream river SRP with potential impacts on stream ecology. Biological recovery in this river following P stripping at STWs is complex and controlling those spikes in SRP that are above a threshold of 100 μg l⁻¹ may be a critical requirement. More stringent effluent targets than are currently recommended may be needed (less than 800 μg RP l⁻¹) to achieve good ecological status in this river depending on SRP concentrations upstream.     

The physico-chemical conditions of Turkwel Gorge Reservoir, a new man made lake in Northern Kenya

Variations in some physical, chemical, and nutrient conditions were investigated at Turkwel Gorge Reservoir and its inflowing river, Suam between 1994 and 1995. Seasonal changes in inflow volume had the greatest impact on the reservoir and river conditions investigated. A wide fluctuation in inflow volume combined with a regulated outflow independent of season resulted in a draw down of over 10 m in each year. Flood inflows during the wet season resulted in the lowest values of Secchi depth (range, 0.09–2.16 m), electrical conductivity (EC, range = 140–200 mS cm⁻¹) and total alkalinity (TA, range = 75–111 mg l⁻¹) while the highest values were measured during the dry season. A functional relation between EC and TA (TA = 0.529 mg l⁻¹, EC: R² = 0.876) suggests a predominance of carbonates among the anions. Vertical profiles of temperature and dissolved oxygen (DO) revealed that the reservoir is monomictic with a wide variation in the depth of the daily mixed layer. High values of pH (range = 6.7–8.9) and DO (range = 4.9–9.2 mg l⁻¹) were associated with periods of peak phytoplankton photosynthesis while the lowest values followed reservoir mixing. Peak total nitrogen (TN, range = 119–526 μg l⁻¹) and total phosphorus (TP, range = 8.9–71.6 μg l⁻¹) levels during the wet season resulted from increased river loading. Values of dissolved reactive silica (DRS, range = 0.41–9.77 mg l⁻¹) showed a wet season decline which was related to diatom depletion during the wet season. Annual reservoir areal loading rates of 27.38, 10.90 and 408.5 mg m⁻² were computed for TN, TP and DRS respectively based on estimates of inflowing river loads in 1994.

At the inflowing river Suam, low levels of EC (range = 107–210 μS cm⁻¹) and TA (range = 62–125 mg l⁻¹) occurred during the wet season while the highest levels occurred shortly before the river dried up. The first flood water at the resumption of river inflow in March was characterized by very low levels of DO (range = 1.8–8.2 mg l⁻¹) and high levels of TN (range = 205–3354 μg l⁻¹) and TP (102–1259 μg l⁻¹). River pII (6.9–7.7) and DRs (range = 9.01–19.93 mg l⁻¹) varied irregularly throughout the year.     

Toxic effects of copper on larval development of the barnacle Balanus amphitrite

Experiments were conducted to assess the effects of copper on larval development in the barnacle Balanus amphitrite. In the first experiment, we compared the sensitivity of three naupliar stages to copper stress. Molting inhibition occurred at copper concentrations ranging from 32 μg l⁻¹ in nauplius II to 128 g l⁻¹ in nauplius VI. EC₅₀ for molting ranged from 97 μg l⁻¹ in nauplius II to 129 g l⁻¹ in nauplius VI. Decreased survival occurred at 128 μg Cu l⁻¹ in all of the naupliar stages tested, with LC₅₀ ranging from 145 in nauplius II to 213 μg l⁻¹ in nauplius VI. In the second experiment, we examined effects of copper on the development from nauplius II to cyprid. The larvae reached cypris stage only in treatments of 16 μg Cu l⁻¹. Our study therefore showed that molting was a more sensitive endpoint than survival, nauplius II was the most sensitive naupliar stage, and that whole larval development assay was more sensitive than assays using a particular larval stage. The results were discussed with respect to the use of this species in toxicity tests.     

Influence of rural land use on streamwater nutrients and their ecological significance

Concentrations and loads of N and P fractions were examined for lowland rivers, the Wye and Avon, draining a range of representative agricultural land-use types in two major UK river basins. Data collected over a 2-year period demonstrated important diffuse agricultural source contributions to N and P loads in these rivers. Ground water provided a major source of total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) loads, whereas near-surface sources provided a major contribution to total phosphorus (TP) loads. In terms of aquatic ecology, concentrations of nutrients, at times of eutrophication risk (spring and summer low flows) were of key environmental and management significance. Agricultural diffuse sources provided the major source of long-term P loads across the two basins. However, the results demonstrated the dominance of point-source contributions to TP and SRP concentrations at times of ecological risk. Point sources typically ‘tip the balance’ of dissolved inorganic P (soluble reactive P, SRP) above the 100 μg l⁻¹ guideline value indicative of eutrophication risk. The significance of point sources for TP and SRP concentrations was shown by (a) the strong correlations between TP, SRP and B concentrations, using B as a tracer of sewage effluent, (b) the dominant contribution of SRP to TP concentrations and (c) the predominant pattern of dilution of SRP and B with flow. The clean Chalk streams draining low intensity grassland in areas of the Avon with sparse human settlement were oligotrophic and P limited with low SRP concentrations under spring and summer baseflows attributable to groundwater sources. The data provide important insights into the ecological functioning of different lowland stream systems. There was evidence of greater SRP losses and N-limitation in a stream which drains a pond system, demonstrating the importance of longer water residence times for biological nutrient uptake.     

Variation in riverine phosphorus between 1994 and 2003 as affected by land-use and loading reductions in six medium-sized to large German rivers

Land use and in-stream transformation exert great influence on concentrations and loads of phosphorus (P) in rivers. We aimed to display differences in the courses of total P (TP) and soluble reactive P (SRP) concentrations and loads in six medium-sized to large rivers in the central region of Germany, and to identify the reasons for different long-term trends. Therefore, we applied multivariate statistics to 10-year-time series (1994–2003) of TP, SRP, discharge (Q), water temperature (T), pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), total organic carbon (TOC), dissolved oxygen (DO), total iron (Fe), and total manganese (Mn). Statistical results were related to land use in the catchments of the rivers. TP concentrations ranged between 0.02 and 0.78 mg l⁻¹, and SRP concentrations ranged between 0.01 and 0.44 mg l⁻¹. Q correlated negatively with TP and SRP concentrations over the entire year. Furthermore, Fe correlated significantly and positively to TP and SRP and therefore, ferric hydroxides likely were the major P sorption sites. DOC showed significant positive correlation to SRP particularly in spring, indicating manure exposure in early spring as a major source of both, DOC and SRP. Significant negative correlations between DO and SRP in summer hint at internal P loading in rivers or in flushed lakes. Different forms of land use were the reasons of enhanced or retarded recovering from previous increases in P concentrations. High portions of arable land within some of the catchments impeded the process of decreases since 1996 because of remaining high-diffuse emissions from fertilized soils. Agricultural practices, exposing fertilizer to soils within the river catchments and high Q in early spring caused high TP and SRP loads to downstream systems, and evoked risks for downstream river reaches.     

The Effect of Copper on the Settlement Success of Larvae from the Scleractinian Coral Acropora tenuis

This study examined the effect of copper on the settlement success of planula larvae of the reef-building coral Acropora tenuis during 1994 and 1996 at Magnetic Island, Great Barrier Reef. Copper concentrations of 2, 10, 20 μg l⁻¹ did not inhibit larval settlement after 48-h exposure. However, copper concentrations of 42 μg l⁻¹ and 81 μg l⁻¹ significantly reduced settlement success of A. tenuis larvae after 48-h exposure compared with controls using normal seawater. At 200 μg l⁻¹ copper, all larvae died. EC₅₀ values for the effect of copper on A. tenuis larval settlement were calculated from the 1996 results using measured copper concentrations. The 48-h EC₅₀ was 35 μg l⁻¹ with an upper and lower 95% confidence limit of 37 μg l⁻¹ and 32 μg l⁻¹, respectively. The 48-h NOEC value for both experiments was 20 μg l⁻¹ copper. These experiments provide some of the first data on sub-lethal effects of trace metals on tropical marine organisms, and demonstrate that relatively low copper concentrations impair or inhibit settlement of coral larvae.     

Organochlorine micropollutants in the Jiulong River Estuary and Western Xiamen Sea, China

Organochlorine contaminants including 12 polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners and 18 insecticides were determined in water, pore water and sediments of the Jiulong River Estuary and Western Xiamen Sea, China. The results showed that the levels of the total PCBs ranged from non-detectable to 1500 ng l⁻¹ in water, from 209 to 3870 ng l⁻¹ in pore water, and from 2.78 to 14.8 ng g⁻¹ dry weight in sediments. Total organochlorine insecticide concentrations were from below the limit of detection to 2480 ng l⁻¹ in water, from 267 to 33400 ng l⁻¹ in pore water, and from 4.22 to 46.3 ng g⁻¹ dry weight in sediments. Concentrations of PCBs and insecticides in pore water were significantly higher than those in surface water, due to the high affinity of these hydrophobic compounds for sediment phase. The PCB congeners with the highest concentrations were CB153, CB180 and CB194, which together accounted for 68–87% of total PCBs in water, pore water and sediment. Among the hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) compounds, beta-HCH was found to be a major isomer. Analysis of 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-bis-chlorophenyl-ethane (DDT) and its metabolites showed that 1,1-dichloro-2[o-chlorophenyl]-2[p-chlorophenyl]-ethylene (DDE) was dominant in the group. In comparison to a 1998 study in the Western Xiamen Sea, levels of organochlorines were enhanced due probably to recent inputs and changes in sediments.     

Tin and organotin in water, sediments, and benthic organisms of Poole Harbour

Tributyltin (TBT) concentrations in waters of Poole Harbour ranged between 2–139 ng l⁻¹ (as Sn) and increased to 234–646 ng l⁻¹ within marinas. Seasonal trends in contamination coincided with boat usage patterns and peaked during summer months. A combination of poor tidal flushing and removal of TBT to particulates restricts high levels of contamination to areas closest to marinas and moorings; TBT concentrations in benthic sediments decreased from 0.52 μg g⁻¹ near such sites to 0.02 μg g⁻¹ at the harbour mouth. Organotin accumulations in several benthic invertebrates including polychaetes (Nereis diversicolor), snails (Littorina littorea) and clams (Scrobicularia plana, Mya arenaria) reflect the distribution of contamination in the environment, though concentration factors (relative to water) vary considerably between species and were highest in sediment dwelling clams, notably Mya (1.3×10⁵). Compared to organotins, biological availability of inorganic tin is low.

Levels of TBT in parts of Poole Harbour exceed Environmental Quality Targets designed to protect marine life and may be responsible for poor recruitment, particularly in bivalves, at heavily contaminated sites.     

The Impact of the Herbicide Diuron on Photosynthesis in Three Species of Tropical Seagrass

The impact and recovery from exposure to the herbicide diuron [DCMU; 3-(3′,4′-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea] was assessed for three tropical seagrasses, maintained in outdoor aquaria over a 10-day period. Photosynthetic stress was detected using chlorophyll a fluorescence, measured with a Diving-PAM (pulse amplitude modulated fluorometer). Exposure to 10 and 100 μg l⁻¹ diuron resulted in a decline in effective quantum yield (ΔF/F_m^′) within 2 h of herbicide exposure in Cymodocea serrulata, Halophila ovalis and Zostera capricorni. Effective quantum yield also declined over the first 24 h of exposure in H. ovalis at even lower diuron concentrations (0.1 and 1.0 μg l⁻¹). Effective quantum yield in H. ovalis and Z. capricorni was significantly depressed at all diuron concentrations (0.1–100 μg l⁻¹) after 5 days exposure, whereas effective quantum yield in C. serrulata was only significantly lower in plants exposed to highest diuron concentrations (10 and 100 μg l⁻¹). Effective quantum yield depression was present 5 days after plants exposed to 10 and 100 μg l⁻¹ diuron were returned to fresh seawater. These results indicate that exposure to herbicide concentrations present in nearshore Queensland sediments present a potential risk to seagrass functioning.     

Cadmium content, accumulation and toxicity in dog whelks collected around the Welsh coastline

The concentration of cadmium in sexually mature Nucella lapillus was investigated around the coast of Wales. Higher concentrations of cadmium were found in whelks located in the Bristol Channel compared with Cardigan Bay Nucella. Accumulation and toxicity of cadmium were investigated at 50–600 μg Cd l⁻¹ over a period of 21 days. At the lower concentrations of 50–100 μg Cd l⁻¹ all Nucella survived the 21 days of experimentation. The rate of cadmium uptake after exposure to cadmium was inconsistent and not related to the degree of site contamination. At all sites the concentration of cadmium in Nucella, after treatment with 50–600 μg Cd l⁻¹ for 21 days, was significantly different from controls, but after 7 days it varied with the site and cadmium concentration. Only samples collected at Fishguard, Dale, and Swansea survived 21 days at 600 μg Cd l⁻¹. Tissue cadmium concentrations did not significantly effect the whole body concentration of zinc.     

Nutrient dynamics in Mediterranean temporary streams: A case study in Pardiela catchment (Degebe River, Portugal)

Most of the streams in the Mediterranean region are temporary, following predictable seasonal of flooding and drying, with a transition from lotic conditions to shallow lentic conditions. The goal of our study was to assess the nitrogen and phosphorus dynamics in channel-bed processes of temporary streams between floods. Results show that, during winter, temperatures ranged between 9.5 and 11.2 °C and oxygen concentration ranged from 8.0 to 9.5 mg L⁻¹, whereas, during summer, temperatures varied between 21.2 and 26.8 °C and oxygen between 1.2 and 5.3 mg L⁻¹, with oxygen depletion in the pools during the night. The nitrate concentrations were far more abundant during winter (February), while ammonium concentration increased after stream fragmentation into pools (especially in July when oxygen depletion conditions favoured ammonification). Results on sediment profiles showed that the most active sediment layers for NH₄-N are the top 2–3 cm, corresponding to the sediment depositional sites of the stream. Phosphate concentrations had larger variability, yet concentrations decreased from winter to spring and increased again in summer, when the shallow water pools were formed. Sediment profiles at the sediment depositional sites showed that PO₄-P was more dynamic in the first 6 cm.

In Mediterranean temporary streams, nutrient dynamics vary seasonally, as the system transits from lotic conditions to shallow lentic conditions, evidencing the regeneration of nutrients from organic and inorganic matter during the flow cessation period.     

Before and after riparian management: sediment and nutrient exports from a small agricultural catchment, Western Australia

Riparian vegetation can trap sediment and nutrients sourced from hillslopes and reduce stream bank erosion. This study presents results from a 10-year stream monitoring program (1991–2000), in a 6 km² agricultural catchment near Albany, Western Australia. After 6 years, a 1.7 km stream reach was fenced, planted with eucalyptus species and managed independently from the adjacent paddocks. Streamflow, nutrient and sediment concentration data were collected at the downstream end of the fenced riparian area, so there are data for before and after improved riparian management. Suspended sediment (SS) concentrations fell dramatically following improved riparian management; the median event mean concentration (EMC) dropped from 147 to 9.9 mg l⁻¹. Maximum SS concentrations dropped by an order of magnitude. As a result, sediment exports from the catchment decreased following improved riparian management, from over 100 to less than 10 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹. Observations suggest that this was the result of reduced bank erosion and increased channel stability. Riparian management had limited impact on total phosphorus (TP) concentrations or loads, but contributed to a change in phosphorus (P) form. Before improved riparian management, around half of the P was transported attached to sediment, but after, the median filterable reactive P (FRP) to TP ratio increased to 0.75. In addition, the median FRP EMC increased by 60% and the raw median FRP concentration increased from 0.18 to 0.35 mg l⁻¹. These results suggest that there was a change in the dominant P form, from TP to FRP. Changes in total nitrogen (TN) following improved riparian management were less clear. There were reductions in TN concentrations at high flows, but little change in the loads or EMC. This study demonstrates the benefits of riparian management in reducing stream bank erosion, but suggests that in catchments with sandy, low P sorption soils, there may be limitations on the effectiveness of riparian buffers for reducing P and N exports.     

A field methodology for quantifying phosphorus transfer and delivery to streams in first order agricultural catchments

An understanding of the relative importance of different hydrological pathways in phosphorus delivery from land to water is currently constrained by a lack of appropriate methods available to quantify the delivery process. New monitoring tools are needed which will provide a framework for understanding phosphorus (P) transfer and delivery at a range of scales in agricultural catchments. A field methodology incorporating the techniques of event-based, on-site observation and sampling within a flexible, non-plot based structure is described and applied to a first order stream catchment in Southern England, UK. The results show that P transfers to the stream reach monitored were dominated by inputs from one field drain, and that overland flow inputs, despite being directly connected to the stream and containing higher P concentrations (maximum 3708 μg l⁻¹), contributed less to the stream P flux. The processes of P transfer and delivery to the stream were complex, changing both within flow pathways and temporally over an event.     

The comparative effects of oil dispersants and oil/dispersant conjugates on germination of the marine macroalga Phyllospora comosa (Fucales: Phaeophyta)

Germination inhibition of the marine macrophyte Phyllospora comosa was utilized as a sub-lethal end-point to assess and compare the effects of four oil dispersants and dispersed diesel fuel and crude oil combinations. Inhibition of germination by the water-soluble fraction of diesel fuel increased following the addition of each of the dispersants; the nominal 48-h EC₅₀ concentration of diesel fuel declined from 6800 to approximately 400 μl l⁻¹ nominal for each dispersed combination. This contrasted with crude oil, where the addition of two dispersants resulted in an enhanced germination rate and an increase in nominal EC₅₀ concentrations from 130 μl l⁻¹ for the undispersed crude to 4000 and 2500 μl l⁻¹. The results indicate that, while germination inhibition of P. comosa may be enhanced by the chemical dispersal of oil, the response varies with type of both oil and oil dispersant.     

Seasonal studies on cadmium concentration and toxicity, oxygen consumption, digestive gland glycogen, and lipid in dog whelks collected at Aberystwyth, Wales

The concentration of cadmium in Nucella was investigated at different times of the year at one site. There was no significant difference in tissue cadmium at the times of the year investigated but tissue zinc was more variable. Accumulation and toxicity of cadmium were studied using 50–600 μg Cd l⁻¹ for 21 days. There was no significant seasonal difference in the rate of cadmium uptake but mortality appeared to vary with the season. Nucella did not survive 21 days at 600 μg Cd l⁻¹, but at lower concentrations 50–100 μg Cd l⁻¹ all survived.

Although there was significant drop in oxygen consumption between 7 and 14 days it did not appear to be related to the cadmium exposure. Glycogen levels on the other hand showed a decrease after cadmium treatment, while lipid values remained unchanged. Results are discussed in relation to energy source, season, and adaptation to the environment.     

Intermittent exposure to reduced oxygen levels affects prey size selection and consumption in swimming crab Thalamita danae Stimpson

Portunid crabs Thalamita danae (carapace width: 46–56 mm) were exposed to low oxygen level (4.0 mg O₂ l⁻¹) and hypoxia (1.5 mg O₂ l⁻¹) for 6 h each day with three size classes (large: 15.0–19.9 mm, medium: 10.0–14.9 mm, small: 5.0–9.9 mm) of mussels Brachidontes variabilis offered as food. Consumption rate, prey size preference, and prey handling including breaking time, handling time, eating time and prey value, were studied during the time the crabs were exposed to reduced oxygen levels and results were compared with the crabs maintained at high oxygen level (8.0 mg O₂ l⁻¹) throughout the experiment. Consumption of mussels from all size classes was significantly higher at high oxygen level than at reduced oxygen levels. No mussel size preference was observed for crabs exposed to 4.0 or 8.0 mg O₂ l⁻¹ but those crabs exposed to 1.5 mg O₂ l⁻¹ preferred medium mussels. Both breaking time and handling time increased with mussel size but did not vary with oxygen level. Prey value of each mussel consumed (mg dry wt eaten crab⁻¹ s⁻¹) was calculated by dividing the estimated dry weight of the mussel by the observed handling time. Mean prey value varied significantly with mussel size, with values obtained for large mussels being higher than small mussels at 4.0 and 8.0 mg O₂ l⁻¹; the effect of oxygen level, however, was insignificant. In view of portunid crabs as major predators of mussels, results may help explain dominance of mussels in eutrophic harbours in Hong Kong.     

The extent of hydrocarbon contamination in the marine environment from a research station in the Antarctic

Low level hydrocarbon contamination is measurable in the vicinity of Antarctic stations, N-alkane and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) concentrations in seawater and sediment at Signy Station, South Orkney Islands indicated contamination was confined to within a few hundred metres of the station. Total n-alkane concentrations in seawater decreased from 7.6 to 2.6 μg l⁻¹ within 500 m of the station. All n-alkane values in seawater were within the limits of variation for oceanic waters proposed by cripps (1992), although the distribution pattern suggested pollution from the station. The total PAH concentration in seawater varied between 110 and 216 ng l⁻¹. These values showed no trend with distance from the station and were all slightly higher than for the open ocean. The n-alkane and PAH concentations in the surface sediment declined to low levels within 375 m of the station. This indicates that a large proportion of the hydrocarbons entering Factory Cove was deposited from the water column. Sediment n-alkane concentrations were similar at all depths of the cores when collected more than 125 m from the station. PAH levels in the sediment appeared to be due to local input, including a small spill in 1965.     

Input and behaviour of linear alkylbenzenesulphonates (LAS) in a stratified estuary

Input and distribution of linear alkylbenzenesulphonates (LAS) in the highly stratified Krka River estuary were studied during 1990–1991. Determinations of individual LAS homologues in wastewater and estuarine waters were performed using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with spectrofluorimetric detection. The investigated municipal wastewaters contained LAS homologues with alkyl-chain lengths from C₁₀ to C₁₃ at total concentrations in the range of 285–1041 μg l⁻¹. Total LAS input via wastewaters into ibenik Harbour, the most polluted part of the estuary, was estimated at 12.6 kg day⁻¹. A relatively large fraction of total LAS, depending on the wastewater particle load, was found in particulate form (11–59%). Distributions of the individual homologues in dissolved and particulate fractions were rather different, the latter being significantly enriched in higher homologues (C₁₂, C₁₃). The LAS concentration in the estuary was quite low (0.2–23.9 μg l⁻¹) which was caused chiefly by a strong and fast dilution process. However, characteristic vertical distribution of LAS in the estuarine water column indicated that the wastewater plume spreads almost exclusively in the upper (brackish) layer. The concentration maxima were observed in the surface microlayer and at the brackish water/seawater boundary.     

Mesocosm experiments for evaluating the biological efficacy of ozone treatment of marine ballast water

Ballast water is a major pathway for the transfer of non-indigenous species in aquatic environments. The objectives of this study were to determine the ability of ozone to reduce the numbers of a spectrum of marine organisms collected from Puget Sound, Washington in replicated mesocosm (280 l) experiments, and estimate the minimum ozone concentrations as measured by total residual oxidant (TRO) required to reduce organism densities. Ozone treatment was effective in removing bacteria, phytoplankton, and mesozooplankton with initial TRO concentrations of 2–5 mg l⁻¹ as Br₂. Persistence of TRO resulted in an extended period of toxicity and cumulative mortality. TRO decay allowed bacteria populations to multiply when TRO levels fell below 0.5–1.0 mg l⁻¹ as Br₂. Phytoplankton chlorophyll a concentrations were rapidly reduced by ozone treatment and did not increase in any treatments or controls because of lack of light. Overall mesozooplankton viability was rapidly reduced by 90–99% in treatment TRO levels above 1.85 mg l⁻¹ as Br₂. Our study outlines novel protocols that can be used for testing different potential ballast water treatment systems in replicated and controlled mesocosm experiments.     

Desalinization of running waters: III. Changes in the structure of diatom assemblages caused by a decreasing salt load and changing ion spectra in the river Wipper (Thuringia, Germany)

Salt-loaded effluents were introduced into the river Wipper during the mining period for almost a century. Beginning with the year 1990, the waste water load was strongly reduced due to the termination of the potash industry. Prior to 1990, monthly means of the chloride concentrations at times exceeded 6,000 mg l⁻¹ in the strongly polluted sections. Maximum concentrations reached twice these values. Up to 1998, mean annual chloride concentrations decreased to values below 2,000 mg l⁻¹. This led to more balanced fluctuations in salinity which had been pronounced before, depending on discharge and short-term changes in production. Similarly, the physiologically adverse ion conditions improved due to decrasing potassium and increasing calcium proportions.

In 1963/64, 1986 and 1998, samples of epilithic, epiphytic and epipsammic diatoms were taken at locations of different salinities along the river and examined for the effects of the salinization on the structure of the diatom assemblages. These structures changed in dependence on salinity. Increasing salt concentrations coincided with decreasing oligohalophilic and increasing mesohalophilic and polyhalophilic species numbers. Above a chloride concentration of about 3,000 mg l⁻¹, the proportion of the latter exceed that of the former (halobion index > 50). Corresponding to different conditions of salinization along the river, characteristic diatom assemblages occur differring from each other and which are specific for the river section. Spring and autumn aspects of the diatom assemblages show also salt-dependent differences. The assemblages found in 1998 after decrease of salinization have changed markedly in comparison to those from 1963/64 and 1986. Halobiontic species predominating formerly occurred only occasionally or not at all. They were replaced by oligohalobic-indifferent forms.

An ecological assessment of the changes was performed based on the halobion index calculated from all the samples. For the strongly salinized section of the river Wipper, a shift from -mesohalobic/polyhalobic conditions in 1963/64 and 1986 to -oligohalobic/β-mesohalobic conditions in 1998 was found. However, constant -oligohalobic conditions are still not given. With regard to the transition from -oligohalobic (limnetic) to β-mesohalobic (brackish) conditions, a maximum chloride concentration of 600 mg l⁻¹ was found. To guarantee -oligohalobic conditions, a maximum chloride concentration of 400 mg l⁻¹ should not be exceeded.