Long-term recovery of stream habitat structure and benthic invertebrate communities from in-stream restoration

Headwater streams channelized for water transport of timber in Finland are being restored to their pre-channelization state. The primary motivation is the enhancement of sport fisheries, but restoration probably has profound impacts also on other stream organisms. We assessed how such “single-goal” restorations affect benthic macroinvertebrate communities. We revisited the streams sampled by Laasonen et al. [Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 8 (1998)] in the early 1990s when the streams had been recently restored. In 1997, the recovery period of these streams ranged from 4 to 8 years. Habitat structure among the stream types represented a distinct recovery gradient, with streams restored 1 month before sampling and natural streams being the endpoints of a gradient in moss cover (highest in natural, lowest in recently restored streams). Channelized streams supported a characteristic set of indicator species, whereas shifts in species composition between restored and natural streams were more gradual. Macroinvertebrate communities in unmodified streams changed little between the two surveys, whereas communities in restored streams had undergone considerable changes. In-stream restoration is an unpredictable disturbance, to which stream biota cannot have any evolved responses. Therefore, the relatively rapid recovery of habitat structure and macroinvertebrate communities in restored streams is encouraging. However, long-term monitoring of benthic communities in both restored and natural streams is needed to assess whether restoring rivers by these techniques will enhance the recovery of benthic biodiversity in boreal streams.     

Impacts of agricultural practices on aquatic oligochaete populations in ricefields

Summary The impacts of N fertilizer, pesticides and green manure on aquatic oligochaetes in irrigated ricefields were investigated in experimental plots. Populations, determined by the wet sieving of soil cores, were dominated by the Tubificidae Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri. Total densities ranged from 0 to 40 000 m^-2. Oligochaete numbers increased in response to additions of urea N. An inhibitory effect of carbofuran on oligochaete populations was observed during the first season of experimental pesticide treatments, but not during the following year. The green manure Sesbania rostrata stimulated population development more than Azolla microphylla. Populations in plots maintained as wet fallow remained low throughout the crop cycle. Population dynamics were associated with the crop cycle. Peak densities were achieved 30–50 days after transplanting.     

Impact of soil erosion in disturbed tributary drainages on the benthic invertebrate fauna of Lake Tanganyika, East Africa

We analysed the species diversity and distribution of recently buried remains of larval Chironomidae (Insecta: non-biting midges) in bottom environments of Lake Tanganyika adjacent to pristine and disturbed tributary drainages, to investigate the ecological impact of sediment pollution caused by anthropogenic soil erosion. Within each of three drainage size classes (<10, 30-50, 50-162 km²), disturbance has resulted in similar shifts in chironomid species composition which appear to reflect expansion of coarse-grained, low-organic substrates into deeper water, at the expense of the soft organic muds which characterise the deep-water environment. Because the area of habitable lake bottom in Lake Tanganyika is bounded from below by the oxycline, these results indicate that sediment pollution negatively impacts the oxygenated deep-water environment of Lake Tanganyika, and that intensifying soil erosion in tributary drainages may eventually threaten the survival of endemic fish and mollusc species dependent on the habitat it provides. This study establishes the value of sub-fossil Chironomidae as biological indicators of ecosystem health in the large lakes of East Africa.     

Distribution of mercury in the aquatic food web of Onondaga Lake,New York

Historical discharges of mercury (Hg) to Onondaga Lake, New York, have resulted in elevated Hg concentrations in lake fishes. In 1990, a remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS) was initiated to evaluate problems related to Hg and other hazardous substances in the lake. As part of the RI/FS, the distribution of Hg in the aquatic food web was determined to provide input to a site-specific model of Hg cycling and to evaluate potential ecological risks of Hg in the lake. Mercury concentrations were measured in surficial sediments, sediment interstitial water, lake water, phytoplankton, Zooplankton, benthic macroinvertebrates, and fishes (including planktivores, benthivores, and piscivores). The percentage of total Hg accounted for by methyl-Hg (CH₃Hg) generally increased with higher trophic levels, confirming that CH₃Hg is more efficiently transferred to higher trophic levels than is inorganic Hg. Concentrations of total Hg in amphipods and chironomids were closely related to concentrations of total Hg in sediments, suggesting that sediments are a likely source of Hg for benthic macroinvertebrates. Mercury concentrations in edible muscle tissue (fillets) of lake fishes have declined substantially from values found in the early 1970s, reflecting the large reductions in Hg discharges to the lake that have occurred since that time. The CH₃Hg concentrations in fillets and whole bodies of fishes generally were similar, indicating that concentrations in fillets often can provide estimates of concentrations in whole bodies. Methyl-Hg concentrations and bioaccumulation factors increased with higher trophic levels in both the pelagic and benthic components of the lake food web.     

Recovery of benthic invertebrate communities in silver bow creek,montana, following improved metal mine wastewater treatment

Silver Bow Creek, a tributary of the Clark Fork River in southwest Montana, has been affected by metal mining and domestic wastes for over 100 yr. The invertebrate community was monitored at five stations from 1972 through 1983 to determine both the longitudinal and temporal patterns of recovery following major improvements in mine wastewater treatment. This treatment dramatically reduced metal concentrations in the mine discharge. Despite markedly improved water quality, no invertebrates were collected in Silver Bow Creek until 1975, when small numbers of invertebrates (primarily chironomids) were collected at the furthest downstream stations. A few invertebrates (<75 m^?2) were collected for the first time at Stations 1 and 2 in 1981, although the lower stations still had much greater densities (> 1600 m^?2). The earliest colonizers at each station were chironomids, empidids, and oligochaetes. In 1982, 10 yr after initiation of improved water quality, aquatic insect populations were over 1800 m^?2 at all five stations. Populations dropped in 1983, but upper and lower stations had comparable densities suggesting that the stream is responding to a common stress such as high snowmelt runoff. The relatively long recovery time is partially attributed to the lack of an undisturbed headwater source of colonizers.     

Genetic structure of soil invertebrate populations: Collembolans,earthworms and isopods

Soil-living animals such as collembolans, earthworms and isopods are considered to be sedentary animals with only limited dispersal capacities. Therefore, gene flow among populations is expected to be low leading to significant population genetic differentiation due to random drift and local adaptation. We reviewed the literature to test this expectation. Our survey reveals a clear signature in the current pattern of genetic variation due to post-glacial colonization events. It also reveals that habitus can be a misleading predictor of dispersal capacity. In some species relatively high gene flow across considerable distances, most likely through passive dispersal (mediated by wind, water flow or animals), might counteract local genetic adaptation and will prevent loss of genetic variation.     

Impacts of methamidophos on the biochemical,catabolic, and genetic characteristics of soil microbial communities

Methamidophos is an organophosphate pesticide with high toxicity and may significantly affect soil microbes. However, the magnitude of this effect is unclear. We examined the effect of low and high inputs of methamidophos on the structure of the soil microbial community, and the catabolic activity and the genetic diversity of the bacterial community using the polyphasic approaches of microbial biomass, phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), community-level catabolic profiles (CLCPs), and amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis (ARDRA) patterns. Our results indicated that high methamidophos inputs significantly reduced total microbial biomass carbon (C_mic) and fungal biomass, but increased Gram-negative bacteria with no significant effects on the Gram-positive bacteria. Interestingly, CLCPs patterns showed that high methamidophos inputs also significantly improved the catabolic activity of Gram-negative bacteria. The ARDRA pattern showed that the genetic diversity of the bacterial community decreased under chemical stress. Furthermore, changes in the microbial parameters examined were less significant under low inputs than high inputs of methamidophos, suggesting a dosage effect of methamidophos on the microbial community. Our results provide the first evidence that methamidophos differentially affected components of the soil microbial community through inhibiting fungal growth but enhancing the biomass and catabolic activity of Gram-negative bacteria.     

Prospects for modeling the behavior and fate of mercury,globally and in aquatic systems

The phenomena of cold condensation and fractionation of chemical contaminants on a global scale are discussed. The net result of these phenomena is that concentrations of certain atmospherically transported contaminants are higher than expected in the condensed, i.e. non gaseous media of water, soils, sediments and biota as a result of the temperature dependence of partitioning and transport phenomena. It is argued that the phenomena are best investigated by a combination of monitoring and modeling. This approach is illustrated in the form of a nine meridional segment model for hexachlorocyclohexane. It is suggested that this approach should be applied to Hg, but this is not presently possible because of the lack of data on Hg species properties and conversion rates. Available data have been used to test the hypothesis that lower temperatures cause enhanced partitioning from the atmosphere to a lake ecosystem at low temperatures by compiling a three species model of an atmosphere-water-sediment-fish system at 25 °C and 0 °C. Preliminary results show that the effect of this drop in temperature is to cause increases in concentrations throughout the aquatic ecosystem of factors of three to four, other factors being equal. Thus it is likely that a comprehensive global model will show that Hg is subject to the global fractionation phenomenon. It is recommended that attempts be made to develop such a model.     

Mercury transport,transformation, and bioaccumulation in the ecosystem of mercury — stibium geochemical province

A simple analytic technique — isotope dilution — was used for determination of the contents of total and methilated Hg in water, sediments, soils and biological objects collected in the basin of the river Katun. The inspected region is located on a territory of two mercury-stibium geochemical provinces. Evaluation of the Hg transport, transformation and bioaccumulation in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems of the region showed that the main Hg transport occurs on suspended solids after Hg has been washed out from soil and bedrock by water of the river Katun and its tributaries and also by underground waters. Bottom sediments of some rivers of the basin content increased Hg concentrations. This effect is also noted in the sediments of a small reservoir formed on one of the tributaries. The investigations showed that Hg originating from natural sources differs considerably in its biochemical characteristics from Hg compounds coming from anthropogenic sources. So, natural Hg compounds have lower bioavailability for the water and terrestrial organisms of the region.     

Agricultural Impacts on Lake and Stream Water Quality in Grand Lake St. Marys, Western Ohio

Agricultural activities release variable products into air, soil and water ecosystems. The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of agriculture and concentrated livestock operations on stream and lake water quality in Grand Lake St. Marys watershed of north-western Ohio. Temporal water samples from the lake and the 6 feeding streams were collected bimonthly from January 2005 to May 2007, processed and measured for temperature, turbidity, pH, electrical conductivity (E _C), ammonium $\left( {{\text{NH}}_{\text{4}}^{\text{ + }} } \right)$ , nitrate $\left( {{\text{NO}}_{\text{3}}^ - } \right)$ , dissolved phosphorus (P), ultra-violet (UV) light absorption, and dissolved oxygen (DO), employing standard methods of analysis. The measured data were normalized and integrated into a simple index (WQ_Index) to evaluate overall water quality. Results showed that over 90% of the area in the watershed was under cropland with associated livestock operations. With a land area equal to 195 km² represented by the six major tributaries, the average animal density was over 240 units km^?2. As a result, land disposal of manure from confined feedings operations and direct deposit by grazing animals contributed to non-point sources of water pollution. While $\left( {{\text{NH}}_{\text{4}}^{\text{ + }} } \right)$ and P concentration, turbidity, and UV absorption peaked during the summer, the $\left( {{\text{NO}}_{\text{3}}^ - } \right)$ and DO concentration in both stream and lake water was lowest in the summer. Water sampled from the Coldwater, Beaver and Prairie creeks had higher turbidity, $\left( {{\text{NH}}_{\text{4}}^{\text{ + }} } \right)$ , and P than other creeks. However, DO concentration and UV absorption of water did not change significantly by the influence of streams. The WQ_Index peaked in both streams and lake water with greater water quality degradation in Beaver and Coldwater creek than other creeks. A significant relationship of WQ_Index with UV absorption and P accounted 84 to 90% of the variations in stream and lake water quality degradation. However, a strong linear relationship (r ²?=?0.81; p<0.01) between UV absorption and P concentration suggested a major contribution of P to the degradation of stream and lake water quality through algal blooming and associated eutrophication.     

Selected ecosystem relationships in the mercury contaminated Wabigoon-English river system,Canada, and their underlying causes

Mercury concentrations in basic ecosystem compartments of the Wabigoon-English River system are interrelated. Statistically significant correlations are evident between Hg levels in various biotic-young northern pike (Esox lucius), yearling yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and crayfish (Orconected virihs) and abiotic compartments (water, surface sediments). Highly significant positive correlations are found between methyl-mercury in water and Hg in biota. Highly significant positive correlations also exist between Hg levels in different organisms, despite differences in habitat, diet, uptake routes and proportion of bodyburden that is in the methyl form. A plausible basis for these relationships is the rapid equilibration between methyl and inorganic Hg in and between various abiotic components of the ecosystem and subsequent incorporation into food webs. As sediment-water partitioning for inorganic and methylmercury is also rapid it is likely that in lakes and slow moving river reaches, local environmental variables probably largely govern Hg body burdens in biota.     

Wet deposition of mercury and ambient mercury concentrations at a site in the Lake Champlain basin

The “Great Waters” program, established in the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments, mandated that atmospheric deposition of hazardous air pollutants to Lake Champlain (including Hg) be assessed. An assessment of the magnitude and seasonal variation of atmospheric Hg deposition in the Lake Champlain basin was initiated in December 1992 with one year of event precipitation collection, as well as collection of vapor and particle phase Hg in ambient air. Samples were collected at the Vermont Monitoring Cooperative air monitoring site at the Proctor Maple Research Center in Underhill Center, VT. The average volume-weighted concentration for Hg in precipitation was 8.3 ng/L for the sampling year and the average amount of Hg deposited with each precipitation event was 0.069 μg/m². The total amount of Hg deposited through precipitation during 1993 was 9.26 μg/m²/yr. A seasonal pattern for Hg in precipitation was evident, with increased concentrations and deposition during spring and summer months. Meteorological analysis indicated the highest levels of Hg in precipitation were associated with regional transport from the south regardless of season, and with transport from the west, southwest and northwest during spring and summer months. Concentrations of ambient vapor phase Hg were typical of rural locations and consistent across seasons. Ambient particulate Hg concentrations averaged 11 pg/m³ with highest concentrations during the winter months.     

Some measurements of the pH and chemistry of precipitation at Davis and Lake Tahoe,California

Precipitation samples were collected at Davis and Lake Tahoe, California, in 1972–73 and 1977–78 and analyzed for pH and major cations and anions. Rain and snow in this region of northern California are derived primarily from winter cyclonic storms which move easterly from the Pacific Ocean over Davis and then Lake Tahoe. Precipitation at both sites was found to be more acid than water in equilibrium with atmospheric CO₂. Acidity at Lake Tahoe apparently increased over the 5-yr period of the study. Sulfate was the dominant acid anion in 1972–73 (not measured in 1977–78). A major source of sulfate in precipitation was probably industry in the San Francisco Bay Area, upwind of the study sites. Automobile exhaust emissions throughout the region, which contains three major interstate highways and several large urban centers, contribute both sulfate and nitrate precursors to the atmosphere. As in the Eastern United States, these strong acid anions are influencing precipitation chemistry in northern California, including the Sierra Nevada mountains.     

Distribution of mercury in the sediments of Onondaga Lake,N.Y.

Sediment cores and surface grab samples were collected throughout Onondaga Lake, New York, to determine the concentrations and distribution of mercury (Hg) in the sediments. Horizontal distribution patterns show the effect of sediment focusing and localized sources, with generally low Hg concentrations in the littoral zone sediments, higher concentrations in the profundal sediments, and highest concentrations near known sources of Hg. Several cores were dated and reflect historical loading patterns, with low-level increases in Hg concentration starting in the early 1800s and a large increase in 1947 and decrease in 1970 related to the local chloralkali industry. These cores indicate that Hg has low mobility in profundal sediments and that the contaminated sediments are effectively being buried.     

Impacts of nitrogen addition on the carbon balance in a temperate semiarid grassland ecosystem

Understanding carbon (C) cycling and sequestration in vegetation and soils, and their responses to nitrogen (N) deposition, is important for quantifying ecosystem responses to global climate change. Here, we describe a 2-year study of the C balance in a temperate grassland in northern China. We measured net ecosystem CO₂ exchange (NEE), net ecosystem production (NEP), and C sequestration rates in treatments with N addition ranging from 0 to 25 g N m^?2 year^?1. High N addition significantly increased ecosystem C sequestration, whose rates ranged from 122.06 g C m^?2 year^?1 (control) to 259.67 g C m^?2 year^?1 (25 g N). Cumulative NEE during the growing season decreased significantly at high and medium N addition, with values ranging from ?95.86 g C m^?2 (25 g N) to 0.15 g C m^?2 (5 g N). Only the highest N rate increased significantly cumulative soil microbial respiration compared with the control in the dry 2014 growing season. High N addition significantly increased net primary production (NPP) and NEP in both years, and NEP ranged from ?5.83 to 128.32 g C m^?2. The C input from litter decomposition was significant and must be quantified to accurately estimate NPP. Measuring C sequestration and NEP together may allow tracking of the effects of N addition on grassland C budgets. Overall, adding 25 or 10 g N m^?2 year^?1 improved the CO₂ sink of the grassland ecosystem, and increased grassland C sequestration.     

The invertebrate communities of peat and upland grasslands in the North of England and some conservation implications

From a study of the invertebrates of 42 sites on peat or on upland grasslands in Northern England, we have recognised seven invertebrate communities. The typical habitats of each community were: lowland oligotrophic mire, high altitude blanket bog, lower altitude blanket bog, ‘mixed’-moor, dry northern heath, ‘edge’-peat and upland grasslands. There is the possibility of further upland grassland communities being identified in a more extensive survey of such areas. Most sites conformed to the classification but a small number of exceptions were found and it would be unwise to predict the invertebrate community directly from the habitat.Seasonal variation in the abundance of surface-active invertebrates was measured for each invertebrate community and marked differences in the timing of the peaks were found. Differences were also found in the total biomass of invertebrates in each community. The role of these differences in creating faunistic diversity on uplands and alternative sources of food for vertebrate predators has been considered.     

新疆艾比湖流域土地利用变化对生态系统服务价值的影响

在对流域可持续发展评估的研究中,生态系统服务价值的时空评估具有重要意义。以新疆艾比湖流域为研究区,基于1996-2016年的3期遥感影像和社会统计数据,对艾比湖流域土地利用和生态系统服务价值时空动态变化进行分析,并借鉴生态服务价值当量估算法定量探讨生态系统服务价值的变化特征,采用多元回归模型对流域土地利用和生态系统服务价值变化的驱动力进行分析。结果表明:1)1996-2016年,艾比湖流域耕地和建设用地面积变化最大,其占比分别从1996年的8.47%和0.42%,增加到2016年的15.28%和2.07%;林地、草地、湿地和水域的较少,但幅度较剧烈。2)近21a来,研究区生态系统服务价值总量呈持续减少的趋势,共减少了约85.863×108元,耕地、建设用地、盐碱地和沙地等土地利用类型的生态系统服务价值(ecosystem service value, ESV)值呈增加趋势;林地、草地、水域、湿地和未利用地等类型均呈减少趋势。3)空间上,21a间艾比湖流域ESV较高区面积逐渐减少,ESV较低区域面积逐渐增加,ESV中等区域呈现先减小后增大。4)回归分析表明影响艾比湖流域ESV变化的主要驱动因素是综合城镇化率、人口密度、气温和降水等指标,在未来的经济发展中,艾比湖流域要合理优化调整土地利用格局,保证生态系统的稳定-协调发展,实现经济-社会-生态的可持续发展。     

Responses of soil bacterial communities,enzyme activities,and nutrients to agricultural-to-natural ecosystem conversion in the Loess Plateau,China

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Soil microbial communities play critical function during nutrient cycling. However, with the increasing nutrient input into terrestrial ecosystems from human...     

In Situ partitioning and biomagnification of mercury in industrially polluted Husainsagar Lake,Hyderabad, India

The distribution of Hg in water, sediment, plankton and fish along with the in situ biomagnification of the metal in Husainsagar Lake, India were measured. The concentration of Hg in the water was 10 μg L^?1 and exceeded the water quality criteria standards. Sediments of the lake at different sites had Hg concentrations several thousand fold more than that of the overlying water column and showed relationship with the water content of the wet sediment. Sediments in the lake acted as a `sink' for the metal. The concentrations of Hg increased from nanoplankton → phytoplankton -> zooplankton. Fish, an end organism in the food chain, had Hg concentrations higher than that of nanoplankton and lower than those of phytoplankton and zooplankton. This trend did not illustrate the expected pattern of food chain enrichment in the classical sense as noted for chlorinated hydrocarbons (DDT).