Effects of algal density and current on ion transport through periphyton communities

Stevenson, R. Jan; Glover, R.

doi:10.4319/lo.1993.38.6.1276

Cited by 86 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…However, it is not known whether algal taxa that responded to nutrient ratio did so through exploitative competition for nutrients, which is assumed by theory (Tilman 1982). Nutrient availability is lower at the base of periphyton mats than at the surface (Stevenson and Glover 1993). For exploitative competition for nutrients to occur, however, nutrient uptake rates must approach supply rates, which has yet to be documented for periphyton mats in flowing waters.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Periphyton mat thickness likely affected nutrient availability to algae, especially those in lower layers, because of limitation of the rate of nutrient diffusion from bulk water into the mat (Bothwell 1989;Burkholder et al 1990;Stevenson and Glover 1993). Pringle (1990) found that algal taxa in the upper layers of periphyton appeared to interfere with inorganic nutrient procurement by understory sessile taxa.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Effects of N: P ratio and total nutrient concentration on stream periphyton community structure, biomass, and elemental composition

Stelzer

Lamberti

2001

Limnology & Oceanography

231

154

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The effects of nutrient ratios on algal community structure and algal growth have been examined extensively in lakes and marine environments, but rarely in streams. We manipulated stream water N : P ratio (65 : 1, 17 : 1, 4 : 1) and total nutrient concentration (low and high) in a factorial experiment using once-through streamside flumes and measured responses in abundance, community structure, and elemental composition of periphyton communities. Early in the experiment, periphyton chlorophyll a and total algal biovolume were higher for treatments where N was added (high total nutrient concentration) but were not affected by N : P ratio. This response is contrary to our prediction that P would limit periphyton growth based on the high N : P ratio in the source water and unamended periphyton mats. The relative abundance of nine of eleven common algal taxa was affected by N : P ratio, total nutrient concentration, or both. Overall, algal community structure was more sensitive than bulk measures of periphyton abundance to changes in N : P ratio and total nutrient concentration. Periphyton %N and %P increased with the N and P concentration of stream water, and periphyton N : P tracked stream water N : P ratio. Responses in periphyton chemical composition to nutrients could affect the food quality of periphyton for consumers.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of N: P ratio and total nutrient concentration on stream periphyton community structure, biomass, and elemental composition

Stelzer

Lamberti

2001

Limnology & Oceanography

231

154

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Under conditions of high light and nutrient excess, growth rates of marine phytoplankton appear to be limited by carbon dioxide supply (Riebesell et al 1993). The notion that periphyton biomass accrual may be self-limited through biomass barriers to nutrient diffusion or through selfshading is not new Stevenson and Glover 1993), but self-limitation due to carbon depletion within the periphyton matrix has seldom been invoked as a constraint on periphyton development. Carbon limitation in alkaline waters may affect maximum biomass development more than accrual rate, and it may be demonstrable only after a threshold amount of periphyton biomass has accrued.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Low velocities are likely to exacerbate carbon depletion within periphyton, increasing d 13 C values already elevated in thicker periphyton. Unfortunately, water velocity and periphyton biomass often covary (Stevenson 1996), making it difficult to disentangle the effects of the two variables. Low periphyton biomass can result from high water velocities, and both low biomass and high velocity would be predicted to increase 13 C in periphyton.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Changes in carbon stable isotope ratios during periphyton development

Hill¹,

Middleton²

2006

Limnol. Oceanogr.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Stable isotopes are widely used to infer trophic relationships with little attention paid to temporal variability at the base of the food web. We examined changes in the carbon-stable isotope composition during periphyton development, sampling periphyton that accumulated on ceramic tiles at four stream sites over a 2-month period. Periphyton 13 C rose and fell in general concordance with rising and falling biomass at all four sites, resulting in significant correlations between periphyton d 13 C and chlorophyll a (Chl a). Mean d 13 C values at one site rose from 226% to 220% in 2 weeks, falling back to 224% the next week after a large scouring spate. Periphyton 13 C also underwent a smaller, longer-term increase that correlated with a gradual rise in stream temperature. Multiple regression analysis with both Chl a and temperature as independent variables accounted for up to 88% of the temporal variability in d 13 C, with Chl a the largest source of variability. Water velocity, measured on each sampling occasion, was unrelated to temporal changes in 13 C. Depletion of inorganic carbon within the periphyton matrix is the probable cause of increasing 13 C in periphyton as biomass develops. Rising d 13 C values during periphyton biomass development suggest the possibility of carbon-limited periphyton growth, even in alkaline waters. The strong link between biomass and periphyton 13 C helps explain the large range of d 13 C reported for periphyton in streams, where temporal and spatial variability in periphyton biomass are notorious.

show abstract

“…3A to D) suggests the existence of this transport. In the case of riverine stromatolites, such as that of La Solana, water velocity can enhance the diffusion of dissolved nutrients and gases throughout the whole structure (Stevenson & Glover 1993). The boundary layer that limits diffusion decreases with fluid motion (Allan 1995), being inversely related to water velocity and therefore providing additional advantage in fast-flowing streams.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Structure and architecture of a stromatolite from a Mediterranean stream

Sabater¹

2000

Aquat. Microb. Ecol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The architecture of a riverine stromatolite (3 to 7 mm thick) was studied by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of thin sections and confocal laser scanning rnicroscopy (CLSM). The simultaneous use of the 2 techniques showed that the stromatolite is a highly porous structure, where ca 50% of the space is free of carbonated matenal. That area was slightly higher in the upper (46 to 57 %) than in the lower layer (39 to 44 %) of the stromatolite. Cyanobacterial cells and filaments, mucopolysaccharides and void spaces share that area. Filaments were present in the lowermost layer of the stromatolite, even though less densely arranged than in the upper layers. CLSM observations after staining with fluorescent probes (Concanavalin A) showed the existence of a huge network of exopolymers, mainly in the upper part of the structure. Cyanobacterial filaments were less abundant than mucilage in the lower layer (8.9 vs 17.6 %), this ddference being more moderate in the upper layer (45 vs 33 %) of the stromatolite. The extensiveness of the exopolymer in the stromatolite may allow an extremely fast rewetting after desiccation and its survival after droughts. Spaces not occupied by mucilages and cells were much more abundant in the lower (ca 70%) than in the upper layers (ca 20 %). The abundance of voids may be determinant of the diffusivity and adsorption capacity within the stromatolite, allowing allocation of resources (gases and nutnents) in the lowermost areas of the stromatolite. These structural characteristics help to understand the physiological adaptations observed in stromatolites inhabiting unfavourable environments.

show abstract

Effects of algal density and current on ion transport through periphyton communities

Cited by 86 publications

References 0 publications

Effects of N: P ratio and total nutrient concentration on stream periphyton community structure, biomass, and elemental composition

Effects of N: P ratio and total nutrient concentration on stream periphyton community structure, biomass, and elemental composition

Changes in carbon stable isotope ratios during periphyton development

Structure and architecture of a stromatolite from a Mediterranean stream

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About