Abstract
The main objective of this work was to determine the abundance and species diversity of fungi in the waters of selected rivers of Central Europe, NE Poland (Augustów Lakeland), differing in size, physical and chemical properties, and streamflow rate. The minimum abundance of fungi in the analysed rivers was recorded for a river with low concentration of organic matter (8200 CFU/mL, Czarna Hańcza River), and maximum for a strongly anthropogenically polluted river (24,800 CFU/mL, Kamienny Bród River). A total of 49 fungal species were identified based on PCR ITS-RFLP and DNA sequencing methods. However, RFLP-PCR method has proved to be sufficient to determine the species of 34 fungi. The highest taxonomic diversity was determined for the waters abundant in organic matter (Piecówka and Rospuda Rivers), and the lowest for rivers poor in organic matter (Netta and Czarna Hańcza Rivers). From the 49 identified species, 47% were aquatic hyphomycetes, and 18% were potentially pathogenic fungi mainly occurring in the waters of polluted rivers with increased organic matter concentrations. Moreover, a higher number of fungal taxa were recorded in fluvial waters distinguished by higher streamflow rate, and therefore, stronger water turbulence. The study results suggest that the most important factors influencing the structure of mycoplankton in rivers include pH of water, content of organic matter, degree of anthropogenic pollution, and streamflow rate.
Highlights
Fungi fulfil very substantial functions in such environments
Research concerning the species diversity and abundance of fungi in rivers depending on their hydrochemical properties has only been sporadic so far [16, 21, 32, 33, 39]
Our research showed large species diversity of fungi in rivers water in which were identified potential pathogens and hyphomycetes, as well as zoosporic fungi belonging to genera Achlya sp., Aphanomyces sp., and Pythium sp
Summary
Fungi fulfil very substantial functions in such environments. In most of all they are important elements of the microbial loop. Fungi inhabiting water ecosystems actively participate in the production of autochthonic humic substances [11]. These microorganisms actively participate in the circulation of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus [8]. They can be suspended in the water depths, settled on the bottom or periphyton, be directly supplied to waters with surface runoff, or be of anthropogenic origin. They have been evidenced to actively participate in the biotransformation of xenobiotics [24] and heavy metals [41] supplied to the aquatic environment, potentially contributing to the alleviation of the effects of anthropogenic stress, and improving water quality. That is why the main goal of this manuscript is identification
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