Diatoms from Streams in Ellis and Russell Counties, Kansas

Abstract

Ninety-one taxa of diatoms are reported from four streams in Ellis and Russell counties in west-central Kansas. A survey of diatoms from west-central Kansas was initiated in 1979 with collections made at several localities on an irregular basis. A list of taxa from benthic samples collected in Big Creek, Saline River, Salt Creek, and Smoky Hill River in Ellis and Russell counties has been compiled. The only known report published previously that includes diatoms from streams in this study area is that of Czarnecki and Reinke (1981) who identified nine taxa from Salt Creek. McFarland (1959) included six taxa of diatoms in his thesis on the algae of Trego and Ellis counties, and some of the samples collected at that time were examined during this study. In the study area, Big Creek, Saline River, and Smoky Hill River are similar physically and chemically. The pH is between 7.0 and 8.5, and specific conductance is between 500 and 3000 micromhos per centimeter. Salt Creek has a similar pH, but is unique among the four streams surveyed because of its greater specific conductance which has been as high as 20,000 micromhos per centimeter on collection dates. METHODS AND MATERIALS Diatoms were collected from stream substrates of rock, concrete, mud, and submerged plant material. Hard surfaces were scraped and vacuumed with disposable pipettes. Disposable pipettes also were used to collect diatoms from the surface of mud and submerged plant material. Samples were cleaned with hot sulfuric acid as described by Lind (1979). Part of each sample was mounted permanently with Hyrax (Custom Research and Development, Inc., Auburn, California) for study with a light microscope. Some samples were mounted on coverslips for examination with an International Scientific Instruments SX-30 scanning electron microscope. Material from this survey is housed at Fort Hays State University. References by Patrick and Reimer (1966, 1975), Hustedt (1927-1966, This content downloaded from 207.46.13.187 on Sun, 15 May 2016 04:31:52 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms VOLUME 89, NUMBERS 3-4 163 1930), Schmidt et al. (1874-1959), and slides in the herbarium at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia were used to identify most of the taxa. Drs. Ruth Patrick and Charles Reimer from the Academy of Natural Sciences confirmed some identifications. Hydrogen ion concentration was determined with a Beckman Electromate pH meter and specific conductance was tested with a Yellow Springs Instruments Model 33 S-C-T meter at 25 degrees C. Values obtained on collection dates and unpublished data collected previously were used in conjunction with data published in U.S. Geological Survey Water Resources Data for Kansas (1964-1983) to delimit the general ranges given for pH and specific conductance. The six localities from which diatom samples were collected for this survey are described below, as is the locality cited by Czarnecki and Reinke (1981). The site numbers listed with the collection localities are used in the list of taxa (Table 1) to indicate where each taxon was collected. Reference slides of each habitat sampled at a collection site are listed with the localities. Saline Basin, Saline River; Ellis Co., Kansas, 16 mi N and 5 mi E of Hays, 4th bridge E of U.S. 183 on FAS 235 (NW1/4 Sec. 17, Ti IS, R17W); 30 Jun 1979. Site Number 1. Slides 19 through 23--silt substrate in small, isolated pool along edge of stream, surface debris behind (upstream of) fallen branches, and muddy stream bottom. Saline Basin, Saline River; Ellis Co., Kansas, 15.5 mi N and 1 mi E of Hays, U.S. 183 bridge (Sec. 15, TllS, R18W); 27 Feb 1980. Site Number 2. Slides 29 and 30-backwater around concrete bridge support; diatoms collected from concrete. Saline Basin, Salt Creek; Russell Co., Kansas, 4.5 mi N and 3.25 mi W of Russell (NE/4 Sec. 6, T13S, R14W); 13 Jul 1979. Site Number 3. Compiled from Czarnecki and Reinke (1981). Saline Basin, Salt Creek; Russell Co., Kansas, 4.5 mi N and 3.5 mi W of Russell (SE4 Sec. 6, T13S, R14W); 12 Jun 1980. Site Number 4. Slides 147 through 152-backwater at concrete bridge support; diatoms collected from fallen, submerged vegetation. Smoky Hill Basin, Big Creek; Ellis Co., Kansas, Fort Hays State University campus (SE1/4 Sec. 32, T13S, R18W); 21 Feb 1980 and 12 Mar 1980. Site Number 5. Slides 24 and 25 standing water of original channel of Big Creek at old boat landing between Custer Hall and Sheridan Coliseum; diatoms collected from concrete surface in water below 1-2 inches of ice cover (21