Abstract
The epilithic algal community of a glacial stream of Hope Bay (Antarctica) was studied during the summer period of 1995. Major hydrological changes, which affected the main physical and chemical features, were observed in the stream according to the meltwater pulses. The enrichment of the stream by seabird inputs was evident from the high nutrient concentrations and their increase downstream. The presence of a snowbank in the middle reach produced a major discontinuity, influencing the main variables analyzed. The stream showed a similar algal composition to other water courses of Hope Bay, with Prasiola crispa, Hydrurus foetidus, Phaeogloea mucosa and Phormidium fragile as the dominant species. Chlorophyll a concentrations taken from natural substrata (stones) ranged from undetectable to 48.4 mg m−2, with the maximum concentrations associated with algal mats dominated by Prasiola crispa.
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