Abstract
Impacts of climate change on phytoplankton species are very focusing issues nowadays. This research explored the probable impacts of different pH (pH 5.90 to 9.10) and salinity (0.60 to 3.0 ppt) concentrations on freshwater phytoplankton Chlorella vulgaris, Euglena granulata and Scenedesmus quadricauda. The initial community composition was 4:2:1 for the three taxa, which changed to 6:3:1, 6:2:1, 6:3.5:1 and 9:4:1 in pH 5.90, pH 9.10 and salinity 2.20 and 3.0 ppt respectively. E. granulata showed more tolerance in a wide range of pH (pH 5.90 to 8.30) based on growth rate studies. The other two species showed growth rates reduction gradually in changes with pH and salinity concentrations. Conspicuous changes of total biomass were seen in pH 5.90 and 9.10, and salinity 2.20 and 3.0 ppt conditions. Moreover, significant changes in cell morphology were found in pH 9.10 and 3.0 ppt salinity. The authors concluded that as group, the Chlorophytes were more susceptible than the diatom in these variable pH and salinity conditions, while S. quadricauda was comparatively more vulnerable as a single species.
Highlights
Climate change as an act of nature might create tremendous impacts on biodiversity which has been focused of extensive research nowadays
When the environment was highest acidic (P2= pH 5.90) in this study, the average cell density was almost unchanged for E. granulata (9110±695 cells/ml), while the significant reduction seen in C. vulgaris and S. quadricauda (16575±1742 and 2850±355 cells/ml respectively) and the ratio was changed to 6:3:1
On the other hand, when pH increased to 9.10 the highest basic condition (P4), the significant changed was observed in cell density for the three phytoplankton taxa, 15700±867, 4760±450 and 2540±450 cells/ml respectively; overall community composition shifted to 6:2:1 (Fig. 1)
Summary
Climate change as an act of nature might create tremendous impacts on biodiversity which has been focused of extensive research nowadays. Phytoplankton are considered as the most important primary producers in freshwater ecosystems which contributed a major share of oxygen for other organisms living there They serve as food, fertilizers and considered as an effective energy source for first tier of tropic levels [7]. They play important roles in material circulation by controlling the growth, productivity and population characteristics of aquatic biota in the ecosystems. It is expected that changing climate would modify aquatic ecosystems over the century which would alter the phytoplankton standing stock and primary productivity [8, 9] These changes will modify their community structure, individual growth and morphology which will directly impact the food web dynamics as well as elemental cycling [10, 11], model predictions on phytoplankton community composition are in their infancy [12]. Thereby, the changes can make serious ecological impacts within freshwater ecosystem in future
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
