Pollution-tolerant Species Research Articles

Impact of Wurukum Abattoir Effluent on River Benue Nigeria, Using Macroinvertebrates as Bioindicators

The pollution status of Wurukum Abattoir was assessed using macroinvertebrates as bioindicators for a period of four months (November, 2015 - February, 2016). Abundance-Biomass comparison was used to evaluate the number (abundance) and weight (biomass) of macroinvetebrates so as to determine their tolerance or otherwise to the abattoir effluent. Four stations were selected along the River Benue with station B as the point of discharge. Water samples and bottom sediments were collected for the measurement of water physico-chemistry and macroinvertebrates. An assessment of the macroinvertebrates showed the percentage abundance of pollution-tolerant species such as Chiromonus larvae (3.4%), Eristalis tennax (17.93), Tubifex tubifex (52.45%) and Macrobdella decora (3.54%) in stations B was attributable to the effect of the abattoir waste discharged into River Benue. The ABC curve also indicated showed the abundance curve laying above the biomass curve at station B. The water quality parameters recorded higher concentrations at station B than other stations for EC (496.50 ± 6.38 µs/cm); TDS (247.70 ± 3.17 Mg/L); BOD (0.91 ± 0.08 Mg/L) while DO (4.23 ± 0.06 Mg/l) was lower at the point of discharge (station B). It was concluded from these results that the abattoir effluents had an impact on the water quality and macroinvertebrates composition, abundance and biomass at the assessed stations. The abattoir effluent could be effectively recycled into arable crop usage due to the high nutrient value.

Variation in stream diatom communities in relation to water quality and catchment variables in a boreal, urbanized region

Intensive anthropogenic land use such as urbanization alters the hydrological cycle, water chemistry and physical habitat characteristics, thus impairing stream physicochemical and biological quality. Diatoms are widely used to assess stream water quality as they integrate water chemistry temporally and reflect the joint influence of multiple stressors on stream biota. However, knowledge of the major community patterns of diatoms in urban streams remains limited especially in boreal regions. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of water chemistry and catchment characteristics on stream diatom communities, and to test the performance of the Index of Pollution Sensitivity (IPS) as a stream water quality indicator across an urban-to-rural gradient in southern Finland. Diatom community structure and species richness were related to local-scale variables such as water temperature, aluminium concentration, and electrical conductivity, which were in turn influenced by patterns in catchment land use and land cover. Diatoms reflected the intensity of human activities as more intensive land use increased the occurrence of pollution-tolerant species. The change in community structure along the land use intensity gradient was accompanied by a distinct decline in species richness. On the contrary, the IPS index failed to indicate differences in water quality along the urban-to-rural gradient as no consistent differences in the IPS values were found. Our results highlight the joint influence of multifaceted factors that underlie diatom patterns, and show that diatom biodiversity can be used as cost-effective metric indicating urban stream conditions. However, the IPS index turned out to be an unsuitable tool for assessing water quality among these streams.

Molluscan live and dead assemblages in an anthropogenically stressed shallow-shelf: Levantine margin of Israel

Abstract Mismatches between live and dead molluscan assemblages associated with recent, rapid, anthropogenic changes, can be used to track these changes. The eastern Mediterranean is naturally oligotrophic, but recent urbanization of the Israeli coastal plain has enriched the littoral environment by injection of large amounts of treated wastewater onto the shelf. The largest point source is the Dan region wastewater project (Shafdan). Taxonomy and species rank order of abundance of modern (sediment-top) death assemblages were compared to live-collected mollusk assemblages, from two clean control stations (PL29, PL64) and a polluted site (PL3), near the Shafdan sewage sludge outlet at 36 m water depth. Seasonal variability was captured by dredge and box-core sampling in winter (January), spring (May), summer (July) and fall (November) of 2012. Over 11,000 individuals of bivalves and gastropods were collected and analyzed. Diversity indices and nMDS and cluster analysis showed significant differences between live and dead assemblages from all stations and seasons. However, the rank order of the abundant live and dead species remained similar at each sampling station, resulting in high live–dead agreement of Jaccard-Chao index and Spearman's rho similarity coefficient. Live–dead agreement of molluscan assemblages was preserved in the Shafdan area by the naturally high abundance of species that are tolerant to pollution, and by the annual dispersion of the sludge by winter storms, which prevent development of long-term anoxia. Moreover, the high frequency of storms in the winter of 2012 prevented a substantial amount of sludge from accumulating on the seafloor, explaining the similarity between the live assemblages of the polluted and the control sampling sites. Live–dead agreement is a test that is too conservative to track the impact of the Shafdan sludge on the macrobenthic fauna in the Israeli shelf. Other tests, especially the increase in the abundance of deposit-feeding pollution-tolerant species in the live assemblage, show that there is an ongoing impact of the sludge on the benthic community.

Epilithic diatom flora in contrasting land-use settings in tropical streams, Manyame Catchment, Zimbabwe

The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of stream diatom assemblages to changes in water quality in different land-use settings. Water quality sampling and benthic diatom community data were collected in April and September 2013 at 95 sampling stations in the Manyame Catchment, Zimbabwe. The data collected were subjected to multivariate statistical techniques; CCA and cluster analysis to determine environmental gradients along which the diatom species were distributed as well as to elucidate hypothesized differences in community structure per land-use type. Three land-use categories were identified in this study: commercial agricultural, communal agricultural and urban-mining areas in order of increasing human disturbance. No significant differences in physical and chemical variables were recorded between the two sampling periods. Study sites were grouped into roughly three broad categories based on CCA and cluster analysis. As pollution increased, low to moderate pollution tolerant species such as Cocconeis placentula, Surirella linearis and Surirella robusta were replaced by high pollution tolerant species such as Pinnularia braunii, Tryblionella coarcata, Luticola goeppertiana and Stauroneis smithii. This shows that diatom assemblages are potential indicators of changes in water quality due to changes in catchment land-use.

The effects of a thermal discharge on the macroinvertebrate community of a large British river: implications for climate change

Anthropogenic changes to the temperature regimes of rivers, whether through thermal pollution, removal of shade, or climate change, could affect community stability and cause phenological changes in aquatic species. This study examines the impact of a thermal discharge from a power station on the diversity and composition of the aquatic macroinvertebrate community in the River Severn, UK. Daily temperatures up to 2 km downstream of the thermal discharge averaged 4.5°C above ambient. Abundance and taxon richness metrics were reduced at a site approximately 0.5 km downstream of the power station outfall, but were largely unaffected at a second site about 2 km downstream. The majority of the macroinvertebrate taxa observed were recorded at both control and heated sites, suggesting species were below their thermal tolerance threshold or had developed adaptations to survive increased temperatures. However, indicator species analysis suggests certain taxa were associated with particular sites; abundances of Musculium lacustre, Simulium reptans, and Orthocladiinae were greater at the unheated control site, whereas more pollution-tolerant species such Asellus aquaticus and Erpobdella octoculata were more common in the thermally impacted reaches. Overall, the results provide an indication of potential species and community response to future warming under climate change scenarios.

Effect of temperature on the occurrence of Desmids in a lentic water body of Bhopal district, M.P. with reference to seasonal variation in the physico- chemical parameters

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of temperature on the occurrence of desmids on a lentic waterbody viz. Jawahar Bal Udhyan Pond situated in northern direction of the Bhopal district with reference to its seasonal variation in physico-chemical parameters. Water temperature of the lentic water body varied between 16.2°C to 31.9°C in winter and summer season respectively. During the present study period a total of 18 desmid taxa of 6 genera were encountered in which Cosmarium dominated in terms of species diversity. Desmids occurred maximum in winter season i.e., from December to February and minimum in post monsoon season i.e., from October and November. Different species of Closterium, Euastrum, Staurastrum, Pleurotaenium, and Sphaerozosma are considered as pollution tolerant species and the presence of all these species and result of physico-chemical parameters indicates the meso-eutrophic condition of the waterbody.

Rotifer communities of religious water bodies of Haryana (India): Biodiversity, distribution and ecology

The rotifer communities of eight religious water bodies of Haryana characterized by different trophic status reveal 44 species belonging to 15 genera and 12 families, represent the richest biodiversity of rotifers. Brachionus, Asplanchna and Keratella genus were found to be pollution tolerant species and common at all the selected water bodies viz., Brahmsarovar and Jyotisar at Kurukshetra; Saraswati tirth, Pehowa; Kapalmochan, Yamunanagar; Phalgu tirth, Kaithal; Banganga tirth , Dayalpur; Pandu Pindara, Jind and Kultarn Tirth, Kirmach. whereas Gastropus, Testudinella, Monostyla clasterocerca, Lecane arcula, Filina terminalis were found to be specific at Brahmsarovar (site 1); Filinia longiseta at Phalgu (site 2); Lecane ploenensis, Euchlanis dilata at Pehowa (site 3); B. budapestinensis, B. nilsoni, Asplanchna brightwelli, Asplanchna sieboldii, Polyurthera were specific to Kirmach (site 4); Monostyla decipiens, Anauraepsis nevicula at Jyotisar (site 5); Trichocera porcellus at Kapal mochan (site 7); Keratella cochlearis, Trichocera capucina were found to be specific at the BanGanga (site 8,). However, no specific species appeared at Pandu Pindara (site 6). Seasonal variations were also observed at all the sites during spring, monsoon, post monsoon and in winters. A positive correlation of rotifer abundance was observed with temperature (r = 0.356, P < 0.05), BOD (r = 0.413, P < 0.05) and Ammonia (r = 0.378, P < 0.05) whereas a negative correlation was observed with DO (r = -0.385, P < 0.05) showing that these were the main factors affecting the richness, diversity and density of rotifers. The rotifer communities of each site can be reconstructed from the tables and figures making this inventory an important benchmark for evaluating future regional environment change.

Phytoplankton dynamics and water quality of Prashar Lake, Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract Prashar Lake, an unexplored, high-altitude, shallow, and cold water body located in Himachal Pradesh (India) was studied through monthly surveys in two consecutive years (March 2008 to February 2010). The seasonal variations in chlorophyll a , abundance, and species composition of plankton in relation to hydrography were studied. A total of 67 species belonging to eight groups of phytoplankton were identified. Among 67 phytoplankton species, 19 species exhibited perennial habit. Both plankton and chlorophyll a showed bimodal pattern of fluctuation with peaks in May and September. Annual mean concentrations of chlorophyll a (mg L − 1 ) were recorded as 4.87 in 2008–09, and 4.03 in 2009–10. Palmer pollution index indicated absence of all the 20 pollution tolerant algal species. Pearson correlation revealed a significant relationship between physicochemical parameters and different algal groups. Important physicochemical parameters responsible for distribution of phytoplankton have been studied taking into account the portability of water for irrigation and drinking purposes as per permissible limits of WHO, ICMR, and ISI standards. The values of water quality index were 14.42 during 2008–09 and 16.51 during 2009–10. Based on water quality standards given by Central Pollution Control Board, the water quality at Prashar Lake was between “A and B”. Carlson’s trophic status classified Prashar Lake as oligotrophic with TSI values 17.085 (2008–09) and 14.57 (2009–10). The phytoplankton assemblage, as well as water quality data, suggest that water at Prashar Lake is unpolluted and could be used for various human purposes after disinfection.

ASSESSMENT OF BENTHIC MACRO-INVERTEBRATE FAUNA IN TWO CONTIGUOUS COASTAL WATER BODIES WITHIN BARRIER LAGOON COMPLEX, WESTERN NIGERIA

As a means of assessing ecological status in the westernmost part of the Barrier Lagoon Complex in western Nigeria, compositions and distributions of benthic macro-invertebrate fauna were studied in two contiguous water bodies within the complex, Badagry Creek and Ologe Lagoon. Samples of benthic macro fauna were collected from five stations in each of the two water bodies and analysed using standard methods both in the wet (June and September 2011) and dry (February and April 2012) seasons. A total of eighteen benthic macro-invertebrate species belonging to classes Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Crustacea and Polychaeta were recorded in Badagry Creek while from Ologe Lagoon, a total of thirteen species were recorded belonging to Classes Bivalvia, Gastropoda and Oligochaeta. Organic pollution tolerant species of polychaetes and oligochaetes were recorded in the two water bodies only at the stations close to municipal wastes discharge points. Higher macro-invertebrate abundance levels were recorded from the two water bodies in the dry than wet season. Badagry Creek recorded higher macro-invertebrate abundance (589 and 632 in wet and dry seasons respectively) and diversity indices values than Ologe Lagoon (with 92 and 404 abundance values during wet and dry season respectively). Relatively very low benthic macro-invertebrate abundance and taxa number were recorded from the stations close to sand mining activities especially in Ologe Lagoon. The implications of the anthropogenic activities on the benthic macro-fauna in relation to sustainable management of the water bodies and resources therein are discussed.

Persistence of an invasive fish (Neogobius melanostomus) in a contaminated ecosystem

Post-establishment dynamics of invasive species have been under-studied. However, understanding these dynamics is particularly important for the management of invasive species known to impact native communities. Following the invasion of a highly invasive species, the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), we document long-term population changes after establishment and address how population dynamics of a successful invader change through persistence and integration. Round goby present a threat to the areas they invade by out-competing native species for resources. Furthermore, as a pollution tolerant species, round goby present a second threat by acting as a possible vector for contaminant transfer to higher trophic levels in invaded ecosystems with areas of contamination. We sampled round goby for 11 years (2002–2012) at four low contamination sites and two high contamination sites within Hamilton Harbour ON, Canada, an International Joint Commission Area of Concern. Across sampling years, we show that round goby abundance has declined at low contamination sites, while remaining stable at high contamination sites. Moreover, we show that average body size decreased and reproductive investment increased both across sampling years and between sites of low and high contamination. Our results document population demographic shifts in a persisting invasive species, and underscore the importance of management practices for this species in contaminated environments.

Water Quality Assessment of Valapattanam River Basin in Kerala, India, using Macro-Invertebrates as Biological Indicators

Biomonitoring is a valuable assessment tool that is receiving increased use in water quality monitoring pro- grams of all types. The study was to identify the freshwater Benthic Macro-invertebrates and to find out the biological wa- ter quality using BWQC developed by Central Pollution Control Board (New Delhi) in Valapattanam River, Kerala origi- nating from Brahmagiri of Western Ghats. A total of 408 individuals belonging to 20 genera and 14 families were col- lected from the five stations of the River Valapattanam during pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon periods. Chironomus sps a pollution tolerant species were present in most of the stations showing high degree of organic pollution. The downstream stations showed moderate pollution during pre and post monsoon seasons and slight improvement during monsoon. The water quality of the Valapattanam River was deteriorated by sewage effluents and agricultural activities, diminishing the abundance of aquatic insects and macro-invertebrates.

Community structure and decadal changes in macrozoobenthic assemblages in Lake Poyang, the largest freshwater lake in China

Lake Poyang is the largest freshwater lake in China and contains unique and diverse biota within the Yangtze floodplain ecosystem. However, knowledge of its macrozoobenthic assemblages remains inadequate. To characterize the current community structure of these assemblages and to portray their decadal changes, quarterly investigations were conducted at 15 sites from February to November 2012. A total of 42 taxa were recorded, and Corbicula fluminea, Limnoperna fortunei, Gammaridae sp., Nephtys polybranchia, Polypedilum scalaenum and Branchiura sowerbyi were found to dominate the community in terms of abundance. The bivalves Corbicula fluminea, Lamprotula rochechouarti, Arconaia lanceolata and Lamprotula caveata dominated the community in biomass due to their large body size. The mean abundance of the total macrozoobenthos varied from 48 to 920 ind·m-2, the mean biomass ranged from 28 to 428 g·m-2. The substrate type affected strongly the abundance, biomass, and diversity of the macrozoobenthos, with muddy sand substrates showing the highest values. Compared with historical data, remarkable changes were observed in the abundance of macrozoobenthos and the identity of the dominant species. The mean total abundance decreased from 724 ind·m-2 in 1992 to 228 ind·m-2 in 2012. The dominant species have shifted dramatically. Large unionids were dominant before 1998, whereas pollution-tolerant species (e.g., Branchiura sowerbyi) increased in dominance after 2008. Our findings should have implications for the conservation of the benthic biodiversity of this large Yangtze-connected lake.

Impact of physico-chemical parameters on zooplankton diversity of freshwater reservoirs around Amravati District, Maharashtra

Impact assessment was carried out on the zooplankton diversity of Pohra, Wadali and Chhatri surface water reservoirs around Amravati with respect to their physico-chemical characteristics. During course of study zooplankton were represented by five major groups i.e. Ostracoda, Rotifera, Cladocera, Protozoa and Copepoda. High value of physico-chemical parameters and low zooplankton diversity were recorded in Chhatri reservoir, moderate in Wadali lake and low value of physico-chemical parameters and high zooplankton diversity were recorded in Pohara lake. The Chhatri reservoir was found to contain most of the pollution indicator species. Wadali reservoir also exhibited few pollution tolerant species. Prominent among them were Ceratodaphnia, Lepadella, Monostyla, Rotarria, Cyclops, Diaptomus and Ectocyclops. The water in all the reservoirs was found to be eutrophic in the order of Pohra > Wadali > Chhatri.

The application of some biodiversity indices in the Tortum Stream, Erzurum, Turkey

The aim of the present study was to investigate biodiversity index, dominancy index and equivalence index of diatom community in the Tortum Stream and its tributaries. Diatom samples were collected from nine stations on the main river and tributaries between July 2012 and May 2013. A total of 36 taxa of Bacillariophyceae were identified. Dominant species was Cocconeis placentula in all stations. Biodiversity index was lower on the upstream river than downstream and tributaries. Not only domestic and agriculture pollution but also dam construction and stone pit affected Tortum Stream negatively. In conclusion, species richness decreased while organic pollution tolerant species increased. Key words: Diatom, biodiversity index, dominant index, evenness index, Tortum Stream.

EICHHORNIA CRASSIPES AS A MOST PREFERRED HABITAT FOR MACROBENTHIC INVERTEBRATES

Macrophytes play an important role in aquatic ecosystems, providing shelter, breeding habitats and epiphytic forage for numerous fishes and aquatic animals. This work was based on the assumption that the structure of the macrobenthic invertebrates associated with Eichhornia crassipes is influenced its complex architecture. During the present investigative period a total of 40 species was observed chiefly belonging to platyhelminthes, annelida, arthropoda and mollusc. In addition to this some pollution tolerant species were also found associated with Eichhornia crassipes.

Spatial Pattern of Benthic Diatoms and Water Quality Assessment Using Diatom Indices in a Subtropical River, China

AbstractBenthic algae including benthic diatoms are one of the most vital primary producers in riverine ecosystems, and their spatial distribution and assemblage structure respond sensitively to various environmental variables. Thus, benthic diatoms have been widely used as indicators of water quality in riverine systems. Here, we present a study on benthic diatoms and water quality assessment using diatom indices in the upper Han River, a subtropical river with a length of 925 km in China. Canonical correspondence analysis indicated that spatial patterns of diatom assemblages could be primarily explained by dissolved organic carbon, pH, major ions, and flow velocity. Two‐way indicator species analysis on the diatom assemblages grouped the sampling sites into those from mainstream and tributaries. There were also significant differences in the Shannon–Wiener diversity index, evenness index, species richness, and diatom indices between the mainstream and tributary sites, and diatom indices categorized the mainstream as mesotrophic and the tributaries as oligo‐mesotrophic in the upper Han River. Lower water quality in the mainstream led to the dominance of pollution tolerant species such as Eolimna subminuscula, while tributaries were characterized by Achnanthidium pyrenaicum and A. subatomus. The research demonstrates the applicability of diatom indices for water quality and ecohealth assessment in subtropical rivers.

Effect of water quality on waterbugs (Hemiptera: Gerromorpha & Nepomorpha) in Flanders (Belgium): results from a large-scale field survey

Macroinvertebrates have been collected in Flanders since 1989 by the Flemish Environment Agency to assess ecological water quality. During the present study, the collected waterbugs were identified to species level. In total, more than 90 000 waterbugs were identified, belonging to 45 species. Two of these are recent additions to Flemish fauna: Sigara iactans was found to be a common species in 1989, the first year of monitoring, which is earlier than the first records reported so far, whereas Cymatia rogenhoferi remains a very rare species. Five different communities could be recognized: (1) species occurring in alkaline waters with a high pH, (2) species occurring in colder waters that can tolerate slightly brackish and nutrient rich water, (3) species from running waters, (4) species from acidic waters and (5) ubiquist species that occurred in all types of water. Owing to the general improvement of chemical water quality during the last decade, most species increased, however, three pollution tolerant species declined significantly: Callicorixa praeusta, Corixa punctata and Sigara striata.

Characterization of macro-benthic fauna for ecological health status of the Fosu and Benya lagoons in coastal Ghana

This study conducted a comparative analysis of benthic macroinvertebrate communities in the Fosu and Benya lagoons in Ghana, based on the anthropogenic effect on the two lagoons. Salinity, oxygen, temperature, conductivity, turbidity and pH were measured, invertebrate richness and species densities were determined. The AZTI Marine Biotic Index (AMBI) and multivariate statistics were used to determine the different responses of fauna to pollution. The fauna were categorized into five ecological groups based on the degree of tolerance of the different species to pollution: disturbance-sensitive species; disturbance-indifferent species, disturbance-tolerant species, second-order opportunistic species; and first-order opportunistic species. The Fosu Lagoon supported more pollution tolerant species, whereas the Benya Lagoon had more species that were sensitive to organic enrichment under relatively unpolluted conditions. Chironomus sp., which is adapted to virtually anoxic conditions, was the most abundant in the Fosu Lagoon whereas Nemertea sp. was the most abundant in the Benya Lagoon. The numerical and relative abundance (%) of all 7 taxa in the Fosu Lagoon was 1,359 and 92.35%, respectively. The numerical and relative abundance (%) of all 34 taxa in the Benya Lagoon was 2,459 and 87.52%, respectively. Expectedly, the level of dissolved oxygen in the less saline Fosu Lagoon was higher than that in the more saline Benya Lagoon. The reduced photoperiod and photosynthetic activities of aquatic plants might account for this trend. There is a need to implement comprehensive monitoring and management initiatives for sustaining the ecological health of coastal lagoons in Ghana in order to support the many people that depend upon these ecosystems for their livelihood.

Photosynthetic response of two seaweed species along an urban pollution gradient: Evidence of selection of pollution-tolerant species

Urbanization leads to the expansion of ephemeral seaweed species and the decline of important perennial, canopy-forming seaweed species. Understanding the mechanisms that lead to these changes is a current challenge. In the present study, laboratory assays and field transplantations were performed with two seaweed species: the perennial, canopy-forming seaweed Sargassum stenophyllum and the ephemeral seaweed Ulva lactuca. Photosynthetic efficiency was assessed using modulated chlorophyll fluorometry. Brief exposure to urban waters does not appear to be a major stressor to the photosynthetic efficiency of either species. However, after 26days of transplantation in urban waters, S. stenophyllum declined, whereas U. lactuca had enhanced photosynthetic efficiency. This difference reflects their divergent abilities to regulate the energy distribution at the PSII and shows that urban stressors alter these mechanisms. Our results provide evidence of the physiological causes for the decline of Sargassum species and the expansion of Ulva species in impacted urban areas.

Impact of pollution on macroinvertebrates biodiversity in Ismailia Canal, Egypt

This study was conducted to monitor the adverse effect of the drainage wastewater of three main factories on the macroinvertebrates biodiversity of Ismailia Canal. Water and benthos samples were collected seasonally during 2010 from 10 stations along Ismailia Canal from El-Mezalat to Abu Zaabal city.The results revealed that most of the physico-chemical parameters were within the permissible limits, although, Cairo Power station and Abu Zaabal factory are causing partial pollution. The community of macrobenthic invertebrates was represented by Mollusca (35.20 %), Annelida (33.62 %) and Arthropoda (31.18 %). Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri and Chironomus larvae were dominating the whole studied area (32% and 28.51% of total macrobenthos, respectively) and they are considered to be potential bioindicators for polluted ecosystem. Low species diversity and occurrence of pollution-tolerant species (e.g. Limnodrilus hoffmeisteri and Chironomus larvae) indicate that the water quality of the canal is deteriorated. A regular program for biomonitoring is recommended which will allow future changes and enhancing in this important ecosystem.