Benthic Macroinvertebrate Species Research Articles

Effects of uranium-contaminated sediments on the bioturbation activity of Chironomus riparius larvae (Insecta, Diptera) and Tubifex tubifex worms (Annelida, Tubificidae)

Freshwater sediments represent a compartment for accumulation of toxic substances, notably of metallic pollutants such as uranium. However, they also constitute a privileged habitat for many benthic macro-invertebrate species with important roles in the functioning of these ecosystems, particularly through their bioturbation activities. Uranium accumulation in sediments can thus have harmful effects on these organisms (e.g., developmental delay, malformations, mortality). The present study aimed to evaluate the consequences of these effects on the bioturbation activity of Chironomus riparius larvae and Tubifex tubifex worms. These two species, which are widespread in freshwater ecosystems, are characteristic of two different modes of bioturbation: bioirrigation and upward bioconveying, respectively. By quantifying the burial and redistribution of fluorescent particulate tracers (microspheres), sediment reworking induced by these macro-invertebrates was measured after 12 d of exposure. Biodiffusion D b and bioadvection W rates, as well as several other parameters, were estimated to assess and compare the bioturbation activity of the two species, separately and in combination, between uncontaminated and uranium-spiked sediments. The results reveal that C. riparius larvae were more sensitive to uranium, but their bioturbation activity, even under uncontaminated conditions, had little effect on sediment reworking. Particle mixing was mainly induced by T. tubifex worms, which were only affected by uranium at high concentrations in the sediment. Finally, bioturbation by T. tubifex led to a high degree of uranium release from sediment to the overlying water, which highlights the crucial role of this mostly dominant species on uranium biogeochemical cycles at concentrations existing in naturally contaminated sites.

Taxonomic Diversity and Structure of Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Aby Lagoon (Ivory Coast, West Africa)

The benthic macroinvertebrates of Aby lagoon (West Africa: Ivory coast) was studied during four seasons (high dry season, high rainy season, low dry season and low rainy season, respectively) from June 2006 to March 2007. The distribution of the benthic macroinvertebrates species was recorded at 13 stations on the whole of the lagoon. A total of 62 taxa of benthic macroinvertebrates belonging to 28 families and 10 orders were listed. The molluscs and crustaceans dominate qualitatively by adding up 51 and 24%, respectively of the total number of organisms. Five taxa (Corbula trigona (20%), Pachymelania aurita (12%), Clibernhardius cooki (7%), Oligochaeta (7%) and Crassostrea gasar (6%) accounted for 52% of total abundance. Classification analysis used to perform the characterisation of the lagoon on the basis of benthic macroinvertebrates showed the existence of four main clusters in which the seasonal pattern in benthic macroinvertebrates were very similar in the four seasons. In contrast the species richness and diversity indices were significantly different. Furthermore these indices where higher in the stations closer to the sea and surrounded by mangrove trees (southern area) compared to the inland ones.

Impact of reservoirs and channelization on lowland river macroinvertebrates: A case study from Central Europe

In order to assess and compare the ecological impacts of channelization and shallow lowland reservoirs, macroinvertebrate communities of a lowland metapotamal river below reservoirs with epilimnial release were studied. The study was carried out in the Dyje River (Czech Republic) at five sites located from 1.5 to 22.5 km downstream of the reservoir outfall. The five sites differed in the degree of channel modification from natural muddy banks to riprap regulation. Seven samples were collected during the years 1998 and 1999 at each site using a semiquantitative method. The data were processed using multivariate analyses and methods for assessing the ecological and functional structure of communities. Altogether, 261 species of benthic macroinvertebrates were recorded including several rare and threatened taxa. Based on the results of principal component analysis (PCA), most of the variability within the species data (the first PCA axis) was explained by the degree of channel modification, from natural muddy banks with aquatic vegetation to a man-made riprap. The second axis was strongly correlated with current velocity. The sites differed in species richness, total abundances, proportion of individual functional feeding groups, pattern of the distribution of the current preference groups, and values of several biotic indexes, all of which also corresponded to the degree of channel modification. Thus, the morphological man-made modifications of the river channel were found to be the main factor affecting lowland river macroinvertebrates and their biodiversity. Our results suggest that the biggest threat to benthic macroinvertebrate diversity of lowland rivers comes from channelization. The impact of reservoirs can be completely overwhelmed by the impact of channelization, especially when muddy banks with aquatic vegetation present a substantial part of habitat diversity and significantly contribute to the total species pool.

Selection of benthic macroinvertebrate-based multimetrics and preliminary establishment of biocriteria for the bioassessment of the water quality of Taihu Lake, China

To develop benthic macroinvertebrate-based multimetrics for the bioassessment of the water quality of Taihu Lake, benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages were sampled at 60 sites in 8 subareas of Taihu Lake. A total of 24 species of benthic macroinvertebrates were obtained: 14 species of Mollusca, 5 species of Arthropoda and 5 species of Annelida. A comprehensive evaluation of the metrics was carried out. The results showed that 7 metrics ( i.e., total number of taxa, the number of Mollusca & Crustacea taxa, % Mollusca & Crustacea, % Gastropoda, Goodnight-Whitley index, Hilsenhoff biotic index and % Collector-gatherers) were sensitive. A score of 5, 3 or 1 was assigned to every metric for standardization of the metrics, and a multimetric on a scale ranging from 7 to 35 for bioassessment was developed. Four-level discriminatory biocriteria for water quality were eventually proposed by quartation: 7–14, very poor; 15–21, poor; 22–28, fair; 29–35, good. The re-scored results from the 60 sites showed that the water quality of southeastern Taihu Lake was relatively good, whereas that of northwestern Taihu Lake was relatively poor. Basically, the discriminatory biocriteria are suitable for the assessment of the water quality of Taihu Lake.

The invertebrate species index (ISI) for streams in southeast Queensland, Australia

Abstract The invertebrate species index (ISI) is a new biotic index to assess stream health in southeast Queensland, Australia, using benthic macroinvertebrates. The index aims to refine stream monitoring, in particular for eutrophication, as nutrient input is a major stressor of streams in the region. Biotic indices previously used for the region were based on sensitivity scores for macroinvertebrate families and orders, and were valid for all streams across the continent. The ISI is based on species level and tailored to the specific traits of southeast Queensland, thus yielding an increased level of detection of biological change. This will improve monitoring of environmental impact on a regional and local scale. The ISI is a site-specific index calculated as the weighted average (WA) of species’ sensitivity scores ( S 10 ), with a species-specific indicator weight ( W ) and the abundance ( A ) of each species used as weights. S 10 scores for 203 species of benthic macroinvertebrates ranging from 10 (species most sensitive to pollution) to 1 (tolerant of excessive pollution) were derived by means of WA regression and calibration using site scores representing an environmental impact gradient. W measures the indicator strength of the species, and was derived from the weighted standard deviation of the S 10 . The initial site scores for the WA modeling were derived using canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) to ordinate the sites along a gradient associated with 12 abiotic variables. The data on benthic macroinvertebrates are based on 212 quantitative samples collected in wadeable freshwater streams in southeast Queensland. Two major stream types, (1) small creeks, mainly of uplands and (2) larger streams and rivers of lowlands, were recognised for the region, and for both types the ISI range representing reference condition was established. These reference conditions can be used to establish ecological quality ratios by comparing observed to expected indices and to define ecological quality classes. The ISI is the first biotic index for streams in Australia that uses sensitivity scores and indicator weights for macroinvertebrate species. There is a growing trend in Australia to identify stream macroinvertebrates to species level and to study their specific traits and ecological requirements. The reasons for this are manifold; assessing and monitoring stream health is only one of them. For most regions of Australia, no common ground exists, so far, on how to use species data for stream health assessment. The new biotic index fills this gap for southeast Queensland in providing a standard for the use of species level data in stream health assessment.

Trophic Cascades Uncoupled in a Coastal Marsh Ecosystem

The Mediterranean population of the exotic eastern mosquitofish Gambusia holbrooki (Agassiz 1859) (Osteichthyes, Poeciliidae) has been held responsible for causing eutrophication due to zooplankton removal and phytoplankton enhancement, however no experimental evidence exists of this. To test this allegation, an enclosure experiment was conducted in spring in an oligohaline coastal marsh. The manipulation of fish density had profound effects on zooplankton, whose density greatly decreased when the occurrence of mosquitofish increased. Cladocerans and ostracods were more affected by mosquitofish than cyclopoid copepods, whilst rotifer density was not modified. Changes in zooplankton density did not cascade to lower trophic levels as no differences were observed between the chlorophyll concentration in fish and fish-less enclosures. This is because zooplankton was dominated by species with low filter-feeding rates, such as small cladocerans. In consequence, the total macrophyte standing crop was not affected. The only benthic macroinvertebrate species whose density increased in the absence of eastern mosquitofish was the mud snail P. acuta. Higher numbers of snails explain why the standing crop of the filamentous green algae Oedogonium sp. decreased in fish-less enclosures. The density of chironomid midge larvae did not increase in fish-less enclosures, because eastern mosquitofish forage on them mainly during summer, when zooplankton has already been depleted; nor were damselflies, probably because they are too large. Nitrogen concentration decreased after fish exclusion, but phosphorus concentration remain unchanged. In conclusion, it was found that the eastern mosquitofish affect zooplankton of the Mediterranean oligohaline lagoons considerably, but they do not enhance phytoplankton growth, because the system is bottom-controlled by submerged macrophytes.

Effects of environment and an introduced invertebrate species on the structure of benthic macroinvertebrate species at the catchment level

Effects of environment and an introduced invertebrate species on the structure of benthic macroinvertebrate species at the catchment level

Sediment pollution and predation affect structure and production of benthic macroinvertebrate communities in the Rhine–Meuse delta, The Netherlands

AbstractMost floodplain sediments of the rivers Rhine and Meuse in The Netherlands are moderately polluted with trace metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and other chemicals. The effects of these sediment-bound contaminants on the productivity of benthic macroinvertebrates are unclear. Sixteen locations along a pollution gradient were investigated in creeks in the Biesbosch floodplain area. Sediment samples were analyzed for bulk sediment characteristics and contaminants (total and bioavailable concentrations of trace metals, PAHs, and PCBs). Exclosures were used to study the effect of predation by fish and birds on macroinvertebrates. Macroinvertebrates were sampled and identified to species level, and production was estimated from biomass increases inside the exclosures during a 1-mo interval in spring. Benthic macroinvertebrate species richness was negatively affected by sediment contamination. Production of oligochaetes and chironomids was not correlated ...

Benthic macroinvertebrates as indicators of environmental quality of an urban stream, Zaria, Northern Nigeria

For a period of 2 years (from July, 1997 to June, 1999), 87 benthic macroinvertebrate taxa, composed of 12,078 individuals were collected from four stations of Bindare stream and one station on River Galma. Samples were collected monthly, using a Van Veen grap. Physicochemical variables were also determined using standard methods. The catchment areas of Bindare upstream (stations 1 and 2) are farmlands, with few isolated human settlements suggesting a less polluted water environment. The BOD which ranged between 1.88 ± 1.67 mg/l to 8.0 ± 4.76 mg/l increased downstream of the point of discharge. This allowed the survival of sensitive species such as Ephemeroptera, Hemiptera, Plecoptera, Odonata and Neuroptera at upstream. The great preponderance of the class Diptera and Oligochaeta at stations 3 and 4 are attributed to various domestic and agricultural effluents discharged into the stream at these points. The organic pollution of Bindare stream resulted in a decrease in benthic macroinvertebrate species richness and an increase in species density. Compared to background values, these changes in both species richness and density contributed to a reduction in the calculated Magarlef water quality index, hence a deteriorated water quality. Key words: stream, effluents, water quality, macro benthos, indicator species. Journal of Aquatic Sciences Vol.18(2) 2003: 85-92

Predictors of benthic macroinvertebrate species richness and community structure in Central Swedish streams

Predictors of benthic macroinvertebrate species richness and community structure in Central Swedish streams

千川上水における水路の改修とその効果

The Senkawa-josui irrigation canal is a small artificial watercourse of treated wastewater from a sewage plant. The simple structure of the channel (linear flowing, concrete banks and uniform riverbed) and the presence of a large number of carp seemed to prohibit distribution of diverse species. In order to improve the situation, the concrete bank (80 m long) was removed and two semi-stagnant sections which large carp could not enter were made in April 1996. Aquatic plants were also planted in the area. The aquatic fauna and flora were researched for three years after the channel improvement.Many species were found soon after the improvement. Juvenile fish and tadpoles grew in the stagnant sections. Male dragonflies also created their territories in the stagnant sections and the females laid eggs in them. The number of species of benthic macroinvertebrates increased. Spotbill ducks and little egrets were also found in the improved area. Diverse relations between aquatic plants and insects were observed. Species diversity of aquatic organisms was successfully raised in the imprgved area, showing that changing simple channel structures to complicated ones can help increase the number of species in artificial watercourses and urban streams.

Dissolved oxygen decline in ice-covered rivers of northern Alberta and its effects on aquatic biota

To determine whether existing dissolved oxygen (DO) regulationswere adequate to protect riverine biota, the Northern River Basins Studyrequired a research and assessment program to establish the effect ofpulp mill and municipal sewage discharges on under-ice DO concentrationsand aquatic biota in the Athabasca, Wapiti and Smoky rivers of northernAlberta, Canada. Analysis of monitoring data collected over >30 yearsshowed that pulp mill and municipal effluents have caused “sags” in DObelow their discharges and contributed to an increased rate of declinein DO over 10s of kilometers in the Wapiti-Smoky rivers or 100s ofkilometers in the Athabasca River. To permit forecasting of DO declinesin response to changes in river discharge or effluent biochemical oxygendemand (BOD), a one-dimensional steady-state river water quality modelwas implemented that successfully (r2 =0.74–0.92) predicted DO concentrations over an 820 km reach of theAthabasca River for the 1990–1994 winters. Experiments on nativefish and benthic macroinvertebrate species showed that exposure to lowDO and low temperatures (2–3°C) caused delays in hatch ofmountain whitefish eggs (at 6.5 mg/L DO), reduced mass of bull troutalevins post-hatch (at 5.0 mg/L DO), extended the spawning period ofburbot (at 6.0 mg/L DO), and depressed feeding rates and loweredsurvival of the mayfly Baetis tricaudatus (at 5 mg/L DO).As a result of recommendations from this integrated program of rivermonitoring, modelling and experimentation, effluent BOD loading has beenreduced to the Athabasca and Wapiti rivers and the provincial DOguideline for protection of aquatic life has been increased from 5.0 to6.5 mg/L.

Influence of drainage from old mine deposits on benthic macroinvertebrate communities in central Swedish streams

We analysed the benthic macroinvertebrate species composition, taxonomic richness (as expected richness for 100 individuals), total abundance and biomass at 117 stream sites in the province of Dalarna. Partial least squares regression models were constructed from observations on undisturbed sites and used to predict these community parameters at sites exposed to elevated levels of copper, zinc, lead and cadmium resulting from leakage from old mine deposits. Species richness at undisturbed sites was positively related to the size of the catchment, pH, channel width, calcium concentration and the proportion of deciduous trees in the riparian zone. In streams with elevated metal concentrations, we found reductions in taxonomic richness for total macroinvertebrates, mayflies, stoneflies and combined EPT (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera), but not for that of Trichoptera nor total abundance or biomass. Copper and zinc were those metals showing strongest negative associations with richness. Some taxa, common at undisturbed sites, were missing at metal-polluted sites. These taxa were the mayflies Ameletus inopinatus, Ephemerella aurivilli and Heptagenia dalecarlica, the stonefly Protonemura meyeri and the caddisfly Apatania sp.

Macroinvertebrate abundance in two lakes with contrasting fish communities

The objective of this study was to determine whether fish abundance could influence benthic macroinvertebrate numbers, biomasses and species composition in Canadian Shield lakes. The study draws comparisons between the benthic invertebrate populations in two lakes with similar physical and chemical characteristics, but contrasting fish communities. Ranger Lake was dominated by piscivorous bass (largemouth and smallmouth) and had very low populations of small-bodied planktivore-benthivores (yellow perch, golden shiners, creek chub, pumpkinseeds). Mouse Lake had no obligate piscivores and very large populations of small-bodied planktivore-benthivores. The two lakes had similar populations of large-bodied, benthivorous white suckers. Comparisons of depth-stratified samples of benthic macroinvertebrates collected monthly (June, July, August - 1992) suggested that in the shallow water zone ( 1 m depth) there were no between-lake differences in the macroinvertebrate communities. Prey consumption by white suckers, which were generally distributed in deeper waters (>1 m depth), was similar in the two lakes. We conclude that high rates of prey consumption by the small-bodied planktivore-benthivores could have accounted for the lower inshore benthic biomasses found in Mouse Lake.

How many demersal fish species in the deep sea? A test of a method to extrapolate from local to global diversity

Grassle and Maciolek (1992) estimated that there were of the order of 107 species of benthic macro-invertebrates in the world's deep sea soft sediments. Their estimate was extrapolated from the 798 species they sampled and the pattern of species diversity observed along a 176km transect on the continental slope of the northeast Atlantic Ocean. Relative to the deep sea invertebrate fauna, the deep sea fish fauna has been better sampled, at least in the upper 1500m. To test the validity of the Grassle and Maciolek method of extrapolation, we applied it to data from a survey of fishes along the continental slope off western Australia, a diverse and previously unsurveyed region. The resulting global estimate for the deep sea demersal fishes – 60000 species – was then compared with the number described to date, about 2650 species, and an estimate of total extant species. Our estimate, which considers the proportion of new species found in little-explored regions of the world ocean, such as off western Australia, and the number of new species expected in future taxonomic revisions, is a total of 3000–4000 species. The Grassle and Maciolek method appears invalid as a means to extrapolate global biodiversity from local surveys.

The salinity tolerance of benthic invertebrates of the Aral Sea

Experiments to determine the upper limits of potential salinity tolerance of four species of Aral Sea benthic macroinvertebrates were carried out. Invertebrates of marine origin tolerate salinity increases up to 70–90 g L−1, and the gastropodCaspiohydrobia, up to 100–110 g L−1. It was concluded that the ‘express-method’ based on the estimation of salinity resistance of isolated tissues cannot be used to estimate the limits of tolerance. The prediction is made that bivalve molluscs and polychaetes will remain in the Aral Sea until the salinity increases to 60–70 g L−1, but perhaps gastropods will tolerate salinity increases to 100–110 g L−1.

Use of a freshwater sediment quality database in an evaluation of sediment quality criteria based on equilibrium partitioning and screening‐level concentrations

AbstractA sediment quality database was developed for sediments from the Great Lakes and surrounding watersheds. Database file structure was based on commercially available database‐management software and is relational in nature Database inputs include sample identification information, whole‐sediment and pore‐water chemical data, benthic macroinvertebrate species abundances, toxicity test results, and, when available, organism‐specific chemical residue data. The database functions as both a laboratory data archival system and as a source of information on the fate and effects of contaminants in freshwater sediments. Database information was used to evaluate two alternative methods for developing sediment quality criteria for dieldrin, endrin, acenaphthene, fluoranthene, and phenanthrene. Sediment quality criteria developed by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency based on equilibrium partitioning theory were compared to sediment quality criteria or guidelines based on screening‐level concentrations calculated by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and from the database developed in this study. Data from the sediment quality database were also used to determine the frequency with which sediment quality criteria were exceeded in recently (<20 years) collected sediment samples. Excesses beyond the proposed equilibrium partitioning‐derived sediment quality criteria were observed in less than 10% of the samples in the database for which chemical concentrations of dieldrin, endrin, acenaphthene, fluoranthene, and phenanthrene were available. Based on the results of this study, sediment quality criteria based on equilibrium partitioning theory and final chronic water‐quality criteria are consistent with sediment quality criteria based on screening‐level concentrations determined from field samples.

USE OF A FRESHWATER SEDIMENT QUALITY DATABASE IN AN EVALUATION OF SEDIMENT QUALITY CRITERIA BASED ON EQUILIBRIUM PARTITIONING AND SCREENING-LEVEL CONCENTRATIONS

A sediment quality database was developed for sediments from the Great Lakes and surrounding watersheds. Database file structure was based on commercially available database-management software and is relational in nature Database inputs include sample identification information, whole-sediment and pore-water chemical data, benthic macroinvertebrate species abundances, toxicity test results, and, when available, organism-specific chemical residue data. The database functions as both a laboratory data archival system and as a source of information on the fate and effects of contaminants in freshwater sediments. Database information was used to evaluate two alternative methods for developing sediment quality criteria for dieldrin, endrin, acenaphthene, fluoranthene, and phenanthrene. Sediment quality criteria developed by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency based on equilibrium partitioning theory were compared to sediment quality criteria or guidelines based on screening-level concentrations calculated by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and from the database developed in this study. Data from the sediment quality database were also used to determine the frequency with which sediment quality criteria were exceeded in recently (<20 years) collected sediment samples. Excesses beyond the proposed equilibrium partitioning-derived sediment quality criteria were observed in less than 10% of the samples in the database for which chemical concentrations of dieldrin, endrin, acenaphthene, fluoranthene, and phenanthrene were available. Based on the results of this study, sediment quality criteria based on equilibrium partitioning theory and final chronic water-quality criteria are consistent with sediment quality criteria based on screening-level concentrations determined from field samples.

Colonization and succession of benthic macroinvertebrates in Arcadia Lake, a South-Central USA reservoir

Colonization and succession of benthic macroinvertebrates in Arcadia Lake, an urban reservoir, were studied for four years. Physicochemical conditions including water temperature, dissolved oxygen concentrations, pH, specific conductance, and Secchi disc depth were also recorded. Colonization of the reservoir occured fairly rapidly through a sequence of three invasions. The first, and most significant, colonists were primarily facultative species already present in streams and ponds that were inundated by the impoundment. Later arrivals tended to be limnophilic species that probably came from other bodies of water. Of 30 species encountered in a pre-impoundment collection, only six were still present three years following impoundment. Thirty-three additional benthic macroinvertebrates species invaded the area following impoundment. Dominant taxa in the reservoir included Dero nivea, Limnodrilus sp., Chaoborus punctipennis, Chironomus sp., and Procladius sp. Pollutants accumulating in this urban reservoir, including metals and pesticides, and siltation probably have kept benthic populations relatively low and possibly reduced potential species diversity.

Possible causes of high species diversity in tropical Australian freshwater macrobenthic communities

A total of 133 benthic macroinvertebrate species was recorded in four permanent freshwater lagoons (billabongs) and a stream riffle in the Magela Creek catchment, Northern Territory, Australia. 101 species were lentic in occurrence. Each billabong supported at least as many species as larger tropical and Australian temperate lakes, and was an exception to the species-poor status of Australian lentic macrobenthic communities. > 98% of the total benthic biomass was contributed by a mussel species; the remaining species' combined standing crop was an order of magnitude lower than in other lentic systems, further highlighting the diversity of the Magela benthos. Rarefaction (removal of organisms) and predictable environmental heterogeneity, both related to monsoonal variations in flow and water quality, were probably important determinants of the high diversity of these communities.