Mountain Spring Research Articles

Isolation of Legionella Species from Noyu （Unattended Natural Hot Springs in Mountains and Fields） Samples in Japan

In order to understand the habitation conditions of the bacteria of the genus Legionella in Noyu (unattended natural hot springs in mountains and fields) in Japan, isolation of Legionella spp. was attempted in the Noyu samples from 11 prefectures nationwide between May and September 2012, and the following results were obtained. Overall, Legionella spp. was isolated from 16 of 43 samples (37.2%). The species was isolated from the Hokkaido region to the Chugoku region but not from the Shikoku region to the Kyushu region. The number of bacteria detected was usually small, less than 5.0 × 10(1) CFU/100 ml, as found in 11 samples (68.8%), while counts of 10(2) or more to 10(3) or less CFU/100 ml were found in two samples (12.5%). Legionella pneumophila was the most commonly found strain, with 19 strains (90.5%) found, and was the dominant species. Regarding the serogrouping, four strains (21.1%) fell under group 1, the most common grouping, followed by three strains (15.8%) in group 3, two strains (10.5%) in group 5, etc. Moreover, the detected bacterial strains other than L. pneumophila included two strains (9.5%) of L. londiniensis. The temperature of the Noyu from which Legionella spp. was isolated was between 33.1°C and 41.5°C with a pH ranging from 5.2 to 8.1. The present report is the first report to clarify the habitation conditions of strains of Legionella spp. isolated from Noyu in Japan.

湧水を用いた不適切な出口部ケアにてMycobacterium fortuitum出口部感染を発症した腹膜透析患者の1例

湧水を用いた不適切な出口部ケアにてMycobacterium fortuitum出口部感染を発症した腹膜透析患者の1例

Climatic Characterization and Response of Water Resources to Climate Change in Limestone Areas: Considerations on the Importance of Geological Setting

AbstractThis work analyzes the response of springs fed by karst/fractured limestone aquifers, which extensively outcrop in central Italy, to climatic variations. In the central Italy area, climatic variations are represented by a general decrease in annual and winter precipitation. It is shown how groundwater regime, the discharge of springs, and their response to climate change depend to a great extent on the geologic and structural setting of the system. Some mountain springs of central Italy are local systems representing the overflow of a deeper regional flow feeding larger base springs, often of poor quality. A dynamic groundwater divide separates the recharge areas of base springs from those of local springs: if, due to low recharge, the piezometric surface lowers, the watershed moves toward systems located at higher altitudes, reducing their recharge areas. Therefore, local springs connected to a base flow are more vulnerable to climate change than those which are not. The Bagnara and Lupa springs,...

Chironomids as bioindicators of environmental quality in mountain springs

Abstract. We analyzed responses of chironomid (Diptera:Chironomidae) communities to environmental factors in 124 natural, moderately, and highly disturbed springs in the Italian Prealps and Alps to investigate environmental factors influencing species distribution in springs and to evaluate chironomids as bioindicators of spring water quality. Self-Organizing Map analysis found differences among spring types and effects of anthropogenic pressures. Natural or little-disturbed springs at high altitude with low temperature, low conductivity, and high current velocity differed from lowland springs, including highly disturbed ones, with low current velocity and higher temperature, conductivity, and nutrient concentrations. Cold stenothermal intolerant species were clustered in the 1st group, tolerant and euriecious species in the 2nd group. Indicator value analysis detected species characterizing springs with different degrees of disturbance and of different types. Most species' distributions were related to ...

Pyrenean pastoralists’observations of environmental change: An exploratory study in los Valles Occidentales of Aragón

Observations of environmental change by local resource users may be an important source of information about past and current environmental conditions to complement scientific studies and monitoring. In this exploratory, qualitative study, we documented observations of environmental change made by 27 stockmen in the two westernmost valleys of the Central Western Pyrenees of Spain. Pastoralists reported changes in weather, corresponding declines in the flow of mountain springs, and an increase in shrub and tree cover in the mountains. Explanations for the increase in woody plant cover differed in the two valleys; however, the majority of stockmen from both villages believed that the lack of human presence in the mountains contributes to shrub encroachment. Stockmen’s observations of environmental change suggest additional research needs regarding climate and vegetation change in the Pyrenees, and highlight the potential contributions of Pyrenean pastoralists’ local knowledge to environmental monitoring, research and management.

Germination ecology of the perennial Centaurium somedanum, a specialist species of mountain springs

AbstractTo improve understanding of how a rare endemic species of Centaurium adapts to a specialized ecological niche, we studied the germination ecology of the mountain spring specialist, C. somedanum, a perennial species restricted to an unusual habitat for this genus. We conducted laboratory experiments with fresh seeds collected from two populations for three consecutive years, to investigate: (1) the effect of temperature and light on germination; (2) the existence of seed dormancy; and (3) inter-population and inter-annual variation in germinability. Germination occurred only in the light and at relatively low temperatures (15–22°C) with no differences between constant and alternating regimes, and a significant decrease at high temperatures (25°C and 30°C). We found non-deep simple morphophysiological dormancy and variation in seed germinability depending on the year of seed collection. C. somedanum diverged from the common germination characteristics of the genus in: (1) its germination at lower temperatures, which contrasts with what is generally expected in wetland species but could be adaptive in the spring habitat; and (2) its morphophysiological dormancy, which we report here for the first time in the genus and which could be an adaptation to its mountain habitat.

Occurrence and genotype of Giardia cysts isolated from faecal samples of children and dogs and from drinking water samples in an aboriginal area of central Taiwan

To investigate some aspects of Giardia infection, we performed a cross-sectional study on schoolchildren from an aboriginal area of Nantou County in central Taiwan. Faecal samples from 209 participants and samples of dog faeces and of water from mountain springs found in the area were collected. The participants also filled a questionnaire pertaining to demographic data. Giardia duodenalis was detected in eight of the 209 participants, and all positive isolates belonged to assemblage A. In addition, assemblage A isolates were obtained from four of the 22 water samples, and assemblage C or D isolates were obtained from four of the 42 canine faecal samples. Our results suggest that the risk of Giardia transmission is greater from waterborne than canine transmission in this study area.

Flow paths and mixing properties of groundwater using hydrogeochemistry and environmental tracers in the southwestern area of Jeju volcanic island

Groundwater from springs, test boreholes and domestic wells was investigated to assess the flow system of basaltic aquifers at base-flow conditions in the southwestern part of Jeju Island, South Korea. This study utilized hydrogeochemical parameters and environmental tracers of 18O, 2H, 3H and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), which showed that well-connected flow paths exist between coastal springs regardless of flow rates. In contrast, test boreholes near the coastal springs exhibited various flow paths. Nitrate concentrations were much higher than baseline values in mountainous groundwater while those decreased in coastal areas (<50 m asl) despite stronger anthropogenic land uses. Cl− was seemingly contributed from nitrate contamination sources and seawater sources were minimal due to low-permeability layers near sea level. The water-stable isotopes indicated little evaporation and were comparable to the local meteoric water line during the rainy season, which was confirmed by deuterium excess values, demonstrating that effective infiltration primarily occurs during the rainy season. From the effects of altitude on δ18O, the mean recharge altitudes for both mountainous and coastal springs were estimated as 300–400 m, which implies longer flow paths for the coastal springs. The relationship of CFC-12–CFC-113 and that of CFC-12–3H concordantly indicated that the groundwater consists mainly of binary mixtures composed of 15–25-year-old young water and old water with ages greater than 60 years. Lower nitrate levels in the coastal springs were well represented by the mixing models. Recharge altitudes for coastal springs increased up to 700 m, assuming that old water corresponds to high-altitude recharge, using the binary mixing model. Integration of hydrochemical and environmental tracer characteristics revealed that pahoehoe lava flows and hydrovolcanic tuffs play key roles in controlling the groundwater occurrence and quality.

Effects of tomato variety, temperature differential, and post-stem removal time on internalization of Salmonella enterica serovar Thompson in tomatoes.

Tomatoes have been implicated in salmonellosis outbreaks due to possible contamination through bacterial internalization during postharvest handling. This study was conducted to determine the effects of tomato variety, temperature differential between tomato pulp and bacterial suspension, and the time delay between stem removal and immersion in bacterial suspension on internalization of Salmonella enterica serovar Thompson in tomato fruit. Mature green tomatoes at 32.2°C were immersed in water containing approximately 10(6) CFU/ml S. enterica bacteria. Different tomato varieties (Mountain Spring, Applause, and BHN961), temperature differentials (-10, 0, and 10°F, or -5.6, 0, and 5.6°C, respectively), and post-stem removal times (0, 2, and 16 h) were evaluated for their effects on S. enterica internalization. The incidence and density of internalized cells were determined by culture enrichment and most-probable-number methods, respectively. Overall, variety and post-stem removal time by variety interaction significantly affected the incidence of S. enterica internalization (P < 0.0001), while temperature differential had no significant effect (P = 0.36). Mountain Spring tomatoes were less susceptible to S. enterica internalization than were Applause and BHN961. Increasing the time interval between stem removal and immersion greatly reduced pathogen internalization in BHN961 and Applause, while it had no effect in Mountain Spring tomatoes. The variety and interactions between varieties and post-stem removal times (P = 0.0363) and between temperature differentials and post-stem removal times (P = 0.0257) had significant effects on the populations of internalized S. enterica. Furthermore, all internalized S. enterica cells were found within the core tissue segments immediately underneath the stem scars.

Reviving Dying Springs: Climate Change Adaptation Experiments From the Sikkim Himalaya

Mountain springs emanating naturally from unconfined aquifers are the primary source of water for rural households in the Himalayan region. Due to the impacts of climate change on precipitation patterns such as rise in rainfall intensity, reduction in its temporal spread, and a marked decline in winter rain, coupled with other anthropogenic causes, the problem of dying springs is being increasingly felt across this region. This study was taken up in the Sikkim Himalaya, which has received limited attention despite being a part of the Eastern Himalaya global biodiversity hot spot. The objective of this study was to understand the basic characteristics of the springs and to demonstrate methods for reviving them. We found the rural landscape dotted by a network of microsprings occurring largely in farmers' fields, with an average dependency of 27 (±30) households per spring. The spring discharge generally showed an annual periodic rhythm suggesting a strong response to rainfall. The mean discharge of the springs was found to peak at 51 L/min during the postmonsoon months (September–November) and then diminish to 8 L/min during spring (March–May). The lean period (March–May) discharge is perceived to have declined by nearly 50% in drought-prone areas and by 35% in other areas over the last decade. The springshed development approach to revive 5 springs using rainwater harvesting and geohydrology techniques showed encouraging results, with the lean period discharge increasing substantially from 4.4 to 14.4 L/min in 2010–2011. The major challenges faced in springshed development were the following: identifying recharge areas accurately, developing local capacity, incentivizing rainwater harvesting in farmers' fields, and sourcing public financing. We recommend further action research studies to revive springs to advance the outcomes of this pilot study and mainstreaming of springshed development in watershed development, rural water supply, and climate change adaptation programs, especially in the Himalayan region.

Description of Optioservus gapyeongensis new species and Heterlimnius hasegawai (Nomura) (Coleoptera: Elmidae) new to Korea

A new riffle beetle species Optioservus gapyeongensis n. sp. is described from the adult and larval stages. Heterlimnius hasegawai (Nomura), previously misidentified in Korea as Optioservus (Cyclolimnius) kubotai Nomura or Optioservus variabilis Nomura, is redescribed. The adults and larvae of both species inhabit attached mosses on substrates of clean mountain streams, headwaters or springs. Photographs of dorsal adults and habitats and line drawings of diagnostic characters are provided.

Seasonal recharge components in an urban/agricultural mountain front aquifer system using noble gas thermometry

► Used noble gas thermometry to investigate recharge in a mountain-adjacent aquifer. ► Recharge source temperatures were calculated for seasonal irrigation sources and variable water table depths. ► Recharge source temperatures were strongly dependent on mean annual depth to water and water table fluctuations. ► Recharge source temperatures and noble gas temperatures showed values higher than the m.a.t. of the valley floor. Thirteen noble gas samples were collected from eleven wells and two mountain springs in the Treasure Valley, Idaho, USA to derive recharge temperatures using noble gas thermometry. One common assumption with noble gas thermometry is that recharge temperatures are roughly equal to the mean annual surface temperature. When water table depths are shallow or variable, or infiltration is seasonal recharge temperatures may be significantly different from the mean annual surface temperature. Water table depths throughout the study area were used to estimate recharge source temperatures using an infiltration-weighted recharge temperature model which takes into account a time-variable water table. This model was applied to six different seasonally-dependent recharge scenarios. The modeled recharge temperatures for all scenarios showed a strong dependence of recharge temperature on mean annual depth to water. Temperature results from the different recharge scenarios ranged from near the mean annual surface temperature to as much as 6 °C warmer. This compared well to noble gas derived recharge temperatures from the valley wells which ranged from 5 °C below to 7.4 °C above the mean annual surface temperature of the valley. Cooler temperatures suggest an influence of recharge through the adjacent mountain block while warmer temperatures suggest an influence from summer irrigation.

The occurrence of Pisidium species (Bivalvia: Sphaeriidae) in oligotrophic springs of the Blanice River catchment (Czech Republic) in relation to ecological conditions

This paper presents a part of the results obtained from extensive studies conducted on springs — remarkable freshwater habitats with many unique characteristics and a high degree of biological diversity. The abiotic conditions and fauna composition of 68 submontane permanent oligotrophic springs in the Blanice River catchment (eastern part of The Bohemian Forest, Czech Republic) were investigated with a focus on their relationship to the Pisidium species occurrence. We attempted to determine the habitat requirements of individual pea clam species. Species of genus Pisidium generally preferred unshaded springs with fine substrate, the most favourable environment were helocrene springs. Although they were the second most numerous taxonomical group in the springs, only two species were present there: Pisidium casertanum and P. personatum. The occurrence of both species strongly positively correlated with each other. Substrate type and a few chemical parameters were the main parameters, which differentiated the distribution of both species. While P. casertanum was found to be most abundant in vegetation, P. personatum preferred humolite substrate. The occurrence of P. casertanum was further influenced by nutrients compared to P. personatum, whose occurrence positively correlated with the common minerals. In general, biotope characteristics of springs were found to be more important for Pisidium species inhabiting oligotrophic mountain springs than water chemistry.

Effects of natural disturbance on stream communities: a habitat template analysis of arctic headwater streams

Summary 1. We used the habitat template approach to test the hypothesis that substratum stability, freezing and nutrient supply were determinants of community structure in 19 headwater streams of arctic Alaska. Streams were selected from five categories: glacier (n = 3), mountain (4), mountain spring (4), tundra spring (4) and tundra (4). 2. Bed movement among streams ranged from 0 to 97% during a ∼2-month summer season. Glacier and mountain streams had significantly higher bed movement than tundra and spring streams (P < 0.001). 3. All glacier and tundra streams froze solid during winter; all mountain spring streams remained unfrozen. Freezing among mountain and tundra spring streams was variable, with a subset of streams flowing throughout winter. 4. With the exception of glacier streams, which showed high concentrations of NH4+ and NO3− (P < 0.001), differences in nutrient concentrations among stream types were not significant. 5. Algal taxon richness was greatest in tundra springs (13 taxa) and lowest in glacier streams (five taxa, P < 0.001), as was algal biovolume (7350 versus 687 mm3 m−2, P < 0.001). Macroinvertebrate taxon richness was lower in glacier streams (4.7 ± 1.7, P < 0.005) than the other stream types (20.5–25.0 taxa), and biomass was greater in mountain springs (4837 mg m−2) and tundra springs (3367 mg m−2, P < 0.001). 6. Multidimensional scaling and multiple regression analyses of macroinvertebrate (biomass) and periphyton (biovolume) indicated that a 2-dimensional habitat template with bed movement and freezing as axes provides an accurate model of major factors controlling the community structure of headwater streams in arctic Alaska.

Impact of natural and local anthropogenic SF6 sources on dating springs and groundwater using SF6 in central Japan

Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) concentrations in springs and groundwater were measured in the Chubu region of central Japan to evaluate the impact of natural and local anthropogenic SF6 and the validity of SF6 for dating young groundwater in Japan. Sampled water showed detectable concentrations of SF6 at 0.21–125 f mol/L. Most of the mountain springs have SF6 concentration assumed by the dissolution of the clean ambient air in Northern hemisphere. The SF6-based apparent ages for the mountainous springs were estimated at less than 6 years in smaller catchment areas (< 0.5 km2), and ranged from 4 to 32 years in the larger catchment areas located on the Quaternary volcanoes. The SF6 ages for mountain springs were consistent with the scale of groundwater flow and with previously determined 3H ages for groundwater in similar settings in Japan, suggesting the loading of natural SF6 in the groundwater is relatively small in the mountainous areas. In the plains, local industrial activities led to high concentrations of SF6 in some of the analyzed groundwater. The results suggest SF6 can be an effective dating tool for young groundwater in Japan, when and where the input of local anthropogenic SF6 is negligible.

A New Look at Snowpack Trends in the Cascade Mountains

Abstract This study examines the changes in Cascade Mountain spring snowpack since 1930. Three new time series facilitate this analysis: a water-balance estimate of Cascade snowpack from 1930 to 2007 that extends the observational record 20 years earlier than standard snowpack measurements; a radiosonde-based time series of lower-tropospheric temperature during onshore flow, to which Cascade snowpack is well correlated; and a new index of the North Pacific sea level pressure pattern that encapsulates modes of variability to which Cascade spring snowpack is particularly sensitive. Cascade spring snowpack declined 23% during 1930–2007. This loss is nearly statistically significant at the 5% level. The snowpack increased 19% during the recent period of most rapid global warming (1976–2007), though this change is not statistically significant because of large annual variability. From 1950 to 1997, a large and statistically significant decline of 48% occurred. However, 80% of this decline is connected to changes in the circulation patterns over the North Pacific Ocean that vary naturally on annual to interdecadal time scales. The residual time series of Cascade snowpack after Pacific variability is removed displays a relatively steady loss rate of 2.0% decade−1, yielding a loss of 16% from 1930 to 2007. This loss is very nearly statistically significant and includes the possible impacts of anthropogenic global warming. The dates of maximum snowpack and 90% melt out have shifted 5 days earlier since 1930. Both shifts are statistically insignificant. A new estimate of the sensitivity of Cascade spring snowpack to temperature of −11% per °C, when combined with climate model projections of 850-hPa temperatures offshore of the Pacific Northwest, yields a projected 9% loss of Cascade spring snowpack due to anthropogenic global warming between 1985 and 2025.

New Early Permian colonial rugose corals from the central Cordilleran miogeocline, U.S.A.

Five new species of Early Permian (late Sakmarian to Kungurian) colonial corals from eastern Nevada and southeastern California, one assigned to a new genus, are described and illustrated. These includeHeintzella playfordin. sp. from the Arcturus Formation in Nevada and the Darwin Canyon Formation in California,Paraheritschioides fergusonensisn. sp. from the Ferguson Mountain and Bird Spring formations in Nevada, andWendoverella arcan. gen. and n. sp.,Permastraea nevadensisn. sp., andPararachnastraea moormanensisn. sp. from the Pequop Formation in eastern Nevada. These new taxa are distinct from all previously described species, but most are related to other species in the North American miogeocline.Wendoverella arcan. sp., however, is unlike any other species described from North America but is quite similar to a Russian species, indicating faunal communication between the Ural Mountains and the Cordilleran miogeocline at least into Artinskian time.

Banff's Mountain Caribou versus Spring Snails

Banff's Mountain Caribou versus Spring Snails

Geissleria gereckei sp. nov. (Bacillariophyta) from leaf‐litter covered stones of very shaded carbonate mountain springs with extremely low discharge

SUMMARYA new benthic freshwater diatom, Geissleria gereckei sp. nov., was identified from light and scanning electron micrographs. The most characteristic morphological features are the valve outline (elliptical, but with lateral margins that can range from slightly convex to slightly concave and also straight, and protracted, almost capitate ends), the size and length/width ratio, and the pattern of the striae around the central area. The new species was found to be epilithic, and characteristic of leaf‐litter covered stones of very shaded carbonate mountain springs of the Italian Alps with extremely‐low discharge (likely to be affected by seasonal desiccation). Very‐low‐discharge springs host a highly specialized diatom microflora, and are likely to increase in number in the near future due to the reduction of water, which is predicted to be caused by climate change in many regions.

Two new sympatric species of freshwater Gammarus (Crustacea: Amphipoda) from Southern Zagros Region, Iran

Gammarus zagrosensis n. sp. and Gammarus sepidannus n. sp., both from Gammarus pulex–group, are described from Sepidan County, Fars Province. They inhabit mountainous springs and were found co-occuring in some localities. Many clear morphological differences were recognized, including the setation of the second antenna and pereopods, length of antennal gland cone, postero-inferior protruding lobe and postero-distal corner setation in the basis of P6–7, endopodite/exopodite ratios of uropod 3, dorsal elevation of urosomites, and setation of lower distal margin of epimeral plates 2 and 3. Gammarus zagrosensis is distinguished from G. pseudosyriacus by having setae on the distal segments of pereopod 5–7, a less pointed epimeral plate 2, posterior-inferior corner setae, and the longer setae on uropod 3. The closest species to G. sepidannus are G. balutchi and G. lobifer, the most evident differences of which are the eye size, setosity of first antennal peduncles and flagellum of second antenna, length of gland cone, and uropod rami length ratios. Comparison of the head cuticular micro-structures gives more arguments for separating the two new species from each other, as well as from the previously studied, related species.