Water Macrophytes Research Articles

On the ecosystem and indicator significance of fatty acids in the composition of the low-molecular metabolom of water macrophytes

The hypothesis that aquatic macrophytes produce and include in their low molecular weight metabolome fewer fatty acids (in composition and content) under anthropogenic impact (eutrophication and pollution) than in clean, undisturbed, or slightly disturbed aquatic habitats (oligotrophic and mesotrophic conditions) was tested for the first time. The available data really give grounds to definitely speak about a decrease in the specific production of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids by macrophytes per unit of their biomass with an increase in the processes of eutrophication and pollution in aquatic ecosystems. The use of this pattern for the indicator assessment of anthropogenic influence on aquatic ecosystems is a significant practical application of this regularity.

On the Ecosystem and Indicator Significance of Fatty Acids in the Low Molecular Weight Metabolome of Water Macrophytes

On the Ecosystem and Indicator Significance of Fatty Acids in the Low Molecular Weight Metabolome of Water Macrophytes

Rare earth elements in fucus algae Barents Sea

Patterns of distribution of rare earth elements (REE) in natural objects are important geochemical indicators of the state of the environment. For the first time, data on REE contents in fucus algae from various horizons of the littoral of the Barents Sea are presented. The behavior of REE in natural processes is controlled by the solubility of their compounds, the ability to complex, and the tetrad effect of fractionation. Natural factors determining REE migration in the sediment–water–macrophytes system are discussed.

Utility of metagenomics for bioremediation: a comprehensive review on bioremediation mechanisms and microbial dynamics of river ecosystem.

Global industrialization has contributed substantial amounts of chemical pollutants in rivers, resulting in an uninhabitable state and impacting different life forms. Moreover, water macrophytes, such as water hyacinths, are abundantly present in polluted rivers, significantly affecting the overall water biogeochemistry. Bioremediation involves utilizing microbial metabolic machinery and is one of the most viable approaches for removing toxic pollutants. Conventional techniques generate limited information on the indigenous microbial population and their xenobiotic metabolism, failing the bioremediation process. Metagenomics can overcome these limitations by providing in-depth details of microbial taxa and functionality-related information required for successful biostimulation and augmentation. An in-depth summary of the findings related to pollutant metabolizing genes and enzymes in rivers still needs to be collated. The present study details bioremediation genes and enzymes functionally mined from polluted river ecosystems worldwide using a metagenomic approach. Several studies reported a wide variety of pollutant-degrading enzymes involved in the metabolism of dyes, plastics, persistent organic pollutants, and aromatic hydrocarbons. Additionally, few studies also noted a shift in the microbiome of the rivers upon exposure to contaminants, crucially affecting the ecological determinant processes. Furthermore, minimal studies have focused on the role of water-hyacinth-associated microbes in the bioremediation potentials, suggesting the need for the bioprospecting of these lesser-studied microbes. Overall, our study summarizes the prospects and utilities of the metagenomic approach and proposes the need to employ it for efficient bioremediation.

Phytohormones in the regulation on growth and development of water ferns of Salviniaceae family: a review

Water ferns of the Salviniaceae family are successfully used for bioremediation and bioindication of contaminated waters. Due to intensive propagation they are able to produce a great volume of biomass enriched with natural plant growth regulators. Simultaneously, water ferns have become an impediment to the use of water resources through the fast spread. Their growth and development is under control of phytohormones, which are main chemical messengers regulating the responses to environmental changes. Today hormonal system of water ferns of the Salviniaceae family remains understudied. In this review, we analyzed and summarized the literature data and the results of our own research about the role of auxins, cytokinins, gibberellic, abscisic, salicylic and jasmonic acids in regulation of growth and development of water ferns from Salvinia and Azolla genera emphasizing the specific hallmarks of these phytohormones in ferns. We have submitted brief information about methodological approaches for endogenous phytohormones determination in water ferns of the Salviniaceae family. The effects of exogenous regulators on growth, development and tolerance of water macrophytes from Salvinia and Azolla genera were discussed, as well as the possibility of using water ferns to create ecological biofertilizers.

The mycobiota associated with the weed water hyacinth Pontederia crassipes in Kolkata, India, with emphasis on biological control of the macrophyte

ABSTRACT The invasive macrophyte water hyacinth, Pontederia crassipes (Mart.) Solms (Pontederiaceae), was first introduced in India at the Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden, near Kolkata in 1889 from where they spread throughout the sub-continent. An extensive systematic survey of water bodies in and around Kolkata, India, was done for the first time to assess the natural occurrence of indigenous phytopathogenic fungi of the weed between 2014 and 2019. The study brings into light several species, along with some first reports, of naturally occurring native phytopathogenic fungi and their evolutionary-related lineages. The occurrence and frequency of pathogens varied from site to site. Around 150 fungal pathogens isolated from water hyacinth were evaluated for their disease-causing potential against the weed. The isolated fungi were identified using morphological and molecular techniques. Fusarium Link followed by Alternaria Nees were the highest and most consistently isolated genera. Seven potential fungi that caused more than 90% disease in whole plant pathogenicity bioassay were subjected to host-range evaluation against 67 plant species selected based on ecological nearness or economic significance. Among these Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lycopersici (WHK-59) was found to have a narrow host range and be effective against water hyacinth. With further studies on their impact assessment, environmental viability and tolerance, few of them, especially F. oxysporum (WHK- 26, 106) may effectively reduce population growth of water hyacinth by themselves or in conjunction with other introduced biocontrol agents, including insects and other plant pathogens.

The Cultivation of Water Hyacinth in India as a Feedstock for Anaerobic Digestion: Development of a Predictive Model for Scaling Integrated Systems

A novel, integrated system is proposed for the cultivation and co-digestion of the invasive macrophyte water hyacinth (WH) with cow manure (CM) for the production of biogas for cooking in rural India. This study investigates the pre-treatment approaches and performs a techno-economic analysis of producing biogas in fixeddome digesters as a replacement for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Methodologies have been developed for the cultivation of WH collected from wild plants in the Indrayani River, Pune, India. Cultivation trials were performed in 350 litre tanks using water, which was nutrient fed with CM. Cultivation trials were performed over a 3 week period, and growth rates were determined by removing and weighing the biomass at regular time intervals. Cultivation results provided typical yields and growth rates of biomass, allowing predictions to be made for cultivation scaling. Samples of cultivated WH have been co-digested with CM at a 20:80 ratio in 200 L anaerobic digesters, allowing for the prediction of bio-methane yields from fixed-dome anaerobic digesters in real world conditions, which are commonly used in the rural locations of India. A calculator has been developed, allowing us to estimate the scaling requirements for the operation of an integrated biomass cultivation and anaerobic co-digestion unit to produce an equivalent amount of biogas to replace between one and three LPG cylinders per month. A techno-economic analysis of introducing WH into fixed-dome digesters in India demonstrated that the payback periods range from 9 years to under 1 year depending on the economic strategies. To replace between one and three LPG cylinders per month using the discussed feedstock ratio, the cultivation area of WH required to produce sufficient co-feedstock ranges within 10–55 m2.

Biology of rotan firebrand Perccottus glehni Dybowski, 1877 in floodplain lakes of the Oka River

According to the results of accounting surveys with ring nets in highly overgrown floodplain lakes of the upper reaches of the river Oka found that the core of ichthyocenosis includes an invasive species — rotan-firebrand. The rattan sample from the ring net catches was represented by seven age groups, with a predominance of fish aged 3–4+. Indicators of the length and mass of the rattan vary significantly within the age groups due to the portionality of its spawning in lakes. Rotan growth in floodplain lakes of the Oka basin is on average higher than in riverbed ponds. The sex ratio in the younger age groups is characterized by a predominance of males over females, and vice versa in the older ones. The rotan in Tulchinsky Lake reaches sexual maturity at the age of 2–3+ with a body length of 4–7.7 cm and a weight of 1.8–11.3 g. The largest amount of rotan in the IV stage of gonad maturity is observed in July and is associated with the portionality of spawning. The main food of rotan in the lake are gastropods; substitutive — dragonfly larvae, chironomids, fish; forced — water bugs and macrophytes (duckweed). Rotan cannibalism is observed in fish with a length of more than 15 cm in the autumn period. The concentration and biomass of rotan in the areas of the lake covered with floating vegetation is on average eight times higher than in the open areas of the water area.

Spatial performance assessment of reed bed filtration in a constructed wetland

Constructed wetlands (CW) are implemented to improve water quality through filtration by plants (macrophytes), which sequester nutrients and contaminants. Macrophyte beds in CWs reduce the speed of water flow, aiming to improve the water quality by sedimentation and filtration with increasing distance from the inflow. Few studies have assessed spatial distribution and accumulation concentrations of nutrients and contaminants in CW macrophytes as a performance indicator for wetland functionality and management. Macrophytes and water were analysed for nutrient and contaminant accumulation in-situ at a stormwater-fed CW and water remediation site in South Australia. During the austral summer, macrophytes were sampled at 36 sites and water at 46 sites selected by a systematic GIS produced grid covering the entire wetland, which determined distance from the inflow for each site. A total of 144 Schoenoplectus validus (stems and roots) macrophyte samples (i.e. carbon-C, nitrogen-N, Trace elements) and 183 water samples (i.e. total suspended solids-TSS, total nitrogen-TN, total carbon-TC, nitrate-NO3−/ nitrite-NO2− and ammonia-NH4+) were analysed. Concentrations of water chemistry parameters that significantly increased with distance away from inflow included; TC (P = 0.0008), TN (P = 0.0001), and NH4+ (P = 0.0001), while there was significant decrease in TSS (P = 0.0001). The macrophyte S. validus significantly decreased in height (P = 0.0001) and biomass (P = 0.03) with distance from the inflow. Spatial mapping of nutrients and contaminants with distance from inflow identified increasing TC and C characteristics from inflow to outflow and identified where TSS were removed from the water column. Through this spatial assessment approach of the Oaklands CW, management has identified problem areas with flow regimes that require further investigation to enhance macrophyte water filtration performance which can be used in CWs elsewhere in the world.

Surface sediment diatom assemblages from four alpine lakes in the Zelengora Mountains (Bosnia and Herzegovina): A pilot study

This pilot study presents surface sediment diatom assemblages in four alpine lakes in the Zelengora Mountains. The four lakes are distributed across an alpine treeline, spanning temperate mixed forest and treeless alpine tundra zones, thus offering an excellent opportunity to study the interaction of physicochemical properties and biotic communities in different alpine lake settings. A total of 52 taxa from 28 genera were identified, with only one taxon (Staurosirella neopinnata) present in every lake. In the Orlovacko, Donje Bare and Crno lakes, the diatom assemblages were mainly comprised of benthic and tychoplanktonic species, as opposed to the Kotlanicko Lake where the planktonic Lindavia radiosa was the most abundant species. Our results identified water turbidity, macrophytes and pH to be the prevailing environmental factors which influence the diatom assemblage composition in the studied lakes. The results of this study also represent a starting point in establishing biomonitoring programmes for the sustainable management of these alpine aquatic ecosystems in a rapidly changing environment.

Heavy Metal Absorption and Phytoremediation Capacity of Macrophytes of Polachira Wetland of Kollam District, Kerala, India

The current research was carried out to estimate the concentration of heavy metals in water and aquatic macrophytes (Hydrilla verticillata, Salvinia minima and Eichornia crassipes) collected from the Polachira wetland of Kollam district, Kerala during the summer season of the year 2020. The water from the Polchira wetland was used for irrigating the agricultural land. Water and plant samples were collected from four different sites and were analyzed for heavy metals like Zn, Cu, Pb, Fe, Cd and Cr using AAS. The results indicated that the mean heavy metal contents in aquatic macrophytes were in the order of Fe>Zn>Pb>Cu>Cr>Cd. It was also highlighted that among the three aquatic macrophytes, Salvinia minima was observed to be the hyperaccumulator of zinc, copper, lead and cadmium whereas Hydrilla verticillata shows the hyperaccumulation of iron and chromium. The highest metal bioaccumulation factor was obtained for zinc, lead and iron by Salvinia minima and chromium accumulation by Hydrilla verticillata. The bioaccumulation factor for different metals in macrophytes followed a decreasing order as Salvinia minima >Hydrilla verticillata > Eichhornia crassipes. The level of heavy metals studied in water samples showed that copper, cadmium and chromium exceeded the maximum limit prescribed by irrigation standards. Our results manifest the capability of these aquatic macrophytes to act as bio accumulators and bioindicators.

Comparing the effect of tailwater replenishment at different time intervals on eutrophic surface freshwater: a mesocosm simulation study

Abstract Tailwater is becoming the main water source supplied to surface freshwater worldwide. However, few studies have compared the effect of tailwater replenishment at different time intervals on eutrophic surface freshwater. In this study, we investigated the changes of water quality, sediment, and submerged macrophytes in eutrophic water in an outdoor mesocosm in response to different tailwater replenishment time intervals [every 7 days (TW7), 14 days (TW14) and 28 days (TW28)]. An 84-day simulation experiment demonstrated that there were only significant differences in the total nitrogen (TN) concentration of the overlying water, with the lowest mean value occurring in TW28. Nevertheless, the sediment TN was lowest in TW7 with a denitrification rate of 102.9 μmol/m2/h. Tailwater replenishment also increased the nitrogen content and total biomass of Vallisneria spiralis, and TW7 had the highest total biomass of 20.19 g. Additionally, tailwater replenishment also affected plant enzyme activity, causing an increase in superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase, coupled with a decrease in malondialdehyde concentration in leaves. Overall, TW28 can be adopted as a tailwater replenishment strategy to ensure water quality, whereas TW7 can be applied without a strict water quality requirement for TN.

Longitudinal gradient in the Camptocercus lilljeborgi Schoedler, 1862 species group (Cladocera: Anomopoda: Chydoridae).

A detailed study of morphology of the rare phytophilous cladoceran Camptocercus lilljeborgi Schoedler, 1862 revealed that populations from Eastern Siberia and Far East of Russia belong to a new species. C. smirnovi sp. nov. differs from C. lilljeborgi in body shape, morphology of ventral margin of valves, morphology of postabdomen, and length of IDL seta 1 of the thoracic limb I. C. lilljeborgi s. str. is distributed in Europe and Western Siberia, therefore, the lilljeborgi-group provides an example of the western-eastern differentiation in Northern Eurasia. Some characters of taxa from the lilljeborgi-group are convergently similar to the characters of the species of genus Graptoleberis Sars, 1862; both groups are adapted to a snail-like crawling on the surface of water macrophytes.

Macrophyte species diversity and distribution in relation to water quality of the Cheleleka Wetland in Ethiopia

The Cheleleka Wetland is located in the Ethiopian Rift Valley on the upper shore of Lake Hawassa, after which the regional capital is named. This study investigated the relationship between water quality and the occurrence and diversity of macrophyte species of the wetland. Spatio-temporal variability in terms of water quality and macrophytes were studied in the wet and dry seasons at purposely-selected sites selected based on human disturbance levels. Six sites were selected, two from each of ‘severely’, ‘moderately’ and ‘least disturbed’, and data collected on water quality parameters, macrophytes richness and abundance. The results showed 25 macrophyte species dominated by Cyperaceae (24%), Poaceae (20%) and Nymphaeaceae (12%). Species diversity and abundance were significantly different between seasons and among the sampling sites (p < 0.05), with the richest taxa recorded at the least disturbed sites. A redundancy analysis of the species–environment relationships identified nutrient loads as significant drivers of macrophyte diversity and abundance in the wetland. Generally, the results showed the spatial and temporal variation of macrophyte diversity and abundance are affected by water quality, and poor water quality has resulted in poor ecological conditions of the Cheleleka Wetland.

Methodological approaches to phytomediation of productive processes in chalk quarry reservoirs of Belarus

As concerns field work, bathymetric measurements as well as measurements of physical and chemical parameters of water were conducted, and samples were collected for laboratory tests, which included quantitative and qualitative hydrobiological analyses concerning e.g. the abundance, biomass and species composition of phytoplankton, seston and chlorophyll. Six water bodies (situated in flooded chalk pits) with different morphometric parameters (areas ranging from 2.22 to 37.67 ha, depths ranging from 5.1 to 23.0 m and nearshore shallow areas ranging from 0.39 to 2.64 ha) and with different bioproductive characteristics of water mass (eg. transparency – 1.2–6.8 m, phosphates – 0.002–0.110 mg/dm3, nitrates – 0.040–0.600 mg NO-3/dm3, biomass of phytoplankton – 0.075–1.801 mg/dm3, seston – 0.73–5.56 mg/dm3) were selected for the study of the phytomediation mechanism. The specificity of structural and functional relationships between the abiotic and biotic components of productive-macrophyte and productive-phytoplankton reservoirs is determined. It was established that macrophyte water bodies in flooded chalk pits are able to maintain their basic production and trophic characteristics in the long term under anthropogenic influence conditions. An algorithm is proposed for calculating the level (E – 89.58–115.13), productivity index (K – 11.16–54.15) and gradient (E – 2.1–9.8) of eutrophication of chalk (limestone) quarry reservoirs using the morphometric specificity indicator of the trophogenic epilimnial layer (Sτ – 0.05–0.270). The revealed dependence of the productive and functional organization and trophic status of a quarry reservoir on the morphometric features of a technogenic basin is proposed to be used in the design of sustainably functioning macrophyte-type aquatic systems at the stage of mining and engineering reclamation. The possibility of creating ecologically sustainable lake-type aquatic systems on the site of resource depleted chalk quarries in the process of phytomediation of productive processes is substantiated. Research on innovative methods of reclamation of flooded chalk pits is in line with several sustainable development goals.

Distribution and diversity of aquatic macrophytes and the assessment of physico-chemical parameters of Dakatia beel in Khulna district, Bangladesh

The physico-chemical characteristics of water and aquatic macrophytes from Dakatia Beel under Khulna district in Bangladesh were studied within January, 2020 to February, 2021. Twenty three species of aquatic macrophytes belonging to 15 families have been recorded. The aquatic macrophytes in Dakatia Beel collected from several sites belonging to 23 genera and 15 families (Lemnaceae, Pontederiaceae, Araceae, Convolvulaceae, Amaranthaceae, Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Polygonaceae, Ceratophyllaceae, Onagraceae, Parkeriaceae, Cyperaceae, Poaceae, Euphorbiacee, Nymphaceae). We also observed the different plant groups which comprises 6 species of floating, 10 species of emergent and only 2 species of submerged aquatic macrophytes. Dissolved oxygen ranged between 1.78 to 2.2 mg/L with a mean value 1.95 mg/L. The study area showed maximum total dissolved solid 588 ppm and the minimum in 482 ppm with a mean value of 534 ppm. Maximum value of phosphate was noted in 1029 μg/L and minimum 988 μg/L with a mean value of 1005 μg/L. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2021, 7 (2), 118-125

Reciprocal competitive effects of congeneric invaders, Trapa natans L. and Trapa bispinosa Roxb. var. iinumai Nakano, in established freshwater plant cultures

Plant diversity is a known indicator of healthy ecosystems, therefore understanding interspecific relationships that structure plant communities is critical for invasive species management. A cryptic introduction of invasive macrophyte water chestnut (Trapa bispinosa var. iinumai) into the northeastern United States prompted investigation into potential competitive interactions between it and two common submersed species in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, Vallisneria americana and Hydrilla verticillata. Because the congeneric invader Trapa natans co-occurs in the same watershed with a documented history of negative environmental impacts, it was included for comparison. Reciprocal pairwise competitive effects between water chestnut and resident species were determined by additive reciprocal design, plants were grow in monoculture and biculture under controlled greenhouse conditions for one year. Competitive reciprocal effects between species were evident. Vallisneria americana produced 1.7 X more ramets in monoculture than in combination with Trapa spp. and tuber production was reduced by 37 % in biculture, independent of Trapa competitor. Trapa bispinosa var. iinumai fruit production was reduced by 80 % when grown in biculture with V. americana, and no fruits were produced when grown with H. verticillata. Biculture T. natans fruit production was impacted with less production observed for H. verticillata (54 %) than V. americana (25 %). Trapa bispinosa var. iinumai produced nearly 150 % more biomass in monoculture than T. natans, suggesting increased impacts in species-poor or disturbed areas. Findings suggest established monocultures of V. americana and H. verticillata may be vulnerable to invasion by either species of Trapa, but long-term competitive effects of invasion may not preclude co-existence.

Fish stocking for recreational angling is culpable for the poor condition of many English lakes designated for conservation purposes

ABSTRACT Contemporary surveys and analysis of previous data identified negative effects of fish stocking for recreational angling in 87% of 23 English lakes (0.2–26 ha and 1–11.9 m mean depth) protected for nature conservation as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). All sites except one were in unfavourable condition, with 92% failing to meet targets for characteristic macrophyte species. No lake was judged to have a natural fish community, and 96% had been subjected to fish stocking. The naturalised alien common carp (Cyprinus carpio) was the most widely introduced (87%). The presence of further alien species indicated illegal activity. A combination of estimates from surveys and angler records suggested carp comprised 53% of overall fish biomass density, with values up to 1164 kg ha−1 in individual lakes. Successful recruitment of carp, attributed to a warming climate, was recorded in 44% of the lakes in which it occurred. Consideration of fish impacts on lake ecology from the literature concluded that management of fish stocks, through biomanipulation, was required. The efficacy of biomanipulation was demonstrated by removal of fish from a large exclosure (29% of area) in one study lake and a resultant favourable response of water transparency and macrophyte growth. In the wider SSSI lakes series, we concluded that the retention of carp in any lake was an unacceptable risk to restoration of favourable condition, as were damaging angling practices. A ban on fish stocking in SSSI lakes is recommended, unless fish are introduced to restore natural communities.

Effects of environmental variables on littoral macroinvertebrate community assemblages in subtropical reservoirs

ABSTRACT Anthropogenic pressures on standing waterbody systems potentially result in changes to sediment and water qualities, and thus ecological community characteristics. We tested effects of drawdown on physical, water and sediment variables, as well as their effects on littoral macroinvertebrate community composition in two subtropical reservoirs. Water levels differed significantly between reservoirs and over time, with significant effects on several water chemistry parameters (e.g., pH, conductivity, Mg, Fe), whilst sediment properties were less affected. Significant effects of water level, site and macrophyte cover on macroinvertebrate community structures were not detected, however macroinvertebrate community structuring differed significantly over time. Redundancy analysis (RDA) highlighted that the first and second axes accounted for 45.6% of the total macroinvertebrate community and environmental variables relationship variance. Most of the sediment variables, such as Cu, Mg, Na and Pb and water chemistry (i.e., HCO3-), were positively associated with the first axis, while water temperature and pH were negatively associated with the first axis. The RDA variation partitioning showed that water and sediment chemistry variables accounted for 40.3% and 30.3%, respectively, of the total macroinvertebrate variation. The present study contributes to understandings of the interplays between water level, physico-chemical properties and community compositions in human-altered aquatic ecosystems.

Factors influencing the structure of macroinvertebrate communities in subarctic lakes affected by wildfires

Fires are a natural phenomenon in the boreal forest, but their frequency is expected to increase over the coming century. Fires may affect water quality and invertebrates in lakes, but there have been few studies in the northern boreal forest to describe these impacts. We collected data on water quality, macrophytes, and invertebrates from 20 lakes in the Sahtú Settlement Area of the Northwest Territories. Nine lakes were affected by fires in their catchments 4–5 years before data collection, while eleven were not. Our results showed that few water quality variables were associated with fires. However, remote sensing and field observations suggested that macrophyte biomass was higher in lakes affected by burns, and this variable was a significant predictor of invertebrate composition. Burn history was an important predictor of the richness and abundance of invertebrates, but natural variability in lake properties was more important for explaining differences among lakes. Our results suggest that a better understanding of the effects of wildfires might be gained by examining how postfire changes in macrophytes affect other trophic levels.