Register      Login
Marine and Freshwater Research Marine and Freshwater Research Society
Advances in the aquatic sciences
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Epiphytic diatoms and water quality in shallow lakes: the neutral substrate hypothesis revisited

Cristina Cejudo-Figueiras A C , Irene Álvarez-Blanco A , Eloy Bécares B and Saúl Blanco B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Institute of the Environment, La Serna 58, E-24007 León, Spain.

B Department of Biodiversity and Environmental Management, University of León, E-24071 León, Spain.

C Corresponding author. Email: ccejf@unileon.es

Marine and Freshwater Research 61(12) 1457-1467 https://doi.org/10.1071/MF10018
Submitted: 26 January 2010  Accepted: 19 September 2010   Published: 13 December 2010

Abstract

For bioassessment of freshwaters, diatom indices have been mainly used in streams although their applicability in shallow lakes has been demonstrated in several studies. However, the influence of sampling substrata on periphytic diatom communities and on the ecological quality inferred from them has been paid little attention. In this paper, we test the ‘neutral substrate hypothesis’, which predicts no relevant influence of host plant type on their epiphytic community. Nineteen shallow permanent lakes from north-west Spain were studied and classified into three trophic levels. Epiphytic diatom communities growing on three different macrophytes for each trophic level were sampled and analysed. We assess: (1) which of the most common diatom indices provides a reliable water quality assessment, (2) how different plant substrata influence the diatom communities growing on them and (3) how these differences affect water quality assessment. Similarity tests showed significant differences in the composition of diatom assemblages among nutrient concentrations and host macrophytes. In contrast, ANOVA results for selected diatom-based metrics showed significant differences among trophic levels but not between different plant substrata. This supports the use of epiphytic diatoms as biological indicators for shallow lakes irrespective of the dominant macrophyte.

Additional keywords: bioassessment, biotic index, diatom assemblage, eutrophication, macrophytes, monitoring, shallow lake, Water Framework Directive.


References

APHA (1998). ‘Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.’ (American Water Works Association: Washington.)

Besse-Lototskaya, A., Verdonschot, P. F. M., and Sinkeldam, J. A. (2006). Uncertainty in diatom assessment, sampling, identification and counting variation. Hydrobiologia 566, 247–260.
Uncertainty in diatom assessment, sampling, identification and counting variation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Blanco, S., and Bécares, E. (2006). Método de muestreo de diatomeas epífitas en lagunas para la aplicación de la Directiva Marco del Agua. Tecnología del Agua 277, 42–47..

Blanco, S., Ector, L., and Bécares, E. (2004). Epiphytic diatoms as water quality indicators in Spanish shallow lakes. Vie et Milieu 54, 71–79..

Blanco, S., Bécares, E., Cauchie, H. M., Hoffmann, L., and Ector, L. (2007). Comparison of biotic indices for water quality diagnosis in the Duero Basin (Spain). Archiv für Hydrobiologie – Supplement Large Rivers 17, 267–286..

Blindow, I. (1987). The composition and density of epiphyton on several species of submerged macrophytes. The neutral hypothesis tested. Aquatic Botany 29, 157–168.
The composition and density of epiphyton on several species of submerged macrophytes. The neutral hypothesis tested.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Caput, K., and Plenković-Moraj, A. (2000). Epiphytic diatoms on sawgrass (Cladium mariscus) in the karstic Plitvice Lakes, Croatia. Biologia 55, 343–350..

Carignan, R., and Kalff, J. (1982). Phosphorus release by submerged macrophytes: significance to epiphyton and phytoplankton. Limnology and Oceanography 27, 419–427.
Phosphorus release by submerged macrophytes: significance to epiphyton and phytoplankton.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaL38Xkt1SqtrY%3D&md5=c3724c86696be57f84a0a8bc0f066ff1CAS |

Cattaneo, A., and Amireault, M. C. (1992). How artificial is artificial substrata for periphyton? Journal of the North American Benthological Society 11, 244–256.
How artificial is artificial substrata for periphyton?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Cattaneo, A., and Kalff, J. (1979). Primary production of algae growing on natural and artificial aquatic plants: a study of interactions between epiphytes and their substrate. Limnology and Oceanography 24, 1031–1037.
Primary production of algae growing on natural and artificial aquatic plants: a study of interactions between epiphytes and their substrate.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Cattaneo, A., and Kalff, J. (1980). The relative contribution of aquatic macrophytes and their epiphytes to the production of macrophyte beds. Limnology and Oceanography 25, 280–289.
The relative contribution of aquatic macrophytes and their epiphytes to the production of macrophyte beds.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Cejudo-Figueiras, C. (2007). Diatomeas epífitas en lagos europeos, diversidad florística y relación con factores ambientales. MSc Thesis, University of León.

Cejudo-Figueiras, C., Blanco, S., Álvarez-Blanco, I., Ector, L., and Bécares, E. (2010). Nutrient monitoring in Spanish wetlands using epiphytic diatoms. Vie et Milieu 60, in press.

Cemagref (1982). Etude des méthodes biologiques d’appréciation quantitative de la qualité des eaux. Rapport Q. E. Lyon-A. F. Bassin Rhône-Méditeranée-Corse.

Clarke, K. R. (1993). Non-parametric multivariate analyses of changes in community structure. Australian Journal of Ecology 18, 117–143.
Non-parametric multivariate analyses of changes in community structure.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Conty, A. (2007). El bucle microbiano en las lagunas someras esteparias de Castilla y León, importancia ecológica e influencia en la eutrofización. PhD Thesis, University of León.

Dell’Uomo, A. (2004). ‘L’Indice Diatomico de Eutrofizzacione/Polluzione (EPI-D) nel Monitoraggio delle Acque Correnti. Linee Guida.’ (APAT: Roma.)

Descy, J. P. (1979). A new approach to water quality estimation using diatoms. Nova Hedwigia 64, 305–323..

Descy, J. P., and Coste, M. (1991). A test of methods for assessing water quality based on diatoms. Verhandlungen – Internationale Vereinigung für Theoretische und Angewandte Limnologie 24, 2112–2116..

Ector, L., and Rimet, F. (2005). Using bioindicators to assess rivers in Europe: an overview. In ‘Modelling Community Structure in Freshwater Ecosystems’. (Eds S. Lek, M. Scardi, P. F. M. Verdonschot, J. P. Descy and Y. S. Park.) pp. 7–19. (Springer-Verlag: Berlin.)

Eminson, D., and Moss, B. (1980). The composition and ecology of periphyton communities in freshwaters. 1. The influence of host type and external environment on community composition. British Phycological Journal 15, 429–446.
The composition and ecology of periphyton communities in freshwaters. 1. The influence of host type and external environment on community composition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Feio, M. J., Almeida, S. F. P., Craveiro, S. C., and Calado, A. J. (2009). A comparison between biotic indices and predictive models in stream water quality assessment based on benthic diatom communities. Ecological Indicators 9, 497–507.
A comparison between biotic indices and predictive models in stream water quality assessment based on benthic diatom communities.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXnvVOrt78%3D&md5=203c4b46480552da18d0c4d4d5259598CAS |

Gómez, N., and Licursi, M. (2001). The Pampean Diatom Index (IDP) for assessment of rivers and streams in Argentina. Aquatic Ecology 35, 173–181.
The Pampean Diatom Index (IDP) for assessment of rivers and streams in Argentina.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Gross, E. M. (2003). Allelopathy of aquatic autotrophs. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences 22, 313–339.
Allelopathy of aquatic autotrophs.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hammer, Ø., Harper, D. A. T., and Ryan, P. D. (2001). PAST: paleontological statistics software package for education and data analysis. Palaeontologia Electronica 4, 1–9..

Hilt, S. (2006). Allelopathic inhibition of epiphytes by submerged macrophytes. Aquatic Botany 85, 252–256.
Allelopathic inhibition of epiphytes by submerged macrophytes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hürlimann, J., and Niederhauser, P. (2002). ‘Méthodes d’étude et d’appréciation de l’état de Santé des Cours d’eau: Diatomées–Niveau R (Région).’ (Office Fédéral de l’Environnement, des Forêts et du Paysage: Berne.)

Kelly, M. G., and Whitton, B. A. (1995). The Trophic Diatom Index, a new index for monitoring eutrophication in rivers. Journal of Applied Phycology 7, 433–444.
The Trophic Diatom Index, a new index for monitoring eutrophication in rivers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kitner, M., and Poulícková, A. (2003). Littoral diatoms as indicators for the eutrophication of shallow lakes. Hydrobiologia 506–509, 519–524.
Littoral diatoms as indicators for the eutrophication of shallow lakes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kornijów, R., and Kairesalo, T. (1994). A simple apparatus for sampling epiphytic communities associated with emergent macrophytes. Hydrobiologia 294, 141–143.
A simple apparatus for sampling epiphytic communities associated with emergent macrophytes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Krammer, K., and Lange-Bertalot, H. (1986–1991). Bacillariophyceae. In ‘Susswasserflora von Mitteleuropa’. (Eds H. Ettl, J. Gerloff, H. Heynig and D. Mollenhauer.) pp. 1–2458. (Spektrum Akademischer Verlag: Heidelberg.)

Lange-Bertalot, H. (Ed.) (1995–2009). ‘Iconographia Diatomologica. Annotated Diatom Micrographs.’ Vols. I–XX. (A. R. G. Gantner Verlag K. G: Ruggell.)

Lange-Bertalot, H. (Ed.) (2000–2002). ‘Diatoms of Europe. Diatoms of the European Inland Waters and Comparable Habitats.’ Vols. I–IV. (A. R. G. Gantner Verlag K. G: Ruggell.)

Laugaste, R., and Reunanen, M. (2005). The composition and density of epiphyton on some macrophyte species in the partly meromictic Lake Verevi. Hydrobiologia 547, 137–150.
The composition and density of epiphyton on some macrophyte species in the partly meromictic Lake Verevi.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Leclerq, L., and Maquet, B. (1987). Deux nouveaux indices chimique et diatomique de qualité d’eau courante. Application au Samson et à ses affluents (Bassin de la Meuse Belge). Comparaison avec d’autres indices chimiques biocénotiques et diatomiques. Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique Documents de Travail 38, 113..

Lecointe, C., Coste, M., and Prygiel, J. (1993). OMNIDIA software for taxonomy, calculation of diatom indices and inventories management. Hydrobiologia 269–270, 509–513.
OMNIDIA software for taxonomy, calculation of diatom indices and inventories management.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Lecointe, C., Coste, M., Prygiel, J., and Ector, L. (1999). Le logiciel OMNIDIA versión 2, une puissante base de données pour les inventaires de diatomées et pour le calcul des indices diatomiques européens. Cryptogamie. Algologie 20, 132–134..

Lenoir, A., and Coste, M. (1996). Development of a practical diatom index of overall water quality applicable to the French national water board network. In ‘Use of Algae for Monitoring Rivers II’. (Eds B. A. Whitton and E. Rott.) pp. 29–43. (Botany Institute, University of Innsbruck: Innsbruck.)

Linares, J. E. (2003). Las diatomeas bentónicas de las lagunas del Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada. Estudio comparado con las colecciones del herbario de la Universidad de Granada (GDA). PhD Thesis, The University of Granada.

Lobo, E. A., Callegaro, V. L. M., and Bender, E. P. (2002). ‘Utilizaçao de Algas Diatomáceas Epilíticas como Indicadores da Qualidade da Água em Rios e Arroios da Regiao Hidrográfica do Guaíba, RS, Brasil.’ (EDUNISC: Santa Cruz do Sul.)

Messyasz, B., and Kuczyńska-Kippen, N. (2006). Periphytic algal communities, a comparison of Typha angustifolia L. and Chara tomentosa L. beds in three shallow lakes (West Poland). Polish Journal of Ecology 54, 15–27..

Moss, B., Stephen, D., Álvarez, C., Bécares, E., Van der Bund, W., et al. (2003). The determination of ecological quality in shallow lakes – a tested expert system (ECOFRAME) for implementation of the European Water Framework Directive. Aquatic Conservation-Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems 13, 507–549.
The determination of ecological quality in shallow lakes – a tested expert system (ECOFRAME) for implementation of the European Water Framework Directive.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Pisces Conservation Ltd. (2004). Community Analysis Package version 3.11. Pisces Conservation Ltd., Lymington, Hampshire, UK.

Ponader, K. C., and Potapova, M. G. (2007). Diatoms from the genus Achnanthidium in flowing waters of the Appalachian Mountains (North America): ecology, distribution and taxonomic notes. Limnologica 37, 227–241.
Diatoms from the genus Achnanthidium in flowing waters of the Appalachian Mountains (North America): ecology, distribution and taxonomic notes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Potapova, M. G., and Charles, D. F. (2005). Choice of substrate in algae-based water-quality assessment. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 24, 415–427.
Choice of substrate in algae-based water-quality assessment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Poulíčková, A., Duchoslav, M., and Dokulil, M. (2004). Litoral diatom assemblages as bioindicators of lake trophic status. A case study from perialpine lakes in Austria. European Journal of Phycology 39, 143–152.
Litoral diatom assemblages as bioindicators of lake trophic status. A case study from perialpine lakes in Austria.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Prygiel, J., Leveque, L., and Iseretant, R. (1996). Un nouvel indice diatomique pratique pour l’evaluation de la qualité des eaux en réseau de surveillance. Revue des Sciences de l’Eau 9, 97–113..
| 1:CAS:528:DyaK28XjslOltLY%3D&md5=8e9c5fe284e6215cef21d5912854d5eeCAS |

Rott, E., Hofmann, G., Pall, K., Pfister, P., and Pipp, E. (1997). ‘Indikationslisten für Aufwuchsalgen Teil 1, Saprobielle Indikation.’ (Bundesministerium für Land- und Forstwirtschaft: Wien.)

Rumeau, A., and Coste, M. (1988). Initiation à la systématique des diatomées d’eau douce. Bulletin Francais de la Peche et de la Pisciculture 309, 1–69.
Initiation à la systématique des diatomées d’eau douce.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Shannon, C. E., and Weaver, W. (1949). ‘The mathematical theory of communication.’ (The University of Illinois Press: Urbana, IL, USA.)

Sládeček, V. (1986). Diatoms as indicators of organic pollution. Acta Hydrochimica et Hydrobiologica 14, 555–566.
Diatoms as indicators of organic pollution.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

StatSoft, Inc. (2007). STATISTICA (data analysis software system), version 8.0. Available at http://www.statsoft.com [Verified 30 September2010].

Steinberg, C., and Schiefele, S. (1988). Biological indication of trophy and pollution of running waters. Zeitschrift für Wasser und Abwasser Forschung 21, 227–234..
| 1:CAS:528:DyaL1MXhs1Sjsro%3D&md5=fcac79a05356e23c540e433cf84462aaCAS |

Townsend, S. A., and Gell, P. A. (2005). The role of substrate type on benthic diatom assemblages in the Daly and Roper Rivers of the Australian wet/dry tropics. Hydrobiologia 548, 101–115.
The role of substrate type on benthic diatom assemblages in the Daly and Roper Rivers of the Australian wet/dry tropics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Trobajo, R. (2003). Ecological analysis of periphytic diatoms in Mediterranean coastal wetlands (Empordà wetlands, NE Spain). PhD Thesis, University of Girona.

Watanabe, T., Asai, K., and Houki, A. (1988). Numerical water quality monitoring of organic pollution using diatom assemblages. In ‘Proceedings of the 9th International Diatom Symposium 1986’. (Ed. F. E. Round.) pp. 123–141. (Koeltz Science Books: Königstein.)

Winter, J. G., and Duthie, H. C. (2000). Stream epilithic, epipelic and epiphytic diatoms, habitat fidelity and use in biomonitoring. Aquatic Ecology 34, 345–353.
Stream epilithic, epipelic and epiphytic diatoms, habitat fidelity and use in biomonitoring.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Yallop, M., Hirst, H., Kelly, M., Juggins, S., Jamieson, J., et al. (2009). Validation of ecological status concepts in UK rivers using historic diatom samples. Aquatic Botany 90, 289–295.
Validation of ecological status concepts in UK rivers using historic diatom samples.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Zelinka, M., and Marvan, P. (1961). Zur präzisierung der biologischen klassifikation der reinheit fliessender gewässer. Archiv fuer Hydrobiologie 57, 389–407..

Zimba, P. V., and Hopson, M. S. (1997). Quantification of epiphyte removal efficiency from submersed aquatic plants. Aquatic Botany 58, 173–179.
Quantification of epiphyte removal efficiency from submersed aquatic plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |