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Kefford BJ, Brooks AJ, Nichols SJ, Bray JP. Macroinvertebrate community and leaf litter breakdown measures lack concordance associated with singular or multiple stressors. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 953:176082. [PMID: 39244040 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 09/02/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
Freshwater ecosystems are being degraded by a wide range of stressors resulting from human activities. Various structural and functional metrics or indices are used to assess the 'health' or condition of riverine ecosystems. It is uncertain if structural or functional metrics or indices respond to different stressors and whether some are more responsive to stressors in general. Here we conducted a multi-study synthesis, similar to a meta-analysis, across four independent outdoor mesocosm experiments involving the manipulation of various chemical stressors - two types of salinity (synthetic marine salts (SMS) and sodium bicarbonate), two insecticides (malathion and sulfoxaflor), increased nutrients (N and P), increased sedimentation and two combinations of stressors (1: malathion, nutrients and sedimentation, 2: sulfoxaflor, nutrients and sedimentation). We compare the effects of these singular or multiple stressors on stream macroinvertebrate community structure, and Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaf litter breakdown rates by microbes and total (microbes and invertebrates). Macroinvertebrate communities were adversely affected by the two sets of multiple stressors, SMS, and both insecticides yet, and in contrast to several published studies, both microbial and total leaf litter was unaffected. Nutrients and sodium bicarbonate, increased breakdown rates or had a unimodal 'Ո' shaped response, with maxima at intermediate levels. Sedimentation by fine sand, however, decreased total leaf litter breakdown, while not affecting microbial leaf litter breakdown. Divergent responses between the effects of stressors on leaf litter breakdown rates that we observed and those in the literature may be caused by multiple mechanisms, including differences between communities, functional redundancy and differences in stressor magnitude and interactions with other (unknown) variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben J Kefford
- Centre for Applied Water Science, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia.
| | - Andrew J Brooks
- Centre for Applied Water Science, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia; New South Wales Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, PO Box 53, Wollongong, NSW 2500, Australia
| | - Susan J Nichols
- Centre for Applied Water Science, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| | - Jonathan P Bray
- Centre for Applied Water Science, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia; Department of Pest Management and Conservation, Lincoln University, PO Box 85084, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
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Madge Pimentel I, Baikova D, Buchner D, Burfeid Castellanos A, David GM, Deep A, Doliwa A, Hadžiomerović U, Mayombo NAS, Prati S, Spyra MA, Vermiert AM, Beisser D, Dunthorn M, Piggott JJ, Sures B, Tiegs SD, Leese F, Beermann AJ. Assessing the response of an urban stream ecosystem to salinization under different flow regimes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 926:171849. [PMID: 38537828 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
Urban streams are exposed to a variety of anthropogenic stressors. Freshwater salinization is a key stressor in these ecosystems that is predicted to be further exacerbated by climate change, which causes simultaneous changes in flow parameters, potentially resulting in non-additive effects on aquatic ecosystems. However, the effects of salinization and flow velocity on urban streams are still poorly understood as multiple-stressor experiments are often conducted at pristine rather than urban sites. Therefore, we conducted a mesocosm experiment at the Boye River, a recently restored stream located in a highly urbanized area in Western Germany, and applied recurrent pulses of salinity along a gradient (NaCl, 9 h daily of +0 to +2.5 mS/cm) in combination with normal and reduced current velocities (20 cm/s vs. 10 cm/s). Using a comprehensive assessment across multiple organism groups (macroinvertebrates, eukaryotic algae, fungi, parasites) and ecosystem functions (primary production, organic-matter decomposition), we show that flow velocity reduction has a pervasive impact, causing community shifts for almost all assessed organism groups (except fungi) and inhibiting organic-matter decomposition. Salinization affected only dynamic components of community assembly by enhancing invertebrate emigration via drift and reducing fungal reproduction. We caution that the comparatively small impact of salt in our study can be due to legacy effects from past salt pollution by coal mining activities >30 years ago. Nevertheless, our results suggest that urban stream management should prioritize the continuity of a minimum discharge to maintain ecosystem integrity. Our study exemplifies a holistic approach for the assessment of multiple-stressor impacts on streams, which is needed to inform the establishment of a salinity threshold above which mitigation actions must be taken.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iris Madge Pimentel
- Aquatic Ecosystem Research, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
| | - Daria Baikova
- Aquatic Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Dominik Buchner
- Aquatic Ecosystem Research, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Gwendoline M David
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Department of Plankton and Microbial Ecology, Stechlin, Germany
| | - Aman Deep
- Biodiversity, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Annemie Doliwa
- Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Una Hadžiomerović
- Aquatic Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Sebastian Prati
- Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | | | - Anna-Maria Vermiert
- Ruhr University Bochum, Department of Animal Ecology, Evolution and Biodiversity, Bochum, Germany
| | - Daniela Beisser
- Department of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Westphalian University of Applied Sciences, Recklinghausen, Germany
| | - Micah Dunthorn
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jeremy J Piggott
- Zoology and Trinity Centre for the Environment, School of Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 2, Ireland
| | - Bernd Sures
- Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; Research Center One Health Ruhr of the University Alliance Ruhr, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Scott D Tiegs
- Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA
| | - Florian Leese
- Aquatic Ecosystem Research, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Arne J Beermann
- Aquatic Ecosystem Research, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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3
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Kefford BJ, Hyne RV, Brooks AJ, Shenton MD, Hills K, Nichols SJ, Bray JP. Do magnesium and chloride ameliorate high sodium bicarbonate concentrations? A comparison between laboratory and mesocosm toxicity experiments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169003. [PMID: 38043815 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Increasing salinity is a concern for biodiversity in many freshwater ecosystems globally. Single species laboratory toxicity tests show major differences in freshwater organism survival depending on the specific ions that comprise salinity types and/or their ion ratios. Toxicity has been shown to be reduced by altering ionic composition, despite increasing (total) salinity. For insistence, single species tests show the toxicity of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3, which commonly is a large proportion of the salts from coalbeds) to freshwater invertebrates is reduced by adding magnesium (Mg2+) or chloride (Cl-). However, it is uncertain whether reductions in mortality observed in single-species laboratory tests predict effects within populations, communities and to ecosystem processes in more complex multi-species systems both natural and semi-natural. Here we report the results of an outdoor multi-species mesocosm experiment to determine if the effects of NaHCO3 are reduced by increasing the concentrations of Mg2+ or Cl- on: a) stream macroinvertebrate populations and communities; b) benthic chlorophyll-a and; c) the ecosystem process of leaf litter decomposition. We found a large effect of a high NaHCO3 concentration (≈4.45 mS/cm) with reduced abundances of multiple taxa, reduced emergence of adult insects and reduced species richness, altered community structure and increased leaf litter breakdown rates but no effect on benthic chlorophyll-a. However, despite predictions based on laboratory findings, we found no evidence that the addition of either Mg2+ or Cl- altered the effect of NaHCO3. In semi-natural environments such as mesocosms, and natural environments, organisms are subject to varying temperature and habitat factors, while also interacting with other species and trophic levels (e.g. predation, competition, facilitation), which are absent in single species laboratory tests. Thus, it should not be assumed single-species tests are good predictors of the effects of changing ionic compositions on stream biota in more natural environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben J Kefford
- Centre for Applied Water Science, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia.
| | - Ross V Hyne
- Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, Environment Protection Science, Lidcombe Laboratories, NSW 2141, Australia
| | - Andrew J Brooks
- Centre for Applied Water Science, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia; Department of Planning and Environment - Water, 53, Wollongong, NSW 2500, Australia
| | - Mark D Shenton
- Centre for Applied Water Science, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| | - Kasey Hills
- Centre for Applied Water Science, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia; New South Wales Environmental Protection Authority, Locked Bag 5022, Parramatta, NSW 2124, Australia
| | - Susan J Nichols
- Centre for Applied Water Science, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia
| | - Jonathan P Bray
- Centre for Applied Water Science, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia; Department of Pest Management and Conservation, Lincoln University, 85084, Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
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Moyano Salcedo AJ, Prat N, Bertrans-Tubau L, Piñero-Fernandez M, Cunillera-Montcusí D, López-Doval JC, Abril M, Proia L, Cañedo-Argüelles M. What happens when salinization meets eutrophication? A test using stream microcosms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168824. [PMID: 38030007 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Nutrient and salt pollution often co-occur in rivers and streams due to human activities (e.g., agriculture, urbanization). Thus, understanding the interactive effects of nutrients and salinity on freshwater ecosystems is critical for environmental management. We experimentally assessed the interactive effects of nutrient and salt pollution on stream microcosms using biofilm and macroinvertebrates as model systems. Six treatments were performed in triplicate: control (C: N-NH4+ = 0.05; P- PO43- = 0.037; Cl- = 33.5 mg L-1), intermediate nutrient (IN: N-NH4+ = 0.4; P- PO43- = 0.271; Cl- = 33. 5 mg L-1), high nutrient (HN: N-NH4+ = 0.84; P- PO43- = 0.80; Cl- = 33.5 mg L-1), salt (S: N-NH4+ = 0.05; P- PO43- = 0.037; Cl- = 3000 mg L-1), salt with intermediate nutrient (SIN: N-NH4+ = 0.4; P- PO43- = 0.27; Cl- = 3000 mg L-1) and salt with high nutrient (SHN: N-NH4+ = 0.84; P- PO43- = 0.80; Cl- = 3000 mg L-1). After 14 days of exposure, biofilm chlorophyll-a increased across all treatments, with cyanobacteria replacing diatoms and green algae. Treatments with no added nutrients (C and S) had more P uptake capacity than the rest. The indicator species analysis showed 8 significant taxa, with Orthocladius (Orthocladius) gr. Wetterensis and Virganytarsus significantly associated with the salinity treatment. Overall, salt pollution led to a very strong decline in macroinvertebrate richness and diversity. However, salt toxicity seemed to be ameliorated by nutrient addition. Finally, both structural equation models and biotic-abiotic interaction networks showed that complex biological interactions could be modulating the response of the biological communities to our treatments. Thus, our study calls for species-level assessments of salt and nutrient effects on river ecosystems and advocates for better management of co-occurring pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alvaro Javier Moyano Salcedo
- FEHM-Lab (Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Geohazards and Civil Engineering Research Group, Department of Civil Engineering, Saint Thomas Villavicencio University, C/22 No 1a, 500003 Villavicencio, Colombia; Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, Carrer de Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Narcís Prat
- FEHM-Lab (Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lluís Bertrans-Tubau
- BETA Technological Center, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Martí Piñero-Fernandez
- FEHM-Lab (Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - David Cunillera-Montcusí
- FEHM-Lab (Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; WasserCluster Lunz - Biologische Station GmbH, Lunz am See, Austria
| | - Julio C López-Doval
- BETA Technological Center, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Meritxell Abril
- BETA Technological Center, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Proia
- BETA Technological Center, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, Carrer de Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
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5
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E B, Zhang S, Driscoll CT, Wen T. Human and natural impacts on the U.S. freshwater salinization and alkalinization: A machine learning approach. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 889:164138. [PMID: 37182763 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Ongoing salinization and alkalinization in U.S. rivers have been attributed to inputs of road salt and effects of human-accelerated weathering in previous studies. Salinization poses a severe threat to human and ecosystem health, while human derived alkalinization implies increasing uncertainty in the dynamics of terrestrial sequestration of atmospheric carbon dioxide. A mechanistic understanding of whether and how human activities accelerate weathering and contribute to the geochemical changes in U.S. rivers is lacking. To address this uncertainty, we compiled dissolved sodium (salinity proxy) and alkalinity values along with 32 watershed properties ranging from hydrology, climate, geomorphology, geology, soil chemistry, land use, and land cover for 226 river monitoring sites across the coterminous U.S. Using these data, we built two machine-learning models to predict monthly-aggregated sodium and alkalinity fluxes at these sites. The sodium-prediction model detected human activities (represented by population density and impervious surface area) as major contributors to the salinity of U.S. rivers. In contrast, the alkalinity-prediction model identified natural processes as predominantly contributing to variation in riverine alkalinity flux, including runoff, carbonate sediment or siliciclastic sediment, soil pH and soil moisture. Unlike prior studies, our analysis suggests that the alkalinization in U.S. rivers is largely governed by local climatic and hydrogeological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei E
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, United States
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Department of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, United States
| | - Charles T Driscoll
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, United States
| | - Tao Wen
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244, United States.
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Kaushal SS, Mayer PM, Likens GE, Reimer JE, Maas CM, Rippy MA, Grant SB, Hart I, Utz RM, Shatkay RR, Wessel BM, Maietta CE, Pace ML, Duan S, Boger WL, Yaculak AM, Galella JG, Wood KL, Morel CJ, Nguyen W, Querubin SEC, Sukert RA, Lowien A, Houde AW, Roussel A, Houston AJ, Cacopardo A, Ho C, Talbot-Wendlandt H, Widmer JM, Slagle J, Bader JA, Chong JH, Wollney J, Kim J, Shepherd L, Wilfong MT, Houlihan M, Sedghi N, Butcher R, Chaudhary S, Becker WD. Five state factors control progressive stages of freshwater salinization syndrome. LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY LETTERS 2023; 8:190-211. [PMID: 37539375 PMCID: PMC10395323 DOI: 10.1002/lol2.10248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2022] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Factors driving freshwater salinization syndrome (FSS) influence the severity of impacts and chances for recovery. We hypothesize that spread of FSS across ecosystems is a function of interactions among five state factors: human activities, geology, flowpaths, climate, and time. (1) Human activities drive pulsed or chronic inputs of salt ions and mobilization of chemical contaminants. (2) Geology drives rates of erosion, weathering, ion exchange, and acidification-alkalinization. (3) Flowpaths drive salinization and contaminant mobilization along hydrologic cycles. (4) Climate drives rising water temperatures, salt stress, and evaporative concentration of ions and saltwater intrusion. (5) Time influences consequences, thresholds, and potentials for ecosystem recovery. We hypothesize that state factors advance FSS in distinct stages, which eventually contribute to failures in systems-level functions (supporting drinking water, crops, biodiversity, infrastructure, etc.). We present future research directions for protecting freshwaters at risk based on five state factors and stages from diagnosis to prognosis to cure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujay S. Kaushal
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Paul M. Mayer
- Pacific Ecological Systems Division, US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Corvallis, Oregon
| | - Gene E. Likens
- Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York
- University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut
| | - Jenna E. Reimer
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Carly M. Maas
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Megan A. Rippy
- Occoquan Watershed Monitoring Laboratory, The Charles E. Via Jr Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Manassas, Virginia
- Center for Coastal Studies, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Stanley B. Grant
- Occoquan Watershed Monitoring Laboratory, The Charles E. Via Jr Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Manassas, Virginia
- Center for Coastal Studies, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
| | - Ian Hart
- Chatham University, Gibsonia, Pennsylvania
| | | | - Ruth R. Shatkay
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Barret M. Wessel
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Christine E. Maietta
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Michael L. Pace
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Shuiwang Duan
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Walter L. Boger
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Alexis M. Yaculak
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Joseph G. Galella
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Kelsey L. Wood
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Carol J. Morel
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - William Nguyen
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Shane Elizabeth C. Querubin
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Rebecca A. Sukert
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Anna Lowien
- Environmental Science & Policy Program, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Alyssa Wellman Houde
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Anaïs Roussel
- Department of Biology, Georgetown University, Washington, District of Columbia
| | - Andrew J. Houston
- Department of Geology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Ari Cacopardo
- Department of Geology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Cristy Ho
- Department of Geology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | | | - Jacob M. Widmer
- Department of Geology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Jairus Slagle
- Department of Geology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - James A. Bader
- Department of Geology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Jeng Hann Chong
- Department of Geology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Jenna Wollney
- Department of Geology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Jordan Kim
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Lauren Shepherd
- Department of Geology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Matthew T. Wilfong
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Megan Houlihan
- Department of Geology & Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Nathan Sedghi
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Rebecca Butcher
- Department of Geology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - Sona Chaudhary
- Department of Geology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
| | - William D. Becker
- Department of Geology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland
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7
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Barrios-Figueroa R, Urbina MA. Behavioural and physiological responses to salinization and air exposure during the ontogeny of a freshwater South American snail. CONSERVATION PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 11:coac089. [PMID: 36726867 PMCID: PMC9885736 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/coac089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Salinization is of global concern, threatening freshwater biodiversity. Salinity tolerance is highly variable and therefore needs to be evaluated on a species-specific basis. An estuarine population of Chilina dombeiana, a freshwater gastropod endemic to Chile and classified as vulnerable, has been recently found in the Biobío River's mouth, suggesting some degree of tolerance to brackish waters. This study evaluated the survival, behaviour (medium preference) and physiology of C. dombeiana when exposed to salinities higher than freshwater, thus elucidating the potential mechanisms used to survive salinization. Chilina dombeiana belongs to the Pulmonate group;, so we evaluated oxygen uptake in air and water, aiming to evaluate emersion as a potential avoidance response to a progressive salinity increase. Complete embryo development was observed for salinities ≤ 16 PSU (practical salinity units) but hatching rates above 50% were only achieved in freshwater (0 PSU). It was also found that salinity had stage-specific effects during embryonic development. In adults, acute exposure to brackish water (12 PSU) caused a decrease in oxygen consumption (compared to freshwater), in the ammonium excretion rates and in the percentage of muscular water content. Although C. dombeiana was able to take up oxygen in both mediums, survival in air decreased over time (days), which correlates with the behavioural preference to remain submerged, even at elevated salinities. Considering the survival of adults and embryos decreased as salinity increased and the lack of an avoidance behaviour or a physiological ability to maintain homeostasis at salinities higher than freshwater, our results suggest this snail could be adversely affected by salinization in the long term. Furthermore, given the ability of C. dombeiana to uptake oxygen in both mediums, it should be considered as a facultative air breather snail, rather than a strictly aquatic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Barrios-Figueroa
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, Chile
- Doctorado en Sistemática y Biodiversidad, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, 4030000, Chile
| | - M A Urbina
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción, Chile
- Instituto Milenio de Oceanografía (IMO), Universidad de Concepción, PO Box 1313, Concepción, 4030000, Chile
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8
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Pott A, Bundschuh M, Otto M, Schulz R. Assessing Effects of Genetically Modified Plant Material on the Aquatic Environment Using higher-tier Studies. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2023; 110:35. [PMID: 36592218 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-022-03678-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Genetically modified organisms are used extensively in agriculture. To assess potential side effects of genetically modified (GM) plant material on aquatic ecosystems, only a very small number of higher-tier studies have been performed. At the same time, these studies are particularly important for comprehensive risk assessment covering complex ecological relationships. Here we evaluate the methods of experimental higher-tier effect studies with GM plant material (or Bt toxin) in comparison to those well-established for pesticides. A major difference is that nominal test concentrations and thus dose-response relationships cannot easily be produced with GM plant material. Another important difference, particularly to non-systemic pesticides, is that aquatic organisms are exposed to GM plant material primarily through their feed. These and further differences in test requirements, compared with pesticides, call for a standardisation for GM-specific higher-tier study designs to assess their potentially complex effects in the aquatic ecosystems comprehensively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Pott
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, iES Landau, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstrasse 7, 76829, Landau, Germany.
- Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), Konstantinstrasse 110, 53179, Bonn, Germany.
| | - Mirco Bundschuh
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, iES Landau, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstrasse 7, 76829, Landau, Germany
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Lennart Hjelms väg 9, 75007, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mathias Otto
- Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), Konstantinstrasse 110, 53179, Bonn, Germany
| | - Ralf Schulz
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, iES Landau, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Fortstrasse 7, 76829, Landau, Germany
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9
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Willems DJ, Kumar A, Nugegoda D. The Acute Toxicity of Salinity in Onshore Unconventional Gas Waters to Freshwater Invertebrates in Receiving Environments: A Systematic Review. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:2928-2949. [PMID: 36193756 PMCID: PMC9828407 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Industries such as unconventional natural gas have seen increased global expansion to meet the increasing energy needs of our increasing global population. Unconventional gas uses hydraulic fracturing that produces significant volumes of produced waters, which can be highly saline and pose a toxic threat to freshwater invertebrates if exposure via discharges, spills, leaks, or runoff were to occur. The primary aim of the present review was to determine the sodium (Na+ ) and chloride (Cl- ) content of these waters as an approximate measure of salinity and how these values compare to the NaCl or synthetic marine salt acute toxicity values of freshwater invertebrate taxa. Shale gas produced waters are much more saline with 78 900 ± 10 200 NaCl mg/L and total dissolved solids (TDS) of 83 200 ± 12 200 mg/L compared to coal bed methane (CBM) produced waters with 4300 ± 1100 NaCl mg/L and TDS of 5900 ± 1300 mg/L and pose a far greater toxicity risk from NaCl to freshwater invertebrates. In addition, the toxicity of other major ions (Ca2+ , K+ , Mg2+ ,CO 3 2 - , HCO3 - , andSO 4 2 - ) and their influence on the toxicity of Na+ and Cl- were evaluated. Exposure of untreated and undiluted shale gas produced waters to freshwater invertebrates is likely to result in significant or complete mortality. Shale gas produced waters have higher concentrations of various metals compared with CBM produced waters and are more acidic. We recommend future research to increase the reporting and consistency of water quality parameters, metals, and particularly organics of produced waters to provide a better baseline and help in further investigations. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:2928-2949. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Willems
- Ecotoxicology Research Group, School of ScienceRMIT UniversityBundooraVictoriaAustralia
- CSIRO Land and WaterUrrbraeSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | | | - Dayanthi Nugegoda
- Ecotoxicology Research Group, School of ScienceRMIT UniversityBundooraVictoriaAustralia
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10
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Noune F, Chaib N, Kaddeche H, Dzizi S, Metallaoui S, Blanco S. Effect of salinity on valves morphology in freshwater diatoms. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 195:159. [PMID: 36441291 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10770-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Increased salt concentration is one of the most widespread problems affecting freshwater worldwide. Aquatic communities, and in particular periphytic diatoms, react to this alteration in water quality by modifying their structural parameters and physiology at the individual level, which is commonly manifested by the appearance of teratological forms. The present work presents the results of an experimental laboratory study in which a biofilm grown on artificial substrates was subjected to a gradient of water conductivities for 4 weeks. The results show an increase in the number of deformed valves over time proportionally to the increase in conductivity for each experimental treatment. These effects are also verified by analyzing the concentration of chlorophyll-a in the experimental biofilms, which demonstrate a metabolic response to the induced osmotic stress. No changes were recorded; however, in species richness or diversity of taxa present in the treatments. Our results, therefore, confirm at the experimental level numerous previous field observations about the harmful effect of salinity on periphytic diatoms, and also their ability to reintegrate with the new stress conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faïza Noune
- Department of Natural and Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of 20 August 1955, Skikda, Algeria.
- Laboratoire de Recherche Sur La Physico-Chimie des Surfaces Et Interfaces (LRPCSI), University of 20 August 1955, Skikda, Algeria.
| | - Nadjla Chaib
- Department of Process Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of 20 August 1955, Skikda, Algeria
- Laboratory of Catalysis, Bioprocesses and Environment - LCBE, University of 20 August 1955, Skikda, Algeria
| | - Hadjer Kaddeche
- Department of Natural and Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of 20 August 1955, Skikda, Algeria
- Laboratoire de Recherche Sur La Physico-Chimie des Surfaces Et Interfaces (LRPCSI), University of 20 August 1955, Skikda, Algeria
| | - Sabrina Dzizi
- Laboratoire de Recherche Sur La Physico-Chimie des Surfaces Et Interfaces (LRPCSI), University of 20 August 1955, Skikda, Algeria
- Department of Process Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of 20 August 1955, Skikda, Algeria
| | - Sophia Metallaoui
- Department of Natural and Life Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of 20 August 1955, Skikda, Algeria
- Laboratoire de Recherche des Interactions, Biodiversité, Ecosystèmes et Biotechnologie (LRIBEB), University of 20 August 1955, Skikda, Algeria
| | - Saùl Blanco
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Gestión Ambiental, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas y Ambientales, Universidad de León, Campus de Vegazana S/N, 24071, León, Spain
- Laboratorio de Diatomología, La Serna 58, 24007, León, Spain
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11
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Ersoy Z, Abril M, Cañedo-Argüelles M, Espinosa C, Vendrell-Puigmitja L, Proia L. Experimental assessment of salinization effects on freshwater zooplankton communities and their trophic interactions under eutrophic conditions. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 313:120127. [PMID: 36089138 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Freshwater ecosystems are becoming saltier due to human activities. The effects of increased salinity can lead to cascading trophic interactions, affecting ecosystem functioning and energy transfer, through changes in community and size structure. These effects can be modulated by other environmental factors, such as nutrients. For example, communities developed under eutrophic conditions could be less sensitive to salinization due to cross-tolerance mechanisms. In this study, we used a mesocosm approach to assess the effects of a salinization gradient on the zooplankton community composition and size structure under eutrophic conditions and the cascading effects on algal communities. Our results showed that zooplankton biomass, size diversity and mean body size decreased with increased chloride concentration induced by salt addition. This change in the zooplankton community did not have cascading effects on phytoplankton. The phytoplankton biomass decreased after the chloride concentration threshold of 500 mg L-1 was reached, most likely due to direct toxic effects on the osmotic regulation and nutrient uptake processes of certain algae rather than as a response to community turnover or top-down control. Our study can help to put in place mitigation strategies for salinization and eutrophication, which often co-occur in freshwater ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynep Ersoy
- FEHM-Lab (Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Institut de Recerca de l'Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Rui Nabeiro' Biodiversity Chair, MED - Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Meritxell Abril
- BETA Technological Center, University of Vic- Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Spain
| | - Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles
- FEHM-Lab (Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Institut de Recerca de l'Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), CSIC, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carmen Espinosa
- BETA Technological Center, University of Vic- Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Spain
| | - Lidia Vendrell-Puigmitja
- BETA Technological Center, University of Vic- Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Proia
- BETA Technological Center, University of Vic- Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Spain.
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12
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Vendrell-Puigmitja L, Proia L, Espinosa C, Barral-Fraga L, Cañedo-Argüelles M, Osorio V, Casas C, Llenas L, Abril M. Hypersaline mining effluents affect the structure and function of stream biofilm. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 843:156966. [PMID: 35760177 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The salinisation of freshwater ecosystems is a global environmental problem that threatens biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and human welfare. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential impact of a realistic salinity gradient on the structure and functioning of freshwater biofilms. The salinity gradient was based on the real ion concentration of a mining effluent from an abandoned mine in Germany. We exposed biofilm from a pristine stream to 5 increasing salinities (3 to 100 g L-1) under controlled conditions in artificial streams for 21 days. We evaluated its functional (photosynthetic efficiency, nutrient uptake, and microbial respiration) and structural responses (community composition, algal biomass and diatom, cyanobacteria and green algae metrics) over time. Then we compared their responses with an unexposed biofilm used as control. The functionality and structure of the biofilm exposed to the different salinities significantly decreased after short-term and long-term exposure, respectively. The community composition shifted to a new stable state where the most tolerant species increased their abundances. At the same time, we observed an increase in the community tolerance (measured as Pollution-Induced Community Tolerance) along the salinity gradient. This study provides relevant information on the salt threshold concentrations that can substantially damage algal cells (i.e., between 15 and 30 g L-1). The results provide new insights regarding the response and adaptation of stream biofilm to salinity and its potential implications at the ecosystem level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lidia Vendrell-Puigmitja
- BETA Tech Center, TECNIO Network, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Ctra de Roda 70, 08500 Vic, Spain
| | - Lorenzo Proia
- BETA Tech Center, TECNIO Network, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Ctra de Roda 70, 08500 Vic, Spain.
| | - Carmen Espinosa
- BETA Tech Center, TECNIO Network, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Ctra de Roda 70, 08500 Vic, Spain; Aigües de Vic S.A., Carrer de la Riera, 08500 Vic, Spain
| | - Laura Barral-Fraga
- LDAR24-Laboratoire Départemental d'Analyse et de Recherche de la Dordogne, 24660 Coulounieix-Chamiers, France; Grup de recerca en Ecologia aquàtica continental (GRECO), Departament de Ciències Ambientals, Universitat de Girona, 17071 Girona, Spain
| | - Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona, 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain; Grup de recerca FEHM (Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Institut de Recerca de l'Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victoria Osorio
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; Department of Chemistry, University of Girona, Maria Aurèlia Capmany 69, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Carme Casas
- BETA Tech Center, TECNIO Network, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Ctra de Roda 70, 08500 Vic, Spain
| | - Laia Llenas
- BETA Tech Center, TECNIO Network, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Ctra de Roda 70, 08500 Vic, Spain
| | - Meritxell Abril
- BETA Tech Center, TECNIO Network, University of Vic-Central University of Catalonia, Ctra de Roda 70, 08500 Vic, Spain
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13
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Mu Y, Tang D, Mao L, Zhang D, Zhou P, Zhi Y, Zhang J. Phytoremediation of secondary saline soil by halophytes with the enhancement of γ-polyglutamic acid. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 285:131450. [PMID: 34246095 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Soil salinization has severely affected the quality of tillage land in China, and most greenhouse soils in Shanghai suburb suffer from secondary salinization with high salinity levels dominated by Ca2+, Mg2+ and NO3-. In this work, a sandy loam soil (Calcaric Fluvisols) contaminated by the above ions was selected as research object, and the binding conditions and abilities of γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) to water-soluble Ca2+ and Mg2+ in the soil were examined, and then pot experiments were conducted to remove Ca2+, Mg2+ and NO3- by two halophytes (Sedum aizoon L., Sesbania cannabina Pers.) integrated with γ-PGA application. The results showed that under the conditions of adding 1000 mg L-1γ-PGA (pH 7) and 25 °C, the binding efficiencies of Ca2+ and Mg2+ were 51.59% and 68.03%, respectively. Compared with Sesbania cannabina Pers., Sedum aizoon L. displayed better remediation performance for the soil with γ-PGA application in pot experiments, and the removal efficiencies of Ca2+, Mg2+ and NO3- reached 93.25%, 94.78% and 84.26% after applying 1000 mg L-1γ-PGA for 56 d, respectively. Moreover, γ-PGA application could mitigate salt stress and promote plant growth, and activate antioxidant defense systems. Compared with the control, 1000 mg L-1γ-PGA application significantly increased plant height and fresh weight of Sedum aizoon L., and the removal efficiencies of Ca2+, Mg2+ and NO3- increased by 45.48%, 82.62% and 69.91%, respectively. In the future, more in-depth mechanism of joint effect and field-scale investigation need to be further studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Mu
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Dong Tang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Chongqing, 400715, China; School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (South), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, 200240, China; Kaizhou Reform Research Center, Chongqing, 405400, China
| | - Liang Mao
- School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (South), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, 200240, China; College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Hunan University of Arts and Science, Changde, Hunan, 415000, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (South), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Pei Zhou
- School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (South), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, 200240, China.
| | - Yuee Zhi
- School of Agriculture and Biology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Key Laboratory of Urban Agriculture (South), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai, 200240, China
| | - Jinzhong Zhang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing Key Laboratory of Agricultural Resources and Environment, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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14
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Coldsnow KD, Relyea RA. The combined effects of macrophytes and three road salts on aquatic communities in outdoor mesocosms. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 287:117652. [PMID: 34186499 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Because of environmental and societal concerns, new strategies are being developed to mitigate the effects of road salt. These include new deicers that are alternatives to or mixtures with the most common road salt, sodium chloride (NaCl), improved techniques and equipment, and biotic mitigation methods. Using outdoor mesocosms, we investigated the impacts of NaCl and two common alternatives, magnesium chloride (MgCl2) and calcium chloride (CaCl2) on freshwater communities. We also investigated the mitigation ability of a common macrophyte, Elodea. We hypothesized that road salt exposure reduces filamentous algae, zooplankton, and macrocrustaceans, but results in increases in phytoplankton and gastropods. We also hypothesized that MgCl2 is the most toxic salt to communities, followed by CaCl2, and then NaCl. Lastly, we hypothesized that macrophytes mitigate some of the effects of road salt, specifically the effects on primary producers. We found that all three salts reduced filamentous algal biomass and amphipod abundance, but only MgCl2 reduced Elodea biomass. MgCl2 had the largest and longest lasting effects on zooplankton, specifically cladocerans and copepods, which resulted in a significant increase in phytoplankton and rotifers. CaCl2 increased ostracods and decreased snail abundance, but NaCl increased snail abundance. Lastly, while we did not find many interactions between road salt and macrophyte treatments, macrophytes did counteract many of the salt effects on producers, leading to decreased phytoplankton, increased filamentous algae, and altered abiotic responses. Thus, at similar chloride concentrations, NaCl alternatives, specifically MgCl2, are not safer for aquatic ecosystems and more research is needed to find safer road management strategies to protect freshwater ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla D Coldsnow
- Department of Biological Sciences, Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th St., Troy, NY, 12180, USA.
| | - Rick A Relyea
- Department of Biological Sciences, Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th St., Troy, NY, 12180, USA
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15
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Delaune KD, Nesich D, Goos JM, Relyea RA. Impacts of salinization on aquatic communities: Abrupt vs. gradual exposures. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 285:117636. [PMID: 34380226 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Increasing chloride concentrations from road salt applications are an emerging threat to freshwater diversity in cold weather regions. Few studies have focused on how road salt affects freshwater biota and even fewer have focused on how the rate of exposure alters organism responses. We hypothesized that road salt concentrations delivered gradually would result in slower population declines and more rapid rebounds due to evolved tolerance. To test this hypothesis, we examined the responses of freshwater lake organisms to four environmentally relevant salt concentrations (100, 230, 860, and 1600 mg Cl-/L) that differed in application rate (abrupt vs. gradual). We used outdoor aquatic mesocosms containing zooplankton, filamentous algae, phytoplankton, periphyton, and macroinvertebrates. We found negative effects of road salt on zooplankton and macroinvertebrate abundance, but positive effects on phytoplankton and periphyton, likely resulting from reduced grazing. Only rarely did we detect a difference between abrupt vs gradual salt applications and the directions of those differences were not consistent. This affirms the need for additional research on how road salt pollution entering ecosystems at different frequencies and magnitudes will alter freshwater communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelbi D Delaune
- Department of Biological Sciences, Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12980, USA
| | - David Nesich
- Department of Biological Sciences, Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12980, USA
| | - Jared M Goos
- Department of Biological Sciences, Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12980, USA
| | - Rick A Relyea
- Department of Biological Sciences, Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, 12980, USA.
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16
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Oliveira R, Martínez A, Gonçalves AL, Almeida Júnior ES, Canhoto C. Salt pulses effects on in-stream litter processing and recovery capacity depend on substrata quality. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 783:147013. [PMID: 33872895 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Human activities have greatly extended and intensified freshwater salinization, which threatens the structure and functioning of streams and rivers. Research on salt effects on in-stream processes has been strongly biased towards chronic salinization at constant levels. The aim of this study was to assess microbial mediated decomposition of two leaf species contrasting in quality (alder and oak) and associated descriptors, during salt-pulsed contamination (salinization period) and after cessation of salt additions (recovery period). Leaves were incubated in a mountain stream (central Portugal) longitudinally divided over 22 m. Half of the stream (salinized half) was subjected to daily short-term sharp salinity increases (conductivity up to ~48 mS cm-1) during 7 days while the other half (control half) was used as control. During the salinization period, salt exposure negatively affected mass loss and microbial respiration rate of alder (high-quality resource) while effects on fungal sporulation rate were independent of leaf quality. Fungal biomass was not impacted. After the recovery period, mass loss and respiration rate in both leaf species were similar between experimental stream halves. Fungal biomass associated with oak was enhanced and sporulation rate of alder, maintained in the previously salinized half, remained depressed. These results point out that the effects of salt pulses may be more deleterious in streams exclusively lined by high (vs. low) quality riparian trees as a result of a less efficient microbial-mediated leaf processing, and a reduced contribution to the conidial pool, even beyond the salinization period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Oliveira
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Aingeru Martínez
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Ana Lúcia Gonçalves
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Edivan S Almeida Júnior
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Cristina Canhoto
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
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17
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Brüggemann M, Hund-Rinke K, Böhmer W, Schaefers C. Development of an Alternative Test System for Chronic Testing of Lotic Macroinvertebrate Species: A Case Study with the Insecticide Imidacloprid. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2021; 40:2229-2239. [PMID: 33844353 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
There are currently few suitable test systems for the chronic toxicity testing of aquatic macroinvertebrates under stream conditions. Therefore, a new test system mimicking running water conditions was developed for testing with lotic insects. This system uses small test cages, with 10 of these suspended inside each 25-L container and rotating at 0.1 m/s, to create a water flow for the individual organism inside each cage. To test the performance of the new exposure system, chronic effects (21 d) of the neonicotinoid imidacloprid were investigated with field-collected larvae of the stonefly Protonemura sp. Endpoints were survival, growth, and/or emergence (depending on the developmental stage of the larvae at the start of the exposure). Two experiments conducted 1 yr apart showed good reproducibility: growth 10% effect concentration (EC10) values were 15.3 and 18.5 μg/L and no-observed-effect concentration (NOEC) values were 30.3 and 21.5 μg/L. A third experiment, performed with further-developed larval instars, showed a significant effect of imidacloprid on emergence (with EC10 of 5.97 μg/L and NOEC of 2.89 μg/L) and a significant effect on survival (with median lethal concentration of 44.7 µg/L). The results of the present study show that the newly developed test system provides a suitable approach for toxicity testing with stonefly larvae and potentially for other lotic macroinvertebrate species. Environ Toxicol Chem 2021;40:2229-2239. © 2021 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Brüggemann
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Schmallenberg, Germany
| | - Kerstin Hund-Rinke
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Schmallenberg, Germany
| | - Walter Böhmer
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Schmallenberg, Germany
| | - Christoph Schaefers
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Schmallenberg, Germany
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18
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Ding Z, Liu Y, Lou Y, Jiang M, Li H, Lü X. How soil ion stress and type influence the flooding adaptive strategies of Phragmites australis and Bolboschoenus planiculmis in temperate saline-alkaline wetlands? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 771:144654. [PMID: 33545459 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Soil saline-alkaline stress and flooding extremes have been projected to be the main factors influencing the degradation of marsh plants in wetlands worldwide, which would affect their ecological functions (i.e. food source for migrating birds). Plants cope with flooding either by escaping from below water through shoot elongation or by remaining quiescent until water subsides. However, little is known about the adaptive strategies of Phragmites australis and Bolboschoenus planiculmis to flooding combined with salinity-alkalinity, which are the key environmental filters in Western Songnen Plain, China. Accordingly, this study investigated the adaptive strategies of P. australis and B. planiculmis subjected to the interacting effects of flooding and soil ion stress under field and greenhouse conditions. Results showed that the two species adopted different strategies to survive flooding. P. australis exhibited an escape strategy because of leaf and shoot elongation with increasing flooding depth whereas B. planiculmis became quiescent with no or deceased leaf and shoot elongation and biomass accumulation. High soil ion stress changed the flooding adaptive strategy of P. australis to a quiescence strategy, whereas B. planiculmis remained quiescent with increasing flooding depth at each soil ion content. The strategies of the two species were changed by alkaline ion stress but not by saline ion stress, and they exhibited different adaptive responses. High alkaline ion stress induced P. australis to remain quiescent with increasing flooding depth, whereas low alkaline ion stress promoted B. planicumis to escape from below water, probably due to the buffer effect of low alkaline ion contents outside the roots probably. Hence, P. australis and B. planicumis might adopt the quiescence strategy with increasing degree of soil salinization and alkalization under high greenhouse gas emissions scenarios in Western Songnen Plain, which may lead to severe degradation of the two kinds of marshes in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Ding
- The Three Gorges Institute of Ecological Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China; Key Laboratory of Geospatial Technology for the Middle and Lower Yellow River Regions, Henan University, Kaifeng 475004, China; State Cultivation Base of Eco-agriculture for Southwest Mountainous Land, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China; Chongqing Jinfo Mountain Field Scientific Observation and Research Station for Kast Ecosystem, Ministry of Education, School of Geographical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Ying Liu
- The Three Gorges Institute of Ecological Environment, Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chongqing 400714, China.
| | - Yanjing Lou
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Ming Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130012, China
| | - He Li
- State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Xianguo Lü
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130012, China
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19
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Vidal T, Santos M, Santos JI, Luís AT, Pereira MJ, Abrantes N, Gonçalves FJM, Pereira JL. Testing the response of benthic diatom assemblages to common riverine contaminants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 755:142534. [PMID: 33035979 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Benthic diatoms constitute keystone assemblages in riverine ecosystems, and their structure is used to support regulatory water quality assessment. However, no standard ecotoxicological tests exist using integrated responses of the benthic diatom assemblages. This work aimed to assess whether benthic diatom assemblages are responsive to different riverine contaminants through a previously developed rapid toxicity test, supporting future attempts towards its standardization and integration in both prospective and retrospective Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) schemes. We selected two benthic diatoms assemblages likely responding similarly to pollution (similar IPS diatom index score), collected from two rivers in Northern-Central Portugal (sites: Palhal and Cabreia). Fresh whole diatom assemblages were exposed for 48 h to five model contaminants (glyphosate, imidacloprid, SDS, CuSO4, and Pb). At the end of the test, changes induced by the exposures in overall yield and in the yield of each diatom genus were assessed. The assemblage collected at Palhal was invariably more responsive and sensitive than that collected at Cabreia, both considering overall and genus-specific yields, regardless of the tested contaminant. Achnanthes, Fragilaria and Navicula were the most responsive genus, regardless of the tested contaminant or assemblage. The distinct response profiles observed for the two assemblages to the same contaminants at the same concentration ranges suggest that using this test method to support prospective ERA is inadequate. However, the method can be an asset supporting retrospective ERA, as the responses seem to be shaped by the interplay of resilience drivers promoted by the local conditions, e.g. adaptive changes in assemblage structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tânia Vidal
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Martha Santos
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana I Santos
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana T Luís
- Department of Geosciences, University of Aveiro, Portugal; GeoBioTec - Geobiociências, Geotecnologias e Geo-engenharias, University of Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Mário J Pereira
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Nelson Abrantes
- CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Environment and Planning, Portugal
| | - Fernando J M Gonçalves
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Joana L Pereira
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM - Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, University of Aveiro, Portugal
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20
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Niedrist GH, Cañedo-Argüelles M, Cauvy-Fraunié S. Salinization of Alpine rivers during winter months. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:7295-7306. [PMID: 33029775 PMCID: PMC7840655 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11077-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Human-induced (i.e., secondary) salinization affects aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem functioning worldwide. While agriculture or resource extraction are the main drivers of secondary salinization in arid and semi-arid regions of the world, the application of deicing road salt in winter can be an important source of salts entering freshwaters in cold regions. Alpine rivers are probably affected by salinization, especially in highly populated mountain regions, although this remains to be explored. In this study, we analyzed multi-year conductance time series from four rivers in the European Alps and demonstrated that the application of deicing road salt is linked to peaking rivers' salinity levels during late winter/early spring. Especially in small catchments with more urban surfaces close to the rivers, conductance increased during constant low-flow periods in late winter and was less correlated with discharge than in summer. Thus, our results suggest that small rivers highly connected to urban infrastructures are prone to considerable salinity peaks during late winter/early spring. Given the low natural level of salinities in Alpine rivers, the aquatic biodiversity might be significantly affected by the recorded changes in conductance, with potential consequences on ecosystem functioning. Thereby, we urge the research community to assess the impact of secondary salinization in Alpine rivers and call for an implementation of management practices to prevent the degradation of these pristine and valuable ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg H Niedrist
- Department of Ecology, River and Conservation Research, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles
- Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management group (FEHM), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Institut de Recerca de l'Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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21
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Zhao Q, Zhang Y, Guo F, Leigh C, Jia X. Increasing anthropogenic salinisation leads to declines in community diversity, functional diversity and trophic links in mountain streams. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 263:127994. [PMID: 32828062 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2020] [Revised: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic salinisation is becoming an increasing global issue for freshwater ecosystems, leading to serious biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. While the effect of anthropogenic salinisation on freshwater ecosystems has been intensively studied in recent years, most studies focus on salinisation effects on the individual or single groups of organisms without considering the effect on the ecosystem levels, such as diversity and trophic links. Therefore, we conducted a long-term field survey from May 2009 to August 2016 at 405 sites in northeast China to investigate the effect of a gradient of salinisation on community diversity, functional diversity and trophic links in mountain streams. Samples of water chemistry, periphyton, macroinvertebrates and fish were collected. Our results showed that as anthropogenic salinisation increased, Ca2+, Mg2+, HCO3- and SO42- exhibited significant increases (p < 0.05). These increased ions caused decreases in taxonomic evenness and biotic integrity, but an increase in the beta diversity for periphyton and macroinvertebrates, and a slight increase in the evenness of fish. The increased salinisation resulted in the extirpation of salt-sensitive taxa and declines in macroinvertebrate functional richness and functional redundancy, which consequently led to simplified trophic links. Our results implied that if salt-tolerant taxa in high salinisation sites were not functionally redundant with less tolerant taxa, alterations of their functional composition probably decrease the stability of ecosystem functions. Overall, our study suggests that the ongoing anthropogenic salinisation is posing serious threats to biodiversity and trophic links in river ecosystems, and should be considered in future river restoration and biodiversity conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhao
- Institute of Environment and Ecology, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250358, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
| | - Fen Guo
- Simon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China.
| | - Catherine Leigh
- Biosciences and Food Technology Discipline, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Xiaobo Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
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22
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Lawson L, Jackson DA. Salty summertime streams—road salt contaminated watersheds and estimates of the proportion of impacted species. Facets (Ott) 2021. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2020-0068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Road salt runoff is a leading cause of secondary freshwater salinization in north temperate climates. Increased chloride concentrations in freshwater can be toxic and lead to changes in organismal behavior, lethality, biotic homogenization, and altered food webs. High chloride concentrations have been reported for winter months in urban centers, as road density is highest in cities. However, summer chloride conditions are not typically studied as road salt is not actively applied outside of winter months, yet summer is when many taxa reproduce and are most sensitive to chloride. In our study, we test the spatial variability of summer chloride conditions across four watersheds in Toronto, Canada. We find 89% of 214 sampled sites exceeded the federal chronic exposure guidelines for chloride, and 13% exceeded the federal acute guidelines. Through a model linking concentration to cumulative proportion of impacted species, we estimate 34% of sites show in excess of one-quarter of all species may be impacted by their site-specific chloride concentrations, with up to two-thirds of species impacted at some sites. Our results suggest that even presumed low seasons for chloride show concentrations sufficient to cause significant negative impacts to aquatic communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Lawson
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3B2, Canada
| | - Donald A. Jackson
- Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto, ON M5S 3B2, Canada
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23
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Sowa A, Krodkiewska M, Halabowski D, Lewin I. Response of the mollusc communities to environmental factors along an anthropogenic salinity gradient. Naturwissenschaften 2019; 106:60. [PMID: 31758263 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-019-1655-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 10/26/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Anthropogenic salinisation of freshwater ecosystems is frequent across the world. The scale of this phenomenon remains unrecognised, and therefore, monitoring and management of such ecosystems is very important. We conducted a study on the mollusc communities in inland anthropogenic ponds covering a large gradient of salinity located in an area of underground coal mining activity. A total of 14 gastropod and 6 bivalve species were noted. No molluscs were found in waters with total dissolved solids (TDS) higher than 17.1 g L-1. The share of alien species in the communities was very high in waters with elevated salinity and significantly lower in the freshwaters. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that TDS, pH, alkalinity, nitrate nitrogen, ammonium nitrogen, iron, the content of organic matter in sediments, the type of substrate and the content of sand and gravel in sediments were the variables that were significantly associated with the distribution of molluscs. The regression analysis revealed that total mollusc density was positively related to alkalinity and negatively related to nitrate nitrogen. The taxa richness was negatively related to TDS, which is consistent with previous studies which indicated that a high salinity level is a significant threat to freshwater malacofauna, causing a loss of biodiversity and contributing to the colonisation and establishment of alien species in aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Sowa
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 9, 40-007, Katowice, Poland.
| | - Mariola Krodkiewska
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 9, 40-007, Katowice, Poland
| | - Dariusz Halabowski
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 9, 40-007, Katowice, Poland
| | - Iga Lewin
- Institute of Biology, Biotechnology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Silesia in Katowice, Bankowa 9, 40-007, Katowice, Poland
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24
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Bracewell S, Verdonschot RCM, Schäfer RB, Bush A, Lapen DR, Van den Brink PJ. Qualifying the effects of single and multiple stressors on the food web structure of Dutch drainage ditches using a literature review and conceptual models. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 684:727-740. [PMID: 30981441 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 03/31/2019] [Accepted: 03/31/2019] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
In September 2017, a workshop was held at Wageningen University and Research to determine the current state of knowledge of multiple stressor effects on aquatic ecosystems and to assess how to improve prediction of these effects. We developed a theoretical framework that integrates species-level responses to stressors to predict how these effects propagate through higher levels of biological organisation. Here, we present the application of the framework for drainage ditch ecosystems in the Netherlands. We used food webs to assess single and multiple stressor effects of common stressors on ditch communities. We reviewed the literature for the effects of targeted stressors (nutrients, pesticides, dredging and mowing, salinization, and siltation) on each functional group present in the food web and qualitatively assessed the relative sensitivity of groups. Using this information, we created a stressor-response matrix of positive and negative direct effects of each stressor-functional group combination. Fungicides, salinization, and sedimentation were identified as particularly detrimental to most groups, although destructive management practices, such as dredging with almost complete community removal, would take precedence depending on frequency. Using the stressor-response matrix we built, first, a series of conceptual null models of single stressor effects on food web structure and, second, a series of additive null models to illustrate potential paired-stressor effects. We compared these additive null models with published studies of the same pairs of combined single stressors to explore more complex interactions. Our approach serves as a first-step to considering multiple stressor scenarios in systems that are understudied or data-poor and as a baseline from which more complex models that include indirect effects and quantitative data may be developed. We make specific suggestions for appropriate management strategies that could be taken to support the biodiversity of these systems for individual stressors and their combined impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally Bracewell
- Department of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Ralf C M Verdonschot
- Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ralf B Schäfer
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstrasse 7, 76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Alex Bush
- Environment Canada, Canadian Rivers Institute, Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, PO Box 4400, Fredericton, New Brunswick E3B 5A3, Canada
| | - David R Lapen
- Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 960 Carling Ave., Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0C6, Canada
| | - Paul J Van den Brink
- Department of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management, Wageningen University and Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands; Wageningen Environmental Research, Wageningen University and Research, PO Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, the Netherlands
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25
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Gonçalves AL, Simões S, Bärlocher F, Canhoto C. Leaf litter microbial decomposition in salinized streams under intermittency. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 653:1204-1212. [PMID: 30759560 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.11.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Revised: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 11/04/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Human-induced salinization of freshwaters constitutes a growing global problem, whose consequences on streams functioning are largely unknown. Climate change projections predict enhanced evaporation, as well as an increase in extreme events and in variability of precipitation. This will result in more frequent, extended and severe drought periods that may aggravate water salinization of streams and rivers. In this study we conducted a microcosm experiment to assess the combined effects of three drought regimes - abrupt (AD), slow (SD) and very slow transition to dryness (VSD) - and three levels of salinization (0, 4, 6 g L-1 NaCl) on microbial-mediated oak leaf decomposition over ten weeks. Salinization did not affect mass loss and associated microbial respiration of colonized oak leaves but significantly reduced the biomass and eliminated the sporulating capacity of fungi. Desiccation negatively affected leaf decomposition regardless of regime. Even though microbial respiration did not react to the different treatments, lower fungal biomass, diversity, and conidial production were observed under AD; for fungal biomass these effects were amplified at higher salt concentrations (particularly at 6 g L-1). Our results indicate that effects of leaf litter desiccation depend on the rate of transition between wet and dry conditions and on the level of salt in the water. The two factors jointly affect decomposer survival and activity and, by extension, the dynamics of detrital food webs in streams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Lúcia Gonçalves
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Sara Simões
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Felix Bärlocher
- Department of Biology, Mt. Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Cristina Canhoto
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
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26
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Liu Y, Ding Z, Bachofen C, Lou Y, Jiang M, Tang X, Lu X, Buchmann N. The effect of saline-alkaline and water stresses on water use efficiency and standing biomass of Phragmites australis and Bolboschoenus planiculmis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 644:207-216. [PMID: 29981969 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 05/25/2018] [Accepted: 05/25/2018] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Salt marsh plants in the West Songnen Plain, northern China, are threatened by increasing soil salinity and alkalinity since the late 20th century. To explore how these wetland ecosystems respond to such environmental changes, we examined the effect of saline-alkaline stresses and water stress (flooding/drought) on water use efficiency (WUE, assessed with stable carbon isotopes) and standing biomass of Phragmites australis and Bolboschoenus planiculmis under both greenhouse and field conditions. In the field, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) was the main saline-alkaline component, and the soil total ion content was negatively related to water level. Higher soil ion content decreased standing biomass of P. australis and B. planiculmis in the field and greenhouse, and increased WUE in the greenhouse. With higher water level, standing biomass of P. australis increased, while that of B. planiculmis decreased in both the field and greenhouse. Alkaline stress exerted the greatest negative influence on growth of P. australis, but only under high ion content. Low alkaline ion content promoted growth of B. planiculmis. Soil ion content exerted the strongest influence on foliar δ13C (and thus WUE) and standing biomass of both species compared to water level and stress type. Our findings suggest that under high ion contents, P. australis is more tolerant to flooding stress while B. planiculmis is more tolerant to drought stress. Moreover, P. australis has a high ability to modulate and increase WUE to resist its adverse environment. Our study will contribute to a better understanding of the influence of climate change and increasingly serious human disturbances on the distribution and productivity of these two important wetland species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130012, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhi Ding
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Resources and Environmental Information System, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Christoph Bachofen
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Yanjing Lou
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Ming Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130012, China
| | - Xuguang Tang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Karst Environment, School of Geographical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Xianguo Lu
- Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecology and Environment, Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130012, China.
| | - Nina Buchmann
- ETH Zürich, Institute of Agricultural Sciences, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland
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27
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Gonçalves AL, Carvalho A, Bärlocher F, Canhoto C. Are fungal strains from salinized streams adapted to salt-rich conditions? Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 374:rstb.2018.0018. [PMID: 30509917 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic salinization of freshwater is a global problem with largely unknown consequences for stream functions. We compared the effects of salt addition (6 g l-1 NaCl) in microcosms on leaf mass loss and microbial parameters in single- and multispecies assemblages of fungal strains (Heliscus lugdunensis, HELU; Tetracladium marchalianum, TEMA; Flagellospora curta, FLCU) isolated from a reference (R) or salinized (S) stream. Fungal growth and interactions were also assessed. Salinization inhibited leaf decomposition and fungal biomass, but no differences were observed between species, strains or species combinations. Sporulation rates in monocultures were not affected by added salt, but differed among species (FLCU > HELU > TEMA), with S strains releasing more conidia. Fungal assemblages did not differ significantly in total conidia production (either between strains or medium salt concentration). HELU was the dominant species, which also had highest growth and most pronounced antagonistic behaviour. Fungal species, irrespective of origin, largely maintained their function in salinized streams. Strains from salt-contaminated streams did not trade-off conidial production for vegetative growth at high salt levels. The expected reduction of fungal diversity and potential changes in nutritional litter quality owing to salinization may impact leaf incorporation into secondary production in streams.This article is part of the theme issue 'Salt in freshwaters: causes, ecological consequences and future prospects'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Lúcia Gonçalves
- CFE, Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Adriana Carvalho
- CFE, Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Felix Bärlocher
- Department of Biology, Mt. Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada E4L1G7
| | - Cristina Canhoto
- CFE, Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
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28
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Cañedo-Argüelles M, Kefford B, Schäfer R. Salt in freshwaters: causes, effects and prospects - introduction to the theme issue. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 374:rstb.2018.0002. [PMID: 30509904 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Humans are globally increasing the salt concentration of freshwaters (i.e. freshwater salinization), leading to significant effects at the population, community and ecosystem level. The present theme issue focuses on priority research questions and delivers results that contribute to shaping the future research agenda on freshwater salinization as well as fostering our capacity to manage salinization. The issue is structured along five topics: (i) the estimation of future salinity and evaluation of the relative contribution of the different drivers; (ii) the physiological responses of organisms to alterations in ion concentrations with a specific focus on the osmophysiology of freshwater insects and the responses of different organisims to seawater intrusion; (iii) the impact of salinization on ecosystem functioning, also considering the connections between riparian and stream ecosystems; (iv) the role of context in moderating the response to salinization. The contributions scrutinise the role of additional stressors, biotic interactions, the identify of the ions and their ratios, as well as of the biogeographic and evolutionary context; and (v) the public discourse on salinization and recommendations for management and regulation. In this paper we introduce the general background of salinization, outline research gaps and report key findings from the contributions to this theme issue.This article is part of the theme issue 'Salt in freshwaters: causes, ecological consequences and future prospects'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles
- Grup de recerca FEHM (Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciència Ambientals, Universitat de Barcelona, Avda Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ben Kefford
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Australian Capital Territory 2601, Australia
| | - Ralf Schäfer
- Department of Quantitative Landscape Ecology, University Koblenz-Landau, Fortstr. 7, 76829 Landau, Germany
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29
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Gutiérrez-Cánovas C, Sánchez-Fernández D, Cañedo-Argüelles M, Millán A, Velasco J, Acosta R, Fortuño P, Otero N, Soler A, Bonada N. Do all roads lead to Rome? Exploring community trajectories in response to anthropogenic salinization and dilution of rivers. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 374:rstb.2018.0009. [PMID: 30509911 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abiotic stress shapes how communities assemble and support ecological functions. However, it remains unclear whether artificially increasing or decreasing stress levels would lead to communities assembling predictably along a single axis of variation or along multiple context-dependent trajectories of change. In response to stress intensity alterations, we hypothesize that a single trajectory of change occurs when trait-based assembly prevails, while multiple trajectories of change arise when dispersal-related processes modify colonization and trait-filtering dynamics. Here, we tested these hypotheses using aquatic macroinvertebrates from rivers exposed to gradients of natural salinity and artificially diluted or salinized ion contents. Our results showed that trait-filtering was important in driving community assembly in natural and diluted rivers, while dispersal-related processes seemed to play a relevant role in response to salinization. Salinized rivers showed novel communities with different trait composition, while natural and diluted communities exhibited similar taxonomic and trait compositional patterns along the conductivity gradient. Our findings suggest that the artificial modification of chemical stressors can result in different biological communities, depending on the direction of the change (salinization or dilution), with trait-filtering, and organism dispersal and colonization dynamics having differential roles in community assembly. The approach presented here provides both empirical and conceptual insights that can help in anticipating the ecological effects of global change, especially for those stressors with both natural and anthropogenic origins.This article is part of the theme issue 'Salt in freshwaters: causes, ecological consequences and future prospects'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cayetano Gutiérrez-Cánovas
- Grup de Recerca Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management (FEHM-Lab), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain .,Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - David Sánchez-Fernández
- Instituto de Ciencias Ambientales (ICAM), Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Toledo, Spain.,Departmento de Ecología e Hidrología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles
- Grup de Recerca Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management (FEHM-Lab), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut de Recerca de l'Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Andrés Millán
- Departmento de Ecología e Hidrología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Josefa Velasco
- Departmento de Ecología e Hidrología, Universidad de Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
| | - Raúl Acosta
- Grup de Recerca Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management (FEHM-Lab), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut de Recerca de l'Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Pau Fortuño
- Grup de Recerca Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management (FEHM-Lab), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Neus Otero
- Grup de recerca MAiMA, Departament de Mineralogia, Petrologia i Geologia Aplicada, Facultat de Ciéncies de la Terra), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Albert Soler
- Grup de recerca MAiMA, Departament de Mineralogia, Petrologia i Geologia Aplicada, Facultat de Ciéncies de la Terra), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Núria Bonada
- Grup de Recerca Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management (FEHM-Lab), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.,Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
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Estévez E, Rodríguez-Castillo T, González-Ferreras AM, Cañedo-Argüelles M, Barquín J. Drivers of spatio-temporal patterns of salinity in Spanish rivers: a nationwide assessment. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 374:20180022. [PMID: 30509921 PMCID: PMC6283964 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The salinization of freshwaters is a global water quality problem that leads to the biological degradation of aquatic ecosystems. However, little is known about the spatial extent of freshwater salinization and the relative contribution of each human activity (e.g. agriculture, urbanization, mining or shale-gas extraction). Here, we investigated environmental factors that explain spatio-temporal patterns of water salinity and examined the causes, the extent and the degree of salinization of Spanish rivers. Results showed a strong variation in water salinity among river typologies and between river reaches in good and poor ecological status according to the Water Framework Directive. The variation in water salinity was largely explained by a combination of natural (i.e. climate and geology) and anthropogenic (i.e. land use) factors. By contrast, land use factors as urbanization and agriculture were the main drivers of salinization, which affected more than one quarter of the rivers and streams in Spain, especially those in the most arid regions (central and southern regions) and in the main courses of the largest rivers such as the Ebro, Douro and Tajo rivers. The information provided here can be relevant to set priority regions and actions to ameliorate freshwater salinization.This article is part of the theme issue 'Salt in freshwaters: causes, ecological consequences and future prospects'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edurne Estévez
- Environmental Hydraulics Institute 'IH Cantabria', University of Cantabria, PCTCAN. C/ Isabel Torres 15, 39011 Santander, Spain
| | - Tamara Rodríguez-Castillo
- Environmental Hydraulics Institute 'IH Cantabria', University of Cantabria, PCTCAN. C/ Isabel Torres 15, 39011 Santander, Spain
| | - Alexia María González-Ferreras
- Environmental Hydraulics Institute 'IH Cantabria', University of Cantabria, PCTCAN. C/ Isabel Torres 15, 39011 Santander, Spain
| | - Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles
- Grup de recerca FEHM (Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Institut de Recerca de l'Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona, Avda Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Barquín
- Environmental Hydraulics Institute 'IH Cantabria', University of Cantabria, PCTCAN. C/ Isabel Torres 15, 39011 Santander, Spain
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31
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Berger E, Frör O, Schäfer RB. Salinity impacts on river ecosystem processes: a critical mini-review. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 374:rstb.2018.0010. [PMID: 30509912 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In many dry parts of the world, salinization of water resources threatens freshwater biodiversity and the livelihood of people. However, ecological impact studies remain scarce. Here, we review field-observations of salinity impacts on ecosystem processes such as leaf decomposition, metabolism, biomass production and nutrient cycling, with a special emphasis on dryland ecosystems. In addition, we discuss the potential linkages of these processes to ecosystem service delivery-the benefits that humans derive from ecosystems-as additional nature conservation arguments and the challenges associated with this endeavour.This article is part of the theme issue 'Salt in freshwaters: causes, ecological consequences and future prospects'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Berger
- Department of Quantitative Landscape Ecology, University Koblenz-Landau, Fortstr. 7, 76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Oliver Frör
- Department of Environmental Economics, University Koblenz-Landau, Fortstr. 7, 76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Ralf B Schäfer
- Department of Quantitative Landscape Ecology, University Koblenz-Landau, Fortstr. 7, 76829 Landau, Germany
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32
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Entrekin SA, Clay NA, Mogilevski A, Howard-Parker B, Evans-White MA. Multiple riparian-stream connections are predicted to change in response to salinization. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 374:20180042. [PMID: 30509922 PMCID: PMC6283969 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Secondary freshwater salinization, a common anthropogenic alteration, has detrimental, lethal and sub-lethal effects on aquatic biota. Ions from secondary salinization can become toxic to terrestrial and aquatic organisms when exposed to salinized runoff that causes periodic high-concentration pulses. Gradual, low-level (less than 1000 ppm salinity) increases in salt concentrations are also commonly documented in regions with urbanization, agriculture, drilling and mining. Despite widespread low-level salt increases, little is known about the biological and ecological consequences in coupled riparian-stream systems. Recent research indicates lethal and even sub-lethal levels of ions can subsidize or stress microbial decomposer and macroinvertebrate detritivores that could lead to alterations of three riparian-stream pathways: (i) salinized runoff that changes microbial decomposer and macroinvertebrate detritivore and algae performance leading to changes in composition and processing of detrital pools; (ii) riparian plant salt uptake and altered litter chemistry, and litterfall for riparian and aquatic detritivores and their subsequent enrichment, stimulating decomposition rates and production of dissolved and fine organic matter; and (iii) salt consumption in salinized soils could increase riparian detritivore growth, decomposition and dissolved organic matter production. Subsidy-stress and reciprocal flows in coupled riparian-stream connections provide frameworks to identify the extent and magnitude of changes in detrital processing from salinization.This article is part of the theme issue 'Salt in freshwaters: causes, ecological consequences and future prospects'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sally A Entrekin
- Department of Biology, University of Central Arkansas, Conway, AR 72035, USA
- Department of Entomology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Natalie A Clay
- School of Biological Sciences, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston, LA 71272, USA
| | | | - Brooke Howard-Parker
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
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33
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Hintz WD, Jones DK, Relyea RA. Evolved tolerance to freshwater salinization in zooplankton: life-history trade-offs, cross-tolerance and reducing cascading effects. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 374:rstb.2018.0012. [PMID: 30509914 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent discoveries have documented evolutionary responses to freshwater salinization. We investigated if evolutionary responses to salinization exhibit life-history trade-offs or if they can mitigate ecological impacts such as cascading effects through mechanisms of tolerance and cross-tolerance. We conducted an outdoor mesocosm experiment using populations of Daphnia pulex-a ubiquitous algal grazer-that were either naive or had previously experienced selection to become more tolerant to sodium chloride (NaCl). During the initial phase of population growth, we discovered that evolved tolerance comes at the cost of slower population growth in the absence of salt. We found evolved Daphnia populations maintained a tolerance to NaCl approximately 30 generations after the initial discovery. Evolved tolerance to NaCl also conferred cross-tolerance to a high concentration of CaCl2 (3559 µS cm-1) and a moderate concentration of MgCl2 (967 µS cm-1). A higher concentration of MgCl2 (2188 µS cm-1) overwhelmed the cross-tolerance and killed all Daphnia Tolerance to NaCl did not mitigate NaCl-induced cascades leading to phytoplankton blooms, but cross-tolerance at moderate concentrations of MgCl2 and high concentrations of CaCl2 mitigated such cascading effects caused by these two salts. These discoveries highlight the important interplay between ecology and evolution in understanding the full impacts of freshwater salinization.This article is part of the theme issue 'Salt in freshwaters: causes, ecological consequences and future prospects'.
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Affiliation(s)
- William D Hintz
- Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Devin K Jones
- Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Rick A Relyea
- Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
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34
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Schuler MS, Cañedo-Argüelles M, Hintz WD, Dyack B, Birk S, Relyea RA. Regulations are needed to protect freshwater ecosystems from salinization. Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci 2018; 374:rstb.2018.0019. [PMID: 30509918 DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic activities such as mining, agriculture and industrial wastes have increased the rate of salinization of freshwater ecosystems around the world. Despite the known and probable consequences of freshwater salinization, few consequential regulatory standards and management procedures exist. Current regulations are generally inadequate because they are regionally inconsistent, lack legal consequences and have few ion-specific standards. The lack of ion-specific standards is problematic, because each anthropogenic source of freshwater salinization is associated with a distinct set of ions that can present unique social and economic costs. Additionally, the environmental and toxicological consequences of freshwater salinization are often dependent on the occurrence, concentration and ratios of specific ions. Therefore, to protect fresh waters from continued salinization, discrete, ion-specific management and regulatory strategies should be considered for each source of freshwater salinization, using data from standardized, ion-specific monitoring practices. To develop comprehensive monitoring, regulatory, and management guidelines, we recommend the use of co-adaptive, multi-stakeholder approaches that balance environmental, social, and economic costs and benefits associated with freshwater salinization.This article is part of the theme issue 'Salt in freshwaters: causes, ecological consequences and future prospects'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew S Schuler
- Department of Biological Sciences, Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles
- Grup de Recerca Freshwater Ecology and Management (FEM), Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciencies Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Recerca de l'Aigua (IdRA), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - William D Hintz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
| | - Brenda Dyack
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, Canberra 2601, Australia
| | - Sebastian Birk
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstrasse 5, 45141 Essen, Germany.,Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstrasse 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Rick A Relyea
- Department of Biological Sciences, Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, USA
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35
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Roberto AA, Van Gray JB, Leff LG. Sediment bacteria in an urban stream: Spatiotemporal patterns in community composition. WATER RESEARCH 2018; 134:353-369. [PMID: 29454907 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2018.01.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2017] [Revised: 01/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Sediment bacterial communities play a critical role in biogeochemical cycling in lotic ecosystems. Despite their ecological significance, the effects of urban discharge on spatiotemporal distribution of bacterial communities are understudied. In this study, we examined the effect of urban discharge on the spatiotemporal distribution of stream sediment bacteria in a northeast Ohio stream. Water and sediment samples were collected after large storm events (discharge > 100 m) from sites along a highly impacted stream (Tinkers Creek, Cuyahoga River watershed, Ohio, USA) and two reference streams. Although alpha (α) diversity was relatively constant spatially, multivariate analysis of bacterial community 16S rDNA profiles revealed significant spatial and temporal effects on beta (β) diversity and community composition and identified a number of significant correlative abiotic parameters. Clustering of upstream and reference sites from downstream sites of Tinkers Creek combined with the dominant families observed in specific locales suggests that environmentally-induced species sorting had a strong impact on the composition of sediment bacterial communities. Distinct groupings of bacterial families that are often associated with nutrient pollution (i.e., Comamonadaceae, Rhodobacteraceae, and Pirellulaceae) and other contaminants (i.e., Sphingomonadaceae and Phyllobacteriaceae) were more prominent at sites experiencing higher degrees of discharge associated with urbanization. Additionally, there were marked seasonal changes in community composition, with individual taxa exhibiting different seasonal abundance patterns. However, spatiotemporal variation in stream conditions did not affect bacterial community functional profiles. Together, these results suggest that local environmental drivers and niche filtering from discharge events associated with urbanization shape the bacterial community structure. However, dispersal limitations and interactions among other species likely play a role as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alescia A Roberto
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
| | - Jonathon B Van Gray
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
| | - Laura G Leff
- Department of Biological Sciences, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA.
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36
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Bazzuri ME, Gabellone NA, Solari LC. The effects of hydraulic works and wetlands function in the Salado-River basin (Buenos Aires, Argentina). ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2018; 190:99. [PMID: 29374369 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-6448-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Man-made activities exert great influences on fluvial ecosystems, with lowland rivers being substantially modified through agricultural land use and populations. The recent construction of drainage canals in the upper stretch of the Salado-River basin caused the mobilization of huge amounts of salts formerly stored in the groundwater. The main aim of this work was to analyze the effect of the discharges of those canals into the Salado-River water, under different hydrologic conditions, and the role of the wetlands and shallow lakes placed along the canals' system. Physicochemical variables were measured and water samples were taken during times of high water, mean flows, drought, and extreme drought. The environmental variables and the plankton development were related to the hydrologic regime and reached minimum values during floods because of low temperatures and dilution. Local effects on the water's ionic composition became pronounced during droughts because of groundwater input. Nutrient concentrations were mainly associated with point wastewater discharges. Conductivity, ion concentrations, total plankton biomass, and species richness increased in the Salado-River downstream site, after the canals' discharges. The artificial-drainage system definitely promotes the incorporation of salts into the Salado-River basin. In this scenario, a careful hydraulic management is needed to take into account this issue of secondary salinization that threatens the economic exploitation of the region. The wetlands present in this study acted as service environments not only helping to reduce salt, nutrient, and suspended-solid concentrations downstream but also contributing a plethora of species and plankton biomass into the Salado-River main course.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Bazzuri
- Instituto de Limnología Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet, CONICET. FCNyM (UNLP), Boulevard 120 y 62, (1900), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - N A Gabellone
- Instituto de Limnología Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet, CONICET. FCNyM (UNLP), Boulevard 120 y 62, (1900), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - L C Solari
- Instituto de Limnología Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet, CONICET. FCNyM (UNLP), Boulevard 120 y 62, (1900), La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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37
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Canhoto C, Simões S, Gonçalves AL, Guilhermino L, Bärlocher F. Stream salinization and fungal-mediated leaf decomposition: A microcosm study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 599-600:1638-1645. [PMID: 28535592 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.05.101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Salinization is of major global concern due to its effect on stream biota, and ecosystem functions and services. In small streams, litter decomposition is a key ecosystem-level process driven by decomposers, mainly fungi (aquatic hyphomycetes), which link litter and invertebrates. Here we assessed the effects of an environmentally relevant range of salt additions (0, 2, 4, 8, 16gL-1 NaCl) on (1) fungal growth and species-specific reproductive output and (2) fungal mediated-decomposition of Quercus robur leaves. Growth rates of eight out of nine species of aquatic hyphomycetes were negatively affected by salinity at concentrations ≥4gL-1. EC50s were species-specific and ≥7.80gL-1. Distinct thresholds were observed for reproduction: only five species sporulated at 2gL-1, and a single one (Flagellospora curta) sporulated at 4 and 8gL-1 NaCl. Based on these results, we evaluated if tolerant fungal assemblages, with increasingly fewer species (9, 5, 1), were able to maintain similar functional functions and processes at the different salt levels. No significant differences were found in oak mass loss or sporulation rates at 0 or 2gL-1 NaCl; a clear inhibition of both parameters was observed at the highest concentrations (i.e., 4 and 8gL-1 NaCl). Different dominance patterns in multi-species fungal assemblages may determine bottom-up impacts on the stream food webs through effects on detritivore feeding preferences. Specific growth rate, characterized by RNA concentration, was higher in the single species, at the highest salt-concentration, and lower in the 9-species assemblage. Respiration was almost 2-times higher in mixed assemblages without added salt. Under salt-contamination, trade-offs between growth and sporulation seem to guarantee high levels of fungal growth and decomposition, particularly in multi-species assemblages. In the presence of salt contamination, aquatic hyphomycetes, even at reduced diversity, remain important drivers of leaf decomposition and ensure organic matter recycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Canhoto
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Sara Simões
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Ana Lúcia Gonçalves
- Centre for Functional Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Lúcia Guilhermino
- ICBAS & CIIMAR, University of Porto, CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Research Group of Ecotoxicology, Stress Ecology and Environmental Health, ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences of Abel Salazar, Department of Population Studies, Laboratory of Ecotoxicology, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira, 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Felix Bärlocher
- Department of Biology, Mt. Allison University, Sackville, New Brunswick E4L1G7, Canada
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Dranguet P, Cosio C, Le Faucheur S, Hug Peter D, Loizeau JL, Ungureanu VG, Slaveykova VI. Biofilm composition in the Olt River (Romania) reservoirs impacted by a chlor-alkali production plant. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2017; 19:687-695. [PMID: 28379244 DOI: 10.1039/c7em00033b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Freshwater biofilms can be useful indicators of water quality and offer the possibility to assess contaminant effects at the community level. The present field study examines the effects of chlor-alkali plant effluents on the community composition of biofilms grown in the Olt River (Romania) reservoirs. The relationship between ambient water quality variables and community composition alterations was explored. Amplicon sequencing revealed a significant modification of the composition of microalgal, bacterial and fungal communities in the biofilms collected in the impacted reservoirs in comparison with those living in the uncontaminated control reservoir. The abundance corrected Simpson index showed lower richness and diversity in biofilms collected in the impacted reservoirs than in the control reservoir. The biofilm bacterial communities of the impacted reservoirs were characterized by the contaminant-tolerant Cyanobacteria and Bacteroidetes, whereas microalgal communities were predominantly composed of Bacillariophyta and fungal communities of Lecanoromycetes and Paraglomycetes. A principal component analysis revealed that major contaminants present in the waste water of the chlor-alkali production plant, i.e. Na+, Ca2+, Cl- and Hg, were correlated with the alteration of biofilm community composition in the impacted reservoirs. However, the biofilm composition was also influenced by water quality variables such as NO3-, SO42-, DOC and Zn from unknown sources. The results of the present study imply that, even when below the environmental quality standards, typical contaminants of chlor-alkali plant releases may affect biofilm composition and that their impacts on the microbial biodiversity might be currently overlooked.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Dranguet
- University of Geneva, Faculty of Sciences, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Department F.-A. Forel for Environmental and Aquatic Sciences, Uni Carl Vogt, 66 Bvd. Carl Vogt, CH-1211, Geneva, Switzerland.
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39
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Cañedo-Argüelles M, Brucet S, Carrasco S, Flor-Arnau N, Ordeix M, Ponsá S, Coring E. Effects of potash mining on river ecosystems: An experimental study. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 224:759-770. [PMID: 28057374 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.12.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Revised: 12/23/2016] [Accepted: 12/25/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In spite of being a widespread activity causing the salinization of rivers worldwide, the impact of potash mining on river ecosystems is poorly understood. Here we used a mesocosm approach to test the effects of a salt effluent coming from a potash mine on algal and aquatic invertebrate communities at different concentrations and release modes (i.e. press versus pulse releases). Algal biomass was higher in salt treatments than in control (i.e. river water), with an increase in salt-tolerant diatom species. Salt addition had an effect on invertebrate community composition that was mainly related with changes in the abundance of certain taxa. Short (i.e. 48 h long) salt pulses had no significant effect on the algal and invertebrate communities. The biotic indices showed a weak response to treatment, with only the treatment with the highest salt concentration causing a consistent (i.e. according to all indices) reduction in the ecological quality of the streams and only by the end of the study. Overall, the treatment's effects were time-dependent, being more clear by the end of the study. Our results suggest that potash mining has the potential to significantly alter biological communities of surrounding rivers and streams, and that specific biotic indices to detect salt pollution should be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles
- Aquatic Ecology Group, BETA Tecnio Centre, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia, Vic, Catalonia, Spain; Grup de Recerca Freshwater Ecology and Management (FEM), Departament d'Ecologia, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Sandra Brucet
- Aquatic Ecology Group, BETA Tecnio Centre, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia, Vic, Catalonia, Spain; Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies, ICREA, Barcelona 08010, Spain
| | - Sergi Carrasco
- Aquatic Ecology Group, BETA Tecnio Centre, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia, Vic, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Núria Flor-Arnau
- Grup de Recerca Freshwater Ecology and Management (FEM), Departament de Biologia Vegetal (Unitat de Botànica), Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Marc Ordeix
- CERM, Center for the Study of Mediterranean Rivers, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia, Passeig del Ter 2, 08560 Manlleu, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sergio Ponsá
- Aquatic Ecology Group, BETA Tecnio Centre, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia, Vic, Catalonia, Spain
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40
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Hintz WD, Relyea RA. Impacts of road deicing salts on the early-life growth and development of a stream salmonid: Salt type matters. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 223:409-415. [PMID: 28131472 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.01.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2016] [Revised: 01/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The use of road deicing salts in regions that experience cold winters is increasing the salinity of freshwater ecosystems, which threatens freshwater resources. Yet, the impacts of environmentally relevant road salt concentrations on freshwater organisms are not well understood, particularly in stream ecosystems where salinization is most severe. We tested the impacts of deicing salts-sodium chloride (NaCl), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), and calcium chloride (CaCl2)-on the growth and development of newly hatched rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). We exposed rainbow trout to a wide range of environmentally relevant chloride concentrations (25, 230, 860, 1500, and 3000 mg Cl- L-1) over an ecologically relevant time period (25 d). We found that the deicing salts studied had distinct effects. MgCl2 did not affect rainbow trout growth at any concentration. NaCl had no effects at the lowest three concentrations, but rainbow trout length was reduced by 9% and mass by 27% at 3000 mg Cl- L-1. CaCl2 affected rainbow trout growth at 860 mg Cl- L-1 (5% reduced length; 16% reduced mass) and these effects became larger at higher concentrations (11% reduced length; 31% reduced mass). None of the deicing salts affected rainbow trout development. At sub-lethal and environmentally relevant concentrations, our results do not support the paradigm that MgCl2 is the most toxic deicing salt to fish, perhaps due to hydration effects on the Mg2+ cation. Our results do suggest different pathways for lethal and sub-lethal effects of road salts. Scaled to the population level, the reduced growth caused by NaCl and CaCl2 at critical early-life stages has the potential to negatively affect salmonid recruitment and population dynamics. Our findings have implications for environmental policy and management strategies that aim to reduce the impacts of salinization on freshwater organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- William D Hintz
- Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110, Eighth Street, Troy, NY, USA.
| | - Rick A Relyea
- Darrin Fresh Water Institute, Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110, Eighth Street, Troy, NY, USA.
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Jia X, Zhao Q, Guo F, Ma S, Zhang Y, Zang X. Evaluation of potential factors affecting deriving conductivity benchmark by utilizing weighting methods in Hun-Tai River Basin, Northeastern China. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2017; 189:97. [PMID: 28168526 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-5802-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Specific conductivity is an increasingly important stressor for freshwater ecosystems. Interacting with other environmental factors, it may lead to habitat degradation and biodiversity loss. However, it is still poorly understood how the effect of specific conductivity on freshwater organisms is confounded by other environmental factors. In this study, a weight-of-evidence method was applied to evaluate the potential environmental factors that may confound the effect of specific conductivity on macroinvertebrate structure communities and identify the confounders affecting deriving conductivity benchmark in Hun-Tai River Basin, China. A total of seven potential environmental factors were assessed by six types of evidence (i.e., correlation of cause and confounder, correlation of effect and confounder, the contingency of high level cause and confounder, the removal of confounder, levels of confounder known to cause effects, and multivariate statistics for confounding). Results showed that effects of dissolved oxygen (DO), fecal coliform, habitat score, total phosphorus (TP), pH, and temperature on the relationship between sensitive genera loss and specific conductivity were minimal and manageable. NH3-N was identified as a confounder affecting deriving conductivity benchmark for macroinvertebrate. The potential confounding by high NH3-N was minimized by removing sites with NH3-N > 2.0 mg/L from the data set. Our study tailored the weighting method previously developed by USEPA to use field data to develop causal relationships for basin-scale applications and may provide useful information for pollution remediation and natural resource management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- Laboratory of Riverine Ecological Conservation and Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- College of Water Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- Laboratory of Riverine Ecological Conservation and Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- College of Water Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Fen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- Laboratory of Riverine Ecological Conservation and Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Shuqin Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- Laboratory of Riverine Ecological Conservation and Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
- Laboratory of Riverine Ecological Conservation and Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
| | - Xiaomiao Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- Laboratory of Riverine Ecological Conservation and Technology, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
- College of Environment, Liaoning University, Shenyang, 110036, China
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Cochero J, Licursi M, Gómez N. Effects of pulse and press additions of salt on biofilms of nutrient-rich streams. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 579:1496-1503. [PMID: 27916312 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.11.152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2016] [Revised: 11/21/2016] [Accepted: 11/21/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Chronic and pulse increments of salinity can cause different consequences on the aquatic communities, and its effects are related to factors such as the magnitude, frequency and ionic composition, as well as on the baseline salt concentrations in the water. The aim of this study was to explore the responses of the biofilms from a nutrient-rich stream to both pulse and chronic additions of salt, along with their recovery after the stressor had been removed. For this purpose, a microcosm study was conducted exposing biofilms to water enriched with sodium chloride in two treatments (press and pulse), and comparing the changes in the biofilm with control microcosms without salt additions. The experiment lasted 72h, and the variables measured included bacterial density, chlorophyll-a concentration, community composition, total carbohydrate content, oxygen consumption and the percentage of nuclear alterations in diatoms. Both treatments resulted in a decrease in the bacterial density of the biofilm and in oxygen consumption; the chronic treatment in particular also caused an increased percentage of nuclear abnormalities in the diatom assemblage. The biofilm recovered to control levels after the treatments had been discontinued for 72h. We concluded that the biofilms can be altered significantly under both chronic and pulse additions of salt even after a short-term exposure, and that the community can recover if the stressor is withdrawn.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joaquín Cochero
- Instituto de Limnología "Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet", Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 1900 La Plata, Argentina; CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Argentina.
| | - Magdalena Licursi
- Instituto de Limnología "Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet", Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 1900 La Plata, Argentina; CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Argentina; Instituto Nacional de Limnología, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Ciudad Universitaria, Paraje El Pozo s/n, CP 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Nora Gómez
- Instituto de Limnología "Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet", Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 1900 La Plata, Argentina; CONICET, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas, Argentina
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Skoulikidis NT, Sabater S, Datry T, Morais MM, Buffagni A, Dörflinger G, Zogaris S, Del Mar Sánchez-Montoya M, Bonada N, Kalogianni E, Rosado J, Vardakas L, De Girolamo AM, Tockner K. Non-perennial Mediterranean rivers in Europe: Status, pressures, and challenges for research and management. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2017; 577:1-18. [PMID: 27810301 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.10.147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2016] [Revised: 10/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/16/2016] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Non-perennial rivers and streams (NPRS) cover >50% of the global river network. They are particularly predominant in Mediterranean Europe as a result of dry climate conditions, climate change and land use development. Historically, both scientists and policy makers underestimated the importance of NRPS for nature and humans alike, mainly because they have been considered as systems of low ecological and economic value. During the past decades, diminishing water resources have increased the spatial and temporal extent of artificial NPRS as well as their exposure to multiple stressors, which threatening their ecological integrity, biodiversity and ecosystem services. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive overview of the structural and functional characteristics of NPRS in the European Mediterranean, and discuss gaps and problems in their management, concerning their typology, ecological assessment, legislative and policy protection, and incorporation in River Basin Management Plans. Because NPRS comprise highly unstable ecosystems, with strong and often unpredictable temporal and spatial variability - at least as far as it is possible to assess - we outline the future research needs required to better understand, manage and conserve them as highly valuable and sensitive ecosystems. Efficient collaborative activities among multidisciplinary research groups aiming to create innovative knowledge, water managers and policy makers are urgently needed in order to establish an appropriate methodological and legislative background. The incorporation of NPRS in EU-Med River Basin Management Plans in combination with the application of ecological flows is a first step towards enhancing NPRS management and conservation in order to effectively safeguard these highly valuable albeit threatened ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikolaos T Skoulikidis
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, 46.7 km Athens-Sounion Ave., 19013 Anavyssos, Attica, Greece
| | - Sergi Sabater
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICRA), Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain; GRECO, Institute of Aquatic Ecology, University of Girona, Campus Montilivi, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Thibault Datry
- IRSTEA, UR-MALY, centre de Lyon-Villeurbanne, 5 rue de la Doua CS70077, FR-69626 Villeurbanne Cedex, France
| | - Manuela M Morais
- Dept. Biology, Institute of Earth Sciences (ICT), University of Évora, Largo dos Colegiais, 7000 Évora, Portugal
| | - Andrea Buffagni
- IRSA-CNR, Water Research Institute, National Research Council of Italy, Rome, Italy
| | - Gerald Dörflinger
- Water Development Department, 100-110 Kennenty Avenue, Pallouriotissa, 1047 Lefkosia, Cyprus
| | - Stamatis Zogaris
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, 46.7 km Athens-Sounion Ave., 19013 Anavyssos, Attica, Greece
| | | | - Nuria Bonada
- Group de Recerca Freshwater Ecology and Management (FEM), Departament d'Ecologia, Facultat de Biologia, Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Eleni Kalogianni
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, 46.7 km Athens-Sounion Ave., 19013 Anavyssos, Attica, Greece
| | - Joana Rosado
- Institute of Earth Sciences (ICT), University of Évora, Largo dos Colegiais, 7000 Évora, Portugal
| | - Leonidas Vardakas
- Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Inland Waters, 46.7 km Athens-Sounion Ave., 19013 Anavyssos, Attica, Greece.
| | | | - Klement Tockner
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Müggelseedamm 310, 12587 Berlin, Germany
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Sauer FG, Bundschuh M, Zubrod JP, Schäfer RB, Thompson K, Kefford BJ. Effects of salinity on leaf breakdown: Dryland salinity versus salinity from a coalmine. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2016; 177:425-432. [PMID: 27393920 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2016.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Revised: 06/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/17/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Salinization of freshwater ecosystems as a result of human activities represents a global threat for ecosystems' integrity. Whether different sources of salinity with their differing ionic compositions lead to variable effects in ecosystem functioning is unknown. Therefore, the present study assessed the impact of dryland- (50μS/cm to 11,000μS/cm) and coalmine-induced (100μS/cm to 2400μS/cm) salinization on the leaf litter breakdown, with focus on microorganisms as main decomposer, in two catchments in New South Wales, Australia. The breakdown of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves decreased with increasing salinity by up to a factor of three. Coalmine salinity, which is characterised by a higher share of bicarbonates, had a slightly but consistently higher breakdown rate at a given salinity relative to dryland salinity, which is characterised by ionic proportions similar to sea water. Complementary laboratory experiments supported the stimulatory impact of sodium bicarbonates on leaf breakdown when compared to sodium chloride or artificial sea salt. Furthermore, microbial inoculum from a high salinity site (11,000μS/cm) yielded lower leaf breakdown at lower salinity relative to inoculum from a low salinity site (50μS/cm). Conversely, inoculum from the high salinity site was less sensitive towards increasing salinity levels relative to inoculum from the low salinity site. The effects of the different inoculum were the same regardless of salt source (sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and artificial sea salt). Finally, the microorganism-mediated leaf litter breakdown was most efficient at intermediate salinity levels (≈500μS/cm). The present study thus points to severe implications of increasing salinity intensities on the ecosystem function of leaf litter breakdown, while the underlying processes need further scrutiny.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felix G Sauer
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia; Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstrasse 7, 76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Mirco Bundschuh
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstrasse 7, 76829 Landau, Germany; Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agriculture Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Jochen P Zubrod
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstrasse 7, 76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Ralf B Schäfer
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstrasse 7, 76829 Landau, Germany
| | - Kristie Thompson
- National Research Centre for Environmental Toxicology, The University of Queensland, 39 Kessels Road, Coopers Plains, Queensland, 4108, Australia
| | - Ben J Kefford
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia.
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46
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Cañedo-Argüelles M, Sala M, Peixoto G, Prat N, Faria M, Soares AMVM, Barata C, Kefford B. Can salinity trigger cascade effects on streams? A mesocosm approach. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 540:3-10. [PMID: 25818391 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2015] [Revised: 03/09/2015] [Accepted: 03/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Human activities have greatly increased the salt concentration of the world's rivers, and this might be amplified by water scarcity in the future. While the lethal effects of salinity have been documented for a wide variety of stream invertebrates, the sub-lethal effects (i.e. changes in biological condition without mortality) are not deeply understood yet. One important sub-lethal effect that has yet to be investigated is changes in predation efficiency, which could trigger cascade effects associated to the abundance of herbivorous invertebrates that control algae biomass. In this study we combined the use of biomarkers with community-level data in a stream mesocosm to evaluate the potential cascade effect of increased salinity on the trophic food web. Both predation and salt treatments had an effect on the aquatic invertebrate abundance, richness and community composition. The presence of predators had a clear cascade effect, it reduced herbivorous invertebrate abundance and richness leading to higher chlorophyll a concentrations. The salt treatment significantly reduced taxa richness, but only in the gravel bed. The predators were significantly stressed by salt addition, as shown by the different analyzed biomarkers. Concordantly, in the presence of predators, Tanytarsini registered higher abundances and chlorophyll a showed a lower concentration when salt was added. However, none of these changes was significant. Therefore, although salt addition significantly stressed Dina lineata, our results suggest that a longer exposure time is needed to fully capture cascading effects (e.g. a decrease in chlorophyll a due to a relaxation of predation on herbivorous invertebrates). We suggest that the potential cascade effects of salinization need to be evaluated when addressing the impacts of water scarcity (as caused by climate change and increasing water demand) on river ecosystems, since flow reductions will lead to higher salt concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles
- BETA Technology Centre, Aquatic Ecology Group, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia, Spain; Freshwater Ecology and Management (F.E.M.) Research Group, Departament d'Ecologia, Universitat Barcelona, Diagonal, 643, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Miquel Sala
- Freshwater Ecology and Management (F.E.M.) Research Group, Departament d'Ecologia, Universitat Barcelona, Diagonal, 643, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Gabriela Peixoto
- Freshwater Ecology and Management (F.E.M.) Research Group, Departament d'Ecologia, Universitat Barcelona, Diagonal, 643, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Narcís Prat
- Freshwater Ecology and Management (F.E.M.) Research Group, Departament d'Ecologia, Universitat Barcelona, Diagonal, 643, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Melissa Faria
- CESAM & Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Amadeu M V M Soares
- CESAM & Departamento de Biologia, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Carlos Barata
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA-CSIC), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ben Kefford
- Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
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Szöcs E, Van den Brink PJ, Lagadic L, Caquet T, Roucaute M, Auber A, Bayona Y, Liess M, Ebke P, Ippolito A, ter Braak CJF, Brock TCM, Schäfer RB. Analysing chemical-induced changes in macroinvertebrate communities in aquatic mesocosm experiments: a comparison of methods. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2015; 24:760-769. [PMID: 25663318 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-015-1421-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Mesocosm experiments that study the ecological impact of chemicals are often analysed using the multivariate method 'Principal Response Curves' (PRCs). Recently, the extension of generalised linear models (GLMs) to multivariate data was introduced as a tool to analyse community data in ecology. Moreover, data aggregation techniques that can be analysed with univariate statistics have been proposed. The aim of this study was to compare their performance. We compiled macroinvertebrate abundance datasets of mesocosm experiments designed for studying the effect of various organic chemicals, mainly pesticides, and re-analysed them. GLMs for multivariate data and selected aggregated endpoints were compared to PRCs regarding their performance and potential to identify affected taxa. In addition, we analysed the inter-replicate variability encountered in the studies. Mesocosm experiments characterised by a higher taxa richness of the community and/or lower taxonomic resolution showed a greater inter-replicate variability, whereas variability decreased the more zero counts were encountered in the samples. GLMs for multivariate data performed equally well as PRCs regarding the community response. However, compared to first axis PRCs, GLMs provided a better indication of individual taxa responding to treatments, as separate models are fitted to each taxon. Data aggregation methods performed considerably poorer compared to PRCs. Multivariate community data, which are generated during mesocosm experiments, should be analysed using multivariate methods to reveal treatment-related community-level responses. GLMs for multivariate data are an alternative to the widely used PRCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eduard Szöcs
- Institute for Environmental Sciences, University Koblenz-Landau, Fortstraße 7, 76829, Landau, Germany,
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Nelson TM, Streten C, Gibb KS, Chariton AA. Saltwater intrusion history shapes the response of bacterial communities upon rehydration. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 502:143-148. [PMID: 25247483 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.08.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2014] [Revised: 08/26/2014] [Accepted: 08/29/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Saltwater intrusion (SWI) can result in the loss of dominant vegetation from freshwater habitats. In northern Australia, sea level is predicted to rise 17-50 cm by 2030-2070. This will exacerbate the impact of SWI, threatening Ramsar-listed habitats. Soil bacteria in these habitats play a significant role in biogeochemical cycling, regulating availability of essential nutrients such as nitrogen to vegetation. However, there is limited understanding as to how SWI will impact these soil bacteria. Floodplain soil samples were collected from the South Alligator River floodplain in Northern Australia from sites with contrasting histories of SWI. A SWI event was simulated over 7 days with treatments of saltwater and freshwater. Bacterial community composition before and after treatment were measured using next generation sequencing of bacterial DNA. Sites with no history of SWI showed no significant changes in community taxonomic composition following treatments, suggesting the community at these sites have broad functional capacity which may be due to their historic conditioning over many years. Sites with a history of SWI showed a significant response to both treatments. Following saltwater treatment, there was an increase in sulfate-reducing bacteria, which are known to have an impact on carbon and nitrogen cycling. We suggest that the impact of SWI causes a shift in the soil bacteria which alters the community to one which is more specialised, with implications for the cycling of essential elements and nutrients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffanie M Nelson
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Sustainable Coastal Ecosystems and Industries in Tropical Australia, Arafura Timor Research Facility, 23 Ellengowan Drive, Casuarina, NT 0810 Australia.
| | - Claire Streten
- Australian Institute of Marine Science, Sustainable Coastal Ecosystems and Industries in Tropical Australia, Arafura Timor Research Facility, 23 Ellengowan Drive, Casuarina, NT 0810 Australia
| | - Karen S Gibb
- Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT, Australia
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