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Assie AF, Arimoro FO, Ndatimana G, Keke UN, Ayanwale AV, Edia EO, Edegbene AO. Development of a macroinvertebrate-based biotic index to assess water quality of rivers in Niger State, North Central Ecoregion of Nigeria. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:230. [PMID: 38305996 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12368-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: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
The increasing pollution of lotic ecosystems in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in Nigeria, poses a threat to water quality, public health and biodiversity. It is therefore essential to develop appropriate tools and methods for monitoring these rivers, particularly in heavily affected areas, where these water resources are vital to the surrounding communities that are heavily dependent on them. To fill this gap, we propose to develop a multimetric index based on macroinvertebrates for the assessment of ecological quality of rivers in Niger State (NSRBI). Eighty-eight metrics were evaluated through a step-by-step statistical process (namely, range test and stability, redundancy test and relationship with abiotic variables), in which metrics that did not meet the conditions were excluded. At the end of this process, only four metrics (%Hemiptera, Diptera richness, Pielou equitability and % of very large individuals (size > 40 mm)) fulfilling all criteria were included in the index. These metrics were then scored on a continuous scale and divided into four water quality classes: "very poor", "poor", "fair" and "good". Evaluation of the performance of the index on test sites showed a correspondence of 90% between index result and environmental-based classification. Therefore, the NSRBI could be a valuable tool for monitoring and assessing the ecological conditions of rivers in Niger State and the North Central Nigeria ecoregion predominantly in urban and agricultural landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attobla Fulbert Assie
- Applied Hydrobiology Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology, Niger State, Minna, PMB 65, 920101, Nigeria.
| | - Francis O Arimoro
- Applied Hydrobiology Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology, Niger State, Minna, PMB 65, 920101, Nigeria
| | - Gilbert Ndatimana
- Applied Hydrobiology Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology, Niger State, Minna, PMB 65, 920101, Nigeria
- Center of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resources Management, University of Rwanda, P.O Box: 512, Butare, Huye, Rwanda
| | - Unique N Keke
- Applied Hydrobiology Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology, Niger State, Minna, PMB 65, 920101, Nigeria
| | - Adesola V Ayanwale
- Applied Hydrobiology Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology, Niger State, Minna, PMB 65, 920101, Nigeria
| | - Edia O Edia
- Laboratory of Environment and Aquatic Biology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Management, University Nangui Abrogoua, 02 BP 801, Abidjan 02, Lagunes, Côte d'Ivoire
| | - Augustine O Edegbene
- Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State, 972261, Nigeria
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Wang S, Zhang P, Zhang D, Chang J. Evaluation and comparison of the benthic and microbial indices of biotic integrity for urban lakes based on environmental DNA and its management implications. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 341:118026. [PMID: 37192593 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
With the intensification of human disturbance in urban lakes, the loss of eukaryotic biodiversity (macroinvertebrates, etc.) reduces the accuracy of the index of biotic integrity (IBI) assessment. Therefore, how to accurately evaluate the ecological status of urban lakes based on IBI has become an important issue. In this study, 17 sampling sites from four lakes in Wuhan City, China were selected to analyze the composition and diversity characteristics of benthic and microbial communities and their relationship with environmental factors based on eDNA high-throughput sequencing, and compare the application effects of the benthic index of biotic integrity (B-IBI) and the microbial index of biotic integrity (M-IBI). Canonical correspondence analysis showed that the key environmental factors affecting benthic family/genus composition were temperature, conductivity, total phosphorus (TP), and total nitrogen (TN). Redundancy analysis showed that pH, TP, conductivity, and ammonia nitrogen had the greatest impact on microbial phyla/genera. After screening, four and six core metrics were determined from candidate parameters to establish B-IBI and M-IBI. The B-IBI evaluation results showed that healthy, sub-heathy, and poor accounted for 58.8%, 35.3%, and 5.9%, respectively, in the sites. The results of the M-IBI evaluation showed that 29.4% of the sites were healthy, 47.1% were sub-healthy, and 23.5% were common. M-IBI was positively correlated with water quality (r = 0.74, P < 0.001), whereas B-IBI was not. Further results showed that M-IBI was negatively correlated with the relative abundance of bloom-forming cyanobacteria Planktothrix (r = -0.54, P < 0.05). Therefore, M-IBI is more sensitive than B-IBI and can better reflect the actual water pollution status. This study can provide a new perspective for ecological assessment and management of urban lakes strongly disturbed by human activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Resources Engineering and Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, P.R. China
| | - Peng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Resources Engineering and Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, P.R. China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Water System Science for Sponge City Construction(Wuhan University), Wuhan, 430072, China.
| | - Ditao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Resources Engineering and Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, P.R. China; Institute for Ecological Research and Pollution Control of Plateau Lakes, School of Ecology and Environmental Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Jianbo Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Resources Engineering and Management, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430072, P.R. China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Water System Science for Sponge City Construction(Wuhan University), Wuhan, 430072, China
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Shahraki MZ, Dorche EE, Fathi P, Flotemersch J, Blocksom K, Stribling J, Keivany Y, Kashkooli OB, Scown M, Bruder A. Defining a Disturbance Gradient in a Middle-Eastern River Basin. LIMNOLOGICA (ONLINE) 2021; 91:1-13. [PMID: 34898730 PMCID: PMC8654181 DOI: 10.1016/j.limno.2021.125923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
A physical, chemical and biological characterization of river systems is needed to evaluate their ecological quality and support restoration programs. Herein, we describe an approach using water chemistry, physical structure and land use for identification of a disturbance gradient existing in the Karun River Basin. For this purpose, at each site, physical structure and physico-chemical data were collected once in each season for a total of 4 samples during the period (October 2018 - September 2019). Principal components analysis (PCA) of 17 variables identified five variables that were influential across all seasons: conductivity, total habitat score, stream morphology, clay & silt, and sand. Of the 54 sites, 14, 26 and 14 sites were classified as least, moderate and most disturbed sites, respectively. The metric Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera (EPT) taxa was used for validation of the classification. Results in different seasons showed that all the least disturbed sites (n=14) were significantly different from moderate and most disturbed sites (p < 0.01). In this study the validation process presented a good confirmation of a priori reference sites selection process, showing that the proposed criteria could be considered as appropriate tools for characterization of the existent disturbance gradient in the Karun River Basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mojgan Zare Shahraki
- Division of fisheries, Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran
| | - Eisa Ebrahimi Dorche
- Division of fisheries, Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran
| | - Pejman Fathi
- Division of fisheries, Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran
| | - Joseph Flotemersch
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Karen Blocksom
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Corvallis, Oregon, USA
| | - James Stribling
- Aquatic Ecologist and Senior Scientist, Tetra Tech Inc., 400 Red Brook Blvd. Suite 200, Owings Mills, MD 21117
| | - Yazdan Keivany
- Division of fisheries, Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran
| | - Omid Beyraghdar Kashkooli
- Division of fisheries, Department of Natural Resources, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan 84156-83111, Iran
| | - Murray Scown
- Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development, Utrecht University, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Andreas Bruder
- Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Switzerland
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Santos M, Peixoto S, Pereira JL, Luís AT, Henriques I, Gonçalves FJM, Pereira MJ, Oliveira H, Vidal T. Using flow cytometry for bacterioplankton community analysis as a complementary tool to Water Framework Directive to signal putatively impacted sites. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 695:133754. [PMID: 31425990 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Metal contamination, as well as pesticides, organic matter and nutrient input are main factors leading to freshwater ecosystems degradation. The Water Framework Directive (WFD) was implemented within the European Union with the ultimate goal of promoting a good ecological status in all European waterbodies. However, the broad implementation of the bioassessment behind WFD is costly and time-consuming and the search for complementary methodologies has been given significant attention. In this context, the main goal of this study was to evaluate whether flow cytometry (FCM) and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) can be used as cellular/molecular tools to efficiently assess riverine bacterioplankton communities and relevantly inform on the ecological quality of these ecosystems. Caima river was chosen as case study using three sampling sites reflecting different levels and types of contamination (point-source organic and metal input). Both bacterioplankton community assessment approaches (DGGE and FCM), as well as macroinvertebrate and periphyton communities were consistent in signaling organic contamination. The putatively metal-loaded site bears some contradictory results depending on the community focused, possibly due to the overall low levels of metals actually found and seasonality. When comparing the two bacterioplankton community analysis tools, DGGE and FCM, the results obtained were essentially coherent, with FCM being simpler, faster and still accurate for screening bacteria communities via quantification of bacteria of high and low DNA content. This highlights the suitability of the FCM approach for prioritization of contaminated sampling sites and reinforces the suitability of using bacterioplankton communities as the focus of rapid tools to complement bioassessment sensu the WFD methodology, e.g. assisting the prioritization of potentially impacted areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Santos
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Sara Peixoto
- 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
| | - Ana T Luís
- GeoBioTec Research Unit, Department of Geosciences, University of Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Isabel Henriques
- CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies), University of Aveiro, Portugal; Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fernando J M Gonçalves
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies), 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
| | - Helena Oliveira
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies), University of Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Tânia Vidal
- Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, Portugal; CESAM (Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies), University of Aveiro, Portugal.
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Liu W, Xu M, Zhao N, Zhou X, Pan B, Tian S, Lei F. River health assessment of the Yellow River source region, Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China, based on tolerance values of macroinvertebrates. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 26:10251-10262. [PMID: 30761487 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-04110-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
For decades, the river health of the Yellow River source region (YRSR) on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau has been a focal issue owing to its unique geographic location and ecological functions. This study investigated the ecological status of the headwater streams, the main stem, and the tributaries of the Yellow River in the YRSR using the tolerance values of macroinvertebrates and those related to biotic indices. The macroinvertebrate assemblages of the headwater streams were characterized by lower biodiversity than the tributaries downstream, based on comparisons of taxonomical composition, functional feeding group composition, and the pollution-tolerant capacity of taxa. The headwater streams had a lower ratio (16%) of pollution-sensitive macroinvertebrate taxa than that of the tributaries downstream (30%). The biotic indices (family- and genus-level biotic indices) indicated that the ecological health of the headwater streams was comparably poorer than that of the downstream tributaries. The combined effect of vulnerable natural conditions and increasing human disturbance is likely the main cause of eco-environmental degradation in the Yellow River headwater streams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Mengzhen Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China.
| | - Na Zhao
- College of Agricultural Equipment Engineering, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang, 471003, China
| | - Xiongdong Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Baozhu Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, 710048, China
| | - Shimin Tian
- Key Laboratory of Yellow River Sediment, MWR, Institute of Hydraulic Research, YRCC, Zhengzhou, 450003, China
| | - Fakai Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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D'Alessandro M, Esposito V, Giacobbe S, Renzi M, Mangano MC, Vivona P, Consoli P, Scotti G, Andaloro F, Romeo T. Ecological assessment of a heavily human-stressed area in the Gulf of Milazzo, Central Mediterranean Sea: an integrated study of biological, physical and chemical indicators. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2016; 106:260-273. [PMID: 26917095 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Revised: 12/29/2015] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Marine environmental disturbance can be assessed directly from physical and chemical parameters, or indirectly by the study of indicator species. In this study, an integrated approach to monitor the Gulf of Milazzo, labeled as a highly contaminated site, is presented. A total of 83 samples were collected from hard and soft bottoms in 2010. In sum, 2739 specimens belonging to 246 taxa, two first records for the Tyrrhenian Sea (Micronephthys stammeri and Nicomache lumbricalis) and three nonindigenous species (Brachidontes pharaonis, Crassostrea gigas and Notomastus aberans) were recorded. Biodiversity and biotic indices and their relationship with sediment parameters and the level of pollutants were assessed to describe faunal assemblage and evaluate environmental quality. Pearson tests evidenced significant negative correlation between polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and specific richness (p<0.10). A comparison of the standard and recorded biotic values showed that M-AMBI seems to be the index more representative of ecological quality status (EcoQ) in the Gulf of Milazzo. No evident signs were highlighted on the complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michela D'Alessandro
- ISPRA, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, STS Palermo, Laboratory of Milazzo, Via dei Mille, 46-98057 Milazzo, Messina, Italy; Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Viale Stagno d'Alcontres, 31-98166 S. Agata, Messina, Italy.
| | - Valentina Esposito
- ISPRA, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, STS Palermo, Laboratory of Milazzo, Via dei Mille, 46-98057 Milazzo, Messina, Italy
| | - Salvatore Giacobbe
- Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Messina, Viale Stagno d'Alcontres, 31-98166 S. Agata, Messina, Italy
| | - Monia Renzi
- Bioscience Research Center, Via Aurelia Vecchia, 32-58015 Orbetello, Grosseto, Italy
| | | | - Pietro Vivona
- ISPRA, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, STS Palermo, Laboratory of Milazzo, Via dei Mille, 46-98057 Milazzo, Messina, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Consoli
- ISPRA, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, STS Palermo, Laboratory of Milazzo, Via dei Mille, 46-98057 Milazzo, Messina, Italy
| | - Gianfranco Scotti
- ISPRA, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, STS Palermo, Laboratory of Milazzo, Via dei Mille, 46-98057 Milazzo, Messina, Italy
| | - Franco Andaloro
- ISPRA, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, STS Palermo, c/o Marbela Residence, via Salvatore Puglisi 9, 90143 Palermo, Italy
| | - Teresa Romeo
- ISPRA, Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, STS Palermo, Laboratory of Milazzo, Via dei Mille, 46-98057 Milazzo, Messina, Italy
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Beckingham B, Buys D, Vandewalker H, Ghosh U. Observations of limited secondary effects to benthic invertebrates and macrophytes with activated carbon amendment in river sediments. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2013; 32:1504-15. [PMID: 23554105 DOI: 10.1002/etc.2231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2012] [Revised: 11/10/2012] [Accepted: 03/19/2013] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Amendment of activated carbon to sediments has been shown to effectively reduce the bioavailability of hydrophobic organic contaminants, but concerns have been raised about the potential toxicological impacts of administering a strong sorbent into sediments. The present study provides a summary of several investigations carried out as part of a pilot-scale study in a river to understand the secondary effects of activated carbon added to reduce the bioavailability of sediment-associated polychlorinated biphenyls. While some previous laboratory amendment studies have found reduced lipid content in freshwater worms exposed to activated carbon-treated sediments, the authors did not observe an impact with fine-granular activated carbon-amended sediments aged in the field. Benthic community studies did not find differences between control and activated carbon-treated field sites over 3 yr of postapplication monitoring. Laboratory studies with submerged aquatic plants indicated reduced growth in sediments amended with ≥5% activated carbon, which was attributed to volume dilution of nutritional sediment or bulk density changes and was also observed when the sediment was amended with biochar and inert perlite. Since in situ sorbent amendment is likely to be implemented in depositional sediment environments, potential negative impacts will likely be short-term if the treated site is slowly covered with new sediment over time. Overall suitability of activated carbon amendment for a site will depend on balancing ecosystem and human health benefits from contaminant bioavailability reduction with any potential negative impacts expected under field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Beckingham
- Department of Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
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8
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Jun YC, Won DH, Lee SH, Kong DS, Hwang SJ. A multimetric benthic macroinvertebrate index for the assessment of stream biotic integrity in Korea. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2012; 9:3599-628. [PMID: 23202765 PMCID: PMC3509474 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph9103599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2012] [Revised: 09/17/2012] [Accepted: 09/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
At a time when anthropogenic activities are increasingly disturbing the overall ecological integrity of freshwater ecosystems, monitoring of biological communities is central to assessing the health and function of streams. This study aimed to use a large nation-wide database to develop a multimetric index (the Korean Benthic macroinvertebrate Index of Biological Integrity—KB-IBI) applicable to the biological assessment of Korean streams. Reference and impaired conditions were determined based on watershed, chemical and physical criteria. Eight of an initial 34 candidate metrics were selected using a stepwise procedure that evaluated metric variability, redundancy, sensitivity and responsiveness to environmental gradients. The selected metrics were number of taxa, percent Ephemeroptera-Plecoptera-Trichoptera (EPT) individuals, percent of a dominant taxon, percent taxa abundance without Chironomidae, Shannon’s diversity index, percent gatherer individuals, ratio of filterers and scrapers, and the Korean saprobic index. Our multimetric index successfully distinguished reference from impaired conditions. A scoring system was established for each core metric using its quartile range and response to anthropogenic disturbances. The multimetric index was classified by aggregating the individual metric ..scores and the value range was quadrisected to provide a narrative criterion (Poor, Fair, Good and Excellent) to describe the biological integrity of the streams in the study. A validation procedure showed that the index is an effective method for evaluating stream conditions, and thus is appropriate for use in future studies measuring the long-term status of streams, and the effectiveness of restoration methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yung-Chul Jun
- Department of Environmental Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Korea;
| | - Doo-Hee Won
- Doohee Institute of Ecological Research, Korea Ecosystem Service Inc., Seoul 153-768, Korea;
| | - Soo-Hyung Lee
- The National Institute of Environmental Research, Inchon 404-170, Korea;
| | - Dong-Soo Kong
- Department of Biology, Kyonggi University, Suwon 443-760, Korea;
| | - Soon-Jin Hwang
- Department of Environmental Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 143-701, Korea;
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Walter CA, Nelson D, Earle JI. Assessment of Stream Restoration: Sources of Variation in Macroinvertebrate Recovery throughout an 11-Year Study of Coal Mine Drainage Treatment. Restor Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1526-100x.2011.00845.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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10
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Paul JF, Munns WR. Probability surveys, conditional probability, and ecological risk assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2011; 30:1488-1495. [PMID: 21425319 DOI: 10.1002/etc.525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2010] [Revised: 10/26/2010] [Accepted: 01/25/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
We show that probability-based environmental resource monitoring programs, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (U.S. EPA) Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program, and conditional probability analysis can serve as a basis for estimating ecological risk over broad geographic areas. Under certain conditions (including appropriate stratification of the sampled population, sufficient density of samples, and sufficient range of exposure levels paired with concurrent response values), this empirical approach provides estimates of risk using extant field-derived monitoring data. The monitoring data were used to prescribe the exposure field and to model the exposure-response relationship. We illustrate this approach by estimating risks to benthic communities from low dissolved oxygen (DO) in freshwater streams of the mid-Atlantic region and in estuaries of the Virginian Biogeographical Province of the United States. In both cases, the estimates of risk are consistent with the U.S. EPA's ambient water quality criteria for DO.
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Affiliation(s)
- John F Paul
- US Environmental Protection Agency, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA.
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11
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Mordecai RS, Mattsson BJ, Tzilkowski CJ, Cooper RJ. Addressing challenges when studying mobile or episodic species: hierarchical Bayes estimation of occupancy and use. J Appl Ecol 2011. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2664.2010.01921.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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12
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Bryce SA, Lomnicky GA, Kaufmann PR. Protecting sediment-sensitive aquatic species in mountain streams through the application of biologically based streambed sediment criteria. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1899/09-061.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sandra A. Bryce
- Dynamac Corporation, 200 SW 35th St, Corvallis, Oregon 97333 USA
| | | | - Philip R. Kaufmann
- US Environmental Protection Agency, 200 SW 35th St, Corvallis, Oregon 97333 USA
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13
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Schievano A, Scaglia B, D'Imporzano G, Malagutti L, Gozzi A, Adani F. Prediction of biogas potentials using quick laboratory analyses: upgrading previous models for application to heterogeneous organic matrices. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2009; 100:5777-5782. [PMID: 19560342 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2009.05.075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2009] [Accepted: 05/28/2009] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
This study presents an upgrading of the mathematical models to predict anaerobic biogasification potential (ABP) through quick laboratory analyses that have been presented in an earlier study. The aim is to widen the applicability of the models to heterogeneous organic substrates and to improve their reliability through a deeper statistical approach. Three multiple-step linear regressions were obtained using biomass oxygen demand in 20 h (OD(20)) plus the volatile solids content (VS) of 23 new samples of heterogeneous organic matrices, of 46 samples presented in the earlier work and of the data set comprising all the 69 samples. The two variables chosen were found to be suitable for very heterogeneous materials. To judge the prediction quality, a validation procedure was performed with 12 new samples using model efficiency indexes. The proposed model had good prediction ability for a large variety of organic substrates, and allows the calculation of the ABP value within only 2-day's laboratory work instead of the 60-90 days required to obtain ABP by anaerobic test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Schievano
- Dipartimento di Produzione Vegetale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy
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14
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Boonsoong B, Sangpradub N, Barbour MT. Development of rapid bioassessment approaches using benthic macroinvertebrates for Thai streams. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2009; 155:129-147. [PMID: 18633723 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-008-0423-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2008] [Accepted: 06/03/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Thailand currently lacks formal bioassessment approaches and protocols to assist management decisions for water quality. The aim of this research is to develop a practical method of rapid bioassessment for a professional level by using benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages for streams in Thailand. Eleven reference and nine test sites were sampled in the headwater streams of the Loei River and adjacent areas to explore the development of a practical protocol. Specific physico-chemical parameters were selected to provide ecological information supplemental to the biological indicators. The biological research was designed around the USEPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocols (RBPs) using the multi-habitat approach. Four fixed-count subsamplings (100, 200, 300 and 500 organisms) were randomly conducted using a standardized gridded pan to evaluate an appropriate level for bioassessment in Thai streams. A 300 organism subsample is adequate for bioassessment purposes in Thai stream (evaluated by calculating dissimilarity values and ordination techniques). A systematic selection of candidate reference sites, metric selection, and index calibration was part of this research. Multimetric and multivariate analyses were examined as a foundation for bioassessment in Thailand. The multimetric approach appears to be more practical for a rapid bioassessment technique. Nine core metrics were identified for biological index score including number of total taxa, Diptera taxa, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, and Coleoptera taxa, (%) Plecoptera, (%) Tolerant organisms, Beck's Biotic Index, (%) Intolerant organisms, Shredders taxa and Clingers taxa were calibrated for the final index. As a result of multimetric and multivariate analyses, family level identification data effectively discriminated reference condition and broad-scale environmental gradients. Hampered by incomplete taxonomic knowledge of benthic macroinvertebrates in Thailand, family-level identification may be sufficient taxonomic resolution for rapid bioassessment in Thailand.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boonsatien Boonsoong
- Applied Taxonomic Research Center, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
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15
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Marchetti MP, Garr M, Smith ANH. Evaluating Wetland Restoration Success Using Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Assemblages in the Sacramento Valley, California. Restor Ecol 2008. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1526-100x.2008.00468.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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16
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Schievano A, Pognani M, D'Imporzano G, Adani F. Predicting anaerobic biogasification potential of ingestates and digestates of a full-scale biogas plant using chemical and biological parameters. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2008; 99:8112-8117. [PMID: 18440801 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2008.03.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2007] [Revised: 03/13/2008] [Accepted: 03/16/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this work was to develop simple and fast tests to predict anaerobic biogasification potential (ABP) of ingestates and digestates from a biogas plant. Forty-six samples of both ingestates and digestates were collected within an eight-month observation period and were analyzed in terms of biological and chemical parameters, namely, ABP test, oxygen demand in a 20-h respirometric test (OD20), total solids (TS), volatile solids (VS), total organic carbon (TOC), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), ammonia, cell solubles (CS), acid detergent fibers (ADF), lignin (ADL), cellulose, and hemicellulose. Considering both quantitative (VS and TOC) and qualitative aspects (OD20 and CS) of organic matter (OM), four models (linear regressions; 0.80<R2<0.913; 16%<standard errors<23%) were proposed to predict ABP. The models were chosen according to the needed accuracy of the evaluation in terms of time schedule and the availability of the required laboratory analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Schievano
- Dipartimento di Produzione Vegetale, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy
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17
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Scaglia B, Adani F. An index for quantifying the aerobic reactivity of municipal solid wastes and derived waste products. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2008; 394:183-191. [PMID: 18280541 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2008.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2007] [Revised: 01/04/2008] [Accepted: 01/13/2008] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The organic matter contained in municipal solid waste (MSW) and in the MSW fractions obtained by mechanical separation has strong environmental impact when the waste is used as landfill. This is partly due to the biological activity that occurs under anaerobic conditions. Negative effects on the environment include unpleasant odors, biogas, leachate and biomass self-heating. Measuring the biological reactivity of waste with the help of indicators is an important tool to prevent waste impact. The aim of this study was to develop an index capable of describing the aerobic reactivity of waste, using both biological and chemical indicators. To develop this index, 71 MSW and MSW-product samples, including biologically treated MSW and mechanically separated MSW fractions, were analyzed. Fifty of the 71 samples analyzed represented MSWs and their derived products collected from a number of Italian waste plants and sites. The remaining 21 were MSW samples collected at different times during 8 different full-scale aerobic biological processes in four treatment plants used to reduce the biological reactivity of wastes. Five of these processes used the entire (unsorted) MSW, while the remaining three used the organic fraction of the MSW obtained by mechanical pre-treatment (waste sieving). Respirometric activity (Dynamic Respiration Index, DRI) and eluates characterization (chemical oxygen demand--COD, and 5 days biological oxygen demand--BOD5) were used as indicators of waste strength, as they had previously been reported to be indirect measures of waste impact on landfill. Summarizing all studied indicators, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was used to develop the Putrescibility Index (Ip). The results revealed Ip index of 204+/-33 (mean+/-standard deviation) and 159+/-14 for the organic fraction of MSW and MSW untreated waste respectively, and of 106+/-16 and 101+/-22 for the corresponding biologically treated waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Scaglia
- Dipartimento di Produzione Vegetale - Università degli Studi di Milano - Via Celoria 2, 20133 Milano, Italy
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18
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Lussier SM, da Silva SN, Charpentier M, Heltshe JF, Cormier SM, Klemm DJ, Chintala M, Jayaraman S. The influence of suburban land use on habitat and biotic integrity of coastal Rhode Island streams. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2008; 139:119-36. [PMID: 17564795 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-007-9820-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2006] [Accepted: 05/11/2007] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Watershed land use in suburban areas can affect stream biota through degradation of instream habitat, water quality, and riparian vegetation. By monitoring stream biotic communities in various geographic regions, we can better understand and conserve our watershed ecosystems. The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between watershed land use and the integrity of benthic invertebrate communities in eight streams that were assessed over a 3-year period (2001-2003). Sites were selected from coastal Rhode Island watersheds along a residential land-use gradient (4-59%). Using the rapid bioassessment protocol, we collected biological, physicochemical, habitat, and nutrient data from wadeable stream reaches and compared metrics of structure and integrity. Principal component analyses showed significant negative correlation of indicators for stream physicochemical, habitat, and instream biodiversity with increasing residential land use (RLU) in the watershed. The physicochemical variables that were most responsive to percent RLU were conductivity, instream habitat, nitrate, and dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN). The positive correlation of DIN with percent RLU indicated an anthropogenic source of pollution affecting the streams. The biotic composition of the streams shifted from sensitive to insensitive taxa as percent RLU increased; the most responsive biological variables were percent Ephemeroptera, percent Scrapers, percent Insects, and the Hilsenhoff biotic index. These data show the importance of land management and conservation at the watershed scale to sustaining the biotic integrity of coastal stream ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne M Lussier
- Office of Research and Development, National Health and Environmental Effects Laboratory (NHEERL), Atlantic Ecology Division (AED), US Environmental Protection Agency, Narragansett, RI 02882, USA.
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19
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Megan MH, Nash MS, Neale AC, Pitchford AM. Biological integrity in mid-atlantic coastal plains headwater streams. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2007; 124:141-56. [PMID: 16897520 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-006-9214-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2005] [Accepted: 02/17/2006] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the applicability of using landscape variables in conjunction with water quality and benthic data to efficiently estimate stream condition of select headwater streams in the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plains. Eighty-two streams with riffle sites were selected from eight-two independent watersheds across the region for sampling and analyses. Clustering of the watersheds by landscape resulted in three distinct groups (forest, crop, and urban) which coincided with watersheds dominant land cover or use. We used non-parametric analyses to test differences in benthos and water chemistry between groups, and used regression analyses to evaluate responses of benthic communities to water chemistry within each of the landscape groups. We found that typical water chemistry measures associated with urban runoff such as specific conductance and dissolved chloride were significantly higher in the urban group. In the crop group, we found variables commonly associated with farming such as nutrients and pesticides significantly greater than in the other two groups. Regression analyses demonstrated that the numbers of tolerant and facultative macroinvertebrates increased significantly in forested watersheds with small shifts in pollutants, while in human use dominated watersheds the intolerant macroinvertebrates were more sensitive to shifts in chemicals present at lower concentrations. The results from this study suggest that landscape based clustering can be used to link upstream landscape characteristics, water chemistry and biotic integrity in order to assess stream condition and likely cause of degradation without the use of reference sites. Notice: Although this work was reviewed by EPA and approved for publication, it may not necessarily reflect official Agency policy.
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Hawkins CP. Quantifying biological integrity by taxonomic completeness: its utility in regional and global assessments. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2006; 16:1277-94. [PMID: 16937797 DOI: 10.1890/1051-0761(2006)016[1277:qbibtc]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Water resources managers and conservation biologists need reliable, quantitative, and directly comparable methods for assessing the biological integrity of the world's aquatic ecosystems. Large-scale assessments are constrained by the lack of consistency in the indicators used to assess biological integrity and our current inability to translate between indicators. In theory, assessments based on estimates of taxonomic completeness, i.e., the proportion of expected taxa that were observed (observed/expected, O/E) are directly comparable to one another and should therefore allow regionally and globally consistent summaries of the biological integrity of freshwater ecosystems. However, we know little about the true comparability of O/E assessments derived from different data sets or how well O/E assessments perform relative to other indicators in use. I compared the performance (precision, bias, and sensitivity to stressors) of O/E assessments based on five different data sets with the performance of the indicators previously applied to these data (three multimetric indices, a biotic index, and a hybrid method used by the state of Maine). Analyses were based on data collected from U.S. stream ecosystems in North Carolina, the Mid-Atlantic Highlands, Maine, and Ohio. O/E assessments resulted in very similar estimates of mean regional conditions compared with most other indicators once these indicators' values were standardized relative to reference-site means. However, other indicators tended to be biased estimators of O/E, a consequence of differences in their response to natural environmental gradients and sensitivity to stressors. These results imply that, in some cases, it may be possible to compare assessments derived from different indicators by standardizing their values (a statistical approach to data harmonization). In situations where it is difficult to standardize or otherwise harmonize two or more indicators, O/E values can easily be derived from existing raw sample data. With some caveats, O/E should provide more directly comparable assessments of biological integrity across regions than is possible by harmonizing values of a mix of indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles P Hawkins
- Western Center for Monitoring and Assessment of Freshwater Ecosystems, Department of Aquatic, Watershed, & Earth Resources, Utah State University, Logan 84322-5210, USA.
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Gerth WJ, Herlihy AT. Effect of sampling different habitat types in regional macroinvertebrate bioassessment surveys. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006. [DOI: 10.1899/0887-3593(2006)25[501:eosdht]2.0.co;2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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22
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Dedecker AP, Goethals PLM, D'heygere T, Gevrey M, Lek S, De Pauw N. Application of artificial neural network models to analyse the relationships between Gammarus pulex L. (Crustacea, Amphipoda) and river characteristics. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2005; 111:223-41. [PMID: 16311829 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-005-8221-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2004] [Accepted: 12/23/2004] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed at analysing the relationship between river characteristics and abundance of Gammarus pulex. To this end, four methods which can identify the relative contribution and/or the contribution profile of the input variables in neural networks describing the habitat preferences of this species were compared: (i) the "PaD" ("Partial Derivatives") method consists of a calculation of the partial derivatives of the output in relation to the input variables; (ii) the "Weights" method is a computation using the connection weights of the backpropagation Artificial Neural Networks; (iii) the "Perturb" method analyses the effect of a perturbation of the input variables on the output variable; (iv) the "Profile" method is a successive variation of one input variable while the others are kept constant at a fixed set of values. The dataset consisted of 179 samples, collected over a three-year period in the Zwalm river basin in Flanders, Belgium. Twenty-four environmental variables as well as the log-transformed abundance of Gammarus pulex were used in this study. The different contribution methods gave similar results concerning the order of importance of the input variables. Moreover, the stability of the methods was confirmed by gradually removing variables. Only in a limited number of cases a shift in the relative importance of the remaining input variables could be observed. Nevertheless, differences in sensitivity and stability of the methods were detected, probably as a result of the different calculation procedures. In this respect, the "PaD" method made a more severe discrimination between minor and major contributing environmental variables in comparison to the "Weights", "Profile" and "Perturb" methods. From an ecological point of view, the input variables "Ammonium" and to a smaller extent "COD", were selected by these methods as dominant river characteristics for the prediction of the abundance of Gammarus pulex in this study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andy P Dedecker
- Department of Applied Ecology and Environmental Biology, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, J. Plateaustraat 22, Ghent, Belgium.
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Henny CJ, Kaiser JL, Packard HA, Grove RA, Taft MR. Assessing mercury exposure and effects to American dippers in headwater streams near mining sites. ECOTOXICOLOGY (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2005; 14:709-25. [PMID: 16160750 DOI: 10.1007/s10646-005-0023-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/30/2005] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate mercury (Hg) exposure and possible adverse effects of Hg on American dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) reproduction, we collected eggs and nestling feathers and the larval/nymph form of three Orders of aquatic macroinvertebrates (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Trichoptera = EPT) important in their diet from three major headwater tributaries of the upper Willamette River, Oregon in 2002. The Coast Fork Willamette River is contaminated with Hg due to historical cinnabar (HgS) mining at the Black Butte Mine; the Row River is affected by past gold-mining operations located within the Bohemia Mining District, where Hg was used in the amalgamation process to recover gold; and the Middle Fork Willamette River is the reference area with no known mining. Methyl mercury (MeHg) concentrations (geometric mean) in composite EPT larvae (111.9 ng/g dry weight [dw] or 19.8 ng/g wet weight [ww]), dipper eggs (38.5 ng/g ww) and nestling feathers (1158 ng/g ww) collected from the Coast Fork Willamette were significantly higher than MeHg concentrations in EPT and dipper samples from other streams. Total mercury (THg) concentrations in surface sediments along the same Hg-impacted streams were investigated by others in 1999 (Row River tributaries) and 2002 (Coast Fork). The reported sediment THg concentrations paralleled our biological findings. Dipper breeding territories at higher elevations had fewer second clutches; however, dipper reproductive success along all streams (including the lower elevation and most Hg-contaminated Coast Fork), was judged excellent compared to other studies reviewed. Furthermore, MeHg concentrations in EPT samples from this study were well below dietary concentrations in other aquatic bird species, such as loons and ducks, reported to cause Hg-related reproductive problems. Our data suggest that either dipper feathers or EPT composites used to project MeHg concentrations in dipper feathers (with biomagnification factor of 10-20x) may be used, but with caution, to screen headwater streams for potential Hg-related effects on dippers. When actual feather concentrations or projected feather concentrations are equal to or lower than concentrations reported for the Coast Fork, dippers are expected to reproduce well (assuming adequate prey and suitable nest sites). When Hg concentrations are substantially higher, more detailed investigations may be required. Birds feeding almost exclusively on fish (e.g., osprey [Pandion haliaetus]) and usually found further downstream from the headwaters would not be adequately represented by dippers given the higher MeHg concentrations in fish resulting from biomagnification, compared to lower trophic level invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles J Henny
- USGS-Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
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