Metal toxicity inferred from algal population density, heterotrophic substrate use, and fatty acid profile in a small stream
The purpose of this study was to examine relations between metal concentrations in periphyton and the abundance of algal species, heterotrophic use of 95 carbon sources, and phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) of the periphyton in a small stream spanning a mine in Lemhi County, Idaho, USA. Two upstream two mine, and two downstream sites were examined. Elevated concentrations of As and Cu at the mine sites were associated with communities that were depleted of diatoms and filamentous blue-green algae and characterized by a low-diversity community dominated by a single blue-green alga and patchy populations of the diatom Achnanthidium minutissimum and a filamentous green alga. Carbon source use and PLFA profiles provided a rapid assessment of stream conditions that were consistent with algal taxonomy and with the hypotheses constructed from previous reports on periphyton responses to metal stress.
- Research Organization:
- Johnson State Coll., VT (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-94ID13223
- OSTI ID:
- 20080475
- Journal Information:
- Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Vol. 19, Issue 4; Other Information: PBD: Apr 2000; ISSN 0730-7268
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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