Changes in flora down a stream showing a zinc gradient

Say, P. J.; Whitton, Brian A.

doi:10.1007/bf00006217

Cited by 50 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…These diatom species are commonly found in many acid habitats, including acid mine drainage, and van D a m et al (1981) suggest that E. exigua may be the most metal-tolerant diatom. For example, Eunotia exigua was found by Say & Whitton (1980) in Gillgill Burn, England, a stream contaminated with high concentrations of Z n from a nearby abandoned lead mine; by Hargreaves et al (1975), in several acidic English streams; and by Warner (1971) in an acid minedrainage-contaminated stream in West Virginia, U.S.A. Eunotia tenella was the dominant algal species in the reach of Lynx Creek adjacent to an abandoned copper mine in Arizona, U.S.A. (Lampkin & Sommerfield, 1982). Bennett (1969) found Eunotia [enella was abundant in mine-contaminated streams in West Virginia, U.S.A.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The ecological effect of acid conditions and precipitation of hydrous metal oxides in a Rocky Mountain stream

1984

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Periphyton and benthic invertebrate assemblages were studied at the confluence of two Rocky Mountain streams, Deer Creek and the Snake River near Montezuma, Colorado. Upstream from the confluence the Snake River is acidic and enriched in dissolved trace metals, while Deer Creek is a typical Rocky Mountain stream. In the Snake River, downstream from the confluence, the pH increases and hydrous metal oxides precipitate and cover the streambed. The algal and benthic invertebrate communities in the upstream reaches of the Snake River and in Deer Creek were very different. A liverwort, Scapania undulata var. undulata, was abundant in the Snake River, and although periphyton were very sparse, there were as many benthic invertebrates as in Deer Creek. Downstream from the confluence, the precipitation of hydrous metal oxides greatly decreased the abundance of periphyton and benthic invertebrates. This study shows that in streams metal precipitates covering the streambed may have a more deleterious effect on stream communities than high metal-ion activities.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…undulata, in the entire upstream reach of the Snake River. This species of liverwort also was found by Say & Whitton (1980) in Gillgill Burn, England. Scapania appears to be growing in iron-oxide precipitate accumulated between rocks of the streambed in the Snake River.…”

Section: Periphytonmentioning

confidence: 91%

The ecological effect of acid conditions and precipitation of hydrous metal oxides in a Rocky Mountain stream

1984

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“…However it is clear that with no active rehabilitation measures, dissolved heavy metal concentrations, particularly zinc, had remained high in this system for 54 years. Similarly persistent concentrations of heavy metals have been observed in Cornwall, south-west Britain (Gower et al, 1994) and in northern England (Armitage, 1980;Say and Whitton, 1980;Abel and Green, 1981;Patterson and Whitton, 1981).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Long‐term changes in macroinvertebrate communities of a heavy metal polluted stream: the river Nent (Cumbria, UK) after 28 years

Armitage

Bowes

Vincent

2007

River Research & Apps

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The macroinvertebrate fauna of the river Nent, a heavy metal polluted upland stream in northern England, first surveyed in 1976, was re-examined in 2004 to assess long-term changes in relation to activities in the catchment which have included, a river restoration project, works associated with the development of a mine heritage site and the removal of a chicken farm and more effective organic pollution control measures. The degree of change between years in total abundance, numbers of taxa and community composition varied considerably between sites. Two tributary sites showed marked changes between years due to a reduction in acidity in one and changed substratum in the other but in the main river no significant difference in total taxa and total abundance was observed between years, although seasonal differences were significant. Multivariate community analyses grouped 1976 samples with those taken in 2004 but revealed a clear separation between upper and lower Nent sites. This observed difference may be related to increased algal cover in the lower sites in conjunction with geomorphological features of the lower Nent. Environmental assessment methodology River Invertebrate Prediction and Classification System (RIVPACS) identified 'sensitive' faunal groups and indicated that the extensive impact of zinc pollution in the main river has remained practically the same between 1976 and 2004. This persistence of community structure despite the heavily disturbed nature of the river is attributed to relative constancy in instream habitat conditions. The recent activities in the catchment have had little effect on the overall controllers of faunal communities in this system, zinc concentrations and geomorphological characteristics of the stream. However, further disturbances involving movement of spoil heaps and channel alterations in the upper catchment may increase both sediment and heavy metal loadings to the river.

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“…The most common response is a shift in the community composition toward species more tolerant to metals, such as Achnanthes minutissima and Gomphonema parvulum (Say & Whitton, 1980;Foster, 1982) or Nitzschia frustulum (Moore, 1981). On the other hand, sensitive diatoms, like Melosira varians, tend to disappear.…”

Section: Nutrientsmentioning

confidence: 97%