Growth and nutrient uptake by two species of Elodea in experimental conditions and their role in nutrient accumulation in a macrophyte-dominated lake

Ozimek, Teresa; Donk, E. Van; Gulati, R. D.

doi:10.1007/978-94-011-1602-2_2

Cited by 37 publications

(41 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…Further research regarding the cell structure of the plant is needed to identify potential uses derived from the content of cellulose in the biomass. The rich elemental composition of E. nuttallii associated with its high capacity for nutrient uptake [30,31] can generate water quality problems due to the release of nutrients in autumn when the plants decay [10]. By periodically harvesting the plant, these nutrients are extracted from the water, thus controlling eutrophication and quality problems.…”

Section: Potential Use Of E Nuttallii As a Fertilizermentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential uses of Elodea nuttallii-harvested biomass

et al. 2011

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Elodea nuttallii (PLANCH) St. John, an aquatic plant native to North America, shows invasive traits outside of its area of origin. In Europe, the plant has spread rapidly in water bodies. In Germany, the massive occurrence of E. nuttallii restricts recreational activities on lakes. Massive occurrences of E. nuttallii have been managed up to now by harvesting the plant and disposing of the biomass as organic waste, which results in high maintenance costs for lake administrators. Alternative uses to the disposal of the biomass were investigated. Analyzing the components and elemental composition of E. nuttallii samples from nine lakes in Germany, several potential uses were identified, such as the use of E. nuttallii biomass as a co-substrate with maize silage for biogas generation. Other potential applications, such as biochart production, soil amelioration, and energy recovery of feedstock chars in combustion plants, were identified from a hydrothermal carbonization process. The presence of β-sitosterol in E. nuttallii, which is used in the treatment of enlarged prostates, indicates a pharmaceutical use. Even though the elemental composition of E. nuttallii biomass contains the elements of a complete fertilizer, this particular use is not recommended given its slow decomposition in soil. The most feasible alternative identified was the use of E. nuttallii biomass as a co-substrate for biogas generation in combination with maize silage. The mixing of E. nuttallii with maize silage to facilitate storage and short distances between biogas plants and lakes with massive occurrence of E. nuttallii are important factors for its applicability.

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Section: Potential Use Of E Nuttallii As a Fertilizermentioning

confidence: 99%

Potential uses of Elodea nuttallii-harvested biomass

et al. 2011

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“…Regardless of this characteristic attribute and of their now overlapping geographical distributions (cf. Simpson 1984;Nichols & Shaw 1986;Ozimek et al 1993;Thiébaut et al 1997;Thiébaut & Muller 1999;Barrat-Segretain 2001), E. nuttallii and M. spicatum rarely co-occur in the same community (Clarke & Wharton 2001). Most reports of the effects of E. nuttallii on macrophytes have been based on experiments under laboratory conditions (Simpson 1990;James et al 1999;Barrat-Segretain 2005;).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial pattern of native species Myriophyllum spicatum and invasive alien species Elodea nuttallii after introduction of the latter one into the Drava River (Slovenia)

Grudnik

Germ

2013

Biologia

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Invasive alien species Elodea nuttallii was introduced into the Drava River (Slovenia) in 2007. The spatial distribution of native macrophyte species Myriophyllum spicatum and the invasive alien species E. nuttallii was studied in two impoundments, HPP Vuhred and HPP Mariborski otok in the years 2009, 2010 and 2011. The very heterogeneous environment of the Drava River had resulted in dynamic and non-uniform distributions of E. nuttalli and M. spicatum in both impoundments. The distribution of E. nuttalli was shown to be suppressed in river stretches exposed to great turbulence. It had, however, successfully invaded areas with gentle slope of littoral, low exposition to main water flow and muddy sediment and prevailed against the native species M. spicatum. The latter was more abundant than E. nuttallii in stretches exposed to higher flow velocity. Thus, the competitive success of M. spicatum and E. nuttallii depended on environmental conditions. Our results lead to the prediction that E. nuttallii will increase further in the river Drava, causing serious economic problems.

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“…Together with traits such as high growth and photosynthetic rates under a broad range of chemical and physical parameters, or adaptation to low light intensities (Jahnke et al, 1991;Dendène et al, 1993;Jones et al, 1993;Ozimek et al, 1993), allelopathic interference with algae and cyanobacteria might allow Elodea to become invasive. Whether also direct allelopathic effects towards macrophytes at least partially account for the displacement of native species, is not clear.…”

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confidence: 99%

Allelopathic activity of Elodea canadensis and Elodea nuttallii against epiphytes and phytoplankton

2006

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Elodea nuttallii and Elodea canadensis have both been introduced from North America to Europe. They are now common in many water bodies where they often form dominating stands. It was suggested that negative relationships between Elodea and phytoplankton or epiphytic covers exist, probably due to the release of growth inhibiting allelochemicals. This would be an effective strategy to avoid light limitation caused by algae and cyanobacteria. We investigated the allelopathic potential of both E. nuttallii and E. canadensis against different photoautotrophs, focussing on epiphytic algae and cyanobacteria isolated from different submersed macrophytes and culture strains. Methanolic extracts of both species inhibited the growth of most of these organisms. Only a culture strain of Scenedesmus brevispina was stimulated. Further separation of extracts yielded several active fractions, indicating that hydrophilic and slightly lipophilic compounds were responsible for growth reduction. At least some of the activity seems to be related to phenolic substances, but flavonoids in these species are inactive. Since growth declined also in a moderately lipophilic fraction of culture filtrate of E. nuttallii, we assume that active compounds were exuded in the water. Allelopathy might thus be relevant in situ and suppress cyanobacteria and algae. We furthermore found differences in the susceptibility of target organisms, which could (1) at least partly be a result of adaptation to the respective host plants and (2) indicate that allelopathic interference might reduce the abundance of some species, especially cyanobacteria, in epiphytic biofilms. #

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Growth and nutrient uptake by two species of Elodea in experimental conditions and their role in nutrient accumulation in a macrophyte-dominated lake

Cited by 37 publications

References 7 publications

Potential uses of Elodea nuttallii-harvested biomass

Potential uses of Elodea nuttallii-harvested biomass

Spatial pattern of native species Myriophyllum spicatum and invasive alien species Elodea nuttallii after introduction of the latter one into the Drava River (Slovenia)

Allelopathic activity of Elodea canadensis and Elodea nuttallii against epiphytes and phytoplankton

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