Preliminary evaluation of an<i>in vivo</i>fluorometer to quantify algal periphyton biomass and community composition

Harris, Theodore D.; Graham, Jennifer L.

doi:10.1080/10402381.2015.1025153

Cited by 21 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…S1f). In total, only 0.7% of periphyton biomass measurements in our experiments were above 4 lg cm 22 , the reported upper threshold for unbiased and accurate BT performance (Harris and Graham 2015;Echenique-Subiabre et al 2016). Because of the strong correlations observed and the low number of measurements potentially affected by the instrument accuracy, we concluded that the BT provided accurate estimates of autotroph biomass and present only BT-based data hereafter.…”

Section: Comparison Of Bt-and Hplc-based Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 66%

“…We measured periphyton biomass in the field using an in situ deployable fluorometer (BenthoTorch, bbe Moldaenke GmbH, Schwentinental, Germany). This instrument is designed for rapid quantification of biomass of benthic autotrophs based on in vivo chlorophyll a fluorescence at 690 nm, and for assessment of community composition by discrimination of diatoms, green algae, and cyanobacteria based on the fluorescence of marker pigments with fluorescent signatures at 470 nm, 525 nm, and 610 nm (bbe Moldaenke ; Harris and Graham ). Studies that examined the accuracy and sensitivity of the BenthoTorch (BT) suggested it as a useful tool for examining patterns over sites and time (Harris and Graham ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This instrument is designed for rapid quantification of biomass of benthic autotrophs based on in vivo chlorophyll a fluorescence at 690 nm, and for assessment of community composition by discrimination of diatoms, green algae, and cyanobacteria based on the fluorescence of marker pigments with fluorescent signatures at 470 nm, 525 nm, and 610 nm (bbe Moldaenke ; Harris and Graham ). Studies that examined the accuracy and sensitivity of the BenthoTorch (BT) suggested it as a useful tool for examining patterns over sites and time (Harris and Graham ). The accuracy of BT measurements was found to decline with BT Chl a concentrations >4 μg cm −2 (Harris and Graham ; Echenique‐Subiabre et al ), when discrepancies were found in the relative percentages of different groups obtained by the BT and the results obtained by standard laboratory procedures such as spectrophotometric determination of Chl a and analysis of biovolume with a microscope (Kahlert and Mckie ; Harris and Graham ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Studies that examined the accuracy and sensitivity of the BenthoTorch (BT) suggested it as a useful tool for examining patterns over sites and time (Harris and Graham ). The accuracy of BT measurements was found to decline with BT Chl a concentrations >4 μg cm −2 (Harris and Graham ; Echenique‐Subiabre et al ), when discrepancies were found in the relative percentages of different groups obtained by the BT and the results obtained by standard laboratory procedures such as spectrophotometric determination of Chl a and analysis of biovolume with a microscope (Kahlert and Mckie ; Harris and Graham ). We took eight 1‐cm 2 BT measurements of undisturbed periphyton for each tile, distributed across the tile surface.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Artificial light at night decreases biomass and alters community composition of benthic primary producers in a sub‐alpine stream

Grubisić

Singer

Bruno

et al. 2017

Limnology & Oceanography

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Artificial light at night (ALAN) is recognized as a contributor to environmental change and a biodiversity threat on a global scale. Despite its widespread use and numerous potential ecological effects, few studies have investigated the impacts on aquatic ecosystems and primary producers. Light is a source of energy and information for benthic autotrophs that form the basis of food webs in clear, shallow waters. Artificial night-time illumination may thus affect biomass and community composition of primary producers. We experimentally mimicked the light conditions of a light-polluted area (approximately 20 lux, white LED) in streamside flumes on a sub-alpine stream. We compared the biomass and community composition of periphyton grown under ALAN with periphyton grown under a natural light regime in two seasons using communities in early (up to 3 weeks) and later (4-6 weeks) developmental stages. In early periphyton, ALAN decreased the biomass of autotrophs in both spring (57% at 3 weeks) and autumn (43% at 2 weeks), decreased the proportion of cyanobacteria in spring (54%), and altered the proportion of diatoms in autumn (11% decrease at 2 weeks and 5% increase at 3 weeks). No effects of ALAN were observed for later periphyton. Further work is needed to test whether streams with frequent physical disturbances that reset the successional development of periphyton are more affected by ALAN than streams with more stable conditions. As periphyton is a fundamental component of stream ecosystems, the impact of ALAN might propagate to higher trophic levels and/or affect critical ecosystem functions.

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Section: Comparison Of Bt-and Hplc-based Measurementsmentioning

confidence: 66%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Artificial light at night decreases biomass and alters community composition of benthic primary producers in a sub‐alpine stream

Grubisić

Singer

Bruno

et al. 2017

Limnology & Oceanography

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“…In a study of 24 subarctic oligotrophic Swedish streams, Kahlert and McKie (2014) demonstrated that biomass did not significantly differ between conventional laboratory methods and measures from a BenthoTorch. Harris and Graham (2015) also showed that the BenthoTorch compared reasonably well with laboratory measurements for relative measures of chlorophyll-a, but differences in absolute concentrations and periphyton biomass existed due to thick filamentous algal systems. However, the BenthoTorch does not account for variability in cell size and the presence of non-chlorophyll biomass in estimating the proportion of different algal groups, and is, therefore, unable to distinguish redfluorescing algal chlorophyll from that of other algal groups (Kahlert and McKie 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 69%

Hyperspectral analysis of algal biomass in northern lakes, Churchill, MB, Canada

2019

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A hyperspectral approach to quantify algal biomass was studied across 30 shallow ponds in the Hudson Bay Lowlands near Churchill, MB. Normalized difference algal indices (NDAI) were calculated based on hyperspectral measurements of the reflectance collected on shore with a hand-held spectrometer in parallel to estimations of biomass with an in vivo fluorometer designed for benthic algae. Algal biomass and coarse assemblages were differentiated through their spectral reflectance as a demonstration of concept for future upscaling that would be necessary for regional monitoring using remote sensing technology. Results indicated strong agreements between the calculated NDAI for measured reflectance from each pond and that of the isolated benthic zone. Cyanobacteria were the dominant component of the algal community for most ponds. As such, measures of reflectance and use of simple NDAIs may be able to characterize the total biomass of northern ponds. However, the distinction between algal groups may require independent validation of algal assemblages for estimations beyond total biomass. Nonetheless, hyperspectral analysis could provide a strong potential for monitoring northern freshwater systems at a regional scale.

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Risk Assessment of Gypsum Amendment on Agricultural Fields: Effects of Sulfate on Riverine Biota

Rantamo

Arola

Aroviita

et al. 2021

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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Gypsum (CaSO 4 •2H 2 O) amendment is a promising way of decreasing the phosphorus loading of arable lands, and thus preventing aquatic eutrophication. However, in freshwaters with low sulfate concentrations, gypsum-released sulfate may pose a threat to the biota. To assess such risks, we performed a series of sulfate toxicity tests in the laboratory and conducted field surveys. These field surveys were associated with a large-scale pilot exercise involving spreading gypsum on agricultural fields covering 18% of the Savijoki River (Finland) catchment area. The gypsum amendment in such fields resulted in approximately a four-fold increase in the mean sulfate concentration for a 2-month period, and a transient, early peak reaching approximately 220 mg/L. The sulfate concentration gradually decreased almost to the pregypsum level after 3 years. Laboratory experiments with Unio crassus mussels and gypsum-spiked river water showed significant effects on foot movement activity, which was more intense with the highest sulfate concentration (1100 mg/L) than with the control. Survival of the glochidia after 24 and 48 h of exposure was not significantly affected by sulfate concentrations up to 1000 mg/L, nor was the length growth of the moss Fontinalis antipyretica affected. The field studies on benthic algal biomass accrual, mussel and fish density, and Salmo trutta embryo survival did not show gypsum amendment effects. Gypsum treatment did not raise the sulfate concentrations even to a level just close to critical for the biota studied. However, because the effects of sulfate are dependent on both the spatial and the temporal contexts, we advocate water quality and biota monitoring with proper temporal and spatial control in rivers within gypsum treatment areas.

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Preliminary evaluation of anin vivofluorometer to quantify algal periphyton biomass and community composition

Cited by 21 publications

References 9 publications

Artificial light at night decreases biomass and alters community composition of benthic primary producers in a sub‐alpine stream

Artificial light at night decreases biomass and alters community composition of benthic primary producers in a sub‐alpine stream

Hyperspectral analysis of algal biomass in northern lakes, Churchill, MB, Canada

Risk Assessment of Gypsum Amendment on Agricultural Fields: Effects of Sulfate on Riverine Biota

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