An in situ pulse light fluorometer for chlorophyll determination as a monitor for vertical and horizontal phytoplankton distribution in lakes

Methodological problems with in vivo, fluorescence (IVF) measurement using an in situ pulse light fluorometer were investigated in order to validate this method for monitoring the vertical and horizontal chlorophyll a (chl. a) distribution in lakes. The correlation between chl. a and IVF was poor in the upper epilimnion (0-5 m) of a mesotrophic lake. The IVF of algal cultures and natural phytoplankton is very sensitive to changes in the light environment. The response of the IVF to rapid light fluctuations depends on the amplitude of the light intensity and the light conditions to which the algae were exposed before the onset of light fluctuations. The variability of the ratio IVF:chl. a concentration makes a permanent calibration of the IVF against chl. a necessar

Periphyton metabolism along a nutrient gradient in a desert river (Truckee River, Nevada, USA)

Abstract.: Periphyton metabolism was studied at five sites along a 70km unshaded stretch of the Truckee River below the City of Reno, Nevada (USA). Sites differed with respect to concentrations of soluble reactive phosphorus and total dissolved inorganic nitrogen because a water pollution control facility discharged its treated wastewater through a small tributary into the river downstream of site 1 (most upstream located site). Unglazed tiles were incubated at each site from late June to August (summer) and from September to November (autumn) 1986. At the end of each incubation period, oxygen metabolism of the periphyton communities growing on tiles was measured in transparent flow-through respiration chambers for 24h under near natural light and temperature conditions. In August, when biomass and metabolism were positively correlated with nitrogen and phosphorus, mean chlorophyll a ranged from 53 (site 1) to 290mgchl a m−2 (site 2, 3km downstream of the wastewater input). Periphyton gross primary production varied between 3.3 ± 0.8 (site 1) and 9.1 ± 1.4 g O2 m−2d−1 (site 2), and respiration between 2.1 ± 0.4 and 10.1 ± 1.3 g O2 m−2d−1. P/R ratios ranged from 0.9at site 2 to 1.8 about 65km downstream from the wastewater input. In November, chlorophyll a was significantly higher (99 ± 29 to 509 ± 155mg chl a m−2 and gross primary production and respiration on average 50 and 65% lower, respectively, than in August. Hence, colder temperatures appeared to reduce respiration more than primary production and significantly increased P/R. Neither gross primary production nor respiration were correlated with autumn nutrient concentration

Aquatic plant management: ecological effects in two streams of the Swiss Plateau

Effects of plant removal on habitat conditions, stream metabolism and benthic invertebrates were studied in two macrophyte-rich streams (Chriesbach, Mühlibach) of the Swiss Plateau. We monitored a control reach (no treatment) and two impact reaches (removal of plants by cutting or dredging) in each stream. Sampling was conducted during a 2-4 month period before and a 9 month period after the removal of 84-94% of the plant biomass. Oxygen concentrations were continuously recorded for 3-4 months. Plant removal decreased water depth and increased current velocity. The total number of invertebrates decreased by about 65%. Plant cutting mainly affected taxa that used macrophytes as habitat. Highly mobile taxa and taxa living on or within the bed sediment were less affected. Invertebrate densities recovered within 4-6 months. The removal of plants resulted only in a moderate increase in nocturnal oxygen concentrations. In the stream where plants were cut in spring, macrophytes recovered within the same growing season. In the other stream, where plant growth started later, plants were cut in summer and no recovery of plants occurred until the following sprin

Effects of a multi-year experimental flood regime on macroinvertebrates downstream of a reservoir

We examined the response of stream macroinvertebrates to a multiple-year experimental flood regime downstream of a large reservoir. Benthic samples were collected from the River Spöl prior to the initial flood (1999) and at periodic intervals before and after eight floods from 2000 through 2002. Three artificial floods occurred each in 2000 and 2001, and two floods were implemented in 2002. We also sampled macroinvertebrates in an adjacent tributary (Val da l'Aqua) on the same dates as in the Spöl to assess the natural temporal variability in assemblage structure. The regulated baseflow discharge in the Spöl was 40 m3/s for a short period. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated that the floods significantly reduced macroinvertebrate densities in the Spöl, although recovery to pre-flood densities occurred within a matter of weeks to densities found in 1999. A principal components analysis revealed that assemblage composition shifted in response to the recurring floods, first from 1999 to 2000 and then from 2000 to 2001/2. Taxa that decreased in abundance due to the floods included the Gammaridae (Gammarus fossarum) and Turbellaria (Crenobia alpina). Taxa that increased in abundance included Baetidae, Chironomidae, and Simuliidae. Some Plecoptera, Trichoptera, and Heptageniidae that were negatively impacted by the floods in 2000, subsequently increased in abundance. Our data suggest that the response of macroinvertebrates to experimental floods occurs over a period of years rather than months, as species composition adjusts to the new and more variable habitat template. Future changes are expected as additional species begin to colonize the river from adjacent sources. The results clearly show that the experimental flood regime should be maintained if resource managers wish to sustain the development of a more natural macroinvertebrate assemblag

Longitudinal effects of experimental floods on stream benthos downstream from a large dam

We examined the longitudinal effects of 3 experimental floods on seston, periphyton, and macroinvertebrates in a regulated river downstream from a large reservoir in the Swiss Alps. In addition, suspended organic sediments, in conjunction with conductivity and turbidity, were measured during each flood. Three study reaches were selected downstream from the reservoir: an Upper site ca 150 m, a Middle site at 1.2 km, and a Lower site at 2.3 km from the dam. The Upper site was located upstream of any significant source of sediments. No flood effect was observed on water temperature, although river temperatures and diel amplitudes increased progressively downstream from the dam. Most organic sediments were mobilized and transported within the first few hours of each flood, with the pulse in sediments typically occuring later (after peak discharge) and being more prolonged at the Lower site. Turbidity generally decreased during the flood season, perhaps in response to lower amounts of fines and reductions in periphyton biomass. Seston concentrations (as chlorophyll a and AFDM) were lowest at the Upper site, and typically decreased following each flood. The flood response in seston was lowest at the Upper site and more pronounced at the Middle and Lower sites. Periphyton biomass also was lowest at the Upper site, and the flood effects were significant only in the Middle and Lower sites. In contrast, macroinvertebrate densities were similar between the Upper and Lower sites, and both sites exhibited a similar response to the floods. These results indicate a longitudinal response of river benthos to flooding below the reservoir that partly reflects the examined benthic constituent (periphyton or zoobenthos) and the longitudinal differences in the degree and type (e.g., flow in combination with sediment mobility and scouring) of disturbanc

Environmental heterogeneity affects input, storage, and transformation of coarse particulate organic matter in a floodplain mosaic

Quantifying spatial and temporal dynamics of organic matter (OM) is critical both for understanding ecosystem functioning and for predicting impacts of landscape change. To determine the influence of different habitats and coarse particulate OM (CPOM) types upon floodplain OM dynamics, we quantified aerial input, lateral surface transfer, and surface storage of CPOM over an annual cycle on the near-natural floodplain of the River Tagliamento in NE-Italy. Using these data, we modelled floodplain leaf dynamics, taking account of the spatial distribution and hydrologic connectivity of habitats, and using leaf storage as a response variable. Mean aerial CPOM input to the floodplain was similar from riparian forest and islands, but surface transfer was greater from islands, supporting the suggestion that these habitats act as "islands of fertility” along braided rivers. Leaves were the lateral conveyor of energy to more open parts of the floodplain, whereas CPOM was mainly stored as small wood in vegetated islands and riparian forest. Simulating the loss of habitat diversity (islands, ponds) decreased leaf storage on the whole floodplain, on exposed gravel and in large wood accumulations. In contrast, damming (loss of islands, ponds and floods plus floodplain overgrowth) greatly increased storage on exposed gravel. A random shuffle of habitats led to a storage increase on exposed gravel, while that in large wood accumulations and ponds declined. These results disentangle some of the complexities of CPOM dynamics in floodplain ecosystems, illustrate the value of models in understanding ecosystem functioning at a landscape level, and directly inform river management practic

Thermal Heterogeneity in River Floodplains

River floodplains are composed of a shifting mosaic of aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Each habitat type exhibits distinct environmental and ecological properties. Temperature is a key property driving ecological processes and controlling the composition and distribution of biota. However, given the size and complexity of floodplains, ground surveys based on point measurements are spatially limited. In this study, we applied thermal infrared (IR) imagery to quantify surface temperature patterns at 12-15min intervals over 24h cycles in two near-natural Alpine river floodplains (Roseg, Tagliamento). Furthermore, vertical temperature distribution was measured at 3-5min intervals in unsaturated gravel sediment deposits (at 1cm distances; 0-29cm depth). Each habitat type exhibited a distinct thermal signature creating a complex thermal mosaic. The diel temperature pulse and maximum daily temperature were the main thermal components that differentiated habitat types. In both floodplains, exposed gravel sediments exhibited the highest diel pulse (up to 23°C), whereas in aquatic habitats the pulse was as low as 11°C (main channel in the Roseg floodplain). In the unsaturated gravel sediment deposits, the maximum diel kinetic temperature pulse ranged from 40.4°C (sediment surface) to 2.7°C (29cm sediment depth). Vertically, the spatiotemporal variation of temperature was about as high as horizontally across the entire floodplain surface. This study emphasized that remotely sensed thermal IR imagery provides a powerful non-invasive method to quantitatively assess thermal heterogeneity of complex aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems at a resolution required to understand ecosystem processes and the distribution of biot

Heat and Moisture Relevant In Situ Measurements in a Railway Passenger Vehicle Driving through the Swiss Alpine Region

Transportation is a major sector of energy consumption in most, if not in all, European countries. Besides the energy used for traction, energy is also consumed for ventilation, heating, and cooling inside the vehicles to assure traveler comfort. This issue gains increasing importance as the demand for public transport increases in the future. There is a need for retrofit to improve the thermal resistance of the envelope of existing vehicles to reduce the heat loss to the environment during the cold period of the year, especially in the Alpine region. A major concern in adding insulation material to the envelope is the possibility of convective moisture transfer due to air circulation in the vehicle, which would cause condensation accumulation on the cold surfaces. The present investigation addresses this topic by measuring surface and air temperature, air moisture, air flow, and heat flow at several critical locations of a vehicle during its travel in the Swiss Alpine region over several months during the cold period of the year. Temperature measurements showed the potential of reducing the heat losses in some parts of the vehicle. The level and duration of the moisture exposure did not suggest a relevant formation of condensation in the cross-section of the vehicle wall. The observed increase in relative humidity when driving through tunnels is too short to cause relevant condensation in the vehicle shell. The measured low air flow justifies the assumption that no forced convection occurs in the envelope cavities

A comparison of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages among different types of alpine streams

SUMMARY 1. Benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages were compared among a diverse array of firstorder alpine tundra streams of the Swiss Alps. 2. A principal components analysis separated sites into three main groups: rhithral streams, rhithral lake outlets, and kryal sites including outlets and streams. Rhithral streams contained the most diverse and taxon rich assemblages, being colonised by both non-insect taxa and Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera and Diptera. 3. Rhithral lake outlets supported high densities of non-insect taxa such as Oligochaeta, Nemathelminthes and crustaceans. Despite low taxon richness, kryal sites had high Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera abundances. Chironomidae were most common at all sites. 4. Collector-gatherers were dominant at all sites, whereas filter-feeders were rare. Scrapers and shredders were more common in streams than lake outlets. 5. Water temperature and algal standing crops were higher at rhithral lake outlets than rhithral streams, perhaps providing more favourable habitat for non-insect taxa. Glacial runoff was the dominant factor influencing macroinvertebrate assemblages of kryal streams and kryal lake outlets. Alpine lakes influenced the environmental conditions of their outlets and, consequently, their macroinvertebrate assemblages unless being constrained by a glacial influence