Effects of toxins induced by phytoplankton bloom on physiological function of indicator animals in Anzali Lagoon

The present overview summarizes data from one year's study during the period of 1379 to 1380 in the regions by "Anzali" lagoon called "Abkenar" and "Hendkhale". Specimens from this lagoon obtained weekly during mordad and shahrivar mounths (July 21 to september 21). The study included 67 types of 5 phytoplanktonal phylum. In "Abkenar" region Cyanobacters with maximum of 97% and minimum of 64.5% of total combination of phytoplanktones made the dominating combination during the period of study , while in "hendkhale" chyrsophyta with maximum of 89% and minimum of 38.7% of total phytoplanktonal was the dominating figure at the same period of time. Researches on ecological parameteres showed that the avarage dissolved oxygen in -Abkenar" and "hendlchale" regions was 10.7 and 8.0 mg/lit respectivly, also total rate of Phosphat in these regions was 0.085 and 0.15 mg/lit respectivly. This study showed that the rates of Nitrat and Amonium in "Abkenar" region was 0.043 and 0.79 mg / lit while for the same substances in "Ilendkhale" measured 0.08 and 0.7 mg I lit respective. Also the avarage rate of chlorophyll a in these two areas measured 58,38 and 40.45 j.un /ht respectivly. Depending on results of correlation cofficient in "Abkenar" region we had Cyanobacters , water and air temperature , Chlorophyll a and total amount of Phosphat as a poitive correlation with transparency while Amonium and Nitrat showed , a negative correlation , EC and finally dissolved oxygen showed a very low rate of correlation coffiocient. To perform this research 5 genus of Cyanobacteres horn "Anzali" lagoon have been isolated and cultured in a laboratorial conditions Later by using Mouse Bioassay method one of these genus identified as a toxic algae. Levels of LD50 with intra peritoneal injection of toxin on mouse in 24 hours was 660 mg/kg and Levels of LC50 by using Bioassay method on Artemia and Daphnia has been shown 618 and 1000 mg kg respectively. Also the physiological effects of were investigated. algae on two types of Cypronides family called Cyprinus carpi° and Hypophrthabnichthys Resultes of blood analyses of Cypronides who were feeded by toxic algae showed a significant decline (P < 0.05) in white and red blood cells and their hematocrites. Levels of LDH , SGOT and SGPT in their blood serum had a significant increase in porportion to control group (P < 0.05) but there was no evidance a differences in Total Protein levels. Pathological studies show damage and destruction of hepato pancreas and kidney of these fishes. Signs and symptoms of intoxication caused by Cyanobacter called Planktohrix agardlltii in mouse and fish show heptotoxic character. This toxin belongs to cyclicpeptides of microcystines group.

The survey on biodiversity of phytoplankton in Iranian part of the Persian Gulf

Plankton survey of Persian Gulf was conducted Hormozgan, Bushehr and Khoozestan provinces during 4 seasons in 1998. In generally 244 species were Identified in Iranian area of Persian Gulf that consisted of 124 species of Bacillarophyceae, 114 species of Dinophyceae, 5 species of Cyanophyceae, species of Chrysophyceae and 1 species of Euglenophyceae Result shows that the density and diversity of phytoplankton compare to last years (1976-1977) changed dramaticaly. the density of phytoplankton increased from east to west of Gulf and during the year were observed two major pike in late summer and late winter. Density and diversity of phytoplankton in Koozestan region were more than other rigion. Seasonal average of phytoplankton in Hormozgan, Bushehr and Khoozestan were 1413622, 1440411 and 2237437 number/m3 respectively. Zooplankton had related inversly to phytoplankton where with increasing Zooplankton, decrease in phytoplankton were observed. Phytoplanktonic density and diversity decreas profundly changed slightly during years ago where the blue green algae had prevalent presence at all regions and the diatoms density decreased. Density of phytoplankton increased from surface to depth zom but decreased under it, however at winter incraese of phytoplankton were observed to depth 50 meter. Statistical test shows that density of phytooplankton in different depths and regions has not significantly differences, also the seasonaly denity of phytoplankton had seasonaly significantly differences too. Tuky test and clustering analysis shows that Shanon wiener diversity index at Khoozastan an Bushehr are siginificantly diffrences.

The status and significance of invertebrate communities

Invertebrates constitute a major link in energy flow culminating into fish production in aquatic ecosystems. In tropical water bodies relatively little research has been done on invertebrate ecology especially their role in fishery production. European scientists through periodic expeditions to Africa in the last quarter of the 20th century carried out the earliest research on zooplankton. Rzoska (1957) listed these early workers including Stuhlmann (1888), Weltner (1897) and Mrazek (1897-1898). Daday (1907), Verestchagin (1915) and Delachaux (1917) undertook further work during the early twentieth century. These earlyworks provide a useful basis for tracking community changes by comparison with modem investigations. Worthington (1931) provided the first quantitative account of the zooplankton of Lake Victoria along with information on diurnal vertical migrations, compared to a temperate lake. The establishment of the East African Freshwater Fisheries Research Organisation (EAFFRO) at Jinja in 1947 enabled investigations on the fisheries, algae, invertebrates and water quality aspects of the lake (EAFFRO Annual Reports 1947-1977) to be regularly carried out. Macdonald (1956) made the first detailed observations on the biology of chaoborids and chironomids (IakefJies) in relation to the feeding of the elephant snout fish, Mormyrus kannume. A detailed study of the biology of the mayfly, Povilla adusta Navas with special reference to the diurnal rhythms of activity was carried out by Hartland-Rowe (1957). The search to unravel the ecological role of aquatic invertebrates in the production dynamics of the lake has taken invertebrate research to greater heights through recent investigations including Okedi (1990), Mavut

Potential risks of contaminants with specific reference to mercury

Fresh water and fish are important to the people who live in the Lake Victoria region therefore the quality of the water and fish is of major importance (Johnson & Odada, 1996). It is well known that dirty water and spoilt fish can lead to poor health and lower standards of living, and that quality can be affected by the pollution in the environment. Even though Lake Victoria is very large, it is relatively shallow and the water remains in the lake basin for a long time (Bootsma & Hecky, 1993). There are a number of environmental issues in Lake Victoria, including water hyacinth~over-population and increased farming causing problems with the lake ecosystem. All these factors combine to keep contaminants within the lake for long time, which will lead to gradually increasing concentrations in the lake. Pollution is a term that covers a wide variety of chemicals and physical changes and their adverse effects on the environment. Here we focus on contaminants, which are unwanted chemicals introduced to the environment. Contaminants include a very wide variety of chemicals, both man-made and natural, for example, mercury, pesticides and herbicides, heavy metals, and natural plant and algae toxins. Many contaminants do not always lead to adverse effects immediately, but can gradually induce long-term problems leading to chronic illnesses and physical damage. A few contaminants have very rapid impacts resulting in immediately obvious changes such as death or injury. Sources of contaminants are varied. Contaminants can get in the lake by the way of agricultural treatment of crops near the lake, industrial effluent, intentional introduction such as fish poisoning byfishermen, natural sources such as heavy metals from particular types of rocks, and even some plants naturally release their toxins. Contaminant sources are not always found near Lake Victoria.

Effects of cage fish culture on water quality and selected biological communities in northern Lake Victoria, Uganda

Growing of fish in cages is currently practiced in Uganda and was first introduced in northern Lake Victoria in 2010. An environment monitoring study was undertaken at Source of the Nile, a private cage fish farm, in Napoleon gulf, northern Lake Victoria. In-situ measurements of key environmental (temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and conductivity) and biological (algae, zooplankton, macro-benthos) variables were made at three transects: Transect 1- the site with fish cages (WC); transect 2- upstream of the fish cages (USC-control) and Transect 3- downstream of the cages (DSC). Upstream and Downstream sites were located approximately 1.0 km from the fish cages. Environment parameters varied spatially and temporally but were generally within safe ranges for freshwater habitats. Higher concentrations of SRP (0.015-0.112 Mg/L) occurred at USC during February, September and at DSC in November; NO2-N (0.217- 0.042 mg/L) at USC and DSC in February and November; NH4-N (0.0054- 0.065 Mg/L) at WC and DSC in February, May and November. Algal bio-volumes were significantly higher at WC (F (2,780)=4.619; P=0.010). Zooplankton species numbers were consistently lower at WC with a significant difference compared to the control site (P=0.032). Macro-benthos abundance was consistently higher at the site with cages where mollusks and low-oxygen and pollution-tolerant chironomids were the dominant group. Higher algal biomass, concentration of low-oxygen/pollution-tolerant macro-benthos and depressed zooplankton diversity at WC suggested impacts from the fish cages on aquatic biota.

The diversity and abundance of zooplankton in the Lake Victoria and Kyoga basins and their relationship to fish production

Biological diversity of an ecosystem is considered a reliable measure of the state of health of the ecosystem. In Uganda's large lakes, the Victoria and Kyoga, the past three decades have been characterized by profound changes in fish species composition following the introduction of the piscivorous Nile perch (Oguto-Ohwayo 1990). Over 300 haplochromine cichlid species comprising a wide range of trophic groups were lost along with a host of non-cichlid fishes which occupied virtually all available ecological niches and in the lakes (Witte 1992). A second major ecological event has been the gradual nutrient enrichment of the water bodies (eutrophication) from diffuse and point sources, while at the same time pollutants have also gained entrance into the water systems in pace with indusfrial development and human population increases in the lake basins. Eutrophication and pollution have drastically altered the physical and-chemical character of the water medium in which different fauna and flora thrive. In Lake Victoria these alterations have resulted in changes of algal species composition from pristine community dominated by chlorophytes and diatoms (Melosira etc) to one composed largely of blue-green algae or Cyanobacteria (Microcystis, Anabaena, Planktolyngbya etc) (Mugidde 1993, Hecky 1993).

Aquatic ecology monitoring: water quality, fish, fish catch, sanitation and disease vectors: monitoring no. 10 and reservoir baseline, 23rd – 30th April 2012

The results reported on were from a monitoring survey No. 10 undertaken between 23 rd and 29th April 2012 during construction period of the Bujagali Hydropower Project (BHPP). Two pre-construction, baseline surveys in April 2000 and April 2006 were conducted and so far, during construction phase of the project, nine monitoring surveys have been undertaken i.e. in September 2007, April 2008, April 2009, October 2009, April 2010, September 2010, April 2011, September 2011and the present one, in April 2012. Since 2009 biannual monitoring surveys have been conducted at an upstream and a downstream transect of the BHPP with emphasis on the following aspects: water quality determinants biology and ecology of fishes and food webs fish stock and fish catch including economic aspects of catch and sanitation/vector studies (bilharzias and river blindness) During this survey, baseline assessment of the above mentioned studies was conducted in the reservoir behind the dam, including studies on algae, zooplankton and benthic macroinvertebrates which had been restrained since April 2008. The findings of baseline assessment of the reservoir are also contained in this report and are compared with those obtained from Transect 1(Upstream) and Transect 2 (Downstream).

Technical report on the environmental monitoring of the cage area at the Source of the Nile (SON) Cage Fish Farm for quarter 4: October-December 2015

Source of the Nile (SON) Cage Fish farm is located at Bugungu in Napoleon Gulf, northern Lake Victoria, near the headwaters of the River Nile. NaFIRRI has, through a Public-Private collaborative partnership with SON management, undertaken quarterly monitoring of the cage fish farm since 2011. The objective of the environment monitoring is to track possible environment and biological changes as a result of fish cage operations in the area. The agreed study areas cover selected physical-chemical parameters i.e. water depth, transparency, column temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH and conductivity; nutrient status; and biological parameters i.e. algae, zooplankton, macro-benthos and fish communities. The fourth quarter survey, which is the subject of this report was undertaken during December 2015. Results/observations made are presented in this technical report along with a scientific interpretation and discussion of the results with reference to possible impacts of the cage facilities to the water environment and aquatic biota. The present report presents field observations made for the fourth quarter survey undertaken in December 2015 and provides a scientific interpretation and discussion of the results with reference to possible impacts of the cage facilities to the water environment and the different aquatic biota in and around the fish cage site.

Trophic interrelationships and food-webs among the fishes in ecosystems of the Victoria and Kyoga lake basin

The Victoria and Kyoga lake basins had a high fish species diversity with many fish species that were found only in these lakes. Two Tilapiines species Oreochromis esculentus and Oreochromis variabilis were the most important commercial species in these lakes and were found nowhere else on earth except in the Victoria and Kyoga lake basins (Graham 1929, Worthington 1929). Lakes Kyoga and Nabugabo also had endemic haplochromine species (Worthington 1929, Trewavas 1933, Greenwood 1965, 1966). As stocks of introduced species increased, stocks of most of the native species declined rapidly or disappeared altogether. The study was carried out on Lakes Victoria and Kyoga, River Nile, some selected satellite lakes from the two basins namely Lakes Mburo, Kachera, Wamala, Kayanja, Kayugi, Nabugabo, Victoria, Victoria nile and River Sio(Victoria lake basin). Lakes Kyoga (Iyingo), Nawampasa, Nakuwa, Gigati, Nyaguo, Agu, Kawi and Lemwa (Kyoga lake basin). Species composillon and relative abundance of fishes were estimated by detennining the overall average total number of each species encountered. A trophic consists of species using the same food category. Shannon-Weaver Index of diversity H (Pielou, 1969) and number of trophic groups, were used to estimate the Trophic diversity of various fish species in the lakes. Food analysis has been done on some fishes in some of the sampled lakes and is still going on, on remaining fishes and in some lakes. Generally fish ingested detritus, Spirulina, Melosira, filamentous algae, Planktolyngbya, Microcysists, Anabaena, Merismopedia, Spirogyra, higher plant material, rotifers, Ostracodes, Chironomid larvae and pupae, Choaborus larvae, Odonata, Povilla, Insect remains, Caridina, fish eggs and fish. Eight trophic groups were identified from thes food items ingestes. These included detritivores, algae eaters, higher plant eaters, zooplanktivores, insectivores, molluscivores, prawn eaters, paedophages and piscivores. Trophic diversity by number of trophic groups was highest in Lake Kyoga (6) followed by lakes Kayugi, Nabugabo, River Nile and Mburo (3) and the lowest number was recorded in kachera (2).

Aquatic ecology monitoring: water quality, fish, fish catch, sanitation and disease vectors: monitoring no.12, 25th-30th April 2013

Bujagali hydropower dam construction is now completed and a reservoir behind the dam has been created, extending all the way up to Kalange-Makwanzi, an upstream transects. During the 10th monitoring survey-April 2012, a third transect was established in the mid of the reservoir where it runs up to 30 m deep and sampled similarly as at the two original sampling transects, Kalange-Makwanzi and Buyala-Kikubamutwe for comparative purposes. This monitoring survey No. 12 undertaken between 25th and 30th April 2013 is the third one to be conducted after completion of construction of Bujagali Hydropower Dam. Two pre-construction baseline surveys in April 2000 and April 2006 were conducted and during construction phase, eight monitoring surveys (September 2007, April 2008, April 2009, October 2009, April 2010, September 2010, April 2011, September 2011) were conducted. Since 2009 biannual monitoring surveys have been conducted at an upstream and a downstream transect of the BHPP with emphasis on the following aspects: water quality determinants, biology and ecology of fishes and food webs, fish stock and fish catch including economic aspects of catch and sanitation/vector studies (bilharzias and river blindness). In the post-construction monitoring surveys, the assessments of algae, zooplankton and benthic macro-invertebrates which had been restrained since April 2008 were also included.

Report of the baseline survey undertaken on the Chinese cage site in Napoleon Gulf, Northern Lake Victoria, 12 March 2012

The government of the People's Republic of China through a 2007 agreement with the Government of the Republic of Uganda, has establishment of an Agricultural Technology Demonstration Center (ATDC). The first phase covering the building of aquaculture infrastructure at Kajjansi ARDC is complete and the second operation phase has started in which facilities for cage culture have been set up in the Napoleon gulf, northern Lake Victoria near Jinja. The cage facility is aimed at boosting fish farming within the lake as a diversification to the traditional pond fish culture technology. NaFIRRI scientists as well as Chinese experts undertook a baseline survey in the chosen cage site on 12 March 2012. The survey covered determination of water depth, water transparency, measurement of selected physical-chemical parameters (temperature,dissolved oxygen, conductivity and pH; determination of the nutrient status and study of algae, invertebrate and fish communities at the site. Materials and methodologies used in the survey were based on the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of NaFIRRI. The study area was divided into three study sites. Site 1 (upstream) was at 8.9 metre depth while site 2 (proposed cage site) and site 3 (downstream) were 6 and 4.3 metres deep respectively. Water transparency was lowest at site 1 (1.58 m) and highest at site 3 (1.64 m). Dissolved oxygen at the three sites ranged from 6.0 to 8 mg/I. Water temperature profiles fluctuated within narrow limits between 26.5 and 27.5 DC. Measurements of pH were between 7 (neutral) and 8 (alkaline) while electrical conductivity was between 98 and 101 uS/em. These observed physical-chemical parameters at the study site were considered suitable for cage fish rearing purposes. Nitrite-nitrogen levels varied within narrow limits from 0.043 to 0.0453 mgtl. Similarly, Ammonia-nitrogen varied between 0.015 and 0.0185 mg/1. Soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) level was highest at site 3 (O.012mgll) compared to that at sites 1 and 2 (0.009mgll). Total suspended solids (TSS) were higher at site 1 (83.3mgll), thereafter decreasing to lower levels at sites 2 (24.8mgtl) and 3 (19.8mgl) respectively. The nutrient level results observed here all fall below the maximum permissible limits by NEMA and therefore the site is recommended for cage culture The algal community was constituted by four major groups: Blue greens,Greens, Cryptophytes, and Diatoms with blue greens as the common and dominant group. High algal biomass (19944961 ugtL) of the dominant blue green algae was observed at site 1 compared site 2 and 3 (58655.2 & 27487. 7 ugtL) respectively. Occurrence of toxicin producing algae: microsytis and cylindrospermopsis in the proposed cage area was considered to be of not much significance as their concentrations were below harmful levels. However, monitoring their presence, biomass and seasonality will be critical in order to follow when and where they occur and at what time of the year for ease of management of the cages

The feeding of three commercially important fish species in Lake Chilwa, Malawi

The diets of the three species of fish that predominate in the Lake Chilwa fishery are described in relation to various parameters using a semi-quantitative method of analysis of the digestive tract contents. Barbus paludinosus Peters fed during the day on zooplankton, non-filamentous green algae and some higher plant material; small fish fcd predominately on zooplankton but with increasiug size the diet was more varied. Clarias mossambicus Peters fed throughout the day and night and had a highly varied diet with fish becoming the major food item in large fish, Tilapia shirana chilwae Trewawas fed mainly during the day on higher plant material, filamentous green algae and zooplankton; smaller fish fed predominately on zooplankton. The importance of flexibility in the diet of the three fish species is stressed.

Preliminary observations on the feeding of Tilapia nilotica Linn. in Lake Rudolf

Tilapia nilotica is commercially very important throughout the Ethiopian region including the major rivers in West Africa, the Chad basin, the Nile and its associated lakes. The Tilapia fishery of Lake Rudolf is at present small, but potentially important, particularly on the eastern shores of the lake where fishing intensity is low. Preliminary results from observations on the feeding of Tilapia nilotica in Lake Rudolf are presented. The fish exhibit a regular diurnal feeding rhythm, commencing between 05.00 hours and 08.00 hours and ceasing between 14.00 hours and 18.00 hours. The largest fish appear to feed longer. Quantitative estimates of the daily food intake indicate less material to be ingested than by populations in other lakes. The lysis of algae, intestinal pH and food material are also investigated.

Plankton identified in stomach contents of Oreochromis niloticus (Pisces, Cichlidae) and the water system of Lakes Edward, George, and Kazinga channel - Uganda

The samples were collected from Lake Edward at Rwenshama, Kisenyi and Katwe, and from Lake George at Mahyoro, Kashaka and Kasenyi and in Kazinga Channel at Katunguru. The organisms identified from the water samples obtained irrespective of station or depth were mainly the phytoplankton (diatoms, blue-green algae and green algae). Of the phytoplankton, blue green-algae were the most abundant both in quantity and number of species especially in L. George. In order of importance were Microcystis spp, Planktolyngbya spp and Anabaenopsis spp were the dominant blue greens. Diatoms and green algae were present but less abundant. The estimated proportions of different types of phytoplankton identified in O. niloticus stomach contents indicate that bluegreen algae were the most abundant followed by the diatoms and green algae.