Freshwater biology and water supply in Britain

This paper is designed to give a general account of freshwater biology as it bears on waterworks practice. Most water that is used for consumption will commonly go through a storage reservoir. Here special reference is given to the biological relations in standing waters, the biological control of water supplies, methods of plankton estimation, the biology of slow sand filtration and the use of algicides.

Trapping success and population analysis of Siren lacertina and Amphiuma means

Siren and Amphiuma are two poorly known genera of aquatic salamanders that occur in the Southeastern United States. A primarily bottom-dwelling existence makes these salamanders difficult to detect with conventional sampling methodologies. Therefore, the current status of their populations is unknown. I compared the capture success of modified crayfish traps and plastic minnow traps in capturing these salamanders. In addition, a mark-recapture study of S. lacertina (Greater siren) and A. means (Two-toed amphiuma) was conducted at Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (southern Georgia) and at Katharine Ordway Preserve (north-central Florida) from August 2001 until September 2002. Crayfish traps were much more successful than minnow traps in catching siren and amphiuma. Crayfish traps yielded 270 captures for an overall capture success of 16%, whereas minnow traps yielded only 13 captures for an overall success rate of 0.05%. In addition, several marking techniques were evaluated, and of these, only passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags were retained for the duration of the study. Therefore, I recommend this marking technique for long-term monitoring of S. lacertina and A. means. Several variables were found to have significant effects on capture rates of salamanders. A. means were most often captured in summer and the number of captures was positively correlated with water temperature, water level, and rainfall. S. lacertina were most often captured during winter and spring. Number of captures was negatively correlated with water temperature, while no relationship was found with water level or rainfall. Trap day and baiting had no significant effect on number of A. means or S. lacertina captured. Recapture probabilities of both species were low, 0.025-0.03 for S. lacertina and 0.08-0.11 for A. means. Monthly survival rates were high, 0.77-0.97 for A. means and 0.88-1.00 for S. lacertina. Density estimates of 1.3 salamanders/m2 (S. lacertina) and 0.28 salamanders/m2 (A. means) were obtained for Lake Suggs using Jolly-Seber models. Siren and amphiuma make up a substantial part of wetland biomass and can impact many other wetland species. Thus, more attention must be focused on evaluating and monitoring their populations.

Marine biology of the Sierra Leone River Estuary. 1. The physical environment

The Sierra Leone River Estuary is a relatively young drowned river valley, it is shallow except for a deep channel which passes close to the Freetown shoreline. The upper reaches merge into a network of creeks and channels fringed by large areas of mangrove swamps. It is a tidal estuary of the semi-mixed type with the saline oceanic water entering it on a diurnal cycle. The climate of Sierra Leone is marked by a very distinct change between a very wet rainy season and a dry season. The tidal range of the Estuary (spring 3.03m; neap 2.28m) does not impede normal use of the harbour. The tidal variations can be felt as far as 42 miles inland along the water courses of the Sierra Leone River and its tributaries. The volume of fresh water entering the Estuary is large during the rainy season and greatly reduced during the dry season. Consequently there is a marked fall in salinity during the rainy season and higher salinities due to the marine influence prevailing during the dry season. The nature of the shores and bottom, the hydrography and chemistry of the estuarine system have been outlined in relation to the prevailing climatic conditions.

The relationship between aquatic macrophytes and water quality in Nta-Wogba Stream, Port Harcourt, Nigeria

An empirical survey of macrophytes distribution and biomass from four stations, along Nta-wogba stream in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, was conducted between April and December 2007, to quantify the relationship between biomass, in stream nutrients and dissolved ions. The correlation analysis indicated that the biomass of the aquatic macrophytes under consideration, Einochloa pyramidalis; Diplazum sammatii; Cyperus difformis; Alternathera sessilis and Ludwigia decurrens were significantly (P<0.05) related to the nutrients: sulphate, ammonium; nitrate, and phosphate in all the stations. The measurement of total dissolved solid, which is correlated to ionic concentrations and turbidity, provided a rough indication of in stream light availability.

Macrophytes aquatiques dans les eaux "continentales" ivoiriennes

Inventory and socio-economic impacts of water weed are presented. Free-floating species (Eichhornia crassipes, Pistia strationes) floating leaves plants (Nymphaea lotus, Polygonum senegalense) as well as emerged species such as Echinochloa pyramidalis and Nelumbo nucifera are the most common species in the concerned aquatic environments. These plants have been colonizing these environments for about a decade and the colonized area are equivalent to 70 % of the whole of the water surface. Besides, these plants strongly affect water quality and constitute a nuisance for water uses.

Synopsis de la classification des larves et des nymphes de diptères chironomidae des ecosystèmes dulçaquicoles de l'Afrique de l'Ouest: clés de détermination des sous-familles, des tribus et des genres

Synopsis of this numerically very important Diptera category, which is dominant and consequently of relevance in most aquatic environments.

Synthèse des travaux effectués au CRO sur les végétations envahissantes flottantes (1985-1990). Propositions et recommandations

The present document represents a synthesis of the scientific knowledge gathered by the CRO in the years 1985-1990, and related to the proliferation of aquatic macrophytes, commonly called floating aquatic weeds, in the Ebrié lagoon.

Contribution à l'étude des modifications hydro-sédimentaires consécutives à la réouverture artificielle de l'embouchure du Comoé à Grand-Bassam

The Bassam artificial inlet was opened (in September 22, 1987) in order to revacuate offshore invasive aquatic plants. This has considerably modified the hydro-sedimentary environment of the lagoonal domain at Grand-Bassam. Tidal currents effect has confered the lagoonal waters an estuarine feature, the saline intrusion (25-35%o) increased beyond the Moossou bridges up to the confluence of the Comoe river. This has led to a cleaning of the river lower course and above all to the bottoms of the lagoon, which were previously confined. The remobilization of mud (from lagoonal bottoms around Bouet Island) evacuated offshore, has exposed lagoonal and oceanic sandy features. This new system remains fragile, with the seasonal (low river-flow) clogging.

Incidences de la modification de la circulation des eaux sur l'hydrochimie et le degré de contamination bacterienne d'un estuaire eutrophe tropical

In order to control the proliferation of floating aquatic vegetation in Côte d'Ivoire, a coastal inlet, allowing a direct communication between the Comoe river and the ocean, was created in September 1987. The impact of this operation on the hydrochemistry (salinity, nutrients, algal biomass) and the bacterial contamination level was studied in the area close to the Vridi canal.

Communication mer-lagune: impact d'une réouverture sur l'ichtyofaune de la lagune Ebrié (Côte d'Ivoire)

The artificial reopening of the lagoon inlet, made in Grand-Bantam in September 1987 in order to reduce the aquatic weeds proliferation, induced some environmental and fish communities alterations in the eastern part of the Ebrié lagoon (Côte d'Ivoire). A preliminary field survey made in May 1988 shows an increase in the salinity rate and an increase of the marine component among fish communities, when compared to the former ecological state of this lagoon area (reference data of 1980 and 1981).

Catalogue des ennemis naturels des macrophytes flottants Pistia stratiotes, Salvinia molesta et Eichhornia crassipes

We identified from bibliographical review and field observations fourty two species composed essentially of molluscs and insects. These animals attack floating plants such as E. crassipes, P. stratiotes and S. molesta. They indifferently consume or destroy the aquatic plants except N. bruchi, N. eichhorniae and S. albiguttalis which specifically attack E. crassipes. N. putchellus, L. guinaicus and P. africana graze preferably P. stratiotes; C. salviniae, C. singularis and P. acuminata consume only Salvinia molesta.

Biology and Management of the American Shad and Status of the Fisheries, Atlantic Coast of the United States, 1960

This paper summarizes current information on the American shad, Alosa sapidissima, and describes the species and its fishery. Emphasis is placed on (1) life history of the fish, (2) condition of the fishery by State and water areas in 1960 compared to 1896 when the last comprehensive description was made, (3) factors responsible for decline in abundance, and (4) management measures. The shad fishery has changed little over the past three-quarters of a century, except in magnitude of yield. Types of shad-fishing gear have remained relatively unchanged, but many improvements have been made in fishing techniques, mostly to achieve economy. In 1896 the estimated catch was more than 50 million pounds. New Jersey ranked first in production with about 14 million pounds, and Virginia second with 11 million pounds. In 1960 the estimated catch was slightly more than 8 million pounds. Maryland ranked first in production with slightly more than 1.5 million pounds, Virginia second with slightly less than 1.4 million pounds, and North Carolina third with about 1.3 million pounds. Biological and economic factors blamed for the decline in shad abundance, such as physical changes in the environment, construction of dams, pollution, over-fishing, and natural cycles of abundance, are discussed. Also discussed are methods used for the rehabilitation and management of the fishery, such as artificial propagation, installation of fish-passage facilities at impoundments, and fishing regulations. With our present knowledge, we can manage individual shad populations; but, we probably cannot restore the shad to its former peak of abundance.

Aspects of the biology and population dynamics of freshwater mussels in Lake Kariba and Lake McIlwaine

The essential aim of this study was to provide a broad foundation of biological knowledge upon which a programme of mussel utilization and management could be built. Results of the study are presented in three main sections. Part 1 describes the stock of Lake Kariba and Lake McIlwaine; part 2 describes various aspects of the breeding biology of the three species; and part 3 presents the results of morphological, biochemical and age analyses - aspects which are used for initial standing crop and production calculations. The final discussion concludes the thesis with a general examination in ecological terms of the factors which have influenced the development and nature of the mussel faunas of the two lakes under consideration.