Distribution of Oreochromis niloticus (L.) in the Ugandan waters of Lake Victoria

The Lake Victoria fish fauna was dominated by cichlids before the establishment of the exotic species Oreochromis niloticus (L.) and Latus niloticus (L.). With the alterations in the ecology of Lake Victoria, changes may be expected to occur in the population dynamics of the fish species. In two zones of Lake Victoria, the size structure, distribution and abundance, condition factors, length-weight relationship and sex ratios of O. niloticus were determined. Larger fish were found in zone II than in zone III, where very few larger fish were recorded. More O. niloticus were caught in zone III, especially in Itome Bay, than in zone II but catch by weight was greater in zone II. More males than females were encountered in both zones. Oreochromis niloticus had similar condition factors in both zones.

Some observations on the behaviour of plankton in waters discharged by the lakes [Translation from: Ost.bot.Zeit 103(1), 98-109, 1955]

This information is based on the limnological observations of the very interesting and remarkable discharge of the Lunzer Obersee, (1117m). On journeying towards the Mittersee, the Lunzer Obersee discharge takes on all the characteristics of spring-water; it was found to be of interest to take note of the change of the composition of the water on those stretches of the course where it flows shows the ground. For this purpose it was necessary to take temperature-recordings, chemical examination of the water and a quantitative determination of the plankton. Samples were taken in 1954 of zooplankton at different times of the year at the discharge of the lake and analysed. The significant loss of organisms in the way of discharge is discussed.

The content of organic matter in some waters in the Moscow region [Translation from: C.R. Acad. Soc. URSS, 61, 293-296, 1948]

There is at the moment no direct method of determining the organic matter content of natural waters. In 1940/41 8 different water bodies in central Russia were studied and their organic matter identified. The author concludes that there is currently no easy method to determine organic matter in water. A number methods need to be applied.

Optical properties of the organic substances from aqueous humus surface waters. [Translation from: Gidrochim. Mat. 23, 31-35, 1955]

Dissolved organic matter, especially turf and peat, is repsonsible for the colouration of water. The reported study tried to determine the nature of the colouring agent or organic matter by the establishment of a relationship between the intensity of colouration and the total organic matter content. 44 waters from different sources were examined.

Stock assessment of Lates niloticus (L.), Oreochromis niloticus (L.) and Rastrineobola argentea (Pellegrin) using fisheries-dependent data from Tanzania waters of Lake Victoria

Three commercially important fish species, Lates niloticus (L.), Rastrineobola argentea (Pellegrin) and Oreochromis niloticus (L.) that are fished by artisanal fishermen of Lake Victoria, Tanzania part, were studied in Kagera, Mwanza and Mara beaches from October 1997 to July 1999. Catches, effort, exploitation and stock structure were investigated. Beaches for sampling were selected based on importance for landing the above named fish species. The number of boats found on beach that day, the number that lay idle and their means of propulsion were recorded. As many boats as possible were sampled for gear type and gear size. The catches were sorted into species and measured. Variation in the species and size composition of landings was observed between regions, between months and between gears used. The implications of the findings to management are discussed.

Nitrates in surface waters, inputs and seasonality: Progress report for the period April - December 1987

The objective of this short project progress report is to investigate, in a catchment on which earlier nitrate data are available for comparison, seasonality and budgets, in relation to land use, of nitrate inputs, concentrations and loads. Sampling was undertaken from 1984-87 in the River Frome catchment and data on nitrate concentrations analysed.

Nitrates in surface waters, inputs and seasonality: Phase 2

Changes in management practices and agricultural productivity over the past twenty years have lead to nitrate pollution and eutrophication of lakes and rivers. Information on nitrate concentrations and discharge has been collected on the River Frome at East Stoke since 1965, using the same analytical nitrate method so that the results are comparable. These records of weekly spot values of nitrate concentration and daily mean discharges have been analysed for trends and seasonal patterns in both concentration and nitrate loadings. In this extension of our nitrate contract, a new automated method of intensive sampling has been used to monitor short-term variability and to assess how well similar routine (weekly) sampling schemes can represent the true nitrate record.

Hydrobiological service for observations and control of surface waters in the USSR

Technological progress, having reached in our time an unprecedented speed, is still increasing the rate of mineral extraction, industrial construction, and the mastering of new kinds of energy is growing. Correspondingly the anthropogenic load on the biosphere is increased and that requires the comprehensive development of monitoring the anthropogenic changes in the natural environment. Among problems resulting from the scientific-technological development, a noticeable place is given to the problem of pure water. Surface land waters proved to be a sensitive link in the natural environment. The hydrobiological service for observations and control of the surface waters is one of the subsystems of the State/Federal Service for Observations and Control of pollution levels in environmental objects, conducted by the USSR State Committee for Hydrometeor- ology and Control of the Natural Environment. This paper summarises the the main principles of the organisation and goals of the national system of monitoring of the state of the natural environment in the USSR.

Petroleum hydrocarbons in fresh waters: a preliminary desk study and bibliography

A literature survey was carried out into the effects of petroleum hydrocarbons in freshwater, from the toxicity, biodegradability and concentration aspects. It was supplemented by a selective search on hydrocarbons in the marine environment for comparison. The aim was to determine the major inputs of these hydrocarbons, their accumulation, effects and fate in freshwaters. The search was confined to the period 1965-1978. The bibliography contains 390 references, divided by subject.

Use of macroinvertebrate communities to detect environmental stress in running waters

This paper presents an account of some current uses of RIVPACS (River Invertebrate Prediction and Classification System), a software package developed by the Institute of Freshwater Ecology (UK). Background information is also given on the unique data-set on which the system is based. Before discussing RIVPACS, we consider the range of environmental stresses encountered in flowing-water systems and some of the ways in which stresses may affect macroinvertebrate communities. The wide application and relevance of the RIVPACS approach was recognised when it was chosen as the biological method for use throughout the UK in the 1990 River Quality Survey (RQS). In the concluding section we list some lessons learnt both from the 1990 survey and from our own testing exercise, and we outline current developments which will lead to a new version of RIVPACS for use in the 1995 RQS.

From the individual to the community and beyond: water quality, stress indicators and key species in coastal waters

This review examines water quality and stress indicators at levels of organisation from the individual to the community and beyond by means of three case studies concentrating on rocky shores within the north-east Atlantic. Responses of dogwhelks (Nucella) to tributyltin pollution from antifouling paints is examined as the main case study. There are effects at the individual level (development of male sexual characteristics in the female leading to effective sterility) and population level (reduction in juveniles, few females and eventual population disappearance of dogwhelks in badly contaminated areas) but information on community level effects of dogwhelk demise is sparse. Such effects were simulated by dogwhelk removal experiments on well studied, moderately exposed ledges on shores on the Isle of Man. The removal of dogwhelks reduced the size and longevity of newly established Fucus clumps that had escaped grazing. Removal of dogwhelks also increased the likelihood of algal escapes. In a factorial experiment dogwhelks were shown to be less important than limpets \{Patella) in structuring communities but still had a significant modifying effect by increasing the probability of algal escapes. Community level responses to stress on rocky shores are then explored by reference to catastrophic impacts such as oil spills, using the Torrey Canyon as a case study. Recovery of the system in response to this major perturbation took between 10-15 years through a series of damped oscillations. The final case study is that of indicators of ecosystem level change in response to climate fluctuations, using ratios of northern \{Semibalanus balanoides) and southern (Chthamalus spp.) barnacles. Indices derived from counts on the shore show good correlations with inshore sea-water temperatures after a 2-year lag phase. The use of barnacles to measure offshore changes is reviewed. The discussion considers the use of bioindicators at various levels of organisation.

Biogeography of bacterioplankton in inland waters

Bacteria are among the most abundant groups of organisms. They mediate key ecological processes. Recent molecular advances have provided greater insight into bacterial diversity as well as allowing a more thorough examination of patterns in the spatial and temporal distribution of bacteria. Thus, the study of bacterial biodiversity and biogeographical distribution has stimulated considerable interest and dispute over the last decade. This review summarises the findings obtained from studies on the biogeography of bacterioplankton in inland waters. We examine factors and processes that may determine and maintain bacterial diversity and biogeography, and relate these to the theoretical metacommunity framework. We conclude that the importance of local environmental factors (such as lake character) for local bacterioplankton community compositions (BCC) is much more intensively studied than the importance of regional factors, such as dispersal. Further, few attempts have been made to evaluate simultaneously the relative importance of the two types of factors for BCC. Finally, we summarise gaps in knowledge, delineate challenges and put forward possible future research directions.

The diversity and ecological role of protozoa in fresh waters

Protozoa feed on and regulate the abundance of most types of aquatic microorganisms, and they are an integral part of all aquatic microbial food webs. Being so small, aerobic protozoa thrive at low oxygen tensions, where they feed (largely unaffected by metazoan grazing) on the abundance of other microorganisms. In anaerobic environments, they are the only phagotrophic organisms, and they live in unique symbiotic consortia with methanogens, sulphate reducers and non-sulphur purple bacteria. The number of extant species of protozoa may be quite modest (the global number of ciliate species is estimated at 3000), and most of them probably have cosmopolitan distributions. This will undoubtedly make it easier to carry out further tasks, e.g. understanding the role of protozoan species diversity in the natural environment.

Analysis of stream waters in the catchment of Lake Windermere (1975-1978), England [Dataset]

This dataset provides raw data of chemical analyses made during studies on seasonal variations of some major ions in the stream water of the catchment of Lake Windermere in Cumbria. Measurements of sodium, calcium, potassium, magnesium, chloride ions and pH were taken at 37 stations in the catchment between 1975 and 1978.

Activity patterns of Kemp's ridley turtles, Lepidochelys kempii, in the coastal waters of the Cedar Keys, Florida

Radio and sonic telemetry were used to investigate the tidal orientation, rate of movement (ROM), and surfacing behavior of nine Kemp's ridley turtles, Lepidochelys kempii, tracked east of the Cedar Keys, Florida. The mean of mean turtle bearings on incoming (48 ± 49 0) and falling (232 ± 41 0) tides was significantly oriented to the mean directions of tidal flow (37±9°, P<0.0025, and 234±9 0, P<0.005, respectively). Turtles had a mean ROM of 0.44±0.33 km/h (range: 0.004-1.758 km/h), a mean surface duration of 18± 15 s (range: 1-88 s), and a mean submergence duration of 8.4± 6.4 min (range: 0.2-60.0 min). ROM was negatively correlated with surface and submergence durations and positively correlated with the number of surfacings. Furthermore, ROMs were higher and surface and submergence durations were shorter during the day. Daily activities of turtles were attributed to food acquisition and bioenergetics.