Spatial and seasonal variations in benthic algal assemblages in streams in monsoonal Hong Kong

Samples from stone surfaces were collected in pools within four unpolluted hillstreams (two shaded and two unshaded) in monsoonal Hong Kong (lat. 23 degrees N) to elucidate the extent of spatial (within and among streams) and temporal (seasonal) variations in algal biomass and assemblage composition. Sampling continued for over 12 months, incorporating the dry season when streams were at baseflow, and the wet season when spates were frequent. We anticipated that algal biomass would be lower in shaded streams and during the wet season, with associated seasonal differences in assemblage composition or relative abundance of different growth forms (e. g. erect versus prostrate). Benthic chlorophyll a (a proxy for algal biomass) varied among streams from an annual mean of 11.0-22.3 mg m(-2). Dry-season standing stocks were 18% higher than during the wet season when spate-induced disturbance reduced algal standing stocks. Algal biomass varied significantly at the stream scale, but not at the pool scale, and was lower in unshaded streams, where standing stocks may have been limited by high densities of algivorous balitorid loaches (mainly Pseudogastromyzon myersi). An overriding effect of grazers on algal biomass could also have reduced variations resulting from spate-induced disturbance. Significant differences in assemblage composition among streams, which were dominated by diatoms and cyanobacteria (totally 82 taxa) were not systematically related to shading conditions. Seasonal variations in algal assemblages were statistically significant but rather minor, and did not involve major shifts in composition or growth form caused by spate-induced disturbance. The abundance of filamentous cyanobacteria in all the streams may have been due to 'gardening' by balitorid loaches that removed erect or stalked diatoms and favoured cyanobacteria that persist through basal regeneration of filaments. This explanation requires validation through manipulative experiments.

Applicability of the MTT assay for measuring viability of cyanobacteria and algae, specifically for Microcystis aeruginosa (Chroococcales, Cyanobacteria)

Several assay methods were screened for viability assessment in cyanobacteria using Microcystis aeruginosa FACHB 905. Compared with fluorescent diacetate (FDA), Evan's Blue and autofluorescence, the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, which was based on the ability of viable cells to reduce MTT to formazan, was found to be reliable and was selected for further study. MTT concentration, incubation time and temperature were optimized for M. aeruginosa. Improvements to the sensitivity and reproducibility of the MTT assay included performing it in the dark to reduce the effects of formazan light sensitivity when extracted in DMSO. Another improvement involved collecting viability data by cell by counting rather than colourimetrically, which was concluded from the fact that oxidoreductase activity, responsible for MTT reduction, would elevate or decrease under stress conditions. Half-life of oxidoreductase in dead cell was calculated to be 3 h. The MTT assay was also found to be applicable to other cyanobacteria and diatoms, including field samples, but not for algae belonging to Chlorophyta, Euglenophyta, Pyrrophyta or Chrysophyta. Based on the above results, we proposed an optimized procedure for the MTT method on Microcystis strains. The use of this assay may be of importance to better understand the dynamics of bloom and the fate of Microcystis under natural or disturbed conditions.

Post-impoundment biomass and composition of phytoplankton in the Yangtze River

Damming, and thus alteration of stream flow, promotes higher phytoplankton populations and encourages algal blooms (density > 10(6) cells L-1) in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). Phytoplankton composition and biomass were studied in the Yangtze River from March 2004 to May 2005. 107 taxa were identified. Diatoms were the dominant group, followed by Chlorophyta and Cyanobacteria. In the Yangtze River, algal abundance varied from 3.13 x 10(3) to 3.83 x 10(6) cells L-1, and algal biomass was in the range of 0.06 to 659 mg C m(-3). Levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and silica did not show consistent longitudinal changes along the river and were not correlated with phytoplankton parameters. Phytoplankton abundance was negatively correlated with main channel discharge (Spearman r = -1.000, P < 0.01). Phytoplankton abundance and biomass in the Yangtze River are mainly determined by the hydrological conditions rather than by nutrient concentrations.

Food composition and dietary overlap of macroinvertebrates in a shallow eutrophic lake in China: spatial and temporal variations

The present study was conducted in Lake Donghu, a suburban eutrophic lake arising from the middle reaches of the Yangtze River, China. Food composition of 32 taxa of zoobenthos was analyzed from 1251 gut samples. Macroinvertebrate primary consumers ingested mainly detritus, sand grains and diatoms. The predators primarily preyed on rotifers, crustaceans, oligochaetes and chironomid larvae. The dietary overlap was relatively high among collector taxa but low among other macroinvertebrates. Food composition and dietary overlap of macroinvertebrates changed considerably, both spatially and temporally. Food web structure differed between inshore and offshore regions of Lake Donghu. The inshore web was relatively complex and dynamic whereas the offshore web was simple and stable. Taxon-specific changes of diet seem to have little effect on the benthic food web structure in offshore waters of a eutrophic lake.

Benthic algae of the Gangqu River, Shangrila, China

We surveyed the benthic algae at 32 sites in the Gangqu River system during May 2005. Among the 162 different taxa observed, 88.8% were diatoms. Achnanthes linearis and Achnanthes lanceolata var. elliptica were the dominant species, comprising 17.1% and 14.3% of the total relative abundance, respectively.

Detection of extracellular phosphatases in natural spring phytoplankton of a shallow eutrophic lake (Donghu, China)

The species-specific production of extracellular phosphatases in phytoplankton of a subtropical polymictic take was investigated from March to May 2004. Phosphatase activity was detected directly at the site of enzyme action using the enzyme-labelled fluorescence (ELF) technique. Size fractionation of bulk phosphatase activity (PA), concentrations of soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP), chlorophyll a, and phytoplankton composition were determined in parallel. Phosphatase-positive cells were present in every phytoplankton sample; labelled cells were detected in 33 algal taxa, including many chlorophytes, dinoflagellates and some diatoms, but never among cyanobacteria. We recorded an unusual dinoflagellate bloom (Peridiniopsis sp.), of which similar to 25% of the cells were phosphatase-positive. Several populations were partly phosphatase-positive whenever present, while some other species never showed any activity. The production of extracellular phosphatases was not primarily regulated by ambient P concentrations; algae produced these enzymes even if SRP concentrations were high. Moreover, heterotrophic nanoflagellates most probably contributed to the pool of particle-bound PA in some samples.

Changes in the Phytoplankton community of Lake Donghu since the 1980s

The phytoplankton of Lake Donghu was compared between two periods (i.e., 1982-83 and 1999-2001). During 1982-1983, Lake Donghu was characterized by cyanobacterial blooms, very high summer phytoplankton biomass, and a spring clear-water phase. However, during 1999-2001, the lake was dominated by dinophytes and diatoms and had a relatively low phytoplankton biomass and a very turbid state.. Increased stocking of silver carp and bighead carp during the interim years eliminated cyanobacterial blooms and large-bodied daphnids from the lake, creating favorable conditions for growth of the small-sized algae.

Benthic algae of the Xiangxi River, China

From June 2000 to June 2002, four sites on the mainstem of the Xiangxi River and one site on each of its major tributaries were sampled 16 times each for benthic algae. All total, 223 taxa (most to species and variety levels) were found (193 Bacillariophyta, 20 Chlorophyta, nine Cyanophyta and one Xanthophyta). The diatoms Cocconeis placentula, Achnanthes linearis, and Diatoma vulgare dominated the system, with relative abundance of 33.3%, 18.8%, and 6.4%, respectively. The abundances of all the other taxa were under 5%, and 210 taxa collectively contributed less than 1% of the total abundance. Taxa diversity peaked in winter and reached a minimum in summer. Species richness varied considerably but was not significantly different over time. Maximum algal density occurred in later winter/spring (1.4 x 10(9) ind./m(2)) but was not significantly different from the minimum density, which occurred in August. Chlorophyll a showed similar seasonal fluctuation but also was not significantly different over time. Canonical correspondence analysis demonstrated that water hardness, depth, conductivity, and alkalinity had important influences on variation of epilithic algae in the Xiangxi River system.

A survey of the gomphonemaceae and cymbellaceae (Bacillariophyta) from the Jolmolungma Mountain (Everest) region of China

Gomphonemaceae and Cymbellaceae from Jolmolungma Mountain region of China, comprised 79 taxa belonging to five genera. The dominant species were Gomphonema angustatum var. productum, G. gracile var. gracile, G. parvulum var. parvulum, G. hedini, Cymbella aequalis var. pisciculus, C. delicatula, C. cistula, C. cistula var. hebetata, C. cesatii, C. cymbiformis, C microcephala, C. minuta var. minuta., C. minuta var. silesiaca, C. pusilla, C. affinis. Some arctic and alpine forms also occurred, and the following taxa were unique to this region: Cymbella delicatula, C. naviculiformis, C. gracilis, C. minuta var. minuta, C. affinis, C. cistula, C. cymbiformis, C. cistula var. hebetata, C. arctica, Didymosphenia geminata, Gomphonema hedinii, G. olivaceum. Numbers of taxa in each samples varied greatly, It appears that species diversity of diatoms is related not only to macro-environments (e.g., geographic zonation) but also to microenvironments (e.g., microhabitats and microclimates). Cymbella spp. are not only comparatively widespread in the region but also outnumber Gomphonema spp. A large number of species found in the Jolmolungma Mountain region are also found in Tibet and the headwaters of Yangtze River.

Distribution of epilithic algae in the Xiangxi River system and their relationships with environmental factors

The spatial pattern of epilithic algae in the Xiangxi River system was studied in relation to several environmental factors by two-way indictor species analysis (TWINSPAN), detrended correspondence analysis (DCA), and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). Eighty-nine taxa including diatoms, green algae, and blue-green algae were observed. Diatoms were dominant, and Cocconeis placentula, Cymbella minuta, Diatoma vulgare, and Gomphonema angustatum appeared in most of sampling sites. By TWINSPAN and DCA, thirty-one sites were divided into three groups based on composition and relative richness of benthic algae. CCA indicated that SiO2, pH, total phosphorus, Ca2+, velocity, elevation, and Cl- were significant environmental factors affecting the distribution of algae communities. In this minimal subset, SiO2 and pH were the most influential variables.

Floral surveys on Gomphonemaceae and Cymbellaceae (Bacillariophyta) from the headwaters of the Yangtze River, Qinghai, China

Gomphonemaceae and Cymbellaceae from the headwaters of the Yangtze River, Qinghai Province, China, comprised 84 taxa belonging to four genera. The dominant species were Gomphonema kaznakowi Mer., G. hedini Hust., G. olivaceum (Lyngbye) Kutz., Cymbella cistula (Ehr.) Kirchn. var. cistula and C. minuta Hilse ex Rabh. var. minuta. Some arctic and alpine forms also occurred, and the following taxa were unique to this region: C. cistula var. asiatica Mer., C. cistula var. capitata Grun., C. yabe Skvortzow var. punctata Li and Shi, G. olivaceum (Lyngbye) Kutzing var. brevistriatum Li and Shi and G. staurophorum (Pant.) Cleve-Euler var. oblongum Li and Shi. Different morphological forms of G. kaznakowi Mer. may be related to the upheaval of the plateau. Species diversity of the diatoms appears to be related not only to macro-environment (e.g., geographic zonation) but also to microhabitat and microclimate.

九寨沟核心景区湖泊硅藻的组成及其密度与环境因子的关系

九寨沟自然保护区地处四川盆地北部岷山山脉南段，属川西高原气候中的暖温带。保护区内分布着118 个串珠状排列的高山湖泊，核心景区共有湖泊20 个（组），集中在海拔2000 米到3000 米之间。水资源是九寨沟的灵魂，保护水生生态系统是九寨沟生态旅游可持续发展的立足之本。本研究以九寨沟湿地生物多样性保护项目为依托，于2007 年5 月～2008 年4 月对九寨沟核心景区湖泊水体硅藻植物进行调查，分析了其密度与环境因子的相互关系，旨在为九寨沟湖泊生态系统保护提供科学依据和基础资料。主要有以下几点结论： （1）九寨沟硅藻植物丰富，调查统计为2 纲6 目10 科35 属159 种（包括变种和变型），水体硅藻中真性浮游种类较少，着生种类多，羽纹纲的脆杆藻属、舟形藻属、桥弯藻属、异极藻属、曲壳藻属的种类最多，常为优势属组成湖泊硅藻群落，只在长海是小环藻属占绝对优势。 （2）九寨沟水体中硅藻细胞密度不大，多在4×104～30×104 个/L，长海最高，五花海最低。在年变化上，不同的湖泊水体中硅藻的生长高峰季节不尽相同，在夏季、秋末和冬末春初均有可能出现高密度。在空间上，整体看来密度与海拔有一定的正相关，但由于水温不是单一主导因素，密度受多种环境因子影响，在海拔梯度上呈现一定的波浪状变化。 （3）影响九寨沟湖泊水体硅藻细胞密度较重要的环境因子是海拔、水温和pH。硅藻细胞密度年变化幅度大的湖泊水体，年平均细胞密度大。因此，环境因素不太稳定的湖泊水体，更可能出现高的硅藻细胞密度。11 月份响应于水量剧烈的减少，细齿菱形藻大量出现在五彩池成为优势种群，造成水体硅藻细胞密度的大幅增加。 （4）九寨沟湖泊水体水质几乎达到国家地表水I 类标准，但是，硅藻商指数以及代表多样性的Cairns 指数计算的结果不能反映水质的情况，这是由于水质状况不是决定九寨沟湖泊水体中硅藻生存的种类和数量的主要因素。因此在用各种指数分析水质的时候，都应该先判断计算该指数的参数是否主要由水质状况决定，然后再综合理化性质等其他指标分析和比较。 （5）人类的活动对九寨沟湖泊水生态系统有一定的影响。一方面，在低海拔景点人类活动的干扰比海拔高处相对要大，干扰引起低海拔景点湖泊硅藻Cairns指数较高；另一方面，旺季的影响比淡季大，水体中出现了典型富营养种类。因此，应加强低海拔景点和旺季的管理，并限制淡季的人类活动以保证九寨沟生态系统的自我恢复。 Jiuzhaigou nature reserve is located in north Sichuan, at the south section of Minshan Mountain, having a warm temperate climate which belongs to West Sichuan plateau climate. It includes 118 mountain lakes, and 20 of them between 2000 and 3000 altitude degree constitute the core area of Jiuzhaigou. The water is Jiuzhaigou's soul, so it is the basis of sustainable tourism development of Jiuzhaigou to protect the water ecological environment. Research depends on Jiuzhaigou wetland biodiversity protection program in this paper, invested the diatom plants in 17 lakes at the core area from May 2007 to April 2008. The composition and the correlation of diatom density and the environment were studied, which could provide scientific and basic information for the protection of the ecological environment of Jiuzhaigou. The main conclusions were: 1 The diatom species were in abundance, investigation showed that there were 159 species belong to 10 families and 35 genera. Most diatoms were benthos, euplankton were less. Genera Fragilaria, Navicula, Cymbella, Gomphonema and Achnanthes had the most species, which always were the dominant genera. Only in The Long Lake genus Cyclotella possessed a predominant status. 2 The diatom cell density was not very high, always between 4×104 cell/L and 30×104 cell/L, highest in The Long Lake and lowest in The Colorful Lake. In one year's time, diatom in different lakes had different growth type. The maximum could be in summer, late autumn and late winter early spring. The cell density showed a positive correlation to altitude in the whole, but fluctuated in details along altitude because of comprehensive influence by many environmental factors. 3 Altitude, water temperature and pH were the more important factors to determine the cell density. There was a positive correlation between the range of cell density in one year and the average cell density. So high annual cell average density probably will appear in lakes which has an unstable environmental condition. The boom of Denticula elegans in The Jade-Colored Lake in November was corresponding to the large decrease in water quantity. 4 The water quality of Jiuzhaigou was near the National Surface Water Standard rank I, but the Diatom Quotient and the Cairns Index didn't reflect the water quality accordingly. It was because the water quality wasn't the most important factor here which determined the species number and species quantity, so the index based on these items would not reflect it. Therefore, it is recommended that, when we use indices to evaluate the water quality, we should know first whether the water quality is the main determinative factor inflects the items used to compute the indices, and then combined with other chemical indices to analyze and do comparison. 5 The tourists' activities had influenced the water ecosystem of Jiuzhaigou. On the one hand, disturbance was relatively high at the lower altitude, it resulted in higher Cairns index; on the other hand, influence in high season was more severe than in low season, some typical species indicating eutrophication were observed in the water. It is suggested that the management at lower altitude and in high season must be strengthen, and less people activity in low season is necessary to fulfill the recovery of the water ecosystem.

Transforming kelp into a marine bioreactor

The past decade has seen the genetic engineering of various types of seaweed. To date, genetic transformation studies have been carried out in several seaweeds, including the red seaweeds Porphyra, Gracilaria, Grateloupia, Kappaphyclus and Ceramium and the green seaweed Ulva. A genetic transformation model system has been established in the most commonly cultivated seaweed, the brown seaweed Laminaria japonica (kelp), based on the transfer of technology used in land plant transformation and also by modulating the seaweed life cycle. This model showed the potential for application of transgenic kelp to the production of valuable products and an indoor cultivation system for transgenic kelp was proposed, taking into account necessary factors for bio-safety. In this review, the establishment at use of the kelp transformation model is introduced, highlighting the potential for transforming kelp into a marine bioreactor.

Formation and growth of Bryopsis hypnoides lamouroux regenerated from its protoplasts

Tissue culture, SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and spectra analysis were used for studying the aggregation mechanism of protoplasts from Bryopsis hypnoides Lamouroux and the discrepancy between the protoplast-regenerated plants and the wild type. The aggregation of protoplasts from B. hypnoides was observed in natural seawater and artificial seawater with different pH values, and the location and mechanism of the materials causing the aggregation were also studied. Results showed that the protoplasts could aggregate into some viable spheres in natural seawater and subsequently grow into mature individuals. Aggregation of the protoplasts depended exclusively upon the pH value (6-11), and the protoplasts aggregated best at pH 8-9. Some of the extruded protoplasts were separated into two parts by centrifugation: the pellet (PO) and the supernatant (PL). The PO could aggregate in artificial seawater (pH 8.3) but not in PL. No aggregation was found in PO cultured in natural seawater containing nigericin, which can dissipate the proton gradients across the membrane. These experiments suggest that the aggregation of protoplasts is proton-gradient dependent and the materials causing the aggregation were not in the vacuolar sap, but located on the surface or inside the organelles. Furthermore, the transfer of the materials across the membrane was similar to Delta pH-based translocation (Delta pH/TAT) pathway that occurs in the chloroplasts of higher plants and bacteria. Obvious discrepancies in both the total soluble proteins and the ratio of chlorophyll a to chlorophyll b between the regenerated B. hypnoides and the wild type were found, which may be related to the exchange of genetic material during aggregation of the organelles. In the process of development, diatom Amphora coffeaeformis Agardh attached to the protoplast aggregations, retarding their further development, and once they were removed, the aggregations immediately germinated, which showed that diatoms can affect the development of other algae.

Diversity of pigment-protein complexes of photosynthetic organisms.

PS I, PS II and light-harvesting complexes (LHC) in oxygen evolving photosynthetic organisms were reviewed. These organisms include cyanobacteria, red algae, brown algae, diatoms, chrysophytes, dinophytes, xanthophytes, crypophytes, green algae and green plants. The diversity of pigment-protein complexes that fuel the conversion of radiant energy to chemical bond energy was highlighted, and the evolutionary relationships among the LHC structural polypeptides and the characteristics of the fluorescence emission of PS I at 77 K was discussed.