Periphyton

The first comprehensive monograph on periphyton, this book contains contributions by scientists fromaround the globe. Multi-disciplinary in nature, it covers both basic and applied aspects of periphyton,and is applicable worldwide in natural, extensive and intensive managed systems.Periphyton, as described in this book, refers to the entire complex of attached aquatic biota on submergedsubstrates, including associated non-attached organisms and detritus. Thus the periphyton communitycomprises bacteria, fungi, protozoa, algae, zooplankton and other invertebrates. Periphyton is importantfor various reasons: as a major contributor to carbon fixation and nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems;as an important source of food in aquatic systems; as an indicator of environmental change. It can alsobe managed to improve water quality in lakes and reservoirs; it can greatly increase aquaculture production;it can be used in waste water treatment.The book provides an international review of periphyton ecology, exploitation and management. Theecology part focuses on periphyton structure and function in natural systems. The exploitation part coversits nutritive qualities and utilization by organisms, particularly in aquaculture. The final part considersthe use of periphyton for increasing aquatic production and its effects on water quality and animal healthin culture systems. This book will help scientists and entrepreneurs further understand the ecology andproduction of aquatic systems and venture into new and promising areas.

Periphyton: Functions and Application in Environmental Remediation presents a systematic overview of a wide variety of periphyton functions and applications in environmental remediation, providing readers with an understanding of the biological/ecological features of periphyton, the methodology of their study, and their application in environmental conservation. With increases in environmental stress, anthropogenic impacts, and the global decline in biodiversity, there is a pressing need for methods to assess and improve environmental quality that are rapid, reliable, and cost-effective. Periphyton is an important component of benthic communities and plays a crucial role in the functioning of microbial food webs. Because of a number of advantages, such as a short lifecycle, relative immobility, more rapid responses to environmental stress and anthropogenic impact than any metazoa, ease of sampling, availability of taxonomic/molecular identification, and standardized methodologies for temporal/spatial comparisons, there has, in recent decades, been an increased interest in periphyton as a tool in biological conservation in aquatic ecosystems. Presents case studies that help readers implement similar ecological designs Focuses on the function of periphyton in remediating destructed ecosystems Provides readers with an understanding of periphyton in practice, especially the value of periphyton in enhancing environmental and ecosystem qualities Discusses the role of periphyton in purifying water and its effect on abiotic elements

Proceedings of the First International Workshop on Periphyton of Freshwater Ecosystems, held in Växjö, Sweden, 14-17 September, 1982

The primary productivity of a phyco-periphyton community in a spring fed pond was studied using the carbon-14 method, the oxygen method, and the rate of biomass increase. The contribution of the phyco-periphyton amounted to 79% of the total productivity of the spring, and the contribution remained high during all seasons. The annual mean rate of biomass increase was 108 mg of dry weight/m2 of substrate/day and the annual mean rate of productivity was 472 mg C/m2 of water surface/day by the oxygen technique, and 320 mg C/m2 of water surface/day using the carbon-14 technique. The rate of productivity shows a linear relationship with light and there does not appear to be any photo-inhibition of productivity similar to the surface inhibition phenomenon in phytoplankton. The explanation may be due to "self-shading" and physiological adjustment to intense light. The oxygen method, carbon-14 method, and rate of biomass increase all produced comparable productivity estimates. The rate of biomass increase on glass slides gave best results with short exposures and gravimetric estimates of biomass increase. Intense sunlight lowers the concentration of phytopigments in the phyco-periphyton, particularly when growing on glass slides. The species diversity of the diatom community is less affected by lower light conditions than other algal components of the phyco-periphyton. The bacterial slime stage is not necessary in the succession of the phyco-periphyton in this pond, and the niche may be occupied by the diatoms Frustulia and Eunotia. The succession stages in this biotope were diatoms, followed by desmids, and finally filamentous green and blue green algae