Abstract
The use of certain methods and techniques of periphyton research has been evaluated in connection with the study of periphyton on nymphaeid aquatic plants. Separation techniques explored are based on a combination of mechanical and chemical forces, on enzymatic action and on the chelating activity of EDTA. Mechanical separation by the application of superficial film is treated apart, because it is the only technique conserving the original pattern of periphyton. The means used to examine periphyton in situ consist of bleaching, epifluorescence and scanning electron microscopy.
In the end, it is concluded that not one of the techniques is fully satisfactory. However, a combination of techniques may provide sufficient data to obtain an overall picture of species composition, microdistribution and architecture of a periphyton community.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Allanson, B. R., 1973. The fine structure of the periphyton of Chara sp. and Potamogeton natans from Wytham Pond, Oxford, and its significance to the macrophyte-periphyton metabolic model of R. G. Wetzel & H. L. Allen. Freshwat. Biol. 3: 535–541.
Allen, T. F., 1973. A microscopic pattern analysis of an epiphyllous tropical alga, Phycopeltis expansa Jennings. J. Ecol. 61: 887–899.
Booth, W. E., 1981. A method for removal of some epiphytic diatoms. Bot. mar. 24: 603–609.
Bowen, S. H., 1979. Determinants of the chemical composition of periphytic detrital aggregate in a tropical lake (Lake Valencia, Venezuela). Arch. Hydrobiol. 87: 166–177.
Carter, C. C., 1982. A technique for direct microscopic observation of periphyton assemblages on aquatic macrophytes. J. aquat. Pl. Mgmt 20: 53–56.
Cattaneo, A. & J. Kalff, 1978. Seasonal changes in the epiphyte community of natural and artificial macrophytes in Lake Memphremagog (Que. & Vt.). Hydrobiologia 60:135–144.
Chave, K. E., 1965. Carbonates: association with organic matter in surface seawater. Science (Wash.) 148: 1723–1724.
Cooksey, K. E., 1981. Requirement for calcium in adhesion of a fouling diatom to glass. Appl. envir. Microbiol. 41: 1378–1382.
Delbecque, E. J. P., 1983. A comparison of the periphyton of Nuphar lutea and Nymphaea alba. The distribution of diatoms on the undersides of floating leaves. In R. G. Wetzel (ed.), Periphyton of freshwater ecosystems. Dev. Hydrobiol. 17: 41–47.
Delbecque, E. J. P. & M. A. H. C. Chatrou,1983. A comparison of the periphyton of Nuphar lutea and Nymphaea alba. The distribution of multicellular algae and Vorticella spp. on the undersides of floating leaves. In J. F. M. Geelen (ed.), Proc. int. Symp. aquat. Macrophytes, Nijmegen, 1983. Fac. Sci., Nijmegen: 57–62.
Den Boef, G., 1968. Theoretische grondslagen van de analyse in waterige oplossingen. Agon Elsevier, Amsterdam, Brussel, 122 pp.
Den Hartog, C., 1982. Architecture of macrophyte-dominated aquatic communities. In J. J. Symoens, S. S. Hooper & P. Compère (eds.), Studies on aquatic vascular, plants. R. bot. Soc. Belgium, Brussels: 222–234.
Eminson, D. & B. Moss, 1980. The composition and ecology of periphyton communities in freshwaters 1. The influence of host type and external environment on community composition. Br. Phycol. J. 15: 429–446.
Golterman, H. L., R. S. Clymo & M. A. M. Ohnstad (eds.), 1978. Methods for physical and chemical analysis of fresh waters. I.B.P. Handbook 8. 2nd Edn. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford: 69–73.
Gons, H. J., 1982. Structural and functional characteristics of epiphyton and epipelon in relation to their distribution in Lake Vechten. Hydrobiologia 95: 79–114.
Gough, S. B. & W. J. Woelkerling, 1976a. On the removal and quantification of algal aufwuchs from macrophyte hosts. Hydrobiologia 48: 203–207.
Gough, S. B. & W. J. Woelkerling, 1976b. Wisconsin desmids. 2 Aufwuchs and plankton communities of selected soft water lakes, hard water lakes and calcareous spring ponds. Hydrobiologia 49: 3–25.
Ho, S.-Ch., 1979. Structure, species diversity and primary production of epiphytic algal communities in the Schöhsee (Holstein) West-Germany. Thesis, Univ. Kiel, 306 pp.
Howard-Williams, C., B. R. Davies & R. H. M. Cross, 1978. The influence of periphyton on the surface structure of a Potamogeton pectinatus L. leaf (a hypothesis). Aquat. Bot. 5: 87–91.
Jones, J. G., 1978. Spatial variation in epilithic algae in a stony stream (Wilfin Beck) with particular reference to Cocconeis placentula. Freshwat. Biol. 8: 539–546.
Jones, R. C., 1980. Primary production, biomass, nutrient limitation, and taxonomic composition of algal communities epiphytic on the submersed macrophyte Myriophyllum spicatum L. in a hardwater, eutrophic lake. Thesis, Univ. Wisconsin-Madison, 200 pp.
Larsen, B., 1978. Fucoidan. In J. A. Hellebust & J. S. Craigie (eds.), Handbook of phycological methods. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: 152–156.
Meyers, P. A. & J. G. Quinn, 1971. Interaction between fatty acids and calcite in seawater. Limnol. Oceanogr. 16: 992–997.
Moore, J. W., 1980. Epipelic and epiphytic algal communities in Great Slave Lake. Can. J. Bot. 58: 1165–1173.
Nachtigall, W., 1974. Biological mechanisms of attachment. The comparative morphology and bioengineering of organs for linkage, suction and adhesion. Springer Verlag, Berlin, 194 pp.
Paul, R. W., Jr., D. L. Kuhn, J. L. Plafkin, J. Cairns, Jr. & J. G. Croxdale, 1977. Evaluation of natural and artificial substrate colonization by scanning electron microscopy. Trans. am. microsc. Soc. 96: 506–519.
Penhale, P. A., 1977. Macrophyte-epiphyte biomass and productivity in an eelgrass (Zostera marina L.) community. J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 26: 211–224.
Percival, E., 1979. The polysaccharides of green, red and brown seaweeds: their basic structure, biosynthesis and function. Br. Phycol. J. 14: 103–117.
Prud'homme van Reine, W. F. & C. van den Hoek, 1966. Isolation of living algae growing in the shells of moluscs and barnacles with EDTA (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid). Blumea 14: 331–332.
Quispel, A., 1938. A new method for the investigation of aerial and soil algae. Proc. k. ned. Acad. Wet. 41: 395–402.
Sieburth, J. McN. & C. D. Thomas, 1973. Fouling on eelgrass (Zostera marina L.). J. Phycol. 9: 46–50.
Sládečková, A., 1962. Limnological investigation methods for the periphyton (‘Aufwuchs’) community. Bot. Rev. 28: 286–350.
Södergren, A., 1979. Origin of 14C and 32P labelled lipids moving to and from freshwater surface microlayers. Oikos 33: 278–289.
Van der Velde, G., 1980. Studies in nymphaeid-dominated systems with special emphasis on those dominated by Nymphoides peltata (Gmel.) O. Kuntze (Menyanthaceae). Thesis K.U. Nijmegen, Studentenpers Nijmegen, 163 pp.
Van der Velde, G., 1981. A project on nymphaeid-dominated systems. Hydrobiol. Bull. 15: 185–189.
Wenzl, H., 1941. Die Bestimmung des Spaltöffnungszustandes mittels Zelloidinabdrüicken. Chronica hot. 6: 250–251.
Whitford, L. A., 1956. The communities of algae in the springs and spring streams of Florida. Ecology 37: 433–442.
Wilde, E. W. & C. B. Fliermans, 1979. Fluorescence microscopy for algal studies. Trans. am. microsc. Soc. 98: 96–102.
Willer, A., 1923. Der Aufwuchs der Unterwasserpflanzen. Verh. int. Ver. theor. angew. Limnol. 1: 37–57.
ZoBell, C. E. & E C. Allen, 1933. Attachment of marine bacteria to submerged slides. Proc. Soc. exp. Biol. Med. 30: 1409–1411.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Contribution no. 30 of the nymphaeid project.
Contribution no. 30 of the nymphaeid project.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Delbecque, E.J.P. Periphyton on nymphaeids: An evaluation of methods and separation techniques. Hydrobiologia 124, 85–93 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00011402
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00011402