Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Diatom community response to an acid mine drainage gradient

  • Primary Research Paper
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a significant environmental issue worldwide. On the West Coast of the South Island, New Zealand, many AMD-affected streams occur within close proximity to naturally acidic streams, enabling us to compare the response of communities in naturally and anthropogenic acidified systems. We investigated epiphytic diatom communities in 39 streams along an AMD gradient that included naturally acidic and circum-neutral reference streams. There was a wide range in taxonomic richness in reference streams and those moderately impacted by AMD (8–33 taxa). Taxonomic richness was greatly reduced in severely impacted streams (1–5 taxa) at a threshold of pH 3.4 and was dominated by Pinnularia cf. acidophila (69–100% relative abundance). Community composition differed between circum-neutral reference streams and moderately and severely impacted streams. However, naturally acidic and moderately impacted streams had similar diatom communities primarily composed of Eunotia and Frustulia species. Our results indicate that diatom communities are strongly structured by pH and able to tolerate moderate conductivity and metal concentrations. This is a challenge for researchers and water managers attempting to incorporate diatoms into AMD monitoring in regions with naturally acidic streams.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Akcil, A. & S. Koldas, 2006. Acid mine drainage (AMD): causes, treatment and case studies. Journal of Cleaner Production 14: 1139–1145.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Andrén, C. & A. Jarlman, 2008. Benthic diatoms as indicators of acidity in streams. Fundamental and Applied Limnology 173: 237–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • APHA, 1995. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 19th ed. American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, and Water Environment Federation, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Battarbee, R. W., D. F. Charles, C. Bigler, B. F. Cumming & I. Renberg, 2010. Diatoms as indicators of surface-water acidity. In Smol, J. P. & E. F. Stoermer (eds), The Diatoms: Applications for the Environmental and Earth Sciences. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: 98–121.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Biggs, B. J. F. & C. Kilroy, 2000. Stream Periphyton Monitoring Manual. Prepared for the New Zealand Ministry for the Environment. NIWA, Christchurch.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bray, J. P., P. A. Broady, D. K. Niyogi & J. S. Harding, 2008. Periphyton communities in New Zealand streams impacted by acid mine drainage. Marine and Freshwater Research 59: 1084–1091.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cantonati, M. & H. Lange-Bertalot, 2011. Diatom monitors of close-to-pristine, very-low alkalinity habitats: three new Eunotia species from springs in Nature Parks of the south-eastern Alps. Journal of Limnology 70: 209–221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cassie, V. & R. C. Cooper, 1989. Algae of New Zealand thermal areas. Bibliotheca Phycologica Band 78. J. Cramer, Berlin.

  • Collier, K. J. & M. J. Winterbourn, 1987. Faunal and chemical dynamics of some acid and alkaline New Zealand streams. Freshwater Biology 18: 227–240.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Collier, K. J. & M. J. Winterbourn, 1990. Structure of epilithon in some acidic and circumneutral streams in South Westland, New Zealand. New Zealand Natural Sciences 17: 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Collier, K. J., O. J. Ball, A. K. Graesser, M. R. Main & M. J. Winterbourn, 1990. Do organic and anthropogenic acidity have similar effects on aquatic fauna? Oikos 59: 33–38.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de la Peña, S. & R. Barreiro, 2009. Biomonitoring acidic drainage impact in a complex setting using periphyton. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 150: 351–363.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DeNicola, D. M., 2000. A review of diatoms found in highly acidic environments. Hydrobiologia 433: 111–122.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DeNicola, D. M. & M. G. Stapleton, 2002. Impact of acid mine drainage on benthic communities in streams: the relative roles of substratum vs. aqueous effects. Environmental Pollution 119: 303–315.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Denys, L., 1984. Achnanthes andicola (Cl.) Hust. and Pinnularia acoricola Hust. (Bacillariophyceae) recorded in Belgium. Bulletin de la Sociéte Royale de Botanique de Belgique 117: 73–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Douglas, G. E., D. M. John, D. B. Williamson & G. Reid, 1998. The aquatic algae associated with mining areas in Peninsula Malaysia and Sarawak: their composition, diversity and distribution. Nova Hedwigia 67: 189–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ferreira da Silva, E., S. F. P. Almeida, M. L. Nunes, A. T. Luís, F. Borg, M. Hedlund, C. Marques de Sá, C. Patinha & P. Teixeira, 2009. Heavy metal pollution downstream the abandoned Coval da Mó mine (Portugal) and associated effects on epilithic diatom communities. Science of the Total Environment 407: 5620–5636.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Greig, H. S., D. K. Niyogi, K. L. Hogsden, P. G. Jellyman & J. S. Harding, 2010. Heavy metals: confounding factors in the response of New Zealand freshwater fish assemblages to natural and anthropogenic acidity. Science of the Total Environment 408: 3240–3250.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guiry, M. D. & G. M. Guiry, 2012. Algaebase. World-wide Electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway [available on internet at http://www.algaebase.org].

  • Hamsher, S. E., R. G. Verb & M. L. Vis, 2004. Analysis of acid mine drainage impacted streams using a periphyton index. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 19: 313–324.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Harding, J. S. & I. Boothroyd, 2004. Impacts of mining. In Harding, J., P. Mosley, C. Pearson & B. Sorrell (eds), Freshwaters of New Zealand. New Zealand Hydrological Society Inc. and New Zealand Limnological Society Inc., Christchurch: 36.1–36.10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harding, J. S., M. J. Winterbourn & W. F. McDiffett, 1997. Stream faunas and ecoregions in South Island, New Zealand: do they correspond? Archiv für Hydrobiologie 140: 289–307.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harding, J. S., J. E. Clapcott, J. M. Quinn, J. W. Hayes, M. K. Joy, R. G. Storey, H. S. Greig, J. Hay, T. James, M. A. Beech, R. Ozane, A. S. Meredith & I. K. D. Boothroyd, 2009. Stream Habitat Assessment Protocols for Wadeable Rivers and Streams of New Zealand. School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hargreaves, J. W., E. J. H. Lloyd & B. A. Whitton, 1975. Chemistry and vegetation of highly acidic streams. Freshwater Biology 5: 563–576.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill, B. H., W. T. Willingham, L. P. Parrish & B. H. McFarland, 2000. Periphyton community responses to elevated metal concentrations in a Rocky Mountain stream. Hydrobiologia 428: 161–169.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hogsden, K. L. & J. S. Harding, 2012a. Consequences of acid mine drainage for the structure and function of benthic stream communities: a review. Freshwater Science 31: 108–120.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hogsden, K. L. & J. S. Harding, 2012b. Anthropogenic and natural sources of acidity and metals and their influence on the structure of stream food webs. Environmental Pollution 162: 466–474.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • James, T. I., 2003. Water quality of streams draining various coal measures in the North-Central West Coast. Opportunities for the New Zealand Mining and Minerals Industry, 3–5 September 2003, Crown Minerals, MED, Greymouth.

  • Jowett, I. G. & J. Richardson, 1990. Microhabitat preferences of benthic invertebrates in a New Zealand river and the development of instream flow-habitat models for Deleatidium spp. New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 24: 19–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, M., 1988. Mining and the Freshwater Environment. Elsevier, New York.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Kelly, M. G., A. Cazaubon, E. Coring, A. Dell’Uomo, L. Ector, B. Goldsmith, H. Guasch, J. Hürlimann, A. Jarlman, B. Kawecka, J. Kwandrans, R. Laugaste, E.-A. Lindstrøm, M. Leitao, P. Marvan, J. Padisák, E. Pipp, J. Prygiel, E. Rott, S. Sabater, H. van Dam & J. Vizinet, 1998. Recommendations for the routine sampling of diatoms for water quality assessments in Europe. Journal of Applied Phycology 10: 215–224.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, Y. S., J. S. Choi, J. H. Kim, S. C. Kim, J. W. Park & H. S. Kim, 2008. The effects of effluent from a closed mine and treated sewage on epilithic diatom communities in a Korean stream. Nova Hedwigia 86: 507–524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Krammer, K., 2000. Diatoms of Europe: Diatoms of European Inland Waters and Comparable Habitats. Volume 1: The Genus Pinnularia. A.R.G. Gantner Verlag K.G., Ruggell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krammer, K. & H. Lange-Bertalot, 1991a. Bacillariophyceae, 3. Teil: Centrales, Fragilariaceae, Eunotiaceae, Achnantheaceae. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krammer, K. & H. Lange-Bertalot, 1991b. Bacillariophyceae, 4. Teil: Achnanthaceae. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krammer, K. & H. Lange-Bertalot, 1997. Bacillariophyceae, 2. Teil: Epithemiaceae, Bacillariophycae, Surirellaceae. Gustav Fischer, Jena.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krammer, K. & H. Lange-Bertalot, 2008. Bacillariophyceae, 1. Teil/Part 1: Naviculaceae. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lange-Bertalot, H., 2001. Diatoms of Europe: Diatoms of European Inland Waters and Comparable Habitats. Volume 2: Navicula sensu stricto, 10 Genera Separated from Navicula sensu lato, Frustulia. A.R.G. Gantner Verlag K.G., Ruggell.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luís, A. T., P. Teixeira, S. F. P. Almeida, L. Ector, J. X. Matos & E. A. Ferreira da Silva, 2009. Impact of acid mine drainage (AMD) on water quality, stream sediments and periphytic diatom communities in the surrounding streams of Aljustrel mining area (Portugal). Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 200: 147–167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luís, A. T., P. Teixeira, S. F. P. Almeida, J. X. Matos & E. Ferreira da Silva, 2011. Environmental impact of mining activities in the Lousal area (Portugal): chemical and diatom characterization of metal-contaminated stream sediments and surface water of Corona stream. Science of the Total Environment 409: 4312–4325.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Malmqvist, B. & P.-O. Hoffsten, 1999. Influence of drainage from old mine deposits on benthic macroinvertebrate communities in central Swedish streams. Water Research 33: 2415–2423.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • McKnight, D. M. & G. L. Feder, 1984. The ecological effect of acid conditions and precipitation of hydrous metal oxides in a Rocky Mountain stream. Hydrobiologia 119: 129–138.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Muggeo, V. M. R., 2003. Estimating regression models with unknown break-points. Statistics in Medicine 22: 3055–3071.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Niyogi, D. K., W. M. Lewis Jr & D. M. McKnight, 2002. Effects of stress from mine drainage on diversity, biomass, and function of primary producers in mountain streams. Ecosystems 5: 554–567.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Novis, P. M. & J. S. Harding, 2007. Extreme acidophiles: freshwater algae associated with acid mine drainage. In Seckbach, J. (ed.), Algae and Cyanobacteria in Extreme Environments. Springer, Dordrecht: 445–463.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Halloran, K., J.-A. Cavanagh & J. S. Harding, 2008. Response of a New Zealand mayfly (Deleatidium spp.) to acid mine drainage: implications for mine remediation. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 27: 1135–1140.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Owen, R. B., R. W. Renaut & B. Jones, 2008. Geothermal diatoms: a comparative study of floras in hot spring systems of Iceland, New Zealand, and Kenya. Hydrobiologia 610: 175–192.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Patrick, R. & C. W. Reimer, 1966. The Diatoms of the United States. Volume 1. Monographs of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia No. 13, Philadelphia.

  • Patrick, R. & C. W. Reimer, 1975. The Diatoms of the United States. Volume 2. Part 1. Monographs of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia No. 13, Philadelphia.

  • Pond, G. J., M. E. Passmore, F. A. Borsuk, L. Reynolds & C. J. Rose, 2008. Downstream effects of mountaintop coal mining: comparing biological conditions using family- and genus-level macroinvertebrate bioassessment tools. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 27: 717–737.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pope, J., B. Singh & D. Thomas, 2005. Mining related environmental database for West Coast and Southland: data structure and preliminary geochemical results. AUSIMM Annual Conference, 13–16 November 2005, Auckland, New Zealand: 7 pp.

  • Pope, J., N. Newman, D. Craw, D. Trumm & R. Rait, 2010. Factors that influence coal mine drainage chemistry West Coast, South Island, New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics 53: 115–128.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rothfritz, H., I. Jüttner, A. M. Suren & S. J. Ormerod, 1997. Epiphytic and epilithic diatom communities along environmental gradients in the Nepalese Himalaya: implications for the assessment of biodiversity and water quality. Archiv für Hydrobiologie 138: 465–482.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scullion, J. & R. W. Edwards, 1980. The effects of coal industry pollutants on the macroinvertebrate fauna of a small river in the South Wales coalfield. Freshwater Biology 10: 141–162.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Simmons, J. A., E. R. Lawrence & T. G. Jones, 2005. Treated and untreated acid mine drainage effects on stream periphyton biomass, leaf decomposition, and macroinvertebrate diversity. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 20: 413–424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Smucker, N. J. & M. L. Vis, 2009. Use of diatoms to assess agricultural and coal mining impacts on streams and a multiassemblage case study. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 28: 659–675.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sparling, D. W. & T. P. Lowe, 1996. Environmental hazards of aluminum to plants, invertebrates, fish, and wildlife. In Warne, G. W. (ed.), Review of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, Vol. 145. Springer, New York: 1–127.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Stokes, P. M., R. C. Bailey & G. R. Groulx, 1985. Effects of acidification on metal availability to aquatic biota, with species reference to filamentous algae. Environmental Health Perspectives 63: 79–87.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sutcliffe, D. W. & T. R. Carrick, 1973. Studies on mountain streams in the English Lake District. Freshwater Biology 3: 437–462.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sutcliffe, D. W. & A. G. Hildrew, 1989. Invertebrate communities in acid streams. In Morris, R., E. W. Taylor, D. J. A. Brown & J. A. Brown (eds), Acid Toxicity and Aquatic Animals. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: 13–30.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Telford, R. J., V. Vandvik & H. J. B. Birks, 2006. How many freshwater diatoms are pH specialists? A response to Pither & Aarssen (2005). Ecology Letters 9: E1–E5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • ter Braak, C. J. F. & P. F. M. Verdonschot, 1995. Canonical correspondence analysis and related multivariate methods in aquatic ecology. Aquatic Sciences 57: 255–289.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Townsend, S. A. & P. A. Gell, 2005. The role of substrate type on benthic diatom assemblages in the Daly and Roper Rivers of the Australian wet/dry tropics. Hydrobiologia 548: 101–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Urrea-Clos, G. & S. Sabater, 2009. Comparative study of algal communities in acid and alkaline waters from Tinto, Odiel and Piedras river basins (SW Spain). Limnetica 28: 261–272.

    Google Scholar 

  • van Dam, H., A. Mertens & J. Sinkeldam, 1994. A coded checklist and ecological indicator values of freshwater diatoms from the Netherlands. Netherlands Journal of Aquatic Ecology 28: 117–133.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verb, R. G. & M. L. Vis, 2000. Comparison of benthic diatom assemblages from streams draining abandoned and reclaimed coal mines and nonimpacted sites. Journal of the North American Benthological Society 19: 274–288.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Verb, R. G. & M. L. Vis, 2005. Periphyton assemblages as bioindicators of mine-drainage in unglaciated Western Allegheny Plateau lotic systems. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 161: 227–265.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Winter, J. G. & H. C. Duthie, 2000. Steam epilithic, epipelic and epiphytic diatoms: habitat fidelity and use in biomonitoring. Aquatic Ecology 34: 345–353.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winterbourn, M. J. & K. J. Collier, 1987. Distribution of benthic invertebrates in acid, brown water streams in the South Island of New Zealand. Hydrobiologia 153: 277–286.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wolman, M. G., 1954. A method of sampling coarse river-bed material. Transactions of the American Geophysical Union 35: 951–956.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zalack, J. T., N. J. Smucker & M. L. Vis, 2010. Development of a diatom index of biotic integrity for acid mine drainage impacted streams. Ecological Indicators 10: 287–295.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

We thank Joe Good for help in the field, Elena Moltchanova for statistics advice, and Kristy Hogsden and Hamish Greig for reviewing earlier versions of this manuscript. This research was supported by MSI Developing Pathways to Mineral Wealth and Environmental Sustainability (CRLX0401).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, University of Canterbury, Private Bag 4800, Christchurch, New Zealand

    Kate A. Schowe, Jon S. Harding & Paul A. Broady

Authors
  1. Kate A. Schowe
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jon S. Harding
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Paul A. Broady
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kate A. Schowe.

Additional information

Handling editor: David Philip Hamilton

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Schowe, K.A., Harding, J.S. & Broady, P.A. Diatom community response to an acid mine drainage gradient. Hydrobiologia 705, 147–158 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-1391-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-1391-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation