Green algae (Viridiplantae) in sediments from three lakes on Vega Island, Antarctica, assessed using DNA metabarcoding.

BACKGROUND: Vega Island is located off the eastern tip of the Antarctic Peninsula (Maritime Antarctica), in the Weddell Sea. In this study, we used metabarcoding to investigate green algal DNA sequence diversity present in sediments from three lakes on Vega Island (Esmeralda, Copépodo, and Pan Negro Lakes). METHODS AND RESULTS: Total DNA was extracted and the internal transcribed spacer 2 region of the nuclear ribosomal DNA was used as a DNA barcode for molecular identification. Green algae were represented by sequences representing 78 taxa belonging to Phylum Chlorophyta, of which 32% have not previously been recorded from Antarctica. Sediment from Pan Negro Lake generated the highest number of DNA reads (11,205), followed by Esmeralda (9085) and Copépodo (1595) Lakes. Esmeralda Lake was the richest in terms of number of taxa (59), with Copépodo and Pan Negro Lakes having 30 taxa each. Bray-Curtis dissimilarity among lakes was high (~ 0.80). The Order Chlamydomonadales (Chlorophyceae) gave the highest contribution in terms of numbers of taxa and DNA reads in all lakes. The most abundant taxon was Chlorococcum microstigmatum. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms the utility of DNA metabarcoding in assessing potential green algal diversity in Antarctic lakes, generating new Antarctic records.

Effects of DOC addition from different sources on phytoplankton community in a temperate eutrophic lake: An experimental study exploring lake compartments.

A mesocosm experiment was conducted in a temperate eutrophic lake with the hypotheses: 1) the addition of a labile form of DOC would trigger a more pronounced response in phytoplankton biomass and composition compared with a non-labile form; 2) DOC addition would increase phytoplankton biomass by co-inserting organic nutrients for phytoplankton growth; 3) DOC addition would change phytoplankton composition, in particular towards mixotrophic taxa due to higher DOC availability; and that 4) there would be differences in phytoplankton responses to DOC addition, depending on whether sediment was included or not. We used two types of mesocosms: pelagic mesocosms with closed bottom, and benthic mesocosms open to the sediment. The experiment ran for 29 days in total. The DOC addition occurred once, at Day 1. Besides the control, there were two treatments: HuminFeed® (non-labile DOC) at a concentration of 2 mg L-1, and a combination of 2 mg L-1 HuminFeed® and 2 mg L-1 DOC from alder leaf leachate (labile). Responses were detected only in the treatment with alder leaf extract. Ecosystem processes responded immediately to DOC addition, with the fall in dissolved oxygen and pH indicating an increase in respiration, relative to primary production (Day 2). In contrast, there was a delay of a few days in structural responses in the phytoplankton community (Day 6). Phytoplankton biomass increased after DOC addition, probably boosted by the phosphorus released from alder leaf extract. Changes in phytoplankton composition towards mixotrophic taxa were not as strong as changes in biomass, and happened only in the pelagic mesocosms. With the DOC addition, diatoms prevailed in benthic mesocosms, while the contribution of colonial buoyant cyanobacteria increased in the pelagic ones. This study points towards the necessity to look in greater detail at specific responses of phytoplankton to DOC concentration increases considering lake-habitat and sediment influence.

Fitoplâncton da região central do Lago Paranoá (DF): uma abordagem ecológica e sanitária / Phytoplankton in the central region of Paranoá Lake, Federal District of Brazil: an ecological and sanitary approach

RESUMO Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a estrutura, a dinâmica e a importância sanitária do fitoplâncton em um perfil vertical na região central do Lago Paranoá, Distrito Federal. As amostras foram coletadas mensalmente entre outubro de 2009 e setembro de 2010, na região pelágica, em seis profundidades. Foi possível identificar três fases em relação ao regime de mistura: estratificação (outubro de 2009 a maio de 2010), mistura (junho a agosto de 2010) e transição (setembro de 2010). As concentrações de fósforo total e fósforo solúvel reativo e a biomassa algal foram relativamente baixas, permitindo classificar o Lago Paranoá como um reservatório oligotrófico. Já as concentrações de nitrogênio total e os grupos funcionais do fitoplâncton foram típicos de ambientes mesotróficos. Foram encontrados 94 táxons, distribuídos em dez classes taxonômicas, com predomínio de diatomáceas centrales, clorofíceas e cianobactérias. Foram definidos 13 grupos funcionais fitoplanctônicos, com destaque para os grupos C, J, F, X2, K e S1. Durante os meses de mistura e transição houve aumento na biomassa de diatomáceas (grupo C), mas ao longo do perfil vertical, houve tendência dos grupos K e S1 (cianobactérias) se localizarem nas camadas mais superficiais nos meses quentes. Do ponto de vista sanitário, foram identificados táxons com potencial para promover sabor e odor na água (e.g., diatomáceas, criptofíceas e cianobactérias) ou que poderiam obstruir filtros em sistemas de tratamento (e.g., diatomáceas). Além disso, foram registradas cianobactérias (e.g., Aphanocapsa e Planktolyngbya) em densidades que já apontam a necessidade de intensificação do monitoramento e análise de cianotoxinas, de acordo com a Portaria do Ministério da Saúde nº 2.914/2011.

ABSTRACT This study aimed at analyzing the dynamic, the structure and the sanitary importance of phytoplankton in a vertical profile at Paranoá Lake central region, Federal District, Brazil. Sampling was carried out monthly from October 2009 to September 2010, in six depths. Three distinct phases were identified, concerning mixing pattern: stratification (October 2009 to May 2010), mixing in (June to September 2010), transition (September 2010). Total phosphorus and soluble reactive phosphorus concentrations and algal biomass were relatively low, classifying Paranoá Lake as an oligotrophic reservoir. In opposite, total nitrogen nd functional groups were typical of mesotrophic environments. Altogether, 94 phytoplanktonic taxa were found, among 10 taxonomic classes, especially centrales diatoms, chlorophyceans and cyanobacteria. Thirteen functional groups were identified, with emphasis on C, J, F, X2, K and S1. During mixing and transition months there was an increase in diatom biomass (group C). On the vertical profile, there was a trend of K and S1 groups to locate at surface layers during warmer months. Considering the sanitary approach, this study reported algal taxa that can potentially promote odor and taste in the water (e.g., diatoms, cryptophytes, cyanobacteria) or cause filter clogging at water treatment plants (e.g., diatoms). Moreover, cyanobacterial taxa (e.g., Aphanocapsa and Planktolyngbya) were reported under densities that already point out the need of monitoring intensification and cyanotoxin analysis, according to the MS Ordinance number 2,914/2011.

Pristine aquatic systems in a Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site of the Brazilian Cerrado.

The maintenance of limnological monitoring programs in the Cerrado Domain is crucial as a provision of useful information about temporal variations in land use and their respective water quality responses, considering its importance as water source for different Brazilian hydrographic basins. The purpose of this research was to describe limnological variables of low-order lotic systems located in the Cerrado Long Term Ecological Research (LTER) site (Environmental Protection Area (APA) Gama and Cabeça de Veado, Federal District of Brazil). Altogether, nine different streams were considered in this study. Samplings were conducted between 2010 and 2012, concentrated in the dry and rainy seasons. The sampling sites were generally characterized by low nutrient concentrations (e.g., medians, TP = 14.8 µg L(-1), TN = 20.0 µg L(-1), NO3 = 13.8 µg L(-1)) and slightly acidic waters (median, pH = 5.3), with quite low electrical conductivity values (median = 6.4 µS cm(-1)). However, water quality degradation as a response to diffuse pollution was reported in some sampling points (e.g., Onça and Gama streams), expressed by relatively higher N and P concentrations, which were probably highlighted by the good water quality of the data set as whole. Although there was a trend to higher values of nitrogen forms during the dry season, significant statistical differences between the seasonal periods were reported only for the variables temperature and dissolved silica, which were higher in the dry and rainy season, respectively. The streams located in the preserved areas inside the ecological stations of APA Gama and Cabeça de Veado can still be considered good examples of reference lotic systems in the Cerrado Domain; notwithstanding, this study reported incipient signs of water quality degradation which cannot be overlooked in future limnological monitoring.

Nutrient baselines of Cerrado low-order streams: comparing natural and impacted sites in Central Brazil.

The aquatic systems responsible for water supply in the Brazilian Federal District (FD) have been threatened by anthropogenic pressures, especially considering the expressive demographic increase in the region during the last decades. The purposes of this research were: (a) to assess the water quality in streams located in the FD by monitoring physical-chemical variables; (b) to define baselines for these variables among different ecological status categories. The 14 investigated streams were sampled between 2006 and 2009, in the dry (August-September, 2006, 2008, 2009) and rainy (March-April, 2008, 2009) seasons. All sampling sites were classified in four categories ("very impacted", "impacted", "in transition" and "natural") using an adaptation of a rapid habitat assessment protocol. Differences in water quality among sites were generally well predicted in the four ecological status categories defined by the protocol, which showed a gradient in nutrient concentrations from reference sites classified as "natural" (medians: electrical conductivity = 7.3 µS cm(-1); nitrate = 0.040 mg L(-1); ammonium = 0.039 mg L(-1); soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) = <0.001 mg L(-1); total phosphorus (TP) = 0.006 mg L(-1); ) to those classified as "very impacted" (medians: electrical conductivity = 87.7 µS cm(-1); nitrate = 0.247 mg L(-1); ammonium = 0.219 mg L(-1); SRP = 0.010 mg L(-1); TP = 0.035 mg L(-1)). Point sources inputs were the main factor for water quality deterioration. The nutrient baselines reported were relatively low when compared to data collected from reference areas in Brazil (e.g., São Paulo State) or temperate regions, especially for TP.