Cecilia Andrén

Integrated studies of the effects of liming acidified waters (ISELAW-programme)

To assess the long-term (>15 years) effects of liming, an integrated programme for studies of the effects of liming in acidified waters (ISELAW) was initiated in 1989. At present, 14 lakes and 14 streams are included in the programme. Although on average of 14 years have passed since the first lime treatment, and the chemical goal of liming have been achieved in all lakes, i.e. to raise pH over 6.0 and alkalinity over 0.1 meq 1–1, changes in biota could still be observed in several of the lakes. Species richness and species diversity was in general not different in the limed lakes as compared to circumneutral reference lakes, although the composition of the fauna did not resembled that of neutral lakes. Among zooplankton, rotifers were still more abundant than expected in limed lakes. The fish communities appeared unstable and the species proportions as well as population structures are changing, partly as a result of re-colonisation of acid-sensitive species after liming. The results indicate that the long-term changes may persist for more than 15 years after liming and emphasise the importance of comparable time series in non-limed lakes.

The influence of pH on aluminium toxicity in the phytoplankton species Monoraphidium dybowskii and M. griffithii

The toxicity of aluminum on the phytoplankton species Monoraphidium griffithii and M.dybowskii (Chlorophyceae) was investigated. At pH 6.8 and low humus concentration, the growth of both species was reduced at 100–200 μg Al/l, whereas at pH 4.8 only the growth of M.griffithii was affected. The toxicity on the two species showed different relations to the pH-value. The results, supported by analyses of Al-fractions — total acid soluble, total monomeric and none-labile monomeric Al — indicate that the Al-toxicity is species-dependent, and that aluminium, soluble at neutral pH-conditions, can be toxic to the phytoplankton.

Which aluminium fractionation method will give true inorganic monomeric Al results in fresh waters (not including colloidal Al)

Aluminium solubility and toxicity increase with acidification. There is no standardized analytical method for the determination of inorganic monomeric Al (Al(im)), which is the form that causes toxicity to fish. Separation by cation exchange is commonly combined with other analytical methods, such as complexation with pyrochatechol violet (PCV) or 8-hydroxyquinoline (HQ) and total quantification using graphite furnace or inductively-coupled plasma emission. Data from 14 laboratories were obtained for a dilution series of Al(im) samples; the results of the Al(im) analysis were statistically evaluated. The Al(im) levels were altered through pH, which was controlled by the addition of calcium hydroxide. Confounding parameters such as total organic carbon (TOC) or fluoride (F) were controlled. The total determination and HQ methods yielded significantly higher Al(im) concentrations than the PCV method. Pretreatment by passage through a 0.45 microm filter and pH-adjustment of the ion exchange column had no apparent effect on the Al(im) yield. However, ultra filtration (<10 kDa) caused a significant reduction in the Al(im) concentration using the HQ method. The ultra filtrated Al(im) fraction was similar to the PCV results in the interlaboratory comparison. Retention of colloidal bound Al in the cation exchange column may result in overestimation of Al(im) when the total and HQ methods are used. Estimated Al(im) concentrations derived from two equilibrium models were similar to PCV-derived Al(im) concentrations, as well as the HQ method using ultra filtrated water. The fact that the PCV method does not detect colloidal Al, neither before nor after ion exchange, makes this a preferred technique for Al(im) analysis. Because of the variability in the reported Al(im) concentrations that can arise when different analytical procedures are used, the adoption of a single, reliable technique will facilitate inter-study comparisons and provide consistency in the detection of trends in environmental monitoring programs.

Toxicity of inorganic aluminium at spring snowmelt--in-stream bioassays with brown trout (Salmo trutta L.).

Although the acid load has decreased throughout Scandinavia, acidic soils still mobilise aluminium (Al) that is harmful to brown trout. We hypothesise that there are thresholds for Al toxicity and that the toxicity can be traced from the water content to gill accumulation and the consequential physiological effects. During snowmelt, yearlings were exposed to a gradient of pH and inorganic monomeric Al (Al(i)) in humic streams to study the toxic effects and mortality. Gill Al and physiological blood analyses [haemoglobin (Hb), plasma chloride (P-Cl) and glucose (Glu)] were measured. As the water quality deteriorated, Al accumulated on the gills; Hb and Glu increased; P-Cl decreased, and mortality occurred. Moribund fish had significantly increased gill Al and Hb, suggesting that respiratory disturbances contributed to mortality. Decreased P-Cl and plasma availability indicated an ion regulatory disturbance and possibly circulatory collapse. Al(i) should be less than 20 μg/L, and pH higher than 5.0, to sustain healthy brown trout populations. These thresholds can be used to fine-tune lime dose, as both Al(i) and pH levels have to be balanced to prevent harm in the recovering aquatic biota. Although Al is tightly linked to pH, local variation in Al availability in soil and bedrock affects the Al release and subsequent toxic Al(i) episodes in some catchment areas.

Response of Gammarus pulex and Baetis rhodani to springtime acid episodes in humic brooks

While chronic acidification of water bodies has been steadily decreasing, episodic acidification continues to affect stream biology by temporarily decreasing pH and mobilizing aluminum. These events are becoming more common as climate change renders more frequent and intense storms and flooding. Throughout Scandinavia, the effects of acidification have been mitigated by liming since the 1980s, but remediation efforts can now be reduced. While transient acidity may reduce fish populations, also other species in streams are affected. In this in-stream study, two macro-invertebrates (Gammarus pulex and Baetis rhodani), both known as salmonid prey organisms, were exposed to snowmelt in six humic brooks with a natural gradient of pH and inorganic monomeric Al (Al(i)). We hypothesize that acid toxicity thresholds can be defined using lethal (mortality) and sublethal (changes in body elemental content) metrics. Periodic observations were made of mortality and whole body concentrations of base cations (BC: Ca, Mg, Na and K) and metals (Al, Fe, Zn and Mn). Mortality increased dramatically at pH<6.0 and Al(i)>15 μg/L for G. pulex and at pH<5.7 and Al(i)>20 μg/L for B. rhodani. No accumulation of Al was found. The invertebrate body Na concentration decreased when pH dropped, suggesting that osmoregulation in both species was affected. In contrast to general BC pattern, Ca concentration in G. pulex and Mg concentration in B. rhodani increased when pH decreased. Although Al(i) strongly correlates to pH, the Al composition of soil and bedrock also influences Al availability, potentially contributing to toxic Al(i) episodes. The estimated values calculated in this study can be used to improve water quality criteria and as thresholds to adjust doses of lime compared to old recommendations in ongoing liming programs. Such adjustments may be critical since both Al(i) and pH levels have to be balanced to mitigate damage to recovering stream ecosystems.