Ewa Szarek-Gwiazda

Impact of a small cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) roost on nutrients and phytoplankton assemblages in the littoral regions of a submontane reservoir

Cormorants (median numbers of 54.5 ind.) excreted ca. 102.7 kg yr−1 of nitrogen and ca. 80.5 kg yr−1 of phosphorus in the area of the Dobczyce Reservoir (ca. 980 ha). Concentrations of N-tot and P-tot were 3 times higher in soil from the roosting area of the cormorants than outside this area. Nutrient concentrations in the littoral sediment of the reservoir were also higher in the area frequented by these birds. Differences in concentrations of pH, NO3−, NO2−, NH4+, PO4−, and P-tot in water between the area associated with the cormorants and the reference site were not found. Differences in the planktonic algal communities from around the roost and the reference site were not found, with the exception of the chlorophytes which were more abundant in the area occupied by the cormorants. Water movement and mixing in the reservoir can influence the effect of the nutrient load on the water chemistry and planktonic algae.

Deposition of Copper in the Eutrophic, Submontane Dobczyce Dam Reservoir (Southern Poland) – Role of Speciation

In order to better understand Cu behaviour in the submontane, eutrophic Dobczyce dam Reservoir (southern Poland), speciationmeasurements of Cu in the water and the sediment were conducted. To investigate the partitioning of Cu in the main components ofthe sediment, a scheme of VI-step sequential extraction was used.In addition, other physical and chemical parameters of the water,such as temperature, pH, dissolved O2, nutrients, and suspended particulate matter were determined. Copper content in the water and the sediment was low (1.1–7.4 μg L-1 and 5.5–45.4 μg g-1, respectively). In the water Cu was usually present in the dissolved state (with the exception ofthe near-bottom water). This was probably the main reason of itssmall accumulation (cumulation coefficient K = 10687.5) in the sediment of the Dobczyce Reservoir. The seasonal variations inCu contents in the dissolved and particulate phases as well as observed correlations with the physico-chemical parameters of thewater are discussed. In the sediment Cu occurred mainly in astrongly bound form. Most Cu found there was in the moderatelyreducible phase and residual. Therefore, copper (re-)mobilization from the sediment to the water was probably not of importance.

Two cytotypes of Kiefferulus tendipediformis (Goetghebuer, 1921) (Diptera, Chironomidae)

Abstract The material identified as Kiefferulus tendipediformis on the basis of the larval morphology consisted of two cytogenetically distinct species, which we called cytotype 1 (2n=8) (Bulgaria) and cytotype 2 (2n=6) (Poland). The karyotype and external morphology (larva, pupa and imago - males) of Kiefferulus tendipediformis from pond on mine spoils in the Olkusz region with Zn-Pb ore deposits (Southern Poland) are described. The karyotype of cytotype 2 (2n =6) (Poland) consists of two metacentric chromosomes (AB and CD) and one submetacentric GEF. The chromosomes AB, CD of both cytotypes are very similar, the chromosome GEF is formed through tandem fusion of two acrocentric chromosomes of cytotype 1 (chromosomes EF and G). The external morphology of the species from Poland is compared with materials of the same species from Bulgaria and Austria. The larvae of Poland and Bulgaria are differed in a number of ultrastructure characters. Pupae and imagoes of K.tendipediformis from Poland are distinguished from those of Austria. The current taxonomic position of the K.tendipediformis in Europe is discussed.

Environmental agents in Lake Łuknajno (Poland) affecting the genome of Chironomus melanotus Keyl, 1961 (Diptera, Chironomidae) — a new species of Polish fauna

Chironomus melanotus Keyl, a new species of Polish fauna, is described on the basis of cytogenetic characteristics. It belongs to the cytocomplex thummi with the chromosome set 2n = 8, chromosome arm combinations AB CD EF G and species-specific karyotype markers.Two types (somatic and inherited) of structural chromosome rearrangements in salivary gland chromosomes were identified in the species and somatic rearrangements (heterozygous inversions, deficiencies, deletions — Somatic index — 0.54) were observed for the first time in this species. In addition to those in the mosaic state, some genome alterations — trisomy and “B” chromosome, as well as larval malformations (10.27%) were detected for a first time. The malformations and somatic structural and genome aberrations may have been caused by different stress agents in the environment. Thus, we suggest that the high spectrum of somatic rearrangements observed in C. melanotus may indicate the existence of pollution (elevated Cd and Pb concentrations) in Lake Łuknajno (the study area) and perhaps trace metals and different chemicals produced by the Chara species.

The effect of long-term contamination by heavy metals on community and genome alterations of Chironomidae (Diptera) in a stream with mine drainage water (southern Poland)

This paper reports on studies of the effect of heavy metals on the Chironomidae that inhabit the Matylda stream, which has been contaminated for about 100 years by discharge water from a zinc and lead ore mine. Stream sediment was strongly polluted by Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn. These metals did not affect the Chironomidae community but strongly changed the genome system of the Chironomidae species that inhabited the sediment. The salivary gland chromosomes of six species belonging to the two genera Chironomus and Prodiamesa are analyzed. In all species the somatic index is calculated on the basis of somatic chromosome alterations. Chironomus riparius has the highest numbers of somatic alterations and the highest somatic index — 9.67. The smallest chromosome G carries the key structures known as “Balbiani rings”, which play an important role in species development. This chromosome is very sensitive in the genome of the most studied species. The high sensitivity of the C. riparius genome is discussed in light of its DNA organization. The results show a high response of the salivary gland chromosomes to heavy metal pollution, and this makes them a valuable indicator in the assessment of water quality and detection of mutagenic agents in the aquatic environment.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY (SEM) IN TAXONOMY AND MORPHOLOGY OF CHIRONOMIDAE (DIPTERA)

The paper reports on the value of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in the taxonomy and morphology of Chironomidae. This method has been relatively rarely used in Chironomidae studies. Our studies suggest that the SEM method provides a lot of new information. For example, the plastron plate of the thoracic horn of Macropelopia nebulosa (Meigen) under light microscopy is visible as points, while under SEM we have found that it consists of a reticular structure with holes. By using SEM a more precise picture of the body structure of Chironomidae can be revealed. It allows researchers to explain inconsistencies in the existing descriptions of species. Another advantage of the SEM method is obtaining spatial images of the body and organs of Chironomidae. However, the SEM method also has some limitations. The main problem is dirt or debris (e.g. algae, mud, secretions, mucus, bacteria, etc.), which often settles on the external surface of structures, especially those which are uneven or covered with hair. The dirt should be removed after collection of chironomid material because if left in place it can become chemically fixed to various surfaces. It unnecessarily remains at the surface and final microscopic images may contain artifacts that obscure chironomid structures being investigated. In this way many details of the surface are thus unreadable. The results reported here indicate that SEM examination helps us to identify new morphological features and details that will facilitate the identification of species of Chironomidae and may help to clarify the function of various parts of the body. Fast development of electron microscope technique allows us to learn more about structure of different organisms.

A comparison between the water quality of the main tributaries to three submontane dam reservoirs and the sediment quality in those reservoirs

A comparison between the water quality of the main tributaries to three submontane dam reservoirs and the sediment quality in those reservoirs Nutrients, pH, and organic matter were determined in water samples collected from the Raba River above Dobczyce Reservoir (meso-eutrophic), from the Dunajec River above Czorsztyn Reservoir (mesotrophic), and Rożnów Reservoir (eutrophic), and in the bottom sediments of the reservoirs. The river waters were alkaline (pH 7.2-9.2). In the Raba River and Dunajec River, the ranges of nutrients and organic matter contents were similar (without significant differences) (in mg dm-3; N-NO3 0.5-2.5, N-NH4 0.2-2.0, N-NO2 0.004-0.040, N-tot 1.1-5.6, PO4 0.02-0.58, P-tot 0.03-1.9, while BOD5 1.6-9.9 mg dm-3 O2, COD 2.1-30.4 mg dm-3 O2). The pH of reservoir sediments was from neutral to slightly alkaline (6.9-7.6). The sediments were mineral and were characterized by a low amount of nutrients (N-tot 0.04-0.36%, P-tot 0.007-0.185%) and organic matter (expressed as LOI 3.0-10.6%, TOC 0.9-3.3%). Nutrient (except P-tot) and organic matter contents in the sediments of three reservoirs were similar (without significant differences) and did not reflect the trophic state of the reservoirs.

Prodiamesa olivacea Meigen and Prodiamesa bureshi Michailova (Diptera, Chironomidae, Prodiamesinae) as a candidate for assessing the genotoxicity of trace metals in fluvial sediments

The genome response, realized by structure chromosome rearrangements in the polytene chromosomes of two sibling species Prodiamesa bureshi Michailova and Prodiamesa olivacea Mg., was studied. The larvae of the species were collected in May and September, 2016, from Biała Przemsza River, a metal-mine-affected site in southern Poland, where Zn, Cd, and Pb concentrations in the sediment exceeded many times the reference data and those from unpolluted sites. The water had high contents of different major ions and nutrients. A high spectrum of somatic chromosome aberrations was detected in the salivary gland chromosomes of both species, which defined a high somatic index (from 1.2 to 7), indicating the sensitivity of both genomes to anthropogenic stress. The cells with somatic rearrangements of both species were significantly higher (P. bureshi: G = 25.636, P < 0.001 May, G = 32.722, P < 0.001 September; P. olivacea: G = 47.863, P < 0.001 May, G = 38.742, P < 0.001 September) than the control. Both species from polluted and unpolluted sites showed a high frequency of ectopic conjugations, as between arms B, CD (centromere regions), and E (NOR). Some deformities of mentum and mandibles of P. bureshi (20%) and P. olivacea (35%) were detected. We postulate that the appearances of somatic chromosome aberrations are more sensitive indicators of genotoxicity in the studied species than changes in external morphology. The sensitivity of the P. olivacea and P. bureshi genomes shows that these species are good candidates for detecting the presence of genotoxic compounds in aquatic basins and evaluating their genotoxic effects.

Morphology of the adult male and pupal exuviae of Glyptotendipes ( Glyptotendipes ) glaucus (Meigen 1818) (Diptera, Chironomidae) using scanning electron microscope (SEM)

In this paper, a study of the morphology of the pupa and male imago of Glyptotendipes (G.) glaucus (Meigen 1818) was carried out, with the aid of a scanning electron microscope (SEM). The SEM provided additional valuable information on the morphology of the species. Adult male head, antenna, wing, leg, abdomen, hypopygium, pupal cephalothorax and abdomen were examined. It is emphasized that SEM was not often used in Chironomidae studies. The present results confirm SEM as a suitable approach in carrying out morphological and taxonomical descriptions of Chironomidae species.

Factors influencing the accumulation of Pb in sediments of deep and shallow dam reservoirs

Abstract The study determines the differences in Pb accumulation in sediments of dam reservoirs with respect to locations of the old river beds and their depth (deep Czorsztyn Reservoir and shallow Goczałkowice Reservoir in southern Poland). Parameters (grain size, organic matter content and reservoir depth) that may influence the spatial distribution of Pb concentrations in the sediments were analyzed. Based on the hierarchical cluster analysis, sediment samples from the reservoirs were ranked with respect to particle size distribution. We found differences in the spatial distribution of grain size and organic matter in the studied reservoirs, caused mostly by the topography of these reservoirs. The spatial distribution of Pb concentrations in the sediments of the Czorsztyn Reservoir (range 4.8-35.8 μg g-1) and the Goczałkowice Reservoir (range 11.3-59.4 μg g-1), regardless of their average depth and their type (dimictic, polymictic), depends on the distribution of silty clay and clay fractions, organic matter and reservoir depth. Therefore, Pb spatial distribution was more regular in the Czorsztyn Reservoir than in the Goczałkowice Reservoir. Locations of the old river beds had a significant impact on the Pb distribution in the sediments of both reservoirs.