Robert T. Heath

Ecosystem-Level Effects of Zebra Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha): An Enclosure Experiment in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron

We examined the short-term effects of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) on ecosystem processes in late August 1991 in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. Four 1,600-L enclosures, made of Fabreen with a diameter of 1 m, a depth of 2 m, and closed at the bottom, were used to enclose natural plankton communities. These communities were dominated by diatoms with some chlorophytes, chrysophytes, and cyanophytes. Phytoplankton growth was limited by P-availability. Two enclosures were held as controls, and zebra mussels encrusting unionid shells were suspended in two of the enclosures: one enclosure (HZ) contained approximately four-fold greater numbers of mussels than the other (LZ). The concentration of suspended particles, chlorophyll, and algal biomass in HZ and LZ declined over a 6-day interval. Diatom numbers declined more than other taxa. Phytoplankton growth rates in HZ and LZ increased to near μmax; there was no apparent change in photosynthetic parameters a or Pmax scaled for chlorophyll. Soluble reactive P (SRP) increased significantly (p < 0.05) in HZ but not LZ. Dissolved organic P (DOP) and ammonium ion were elevated; dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was unchanged in HZ and LZ. The rate of phosphate uptake by bacteria and algae declined to less than 2% of controls; this rate decrease could not be explained simply by grazing losses or isotope dilution. The rate of ammonium regeneration by the plankton and the potential rate of ammonium uptake by the plankton did not differ significantly in HZ or LZfrom the control enclosures. Our findings indicate that the zebra mussel can have significant short-term effects on phytoplankton abundance, water transparency, water chemistry and phosphorus dynamics. We propose a model of zebra mussel effects that suggests high densities of zebra mussels may indirectly alter and control those processes that are rate-limited or concentration-limited by nutrient availability.

Effects of the Zebra Mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, on Community Nitrogen Dynamics in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron

The effects of the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha, on chlorophyll and nutrient concentration changes and community ammonium uptake and regeneration rates were determined in bottle experiments on waters collected from a eutrophic site and an oligotrophic site in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron in 1992. Our objectives were to estimate nitrogen cycling rates and to determine the direct (excretion) and indirect (foodweb) effects of the zebra mussel on these rates. Isotope labeling experiments with added 15NH4+ were conducted on waters collected on five sampling dates between April and October. Direct effects of zebra mussels on ammonium regeneration and potential uptake were examined by comparing results from bottles incubated with (15 individuals in 4 L lake water) and without added zebra mussels. Indirect foodweb effects were examined by measuring regeneration and potential uptake rates in subsamples of water that had previously been incubated in the presence or absence of zebra mussels. Zebra mussels removed a large fraction of chlorophyll from the oligotrophic site on all sampling dates and from the eutrophic site in October, but had a negligible effect on chlorophyll levels in waters from the eutrophic site in June, July, August, and September when cyanophytes were abundant. Community ammonium regeneration rates and uptake rates both followed seasonal patterns resembling those for chlorophyll concentrations in control treatments at the eutrophic site. Rates for water from the oligotrophic site were low (usually not significantly different from zero) and are not reported here. Community ammonium regeneration rates were consistently enhanced in the presence of zebra mussels, indicating that zebra mussel excretion could have a dominant effect on nitrogen regeneration in regions where it is abundant. Zebra mussels appeared to decrease community uptake rates of ammonium in August and September but did not predictably affect nitrogen remineralization rates by other lower foodweb organisms (e.g. bacteria, protozoans, zooplankton).

Acid and aluminum effects on freshwater zooplankton: An in situ Mesocosm study

An in situ mesocosm experiment was performed to evaluate the role of aluminum toxicity in determining zooplankton community responses to take acidification. Large plastic enclosures were suspended in East Twin Lake, Ohio, USA, and duplicates were either untreated controls (pH 8.8), acidified to pH 4.5 over a 23 day period, or acidified and also spiked with incremental additions of Al, to produce a final inorganic monomeric Al level of 180 microg/liter at pH 4.5. Zooplankton abundance and species richness declined in both acid treatments, relative to the control, as numerous acid-sensitive species were eliminated. All of the acid-sensitive species were also Al-sensitive, declining in abundance more rapidly in the acid plus Al treatment than in the acid-alone treatment. Only two small cladocerans (Bosmina longirostris and Chydorus sphaericus) were acid tolerant. Both were also tolerant of elevated Al levels.

Metagenomic Identification of Bacterioplankton Taxa and Pathways Involved in Microcystin Degradation in Lake Erie

Cyanobacterial harmful blooms (CyanoHABs) that produce microcystins are appearing in an increasing number of freshwater ecosystems worldwide, damaging quality of water for use by human and aquatic life. Heterotrophic bacteria assemblages are thought to be important in transforming and detoxifying microcystins in natural environments. However, little is known about their taxonomic composition or pathways involved in the process. To address this knowledge gap, we compared the metagenomes of Lake Erie free-living bacterioplankton assemblages in laboratory microcosms amended with microcystins relative to unamended controls. A diverse array of bacterial phyla were responsive to elevated supply of microcystins, including Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Planctomycetes, Proteobacteria of the alpha, beta, gamma, delta and epsilon subdivisions and Verrucomicrobia. At more detailed taxonomic levels, Methylophilales (mainly in genus Methylotenera) and Burkholderiales (mainly in genera Bordetella, Burkholderia, Cupriavidus, Polaromonas, Ralstonia, Polynucleobacter and Variovorax) of Betaproteobacteria were suggested to be more important in microcystin degradation than Sphingomonadales of Alphaproteobacteria. The latter taxa were previously thought to be major microcystin degraders. Homologs to known microcystin-degrading genes (mlr) were not overrepresented in microcystin-amended metagenomes, indicating that Lake Erie bacterioplankton might employ alternative genes and/or pathways in microcystin degradation. Genes for xenobiotic metabolism were overrepresented in microcystin-amended microcosms, suggesting they are important in bacterial degradation of microcystin, a phenomenon that has been identified previously only in eukaryotic systems.

Assessing the application of SeaWiFS ocean color algorithms to Lake Erie

ABSTRACT The feasibility of satellite-based monitoring of phytoplankton chlorophyll a concentrations in Lake Erie is assessed by applying globally calibrated, ocean-derived color algorithms to spatially and temporally collocated measurements of SeaWiFS remote sensing reflectance. Satellite-based chlorophyll a retrievals were compared with fluorescence-based measurements of chlorophyll a from 68 field samples collected across the lake between 1998 and 2002. Twelve ocean-derived color algorithms, one regional algorithm derived for the Baltic Seas Case 2 waters, and a set of regional algorithms developed for the western, central and eastern basins of Lake Erie were considered. While none of the ocean-derived algorithms performed adequately, the outlook for the success of regionally calibrated and validated algorithms, with forms similar to the ocean-derived algorithms, is promising over the eastern basin and possibly the central basin of the lake. In the western basin, each of the regional algorithms considered performed poorly, indicating that alternative approaches to algorithm development, or to satellite data screening and analysis procedures will be needed.

Nutrient Dynamics in Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands: Future Directions

Abstract The most comprehensive investigations of N and P dynamics in Great Lakes coastal wetlands have been done at Old Woman Creek National Estuarine Research Reserve (OWC); whether OWC is a good general model of coastal freshwater wetlands remains to be shown. This wetland is probably a nutrient sink, storing P in sediments (at least temporarily) and releasing N by dissimilatory denitrification. Also, its biotic community transforms dissolved inorganic N and P inputs into organic dissolved and particulate outputs, thereby altering nutrient availability to Lake Erie communities. Nutrient dynamics in coastal wetlands probably differs greatly from that of inland marshes (where slow decomposition rates permit peat to accumulate as a nutrient sink) and estuaries (where high salinity alters sediment nutrient dynamics). A conceptual model specific for coastal wetlands is presented that accounts for the wide range of redox potentials encountered over the short vertical span of the shallow OWC wetland ecosystem. Future studies need to be conducted within the context of testable hypotheses generated from this model. Future investigations should focus attention on annualized nutrient budgets, sediment-water nutrient exchanges and their dependence on organic matter generated within the ecosystem.

Effects of Predation Risk and Foraging Return on the Diel Use of Vegetated Habitat by Two Size-Classes of Bluegills

Abstract Little is known about nocturnal habitat selection by fishes under the risk of predation. Using a photoperiod of 15 h light : 9 h dark, we quantified the diel use of artificial macrophytes and open water by two size-classes of bluegill Lepomis macrochirus when the open water was empty (control), contained food, or contained both a caged predator and food. Small bluegills (6.2–7.7 cm total length) spent significantly more time in macrophytes in the predator and food treatment than in the control, followed by the food-only treatment. In addition, small bluegills spent significantly more time in macrophytes during the day than at night in all treatments. The frequency with which small bluegills were found in the same location in subsequent observations was significantly higher in the predator and food treatment during the day than in any other treatment and light combination. Large bluegills (10.2–13.0 cm total length) showed no difference in habitat use among treatments but spent significantly less ...

Comparison of the Species Composition, Catch Rate, and Length Distribution of the Catch from Trap Nets with Three Different Mesh and Throat Size Combinations

Abstract Trap nets of varying design are commonly used to assess fish populations, but the effect of the design on gear selectivity is not well known. In particular, it may be advantageous to use multiple net designs with different mesh and throat sizes to maximize the catch of specific length-classes and to minimize the risk of predation on small fish by larger fish. We compared the species composition, catch rate, and length distribution of fishes caught by three trap net designs with dimensions differing only in mesh size and throat size (0.6-cm delta mesh and 3.8-cm × 3.8-cm square throats, 1.3-cm square mesh and 7.6-cm × 7.6-cm square throats, or 2.5-cm square mesh and 12.7-cm × 12.7-cm square throats). A total of 3,473 fish of 18 species were captured from Sandy Lake, Portage County, Ohio, during 24 sample dates from June to August 1999. The large net design had a significantly higher average number of species captured (mean = 11) than the medium or small net design (means = 9 and 8, respectively). ...

Phytoplankton succession during acidification with and without increasing aluminum levels

An in situ mesocosm experiment was performed to investigate the role of aluminum in controlling phytoplankton community succession during lake acidification. Large (2000 liter) mesocosms were suspended in mesotrophic East Twin Lake, Ohio, USA. Duplicates were either untreated controls (pH 8.8), acidified to pH 4.5 over 23 days, or acidified and spiked with 200 microg/liter Al in incremental additions. Filamentous blue greens, diatoms and other chrysophytes became extinct in both acid treatments, but declined most rapidly where Al levels were also increased. The large desmid Closterium and the filamentous chlorophyte Mougoetia became dominant in the Acid treatment. In the Acid + Al treatment, these algae also became dominant, but the species with greatest biomass was the dinoflagellate Peridinium inconspicuum. Acidification (with or without added Al) also resulted in a significant shift in the algal size spectrum to larger (> 20 microm) cells.

Diel Activity Levels of Centrarchid Fishes in a Small Ohio Lake

Abstract We used three different sizes of trap nets (small, medium, and large sizes of both mesh and throats) sampled at 6-h intervals to determine peak activity time(s) for fish along the deep vegetation line in Sandy Lake, Portage County, Ohio. Over 90% of the total catch comprised bluegill Lepomis macrochirus, largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides, pumpkinseed L. gibbosus, and black crappie Pomoxis nigromaculatus. All four species had their lowest catch per unit effort (CPUE) at night (2200–0400 hours). Different length-classes of pumpkinseeds and black crappies had peak CPUE during different times of the day. Smaller length-classes of all species (i.e., those captured in small and medium trap nets) had peak CPUE during either dawn (0400–1000 hours) or midday (1000–1600 hours), whereas the only piscivores captured in high abundance (black crappies 150–303 mm total length captured in large trap nets) had higher CPUE at dusk (1600–2200 hours) than during any other time of the day. It is possible that the...