Abstract
An account is given of the chemistry and floristic composition of stream sites in a small catchment (1.2 km2) with extensive waste from disused lead mines in the upper part of the catchment. One stream sequence provided a gradient of aquatic zinc levels from very high (\(\bar x\) = 25.6 mg l−1 after passing through a filter) to relatively low (\(\bar x\) = 1.2 mg l−1). There was a negative correlation between the number of photosynthetic species present in a reach and the logarithm of the concentration of zinc. The flora at the site with the highest level of zinc was nevertheless comparatively rich, with 25 species, as opposed to a maximum of 41 species in any reach with elevated zinc. A reach in an unpolluted tributary had 61 species, 11 of which were absent at all other reaches. A discussion is included of the extent to which the various floristic changes observed are likely to be a direct result of changes in zinc levels rather than of correlated changes such as flow regime.
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Say, P.J., Whitton, B.A. Changes in flora down a stream showing a zinc gradient. Hydrobiologia 76, 255–262 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00006217
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00006217