Abstract
The glacier-fed ephemeral streams of southern Victoria Land (ca. 78° S, 64° E) are colonised by an epilithon dominated by cyanobacterial mats and films. Biomass levels are often high (> 15 µg Chl a · cm−2). The mat structure, pigment and photosynthetic characteristics of these communities have been investigated on site. The mats in high light environments have a layered structure with high levels of light shielding accessory pigments in the upper layers and elevated chlorophyll a and phycocyanin concentrations in the lower layers. Photosynthetic rates per unit area (0.4–3.5 µg C · cm− 2 · hr−1) fall within the range reported for temperate communities. P vs I curves were used to separate high, intermediate and low light communities. Ik values for high light communities were at or lower than PAR recorded at midnight in the polar midsummer (ca 100 µ E m−2 · s−1). We did not detect photoinhibitory responses at the midday light intensities. In situ continuous nutrient enrichment experiments failed to demonstrate N or P limitation to pigment content or photosynthetic rates. We suggest that the growth of these communities is controlled by factors other than light and nutrients.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Broady, P. A., 1982. Taxonomy and ecology of algae in a freshwater stream in Taylor Valley, Victoria Land, Antarctica. Arch. Hydrobiol. Supplement 63: 331–339.
Elwood, J. W., J. D. Newbold, A. F. Trimble & R. W. Stark, 1981. The limiting role of phosphorus in a woodland stream ecosystem: effects of P enrichment of leaf decomposition and primary producers. Ecology 62: 146–158.
Goldman, C. R., D. T. Mason & B. J. B. Wood, 1963. Light injury and inhibition in antarctic freshwater phytoplankton. Limnol. Oceanogr. 8: 313–322.
Goldman, C. R., D. T. Mason & B. J. B. Wood, 1972. Comparative study of the limnology of two small lakes on Ross Island, Antarctica. In G. A. Llano (ed.), Antarctic terrestrial biology. Antarctic Research Series, American Geophysical Union 20: 1–48.
Hawes, I., 1988. Filamentous green algae in freshwater streams on Signy Island, Antarctica. Hydrobiologia (this volume).
Howard-Williams, C., W. F. Vincent & G. S. Wratt, 1986(a). The Alph River ecosystem: A major freshwater environment in southern Victorialand. N.Z. Ant. Rec. 7: 21–33.
Howard-Williams, C., C. L. Vincent, P. A. Broady & W. F. Vincent, 1986(b). Antarctic stream ecosystems: variability in environmental properties and algal community structure. Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 71: 511–544.
Hullar, M. L. & J. R. Vestal, 1988. The effects of nutrient limitation and stream discharge on the epilithic microbial communities in an oligotrophic arctic stream. Hydrobiologia (this volume).
Lock, M. A., 1981. River epilithon — a light and organic energy transducer. In M. A. Lock & D. D. Williams (eds.), Perspectives in Running Water Ecology. Plenum Press NY: 3–40
Lock, M. A. & P. H. John, 1979. The effect of flow patterns on uptake of phosphorus by river periphyton. Limnol. Oceanogr. 24: 376–383.
Matson, E. A. & R. L. Klotz, 1983. Organic carbon supply and demand in the Shetucket River of eastern Connecticut. In T. J. Fontaine & S. M. Bartell (eds.), Dynamics of Lotic Ecosystems. Ann Arbor Science, Michigan: 247–169
Naiman, R. J., 1976. Primary production, standing stock and export of organic matter in a Mohave Desert thermal stream. Limnol. Oceanogr. 21: 60–73.
Palmisano, A. C., J. B. Soo Hoo, D. C. White, G. A. Smith, G. R. Stanton & L. H. Burckle, 1985. Shade adapted benthic diatoms beneath antarctic sea ice. J. Phycol. 21: 664–667.
Peterson, B. J., J. E. Hobbie & T. L. Corliss, 1983. A continuous periphyton assay: tests of nutrient limitation in a tundra stream. Limnol. Oceanogr. 28: 583–591.
Shoaf, W. T. & B. W. Lium, 1976. Improved extraction of chlorophyll a and b from algae using dimethylsulfoxide. Limnol. Oceanogr. 12: 926–928.
Strickland, J. D. H. & T. R. Parsons, 1968. A practical handbook of seawater analysis. Fisheries Research Board of Canada Bulletin 167: 1–311.
Triska, F. J., V. C. Kennedy, R. J. Avanzino & B. N. Reilly, 1983. Effect of simulated canopy cover on regulation of nitrate uptake and primary production by natural periphyton assemblages. In T. D. Fontaine & S. M. Bartell (eds.), Dynamics of Lotic Ecosystems. Ann Arbor Science, Michigan: 129–159.
Vincent, W. F. & C. Howard-Williams, 1986. Antarctic stream ecosystems: physiological ecology of a blue-green algal epilithon. Freshwat. Biol. 16: 219–233.
Vincent, W. F. & C. Howard-Williams, 1987. Microbial ecology of antarctic streams. In F. Megusar (ed.), Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Microbial Ecology. Ljubljana: 201-6.
Vincent, W. F. & C. Howard-Williams, 1988. Microbial communities in Southern Victoria Land streams (Antarctica) II. The effects of low temperature. Hydrobiologia (this volume).
Vincent, W. F. & C. L. Vincent, 1982. Response to nutrient enrichment by the plankton of Antarctic coastal lakes and the inshore Ross Sea. Polar Biol. 1: 159–165.
Wuhrman, K. and E. Eichenberger, 1975. Experiments on the effects of inorganic enrichment of rivers on periphyton primary production. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 19: 2028–2034.
Wyman, M. & P. Fay, 1986. Underwater light climate and the growth and pigmentation of planktonic blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) II. The influence of light quality. Proc. Royal Soc. Lond. ser.B 227: 381–393.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Howard-Williams, C., Vincent, W.F. Microbial communities in southern Victoria Land streams (Antarctica) I. Photosynthesis. Hydrobiologia 172, 27–38 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00031610
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00031610