O crescente desenvolvimento populacional, industrial e a expansão agrícola vêm contribuindo de forma significativa para o aporte de nutrientes e metais nos ecossistemas aquáticos, interferindo na composição e estrutura das comunidades, dentre elas as macrófitas, ocasionando desequilíbrio ambiental, com perda das funções e serviços ecossistêmicos. Entre os diversos elementos inseridos de forma direta e indireta nos corpos hídricos, destacam-se fósforo, cobre e zinco, os quais, apesar de serem fundamentais para o metabolismo biológico, quando em excesso tornam-se prejudiciais, requerendo avaliações mais efetivas, de forma a melhor compreender e prevenir os potenciais riscos da exposição biológica a estes elementos estressores. Considerando o acima exposto, o objetivo da presente pesquisa foi avaliar o efeito do metal cobre sobre o desenvolvimento da macrófita Pistia stratiotes e o efeito dos metais cobre e zinco sobre o desenvolvimento e capacidade bioacumuladora da macrófita Azolla filiculoides, em diferentes concentrações de fósforo, por meio de testes ecotoxicológicos. Para tanto, aspectos nutricionais (nitrogênio, fósforo, cobre total e clorofila a e total) e de desenvolvimento (biomassa, TCR, número de folhas nascidas, ganho de diâmetro, altura e largura foliar, número de raízes nascidas, comprimento das raízes principais, clorose e necrose foliar) foram avaliados em estudos laboratoriais para P. stratiotes e aspectos nutricionais (todos acima citados) e de desenvolvimento (biomassa e TCR) para A. filiculoides. Pelos resultados obtidos verifica-se que os metais cobre e zinco, nas concentrações testadas, ocasionaram interferência no desenvolvimento e nutrição das macrófitas, sendo a maior sensibilidade ao cobre observada para P. stratiotes, registrando-se efeitos de maior toxicidade do cobre em relação ao zinco em ambas as macrófitas. Verificou-se, ainda, que o fósforo proporcionou maior proteção a A. filiculoides contra o efeito dos metais conforme o aumento de sua concentração e já no teste ecotoxicológico com P. stratiotes não foram registradas diferenças significativas em função do aumento das concentrações de fósforo. Dessa maneira, conclui-se que o metal cobre causou maior toxicidade às macrófitas do que o zinco, principalmente em concentrações mais baixas de fósforo, verificando-se maior capacidade bioacumuladora da espécie A. filiculoides quando comparada com P. stratiotes. / The increasing population and industrial growth and the agricultural expansion have contributed significantly to the supply of nutrients and metals in aquatic ecosystems, affecting the composition and structure of communities, among them the macrophytes, causing environmental imbalance, with loss of ecosystem functions and services. Among the various elements inserted directly and indirectly on water bodies, phosphorus, copper and zinc stand out, which, despite being fundamental to the biological metabolism, when in excess become harmful, and assessments that are more effective are required to better understand and prevent the potential risks of biological exposure to these stressors. Considering the above, the objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of copper metal on the development of the macrophyte Pistia stratiotes and the effect of copper and zinc metals on the development and the bioaccumulation capacity of the macrophyte Azolla filiculoides, in different concentrations of phosphorus, through ecotoxicological tests. To do that, nutritional (nitrogen, phosphorus, copper total and chlorophyll a and total) and development (biomass, RGR, number of leafs born, diameter gain, leaf height and width, number of roots born, length of the main roots, leaf chlorosis and necrosis) aspects were evaluated in laboratory studies for P. stratiotes and nutritional (all above) and development (biomass and RGR) aspects for A. filiculoides. From the results obtained it appears that the metals copper and zinc, on the tested concentrations, caused interference in the development and nutrition of the macrophytes, where more sensitivity to copper was observed for P. stratiotes, and the effects of enhanced toxicity of copper relative to zinc in both macrophytes. It was also found that the phosphorus provided greater protection to A. filiculoides against the effects of metals as its concentration was increased and, on the ecotoxicological test with P. stratiotes, no significant differences where found with the increasing concentrations of phosphorus. Thus, it is concluded that the copper metal has caused more toxicity to macrophytes than zinc, especially at lower concentrations of phosphorus, and was verified a greater bioaccumulation capacity on the A. filiculoides species when compared to P. stratiotes.

A presente pesquisa teve por objetivo analisar a composição e distribuição das espécies de macrófitas aquáticas no reservatório do Lobo (Broa), em quatro períodos do ano de 2007: março, maio, agosto e novembro. Para atender os objetivos propostos, variáveis limnológicas envolvendo os compartimentos água (pH, condutividade, temperatura, oxigênio dissolvido, clorofila, formas nitrogenadas e fosfatadas, silicato reativo e material em suspensão) e sedimento (granulometria, matéria orgânica, fósforo e nitrogênio) foram analisadas em 8 pontos de amostragem na região litorânea do reservatório. Simultaneamente, exemplares de macrófitas foram fotografados e coletados para identificação, buscando-se uma relação com as características limnológicas, hidrológicas (vazão e tempo de residência) e climatológicas (temperatura do ar, precipitação, vento e radiação). Os resultados da análise das variáveis físicas, químicas e biológicas dos diversos pontos de amostragem mostraram que existe uma diferenciação espacial e temporal no reservatório, verificando-se aumento do grau de trofia do mesmo em relação aos estudos anteriores. Quanto à composição e distribuição das macrófitas, estas se encontram mais concentradas na área alagada formada pelo barramento das águas do rio Itaqueri e ribeirão do Lobo, embora a maior riqueza de espécies tenha ocorrido no ribeirão do Lobo e córrego das Perdizes, sendo mais elevada em comparação com estudos anteriores. A distribuição espacial e temporal das macrófitas aquáticas apresenta relação com as características morfométricas, hidrodinâmicas e com o aporte de nutrientes pelos tributários, além das condições climatológicas, que inserem modificações na dinâmica do reservatório e, conseqüentemente, no estabelecimento e estruturação das comunidades. / The objective of this study was to examine the composition and distribution of aquatic macrophytes species in the Lobo reservoir (Broa) in four periods of the year 2007: March, May, August and November. To achieve the proposed objectives, limnological variables involving water (pH, conductivity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll, nitrogen and phosphated forms and reactive silicate) and sediment (grain, organic matter, phosphorus and nitrogen) compartments were analyzed at 8 sample stations in the littoral region of the reservoir. Meanwhile, samples of macrophytes were photographed and collected for identification, seeking a relationship with the limnological, hydrological (flow and length of residence time) and weather (air temperature, precipitation, wind and radiation) characteristics. The results of physical, chemical and biological variables of the various sample points showed that there is a spatial and temporal differentiation in the reservoir, verifying the increasing of the trophic levels in relation to previous studies. As to the composition and distribution of macrophytes, they are more concentrated in the flooded area formed by the barred waters of Itaqueri river and Lobo river, although the greatest wealth of species has occurred in Lobo river and Perdizes, being higher compared with earlier studies. The spatial and temporal distribution of aquatic macrophytes presents relationship with the morphometric and hydrodynamic characteristics and intake of nutrients by the rivers, in addition to climatic conditions, which inserts changes in the dynamics of the reservoir and, consequently, the establishment and structure of communities.

Investigations were made examining the relationships between gastropod species richness and abundance across 20 phosphate and 20 natural lakes in Central Florida. In additional to lake category, age of phosphate lakes was used to determine if phosphate lakes ever approximate natural lakes. Additional physical, chemical, and biological parameters, including chlorophyll a, Ca, secchi, phosphorous, conductance, fish predation, and recreational lake use were investigated in order to determine if they affected gastropods with lake age. Comparisons were also made between gastropod species richness and average abundance and two groups of dominant vegetation categories: Panicum, a structurally complex macrophyte, and Typha, a less structurally complex macrophyte. After phosphate mining operations are completed, Florida state regulations require the establishment of ecologically viable habitat (created lakes) which reflects the properties of regional natural lakes including vegetation structure, littoral zone, bank slope, and lake depth. The littoral zone is part of the mandated structure of the lake, and is of considerable importance to the uptake, storage, transformation and release of nutrients. Within the littoral zone, gastropods are a critical link in the food web with implications for the long term structure and function of a lake. They are known for their close associations with macrophytes and are common environmental indicators since they have limited mobility, high diversity, are well studied, are representative of their habitat type and have a widespread geographic range. They are also an important food sources for many predators in aquatic environments, include migratory waterfowl and game fish. Gastropod species richness and abundance data were collected via standard net sweep methodology. Abundance was presented in catch per unit effort, therefore all abundance data were averages. Initial comparisons between gastropod species richness and average abundance yielded no significant differences between natural and phosphate lakes. However, when age was applied as a covariate, there was a significant difference between lake age as a continuous variable in species richness comparisons. Additionally, categorical comparisons between lakes older or younger than 30 years indicated significantly higher species richness and average abundance of gastropods in lakes phosphate lakes older than 30 years. Physical and chemical properties of the lakes did not appear to influence gastropod populations between lakes of different ages. Fish predation interactions did not indicate any significant influence either. However, the presence of boat ramps did indicate a positive relationship between average gastropod abundance and species richness and recreational lake use. Littoral zone macrophyte comparisons between dominant vegetation Typha and Panicum indicated a significantly positive relationship between gastropod species richness and average abundance in older phosphate lakes dominated by the more structurally complex Panicum macrophytes. Confidence in the Typha and Panicum results was confounded by lack of access to younger, Typha dominated, phosphate lakes. An increase in sample size for younger Typha lakes, with additional site access, may further support these findings.

Eutrophication is a major concern in the Baltic Sea and it is affecting macrophyte communities by promoting the growth of opportunistic algae and decreasing the cover of perennial macrophyte species via shading. It is however uncertain how common eutrophication and its symptoms are in the northern parts of the Baltic Sea, the Botnian Sea. The aim of this study was to evaluate if Sörleviken, a bay in the Bothnian Sea, show signs of increased eutrophication pressure in 2020 compared to 2007 based on changes in macrophyte cover and composition. The macrophyte community was inventoried with under-water video techniques in 2020 along three transects, matching transects previously inventoried by a diver in 2007. The three transects were located in the inner, middle and the outer parts of the bay. The results showed that macrophyte diversity was lower in 2020 than in 2007 along the outer transect, but overall, the total cover of macrophytes, relative cover of opportunistic algae, species richness and evenness remained unchanged. A possible higher presence of Stuckenia pectinata (former Potamogeton pectinatus) and a possible lower presence of Chara aspera in 2o2o compared to 2007 might be evidence of higher eutrophication pressure in 2020. However, by observing the general changes in the macrophyte community, this study only provides weak or inconclusive signs of increased eutrophication pressure, thus Sörleviken shows no signs of either improvement of or further increases in eutrophication pressure by 2020 compared to the observations in 2007.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal.

A qualidade da água do rio Paraíba do Sul se encontra bastante comprometida, principalmente, devido ao despejo de efluentes domésticos contendo nutrientes, que em excesso, favorecem o crescimento desordenado de macrófitas aquáticas. Logo, este trabalho teve por objetivo iniciar um levantamento florístico para caracterizar a comunidade de macrófitas aquáticas no rio Paraíba do Sul, relacionando a diversidade dessas espécies com os níveis de nutrientes na água e no sedimento. As coletas foram realizadas em oito pontos inseridos no trecho médio superior desse rio, sendo uma no período de seca e outra no período chuvoso. Amostras de água foram analisadas quanto ao pH, condutividade, oxigênio dissolvido, demanda bioquímica de oxigênio (DBO), sólidos totais, fósforo total e coliformes termotolerantes. E as amostras de sedimento, quanto ao fósforo total, ao teor de nitrogênio orgânico total e de matéria orgânica. A Análise de Componentes Principais (ACP), assim como, a Análise de Clusters (Dendograma), foram utilizadas, através do software Palaeontological Statistics (PAST-2.17), para indicar os parâmetros físicos e químicos, que melhor explicassem a variação da diversidade de espécies de macrófitas entre os pontos de coleta. Os pontos que apresentaram os menores níveis de nutrientes e de matéria orgânica nas amostras de água e sedimento foram os que apresentaram os maiores níveis de oxigênio dissolvido na água e a maior diversidade de macrófitas aquáticas. Nos oito pontos amostrados, foram identificadas 18 famílias, 23 gêneros e 26 espécies de macrófitas aquáticas. No geral, as áreas amostradas apresentaram bancos de macrófitas repetitivas, prevalecendo Echinochloa polystachya e Polygonum lapathifolium (L.), como plantas marginais emergentes; Lemna sp., Limnobium laevigatum (Humb. & Bonpl. Ex Willd.), Salvinia auriculata (Aubl.), Pistia stratiotes (L.) e Eichornia crassipes (Mart.), como plantas flutuantes; Ceratophyllum demersum (L.), como submersa livre. / Water quality of the Paraíba do Sul River is greatly impaired, mainly because the discharge of domestic effluents containing nutrients, which in excess, favoring uncontrolled growth of aquatic weeds. Therefore, this study aimed to start a floristic survey to characterize the community of aquatic macrophytes in the Paraíba do Sul River, linking the diversity of these species with nutrient levels in water and sediment. The collections were made in eight points inserted in the upper middle section of this river, one in the dry season and another in the rainy season. Water samples were analyzed for pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total solids, total phosphorus and fecal coliform. And the sediment samples, for total phosphorus, total organic content of nitrogen and organic matter. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA), as well as the Cluster Analysis (dendogram), were used by the Palaeontological Statistics Software (PAST- 2.17), to indicate the physical and chemical parameters that best explain the variation in species diversity of macrophytes between the collection points. The points, which had the lowest levels of nutrients and organic matter in water and sediment samples, were those with the highest levels of dissolved oxygen and greater diversity of macrophytes. In the eight sampled points, 18 families, 23 genera and 26 species of aquatic macrophytes were identified. Overall, the areas sampled showed banks repetitive macrophyte prevailing Echinochloa polystachya and Polygonum lapathifolium (L.), emerging as marginal plants; Lemna sp, Limnobium laevigatum (Humb. & Bonpl Ex Willd.), Salvinia auriculata ( Aubl.), Pistia stratiotes (L.) and Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) as floating plants; Ceratophyllum demersum (L.) as a free submerged.

A qualidade da água do rio Paraíba do Sul se encontra bastante comprometida, principalmente, devido ao despejo de efluentes domésticos contendo nutrientes, que em excesso, favorecem o crescimento desordenado de macrófitas aquáticas. Logo, este trabalho teve por objetivo iniciar um levantamento florístico para caracterizar a comunidade de macrófitas aquáticas no rio Paraíba do Sul, relacionando a diversidade dessas espécies com os níveis de nutrientes na água e no sedimento. As coletas foram realizadas em oito pontos inseridos no trecho médio superior desse rio, sendo uma no período de seca e outra no período chuvoso. Amostras de água foram analisadas quanto ao pH, condutividade, oxigênio dissolvido, demanda bioquímica de oxigênio (DBO), sólidos totais, fósforo total e coliformes termotolerantes. E as amostras de sedimento, quanto ao fósforo total, ao teor de nitrogênio orgânico total e de matéria orgânica. A Análise de Componentes Principais (ACP), assim como, a Análise de Clusters (Dendograma), foram utilizadas, através do software Palaeontological Statistics (PAST-2.17), para indicar os parâmetros físicos e químicos, que melhor explicassem a variação da diversidade de espécies de macrófitas entre os pontos de coleta. Os pontos que apresentaram os menores níveis de nutrientes e de matéria orgânica nas amostras de água e sedimento foram os que apresentaram os maiores níveis de oxigênio dissolvido na água e a maior diversidade de macrófitas aquáticas. Nos oito pontos amostrados, foram identificadas 18 famílias, 23 gêneros e 26 espécies de macrófitas aquáticas. No geral, as áreas amostradas apresentaram bancos de macrófitas repetitivas, prevalecendo Echinochloa polystachya e Polygonum lapathifolium (L.), como plantas marginais emergentes; Lemna sp., Limnobium laevigatum (Humb. & Bonpl. Ex Willd.), Salvinia auriculata (Aubl.), Pistia stratiotes (L.) e Eichornia crassipes (Mart.), como plantas flutuantes; Ceratophyllum demersum (L.), como submersa livre. / Water quality of the Paraíba do Sul River is greatly impaired, mainly because the discharge of domestic effluents containing nutrients, which in excess, favoring uncontrolled growth of aquatic weeds. Therefore, this study aimed to start a floristic survey to characterize the community of aquatic macrophytes in the Paraíba do Sul River, linking the diversity of these species with nutrient levels in water and sediment. The collections were made in eight points inserted in the upper middle section of this river, one in the dry season and another in the rainy season. Water samples were analyzed for pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total solids, total phosphorus and fecal coliform. And the sediment samples, for total phosphorus, total organic content of nitrogen and organic matter. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA), as well as the Cluster Analysis (dendogram), were used by the Palaeontological Statistics Software (PAST- 2.17), to indicate the physical and chemical parameters that best explain the variation in species diversity of macrophytes between the collection points. The points, which had the lowest levels of nutrients and organic matter in water and sediment samples, were those with the highest levels of dissolved oxygen and greater diversity of macrophytes. In the eight sampled points, 18 families, 23 genera and 26 species of aquatic macrophytes were identified. Overall, the areas sampled showed banks repetitive macrophyte prevailing Echinochloa polystachya and Polygonum lapathifolium (L.), emerging as marginal plants; Lemna sp, Limnobium laevigatum (Humb. & Bonpl Ex Willd.), Salvinia auriculata ( Aubl.), Pistia stratiotes (L.) and Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) as floating plants; Ceratophyllum demersum (L.) as a free submerged.

Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

L’effet du développement résidentiel des bassins versants sur l’habitat et la distribution des macrophytes dans le littoral de six lacs des Laurentides a été évalué à l’aide de carottes de sédiments et de quadrats. Le développement augmente la proportion de milieux déboisés ce qui réduit l’apport en débris de bois et augmente l’érosion et les apports de nutriments dans les sédiments du littoral. Les sédiments sont plus fins, plus denses et contiennent moins de matière organique. Ces changements favorisent les macrophytes en augmentant leur couverture dans les lacs développés. La présence d’espèces submergées de macrophytes est également favorisée au détriment des espèces à feuilles flottantes, plus caractéristiques des lacs moins développés. Même si la biomasse des macrophytes est limitée dans certains lacs, celle-ci augmente dans les lacs développés et montre des signes d’un effet tampon sur les apports de nutriments. Des quantités équivalentes à des valeurs entre 35 et 230% des apports annuels de phosphore et entre 79 et 659% des apports d’azote par les résidents ont été accumulées dans les tissus des macrophytes des lacs dont le bassin versant est très déboisé. Les sédiments s’enrichissent à la sénescence des macrophytes et contiennent alors plus de nutriments que la colonne d’eau et ce, pour tous les lacs. Une présence accrue d’espèces submergées et plus de nutriments dans les tissus des macrophytes des lacs développés, jumelés à l’absence de prolifération de phytoplancton malgré un plus grand apport de nutriments, laisse penser que les lacs des Laurentides sont en état d’eutrophisation précoce. / Effects of residential development on macrophyte habitat and distribution in the littoral zone of six lakes of the Laurentian region were assessed with quadrats and small cores. Residential development increases the proportion of open area which reduces coarse woody debris inputs and enhances erosion and nutrient inputs into the sediments. Sediments are then finer, more compact and contain less organic matter. With less important proportion of forested area in developed watersheds, nutrients inputs are then more important in sediment as well. These changes in macrophyte habitats enhance coverage of the littoral by aquatic plants in developed lakes. Submerged species are also favoured at the expense of floating species that are more typical of pristine conditions. Despite the limitation of aquatic plants biomass in some lakes, macrophyte biomass is higher in developed lakes and showed signs of a buffering effect on nutrient inputs, especially for phosphorus. Macrophyte nutrient content represented values between 35 and 230% of annual phosphorus inputs by residents on the shore of developed lakes and between 79 and 659% of the annual nitrogen inputs. Sediments are enriched by macrophytes at their senescence and therefore contain more nutrients than the water column and macrophytes for all lakes. The greater presence of submerged macrophytes, and the higher amount of nutrients in macrophytes of developed lakes combined with absence of phytoplankton blooms in spite of greater nutrient supply, suggests that Laurentian lakes are in an early stage of eutrophication.

L’effet du développement résidentiel des bassins versants sur l’habitat et la distribution des macrophytes dans le littoral de six lacs des Laurentides a été évalué à l’aide de carottes de sédiments et de quadrats. Le développement augmente la proportion de milieux déboisés ce qui réduit l’apport en débris de bois et augmente l’érosion et les apports de nutriments dans les sédiments du littoral. Les sédiments sont plus fins, plus denses et contiennent moins de matière organique. Ces changements favorisent les macrophytes en augmentant leur couverture dans les lacs développés. La présence d’espèces submergées de macrophytes est également favorisée au détriment des espèces à feuilles flottantes, plus caractéristiques des lacs moins développés. Même si la biomasse des macrophytes est limitée dans certains lacs, celle-ci augmente dans les lacs développés et montre des signes d’un effet tampon sur les apports de nutriments. Des quantités équivalentes à des valeurs entre 35 et 230% des apports annuels de phosphore et entre 79 et 659% des apports d’azote par les résidents ont été accumulées dans les tissus des macrophytes des lacs dont le bassin versant est très déboisé. Les sédiments s’enrichissent à la sénescence des macrophytes et contiennent alors plus de nutriments que la colonne d’eau et ce, pour tous les lacs. Une présence accrue d’espèces submergées et plus de nutriments dans les tissus des macrophytes des lacs développés, jumelés à l’absence de prolifération de phytoplancton malgré un plus grand apport de nutriments, laisse penser que les lacs des Laurentides sont en état d’eutrophisation précoce. / Effects of residential development on macrophyte habitat and distribution in the littoral zone of six lakes of the Laurentian region were assessed with quadrats and small cores. Residential development increases the proportion of open area which reduces coarse woody debris inputs and enhances erosion and nutrient inputs into the sediments. Sediments are then finer, more compact and contain less organic matter. With less important proportion of forested area in developed watersheds, nutrients inputs are then more important in sediment as well. These changes in macrophyte habitats enhance coverage of the littoral by aquatic plants in developed lakes. Submerged species are also favoured at the expense of floating species that are more typical of pristine conditions. Despite the limitation of aquatic plants biomass in some lakes, macrophyte biomass is higher in developed lakes and showed signs of a buffering effect on nutrient inputs, especially for phosphorus. Macrophyte nutrient content represented values between 35 and 230% of annual phosphorus inputs by residents on the shore of developed lakes and between 79 and 659% of the annual nitrogen inputs. Sediments are enriched by macrophytes at their senescence and therefore contain more nutrients than the water column and macrophytes for all lakes. The greater presence of submerged macrophytes, and the higher amount of nutrients in macrophytes of developed lakes combined with absence of phytoplankton blooms in spite of greater nutrient supply, suggests that Laurentian lakes are in an early stage of eutrophication.