Journal
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
Volume 44, Issue 2, Pages 284-291Publisher
WILEY
DOI: 10.1111/j.1529-8817.2008.00481.x
Keywords
Bacillariophyceae; Chlorophyta; fluvial lake; freshwater; ice algae; protist; spatial distribution; sympagic communities; temperate ecosystem; vertical channels
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Winter ice cover is a fundamental feature of north temperate aquatic systems and is associated with the least productive months of the year. Here we describe a previously unknown freshwater habitat for algal and microbial communities in the ice cover of the freshwater St. Lawrence River, Quebec, Canada. Sampling performed during winter 2005 revealed the presence of viable algal cells, such as Aulacoseira islandica (O. Mull.) Simonsen (Bacillariophyceae), and microbial assemblage growing in the ice and at the ice-water interface. Vertical channels (1-5 mm wide) containing algae were also observed. Concentrations of chl a ranged between 0.5 and 169 mu g . L-1 of melted ice, with maximal concentrations found in the lower part of the ice cores. These algae have the potential to survive when ice breakup occurs and reproduce rapidly in spring/summer conditions. Freshwater ice algae can thus contribute to in situ primary production, biodiversity, and annual carbon budget in various habitats of riverine communities.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available