Original paper
First steps to periphyton
Otten, J. H.; Willemse, M. T. M.
Archiv für Hydrobiologie Volume 112 Number 2 (1988), p. 177 - 195
47 references
published: Apr 21, 1988
DOI: 10.1127/archiv-hydrobiol/112/1988/177
ArtNo. ESP141011202001, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
Experiments are carried out in order to quantify the influence of substrate wettability and surface charge of glass, plexiglass and polylysine coated glass on the attachment strength of some freshwater algae. It appears that these physical substrate characteristics are important factors involving in periphyton formation, but their influence is merely temporarely. In adhesion of Nitzschia palea the influence of temperature is shown, and in adhesion of Scenedesmus sp. the nitrate content of the medium appeared to be an important factor. Attachment strength of algae that colonized glass slides in a pond is determined experimentally by washing of the substrates and by ultrasonic treatment. Exposure to waterflow, streamline, mucilage composition and attachment structures are important in algal adhesion. In case of diatoms three basic attachment systems, based upon functional morphological criterions, are distinguished. Succession stages of periphyton on Cladophora crispata threads are studied and coppled to the growth pattern of the threads. Physiological activity of the Cladophora cells seems to be one important factor that characterizes the composition of the epiphyton.
Keywords
periphyton • glass • plexiglass • algae