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RELATIONSHIP OF CHAIN-FORMING ARAPHID DIATOM COMMUNITIES FOUND IN HYDROLOGICALLY VARIABLE WETLANDS

Abstract

Diatoms, a common group of algae made of silica, are found to be high quality bioindicators. The former Bo Ginn National Fish Hatchery in Millen, Georgia, United States was used to study the modifications done on spring-fed wetlands. Ponds were modified based on inundation period and featured eight total wetlands, five were temporarily inundated and three were permanently inundated. All samples were collected using a benthic core sampler. The goals of this research were to (1) identify diatoms to the lowest taxonomic level, (2) compare algal metrics between the varying inundations and the top versus bottom of the sediment cores and (3) observe and analyze chain formation of Staurosira construens Ehrenberg. Previous research on this project found that S. construens dominated all samples with over 50% relative abundance. It is a chain-forming diatom and there is importance in observing these chains in order to document reproductive and diminution series traits that might be observable within samples. Current data shows high abundance of chains and the average number of frustules within a chain being four frustules. Chain showed diatom’s ability to survive and reproduce, leading to increased number of chains. There was a higher prevalence of chains within the temporary wetlands; however, there were more total temporary ponds overall. These digested samples were compared to live samples collected from the spring, the wetlands’ water source, and there were higher length of chains. There is theory that length of chain varied on both the practice of digestion and mounting of slides or the live collection of samples from the spring. This research contributes to the understanding of the effects of anthropogenic use on the ecosystem even years after the hatchery closed along with the relationship between chain length and size within sediment cores of top and bottom as well as inundation.

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