Response of periphyton to nutrient-enriched UMBS Stream Facility effluent and nutrient-diffusing substrates in the East Branch, Maple River.

Abstract

Periphytic algae were allowed to colonize nutrient-diffusing substrates in sites upstream and downstream from the nutrient-enriched effluent of the UMBS Streams Facility for two weeks. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and a 15 N:1P combination were supplied to the periphyton via the substrates. After removal from the substrates it was analyzed for AFDM and dominant taxa. No significant differences were detected among nutrient treatments at both sites and between the sites. The only significant difference was between the two sites when log-transformed AFDM data were used. The results did not indicate any differences due to nutrient-enriched facility effluent at the downstream site. The variations in AFDM biomass and dominant taxa may have been due to light availability or invertebrates colonizing the substrates.