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Adaptations of epipelic and epipsammic freshwater algae
1School of Environmental Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom.
Oecologia
|March 18, 2017
Summary
Epipelic and epipsammic algae face burial in dark, deoxygenated sediments. Epipelic algae require movement to survive, while epipsammic algae tolerate these conditions, retaining photosynthetic ability.
Area of Science:
- Aquatic Ecology
- Microbial Ecology
- Photosynthesis
Background:
- Epipelic algae inhabit sediment surfaces; epipsammic algae attach to sand grains.
- Both are vulnerable to burial by environmental disturbances, leading to dark, anoxic conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the survival strategies of epipelic and epipsammic algae under dark, deoxygenated conditions.
- To assess the physiological tolerance of these algae to prolonged absence of oxygen and light.
Main Methods:
- Observation of algal behavior and survival in simulated sediment burial scenarios.
- Measurement of photosynthetic potential and tolerance to anaerobic conditions.
Main Results:
- Epipelic algae, though dark-tolerant, struggle with long-term anaerobiosis without rapid upward migration.
- Epipsammic algae demonstrate significant tolerance to both darkness and anaerobiosis, maintaining photosynthetic capacity for days.
Conclusions:
- Epipelic algae rely on motility to escape anoxic conditions.
- Epipsammic algae possess physiological adaptations for surviving extended periods in dark, deoxygenated microhabitats.
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