Rodríguez Vargas, Lorainne I.

Profile Picture

Filters

20141
Reset filters

Settings

Citations

Publication Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    PublicationRestricted
    Net-plankton diatoms of Puerto Rican water reservoirs as potential bioindicators of trophic status
    (2014) Rodríguez Vargas, Lorainne I.; Massol Deyá, Arturo A.; College of Arts and Sciences - Sciences; Santos Flores, Carlos J.; Rodríguez Minguela, Carlos M.; Department of Biology; Corredor García, Jorge E.
    Diatoms are a group of unicellular algae enclosed in a siliceous exoskeleton called the frustule. This ornamented structure allows for taxonomic identification. Diatoms are frequently used as indicators to monitor the integrity of aquatic ecosystems in Europe, Africa and the United States. This study aims to expand the knowledge of these microalgae for the future inclusion of diatom monitoring as part of trophic status monitoring in Puerto Rican Reservoirs. Net-size plankton was sampled from six reservoirs, (Cerrillos, Cidra, Guajataca, La Plata, Patillas and Toa Vaca) which were selected to encompass a wide range of trophic status. A total of six samples were collected from each reservoir between March 2012 and April 2014. Samples were analyzed with light and SEM-microscopies and identified to the lowest taxonomic rank possible. Shannon-Weaver’s diversity index, H’, ranged between 0.015 and 2.313, Margalef’s richness index, R, ranged between 1.071 and 4.969, similarity between samplings measured with Jaccard’s index ranged between 25% and 100% index ranged between and Pollution Tolerance Index values were between 2.04 and 3.00. A total of 32 taxa were registered. Dominant taxa in these reservoirs were species of Achnanthidium sp., centric diatoms, Navicula sp.and Ulnaria sp. Mesotrophic reservoirs (Guajataca and Toa Vaca) had the most diverse communities and the highest richness. Some organisms present in the phytoplankton communities, such as Achnanthidium minuttisimum and Ulnaria ulna, could aid in the differentiation of low nutrient states from high nutrient states. The study showed that net-phytoplankton taxa seem to be useful in the bioindication of the trophic conditions in subtropical reservoirs.