Measuring Variation in Ecosystem Sensitivity to Stress
Abstract
This report presents the results of field studies which were designed to investigate the variability in periphyton sensitivity to stress. Chlorine and sulfuric acid were experimentally delivered to periphyton communities using chemical-diffusing substrates. Significant variations in chlorine sensitivity among ecosystems were generally not explained by differences in water quality characteristics, but may be related to differences in the inherent tolerance of algal taxa to chlorine exposure. Periphyton community biomass and oxygen consumption did not respond to decreases in pH as low as pH=3; taxonomic responses to this manipulation are still being analyzed. The report also describes a study of stress induced tolerance of periphyton communities to novel copper stress using chemical diffusers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 29, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA274232
Entities
People
- Eric P. Smith
- John Cairns Jr.
- Matthew E. Arnegard
- Paul V. Mccormick
Organizations
- Virginia Tech