Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Recovery of the macroinvertebrate community below a wastewater treatment plant input in a Mediterranean stream

  • Primary Research Article
  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We sampled chlorophyll a, benthic organic matter, and benthic macroinvertebrates in June 2001 in La Tordera stream (Catalonia, NE Spain), receiving a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) input. Samples were collected in six equidistant transects in three reaches located upstream (UP), few m below (DW1), and 500 m below the WWTP input (DW2). Our first objective was to assess the effects of the point source on the structure and functional organization of the benthic macroinvertebrate community. Our second objective was to determine if the self-purifying capacity of the stream implied differences between the communities of the DW1 and the DW2 reaches. The WWTP input highly increased discharge, nutrient concentrations, and conductivity and decreased dissolved oxygen. At the DW1 and the DW2 reaches, taxa richness, EPT taxa (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera), and Shannon diversity decreased and gatherer relative density increased relative to the UP reach. At the UP reach, CPOM and FPOM standing crops were similar, whereas at the DW1 and the DW2 reaches CPOM was two times higher than FPOM. Detailed analysis showed that major changes in the benthic community occurred abruptly between 80 and 90 m downstream of the point source (middle of the DW1 reach). At this location, chlorophyll a concentration, density of macroinvertebrates, taxa richness, and scraper relative density increased, whereas gatherer relative percentage decreased. The macroinvertebrate community at the DW2 reach was comparable to that at the second middle of the DW1 reach (DW1B). The macroinvertebrate community at the DW1B and the DW2 reaches were quite similar to that at the UP reach, indicating that the recovery capacity of the stream from nutrient enrichment was high.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • J. A. Allan (1995) Stream ecology. Structure and function of running waters Chapman & Hall London, UK, 388

    Google Scholar 

  • Barbour, M. T., B. D. Gerritsen, B. D. Snyder & J. B. Stribling, 1999. Benthic macroinvertebrate protocols. In M. T. Barbour, B. D. Gerritsen, B. D. Snyder & J. B. Stribling (eds), Rapid bioassessment protocols for use in streams and wadeable rivers: periphyton, benthic macroinvertebrates and fish. EPA 841-B-99-002. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Office of Water, Washington, D.C.: 7.1–7.20

  • M. G. Braioni G. Salmoiraghi B. Gumiero P. Cisotto (1997) ArticleTitleBreakdown and colonization of alder in regulated Italian watercourses Limnetica 13 25–32

    Google Scholar 

  • Council of the European Communities, 2000. Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy. Official Journal of the European Communities. L327: 1–72

  • M. D. Delong M. A. Brunsen (1998) ArticleTitleMacroinvertebrate community structure along the longitudinal gradient of an agriculturally impacted stream Environmental Management 22 445–457 Occurrence Handle9516536

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • M. Dieterich N. H. Anderson (2000) ArticleTitleThe invertebrate fauna of summer-dry streams in western Oregon Archiv für Hydrobiologie 147 273–295

    Google Scholar 

  • K. E. Doisy C. F. Rabeni (2001) ArticleTitleFlow conditions, benthic food resources, and invertebrate community composition in a low-gradient stream in Missouri Journal of the North American Benthological Society 20 17–32

    Google Scholar 

  • H. L. Garie A. McIntosh (1986) ArticleTitleDistribution of benthic macroinvertebrates in a stream exposed to urban runoff Water Resources Bulletin 22 447–455 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL28XksVylt7s%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • A. Gasith V. H. Resh (1999) ArticleTitleStreams in Mediterranean climate regions: abiotic influences and biotic responses to predictable seasonal events Annual Reviews of Ecology and Systematics 30 51–81

    Google Scholar 

  • N. D. Gordon T. A. McMahon B. L. Finlayson (1992) Stream hydrology: an introduction for ecologists John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Chichester, England 526

    Google Scholar 

  • D. D. Hart C. T. Robinson (1990) ArticleTitleResource limitation in a stream community: phosphorus enrichment effects on periphyton and grazers Ecology 71 1494–1502

    Google Scholar 

  • C. P. Hawkins J. R. Sedell (1981) ArticleTitleLongitudinal and seasonal changes in functional organization of macroinvertebrate communities in four Oregon streams Ecology 62 387–97

    Google Scholar 

  • W. A. House F. H. Denison (1997) ArticleTitleNutrient dynamics in a lowland stream impacted by sewage effluent: Great Ouse, England The Science of the Total Environment 205 25–49 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXms1Oqtrs%3D Occurrence Handle9352669

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • H. B. N. Hynes (1978) The biology of polluted waters Liverpool University Press Cambridge, Great Britain 92–121

    Google Scholar 

  • R. C. Jones C. C. Clark (1987) ArticleTitleImpact of watershed urbanization on stream insect communities Water Resources Bulletin 23 1047–1055 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaL1cXotFKjug%3D%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • J. R. Karr D. R. Dudley (1981) ArticleTitleEcological perspective on water quality goals Environmental Management 5 55–68

    Google Scholar 

  • B. L. Kerans J. R. Karr (1994) ArticleTitleA benthic index of biotic integrity (B-IBI) for rivers of the Tennesse Valley Ecological Applications 4 768–785

    Google Scholar 

  • P. Koetsier J. V. McArthur (2000) ArticleTitleOrganic matter retention by macrophyte beds in 2 southeastern USA, low-gradient, headwater streams Journal of the North American Benthological Society 19 633–647

    Google Scholar 

  • D. R. Lenat (1983) ArticleTitleChironomid taxa richness: natural variation and use in pollution assessment Freshwater Invertebrate Biology 2 192–198

    Google Scholar 

  • D. R. Lenat J. K. Crawford (1994) ArticleTitleEffects of land use on water quality and aquatic biota in three North Carolina Piedmont stream Hydrobiologia 294 185–199

    Google Scholar 

  • E. Martí J. Aumatell L. Godé M. Poch F. Sabater (2004) ArticleTitleNutrient retention efficiency in streams receiving inputs from wastewater treatment plants Journal of Environmental Quality 33 285–293 Occurrence Handle14964383

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • E. Masseret C. Ambland G. Bourdier (1998) ArticleTitleChanges in the structure and metabolic activities of periphytic communities in a stream receiving treated sewage from a waste stabilization pond Water Research 32 2299–2314 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXltVehtLY%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • P. V. McCormick J. A. Laing (2003) ArticleTitleEffects of increased phosphorus loading on dissolved oxygen in a subtropical wetland, the Florida Everglades Wetlands Ecology and Management 11 199–216 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXks1Chur0%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • P. V. McCormick R. B. E. Shuford III P. S. Rawlik (2004) ArticleTitleChanges in macroinvertebrate community structure and function along a phosphorus gradient in the Florida Everglades Hydrobiologia 529 113–132

    Google Scholar 

  • Merseburger, G. C., E. Martí & F. Sabater, in press. Net changes in nutrient concentrations below a point source input in two streams draining catchments with contrasting land uses. The Science of the Total Environment. Accepted December 2004

  • R. J. Miltner E. T. Rankin (1998) ArticleTitlePrimary nutrients and the biotic integrity of rivers and streams Freshwater Biology 40 145–158 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXlslWitbo%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moulton II, S. R., J. L. Carter, S. A. Grotheer, T. F. Cuffney & T. M. Short, 2000. Methods of analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory-processing, taxonomy, and quality control of benthic macroinvertebrate samples. Report number 00-212. U.S. Geological Survey, Denver, Colorado

  • P. J. Mulholland C. S. Fellows J. L. Tank N. B. Grimm J. R. Webster S. K. Hamilton E. Martí L. Ashkenas W. B. Bowden W. K. Dodds W. H. McDowell M. J. Paul B. J. Peterson (2001) ArticleTitleInter-biome comparison of factors controlling stream metabolism Freshwater Biology 46 1503–1517 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXptVKrtr4%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • E. P. Odum J. T. Finn E. H. Franz (1979) ArticleTitlePerturbation theory and the subsidy-stress gradient Bioscience 29 349–352

    Google Scholar 

  • M. J. Paul J. L. Meyer (2001) ArticleTitleStreams in the urban landscape Annual Reviews of Ecology and Systematics 32 333–365

    Google Scholar 

  • J. Prenda A. Gallardo-Mayenco (1996) ArticleTitleSelf-purification, temporal variability and the macroinvertebrate community in small lowland Mediterranean streams receiving crude domestic sewage effluents Archiv für Hydrobiologie 136 159–170 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK28XivV2ms7o%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • A. H. Roy A. D. Rosemond M. J. Paul D. S. Leigh J. B. Wallace (2003) ArticleTitleStream macroinvertebrate response to catchment urbanisation (Georgia, U.S.A.) Freshwater Biology 48 329–346

    Google Scholar 

  • S. H. Shieh B. C. Kondratieff J. V. Ward (1999a) ArticleTitleLongitudinal changes in benthic organic matter and macroinvertebrates in a polluted Colorado plains stream Hydrobiologia 411 191–209

    Google Scholar 

  • S. H. Shieh B. C. Kondratieff J. V. Ward D. A. Rice (1999b) ArticleTitleThe relationship of macroinvertebrate assemblages to water chemistry in a polluted Colorado plains stream Archiv für Hydrobiologie 145 405–432 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXltV2ntbw%3D

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Steinman, A. D. & G. A. Lamberti, 1996. Biomass and pigments of benthic algae. In F. R. Hauer & G. A. Lamberti (eds), [13] Methods in stream ecology. Academic press, San Diego, California: 295–313

  • Stream Bryophyte Group, 1999. Roles of bryophytes in stream ecosystems. Journal of the North American Benthological Society. 18: 151–184

    Google Scholar 

  • H. Tachet P. Richoux M. Bournaud P. Usseglio-Polatera (2000) Invertébrés d’eau douce CNRS Éditions Paris 588

    Google Scholar 

  • ter Braak, C. J. F. & P. Šmilauer, 1998. CANOCO reference manual and user’s guide to Canoco for Windows: software for canonical community ordination (version 4). Microcomputer Power, Ithaca, New York

  • J. B. Wallace R. W. Merritt (1980) ArticleTitleFilter-feeding ecology of aquatic insects Annual Review of Entomology 25 103–132

    Google Scholar 

  • J. B. Wallace J. R. Webster (1996) ArticleTitleThe role of macroinvertebrates in stream ecosystem function Annual Review of Entomology 41 115–139 Occurrence Handle1:CAS:528:DyaK28XksVyrsw%3D%3D Occurrence Handle15012327

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center of Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Camí d’accés a la cala St. Francesc, 14, 17300, Blanes, Girona, Spain

    Jesús D. Ortiz, Eugènia Martí & M. Àngels Puig

Authors
  1. Jesús D. Ortiz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Eugènia Martí
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Àngels Puig
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jesús D. Ortiz.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ortiz, J.D., Martí, E. & Puig, M.À. Recovery of the macroinvertebrate community below a wastewater treatment plant input in a Mediterranean stream. Hydrobiologia 545, 289–302 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-005-3646-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-005-3646-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation