Abstract
The presence of rotting barley straw in a dis used canal reduced the amount of filamentous algae. No effect on algae was observed during the first season after the introduction of straw but algae were decreased in three subsequent years. Algal growth on microscope slides suspended in the water downstream of the straw was reduced by 90%, compared with slides upstream of the straw. A similar result was obtained forCladophora glomerata grown in chambers in the canal.
Phosphate, nitrate and ammonium concentrations were not altered significantly by the presence of straw, but nitrite concentrations were increased during summer months. Neither the nitrite increase, nor the possibility of pesticides being washed off the straw were considered likely causes of algal growth inhibition. Growth ofC. glomerata was inhibited in cages from which macro-invertebrate grazers were excluded. No obvious deleterious environmental effects were noted and the technique shows promise as a long-term method of controlling algae.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
EIFAC Working Party on Water Quality Criteria for European Freshwater Fish (1984) Report on nitrite and freshwater fish. European Inland Fisheries Advisory Commission (EIFAC) Technical Paper 46, United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, Rome.
Eisenreich S, Bannerman RT, Armstrong DE (1975) A simplified phosphorus analysis technique. Environ. Lett. 9: 43–53.
Gibson MT, Welch IM, Barrett PRF, Ridge I (1990) Barley straw as an inhibitor of algal growth II: laboratory studies. J. applied Phycol. 2: 241–248.
Harper SHT, Lynch JM (1985) Colonisation and decomposition of straw by fungi. Trans. Br. mycol. Soc. 85: 655–661.
Jones JG (1979) A Guide to Methods for Estimating Microbial Numbers and Biomass in Fresh Water. Sci. Publs Freshwat. Biol. Ass. U.K. 39, 112 pp.
Mackereth FJH, Heron J, Talling JF (1978) Water Analysis: Some Revised Methods for Limnologists. Sci. Publs Freshwat. Biol. As. U.K. 16, 120 pp.
Mason CE (1981) Biology of Freshwater Pollution. Longman, London, 250 pp.
Moss B (1987) The art of lake restoration. New Scientist, No. 1550, 41–43.
Reed RH (1987) A rapid procedure for the determination of chlorophyll in marine macroalgae. Br. phycol. J. 22: 310.
Rothamsted Experimental Station, Statistics Department, Genstat 5 Committee (1987) Genstat 5 Reference Manual. Clarendon Press, Oxford, 749 pp.
Street M (1978) Research on the improvement of gravel pits for waterfowl by adding straw. Game Conservancy Ann. Rev. 10: 56–61.
Street M (1979) The importance of invertebrates and straw. Game Conservancy Ann. Rev. 11: 34–38.
Wingfield GI, Greaves MP, Bebb JM, Seager M (1985) Microbial immobilisation of phosphorus as a potential means of reducing phosphorus pollution of water. Bull. environ. Contain. Toxicol. 34: 587–596.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
author for correspondence
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Welch, I.M., Barrett, P.R.F., Gibson, M.T. et al. Barley straw as an inhibitor of algal growth I: studies in the Chesterfield Canal. J Appl Phycol 2, 231–239 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02179780
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02179780