Abstract
Year-round measurements of the standing crop of epilithic algae (as chlorophyll a concentration) in two streams — one second and one fourth order (map scale 1:63 360) — in interior Alaska (64°–65° N) were only about one tenth that reported from streams of temperate North America. Cell densities in these streams, however, were similar to those in comparable temperate streams. Year-round domination of the benthic flora by very tiny diatoms (Achnanthes spp.) may explain the apparent disparity between low chlorophyll a content and nearly average cell densities. Chlorophyll a standing crop in a more alkaline groundwater-fed stream, however, was higher and within the range of similarly sized temperate streams. Maximum chlorophyll a standing crop varied positively with alkalinity in 5 clear-water streams where standing crop was measured on natural or artificial substrates. Seasonal mean concentrations of sestonic chlorophyll a (used as estimates of benthic algal chlorophyll a standing crop) varied directly and significantly with alkalinity among ten clear-water streams; and, with total phosphorus among 8 of 10 clear-water and 5 brown-water streams studied. During the summer, when there is little darkness, gross primary productivity (as estimated by the diurnal dissolved-oxygen method) was similar to that of northern temperate streams. Gross primary productivity was also seen to vary directly with alkalinity in 5 clear-water streams of this region.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association & Water Pollution Control Federation, 1980. Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater, 15th Ed. Am. Publ. Hlth Ass., Washington, D.C. 1072 pp.
Anderson, P. R., 1984. Seasonal changes of attached algae in two Alaskan subarctic streams. Unpublished master's thesis. University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska. 112 pp.
Bjerklie, D. M. & J. D. LaPerriere, 1985. Gold-mining effects on stream hydrology and water quality, Circle Quadrangle, Alaska. Wat. Res. Bull. 21: 235–243.
Bott, T. L., J. T. Brock, C. S. Dunn, R. J. Naiman, R. W. Ovink & R. C. Peterson, 1985. Benthic community metabolism in four temperate stream systems: an interbiome comparison and evaluation of the river continuum concept. Hydrobiologia 123: 3–45.
Cowan, C. A. & M. W. Oswood, 1984. Spatial and seasonal associations of benthic macroinvertebrates and detritus in an Alaskan subarctic stream. Pol. Biol. 3: 211–215.
Craig, P. C. & P. J. McCart, 1975. Classification of stream types in Beaufort Sea drainages between Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, and the Mackenzie Delta, N.W.T., Canada. Arct. Alp. Res. 7: 183–198.
Cummins, K. W., 1962. An evaluation of some techniques for the collection and analysis of benthic samples with special emphasis on lotic waters. Am. Midl. Nat. 67: 477–504.
Dickman, M., 1973. Changes in periphytic algae following bicarbonate additions to a small stream. J. Fish Res. Bd Can. 30: 1882–1884.
Eisenreich, S. J., R. T. Bannerman & D. E. Armstrong, 1975. A simplified phosphorus analysis technique. Envir. Lett. 9: 43–53.
Elmore, H. L. & W. F. West, 1961. Effect of water temperature on stream reaeration. J. San. Eng. Div. ASCE 87: 59–71.
Ennis, G. L. & L. J. Albright, 1982. Distribution and abundance of periphyton and phytoplankton species in two subarctic Canadian rivers. Can. J. Bot. 60: 224–236.
Gales, M. C., A. C. Julian & E. C. Kroner, 1966. A method for the quantitative determination of total phosphorus in filtered and unfiltered water. J. am. Wat. Wrks Ass. 58: 1363–1368.
Golterman, H. L., 1969. Methods for chemical analysis of fresh waters. International Biological Programme Handbook No. 8. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford and Edinburgh. 166 pp.
Hall, C. A. & R. Moll, 1975. Methods of assessing aquatic primary productivity. In: H. Lieth & R. H. Whittaker (eds.) Primary productivity of the biosphere. Springer-Verlag, N.Y.: 19–53.
Hartman, C. W. & P. R. Johnson, 1978. Envionmental atlas for Alaska. Institute of Wat. Res., University of Alaska, Fairbanks. 95 pp.
Jones, J. R., M. Smart & J. N. Burroughs, 1984. Factors related to algal biomass in Missouri Ozark streams. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 22: 1867–1875.
Kilkus, S. P., J. D. LaPerriere & R. W. Bachmann, 1975. Nutrients and algae in some central Iowa streams. J. Wat. Pollut. Cont. Fed. 47: 1870–1879.
Krewer, J. A. & H. W. Holm. 1982. The phosphorus-chlorophyll a relationship in periphytic communities in a controlled ecosystem. Hydrobiologia 94: 173–176.
LaPerriere, J. D., 1983. Alkalinity,discharge, average velocity, and invertebrate drift concentration in subarctic Alaskan streams. J. Freshwat. Ecol. 2: 141–151.
LaPerriere, J. D., S. M. Wagener & D. M. Bjerklie, 1985. Gold-mining effects on heavy metals in streams, Circle Quadrangle, Alaska. Wat. Res. Bull. 21: 245–252.
McCart, P., P. Tsue, W. Grant & R. Green, 1977. Baseline studies of aquatic environments in the Athabasca River near lease 17. Environmental Research Monograph 1977–2. Syncrude Canada Limited, Vancouver, B. C., Canada.
Moore, J. W., 1977. Seasonal succession of algae in a eutrophic stream in southern England. Hydrobiologia 53: 181–192.
Mortimer, C. H., 1981. The oxygen content of air-saturated fresh waters over ranges of temperature and atmosphere pressure of limnological interest. Mitt. int. Ver. Limnol. 22. 23 pp.
Naiman, R. J., 1983. The annual pattern and spatial distribution of aquatic oxygen metabolism in boreal forest watersheds. Ecol. Monogr. 53: 73–94.
O'Connor, D. J. & W. Dobbins, 1956. The mechanism of reaeration in natural streams. J. San. Eng. Div. ASCE 82: 1115(1)-1115(30).
Odum, H. T., 1956. Primary production of flowing waters. Limnol. Oceanogr. 2: 85–97.
Peterson, B. J., J. E. Hobbie, T. L. Corliss & K. Kriet, 1983. A continuous-flow periphyton bioassay: tests of nutrient limitation in a tundra stream. Limnol. Oceanogr. 28: 583–591.
Peterson, B. J., J. E. Hobbie & T. L. Corliss, 1986. Carbon flow in a tundra stream ecosystem. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 43: 1259–1270.
Péwé, T. L., 1955. Origin of the upland silt near Fairbanks, Alaska. Geol. Soc. Am. Bull. 66: 699–724.
Schindler, D. W., 1977. Evolution of phosphorus limitation in lakes. Science 195: 260–262.
Stockner, J. G. & K. R. S. Shortreed, 1976. Autotrophic production on Carnation Creek, a coastal rainforest stream on Vancouver Island, British Columbia. J. Fish. Res. Bd Can. 33: 1553–1563.
Swanson, C. D. & R. W. Bachmann, 1976. A model of algal exports in some Iowa streams. Ecology 57: 1076–1080
Van Nieuwenhuyse, E. E., 1983. Effects of placer mining on the primary productivity of interior Alaska streams. Unpublished master's thesis. University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska. 120 pp.
Van Nieuwenhuyse, E. E. & J. D. LaPerriere, 1986. Effects of placer gold mining on primary production in subarctic streams of Alaska. Wat. Res. Bull. 22: 91–99.
Wagener, S. M. & J. D. LaPerriere, 1985. Effects of placer mining on the invertebrate communities of interior Alaska streams. Freshwat. Invertebr. Biol. 4: 208–214.
Wilcock, R. J., 1982. Simple predictive equations for calculating stream reaeration rate coefficients. N. Z. J. Sci. 25: 53–56.
Wilhm, J., J. Cooper & H. Naminga, 1978. Species composition, diversity, biomass, and chlorophyll of periphyton in Greasy Creek, Red Rock Creek, and the Arkansas River, Oklahoma. Hydrobiologia 57: 17–23
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
LaPerriere, J.D., Van Nieuwenhuyse, E.E. & Anderson, P.R. Benthic algal biomass and productivity in high subarctic streams, Alaska. Hydrobiologia 172, 63–75 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00031613
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00031613