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Spatio-temporal variation in water quality and phytoplankton community structure in Changwang, Meishe, and Wuyuan Rivers in Hainan Island, China

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Abstract

For the first time, this study explored spatio-temporal variation in water quality and phytoplankton community structure in Changwang, Meishe, and Wuyuan Rivers in tropical Hainan Island, China. Phytoplankton samples and water were collected between March and December 2019 and analyzed using standard methods. Two-way ANOVA revealed significant spatial and seasonal variation in physico-chemical parameters (p < 0.05). Wuyuan had high TP (0.06 ± 0.04 mg L−1), TN (1.14 ± 0.71 mg L−1), NH4+-N (0.07 ± 0.09 mg L−1), Secchi depth (2.28 ± 3.79 m), salinity (3.60±5.50 ppt), and EC (332.50 ± 219.10 µS cm−1). At the same time, Meishe had high TP (0.07 ± 0.03 mg L−1), TN (1.04 ± 0.74 mg L−1), NH4+-N (0.07 ± 0.10 mg L−1), EC (327.61 ± 63.22 µS cm−1), and turbidity (40.25 ± 21.16 NTU). In terms of seasons, spring recorded high average TP, TN, NH4+-N, COD, and DO, while summer had a high temperature, Chl-a, salinity, and EC. Generally, the physico-chemical parameters met the China water quality standard limits (GB 3838–2002). Overall, 197 phytoplankton species belonging to Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, Cryptophyta, Bacillariophyta, Pyrrophyta, Euglenophyta, Xanthophyta, and Chrysophyta were identified, with Cyanophyta being dominant. Phytoplankton density showed spatial changes varying from 18 × 106 cell L−1 to 84 × 106 cell L−1. The phytoplankton diversity ranged from 1.86 to 2.41, indicating a mesotrophic state. One-way ANOSIM showed no significant spatial dissimilarity in phytoplankton composition (R = 0.042, p = 0.771) but indicated a significant seasonal difference (R = 0.265, p = 0.001). Therefore, SIMPER analysis revealed that Lyngbya attenuata, Merismopedia tenuissima, Cyclotella sp., Merismopedia glauca, Merismopedia elegans, and Phormidium tenue contributed to the seasonal differences. Furthermore, CCA demonstrated that TP, TN, NH4+-N, COD, Chl-a, and Secchi depth greatly influenced the phytoplankton community. This study shows the spatio-temporal variation in water quality and phytoplankton communities, useful for managing riverine quality.

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The data supporting this study is available from the corresponding author.

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Funding

The research was financially supported by the Hainan Province Science and Technology Special Fund (ZDYF2023SHFZ146), Hainan Province Agricultural Research System of Grouper (HNARS2022-3-G4 & HNARS2022-3), and Research on pollution distribution characteristics and risk assessment of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) in typical water sources in Hainan Province (QCXM201914).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Life Sciences, Hainan University, Haikou, China

    Edwine Yongo, Fangfang Jin, Sovan Lek & Zhiqiang Guo

  2. Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Eldoret, Eldoret, Kenya

    Edwine Yongo

  3. College of Tropical Crops, Hainan University, Haikou, China

    Eunice Mutethya

  4. School of Environmental and Life Science, Nanning Normal University, Naning, China

    Pengfei Zhang

  5. Laboratoire Evolution & Diversit´e Biologique, Universit´e Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France

    Sovan Lek

  6. Institute of Environmental Sciences, Hainan Province, Haikou, China

    Ling Mo

  7. The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, China

    Jingquan Li

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  1. Edwine Yongo
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Contributions

Edwine Yongo and Eunice Mutethya performed the experiment and wrote the main manuscript text. Pengfei Zhang and Fangfang Jin analyzed the data and prepared figures and tables. Jingquan Li, Ling Mo, and Zhiqiang Guo conceptualized, designed, and supervised the study. Sovan Lek performed review and interpretation. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Jingquan Li or Zhiqiang Guo.

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Yongo, E., Mutethya, E., Jin, F. et al. Spatio-temporal variation in water quality and phytoplankton community structure in Changwang, Meishe, and Wuyuan Rivers in Hainan Island, China. Environ Monit Assess 195, 905 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-11483-4

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