Abstract
The physico-chemical characteristics and the macroinvertebrate communities of six streams draining a small granitic catchment located in the Vosges mountains (northeastern France) have been studied. Among the streams, five were affected by acidification and characterised by low pH (mean pH: 4.90 to 5.90), low HCO sup−inf3 concentrations (mean concentration: 0–16 µeq l−1) and elevated aluminium concentrations (mean concentration: 154–278 µg l−1). Only one stream was typical of waters draining granitic bedrock (mean pH: 6.90; mean aluminium concentration: 79 µg 1−1; mean HCO sup−inf3 concentration: 152 µeq l−1).
The macroinvertebrates communities of the acidified streams were strongly affected compared to the non-acidified one. Richness, abundance and diversity (Shannon index) were significantly lower when acidification occurred. All the major taxonomic groups were affected, but Molluscs and Ephemeroptera were the most acid-sensitive or organisms, whereas Plecoptera and Oligochaetes were dominant. However, recolonization of acidified streams was possible during summer low flow when the global water quality slightly increased.
Résumé
Les caractéristiques physico-chimiques et les peuplements de macroinvertébrés benthiques de six ruisseaux drainant un bassin versant granitique du massif vosgien ont été étudiés. Parmi les cours d'eau, cinq sont caractérisés par des faibles valeurs moyennes de pH (4.90 à 5.90), et d'alcalinité (HCO sup−inf3 : 0–16 µeq l−1) et par des concentrations moyennes en aluminium élevées (154–278 µg l−1) Seul un ruisseau apparaît typique du massif (pH: 6.90; aluminium: 79 μg l−1 et HCO sup−inf3 : 152 µeq l−1).
Les peuplements de macroinvertébrés des ruisseaux acidifiés sont sévèrement affectés. La richesse, l'abondance et la diversité (indice de Shannon) sont alors significativement plus faibles que dans le cours d'eau non acidifié. Tous les groupes faunistiques majeurs sont touchés, mais les Mollusques et les Ephémèroptères sont les organismes les plus sensibles à l'acidification, tandis que les Plécoptères et les Oligochètes sont dominants. Toutefois, il a été mis en évidence une recolonisation possible des rivières acidifiées par certaines espèces, durant la période d'étiage estivale quand la qualité de l'eau s'améliore.
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Guérold, F., Vein, D., Jacquemin, G. et al. The macroinvertebrate communities of streams draining a small granitic catchment exposed to acidic precipitations (Vosges Mountains, northeastern France). Hydrobiologia 300, 141–148 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00024456
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00024456