Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Paleoecological evidence for diatom response to metal pollution in Lake Orta (N. Italy)

  • Published:
Journal of Paleolimnology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Diatom remains were analysed in two short sediment cores from a subalpine Italian lake (Lake Orta), known for its major industrial pollution dating from the late 1920s, which has only recently been stopped. Copper was recognised as the main toxic agent for diatoms during the first 30 years of pollution (peak value: 100 μg l-1 in the late 1950s). A diatom community similar to other deep subalpine lakes existed in the past, and was disrupted by the pollution events. Acute and long-term effects of Cu contamination were tracked by changes in three distinct groups of species around the sharp boundary corresponding to the onset of the pollution. These groups were respectively composed of: (1) Species quickly extirpated by the discharge, mostly belonging to Fragilaria and Cyclotella and never reappearing; (2) Species apparently not affected, or not immediately affected, by the pollution, showing no definite trends with time. Synedra species, with various deformities, were conspicuous among these; (3) Species with accumulation rates increasing with time irrespective of pollution, mostly belonging to Achnanthes. Properties and tolerances of these groups (e.g. Synedra and Achnanthes) are discussed in detail.

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

  • Admiraal, W. & H. Peletier, 1980. Distribution of diatom species on an estuarine mud flat and experimental analysis of the selective effect of stress. J. exp. Mar. Biol. Ecol. 46: 197–217.

    Google Scholar 

  • Asioli, A., 1992. Ricerche su paleoambienti olocenici di alcune aree Padanoadriatiche attraverso l'individuazione di ecofenotipi nei rizopodi. Doctoral thesis, University of Parma: 105 pp.

  • Baldi, E., 1949. Il Lago d'Orta, suo declino biologico e condizioni attuali. Mem. Ist. ital. Idrobiol. 5: 145–188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Battarbee, R.W., 1973. A new method for the estimation of absolute microfossil numbers, with reference especially to diatoms. Limnol. Oceanogr. 18: 647–653.

    Google Scholar 

  • Battarbee, R. W., 1986. Diatom analysis. In B. E. Berglund (ed.), Handbook of Holocene Paleoecology and Paleohydrology.Wiley, Chichester: 527–570.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonacina, C., 1970. Il Lago d'Orta: ulteriore evoluzione della situazione chimica e della struttura della biocenosi planctonica. Mem. Ist. ital. Idrobiol. 26: 141–204.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonacina, C., G. Bonomi & C. Monti, 1986. Oligochaete cocoon remains as evidence of past lake pollution. Hydrobiologia 143: 395–400.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bonacina, C., G. Bonomi, L. Barbanti, R. Mosello & D. Ruggiu, 1992. Recovery of an industrially acidified, ammonium and heavy metals polluted lake (Lake Orta, N. Italy), due to the adoption of treatment plants. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 23: 535–544.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calderoni, A., R. Mosello & A. Quirci, 1991. Chemical response of Lake Orta (northern Italy) to liming. Arch. Hydrobiol. 122: 421–439.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calderoni, A., R. Mosello & D. Ruggiu, 1992. Sixty years of limnology on Lago d'Orta: a case history of recovery from heavy pollution. Mem. Ist. ital. Idrobiol. 50: 201–223.

    Google Scholar 

  • Candido, A., P. Panzani & D. Ruggiu, 1985. Diatom remains in a sediment core from the subalpine Lake Mergozzo (Italy) and implications on diatom ecology. Mem. Ist. ital. Idrobiol. 43: 265–280.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cattaneo, A., 1992. The anthropogenically stressed periphyton of Lake Orta (N. Italy). Hydrobiologia 234: 111–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Corbella, C., V. Tonolli & L. Tonolli, 1958. I sedimenti del Lago d'Orta, testimoni di una disastrosa polluzione cuproammoniacale. Mem. Ist. ital. Idrobiol. 10: 9–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dixit, S. S., A. S. Dixit & J. P. Smol, 1991. Multivariable environmental inferences based on diatom assemblages from Sudbury (Canada) lakes. Freshwat. Biol. 26: 251–266.

    Google Scholar 

  • Feldt, L. E., E. F. Stoermer & L. Schelske, 1973. Occurrences of morphologically abnormal Synedra populations in Lake Superior phytoplankton. Proc. 16th Conf. Great Lakes Res. Contribution No. 168.

  • Fisher, N. S., G. J. Jones & D. M. Nelson, 1981. Effects of copper and zinc on growth, morphology and metabolism of Asterionella japonica (Cleve). J. exp. mar. Biol. Ecol. 51: 37–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gensemer, R.W., R. E. H. Smith & H. C. Duthie, 1995. Interactions of pH and aluminium on cell length reduction in Asterionella ralfsii var. americana Köorner. In D. Marino & M. Montresor (eds), Proceedings of the 13th Internat. Diatom Symposium. Biopress Limited, Bristol: 39–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gerringa, L. J. A., J. W. Rijstenbil, T. C. W. Poortvliet, J. van Drie & M. C. Schot, 1995. Speciation of copper and responses of the marine diatom Ditylum brightwellii upon increasing copper concentrations. Aquatic Toxicology 31: 77–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Guilizzoni, P. & A. Lami, 1988. Subfossil pigments as a guide to the phytoplankton history of the acidified Lake Orta (N. Italy). Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 23: 874–879.

    Google Scholar 

  • Håakanson, L., 1981. Determination of characteristic values for physical and chemical lake sediment parameters. Water Resour. Res. 17: 1625–1640.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hillebrand, H. & U. Sommer, 1996. Nitrogenous nutrition of the potential toxic diatom Pseudonitzschia pungens f. multiseries Hasle. J. Plankton Res. 18: 295–301.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huber-Pestalozzi, G., 1942. Das Phytoplankton des Süsswassers. Systematik und Biologie. Diatomeen. Die Binnengewäasser 16, Teil 2, 2 Häalfte, Stuttgart: 549 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hustedt, F., 1930. Die Kieselalgen. InL. Rabenhorst, ‘Kryptogamenflora’ Band 7, Lepzig: 920 pp.

  • Kansanen, P. H., T. Jaakkola, S. Kulmala & R. Suutarinen, 1991. Sedimentation and distribution of gammaemitting radionuclides in bottom sediments of southern Lake Päaijäanne, Finland, after the Chernobyl accident. Hydrobiologia 222: 121–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Krammer, K. & H. Lange-Bertalot, 1986–1991. Süsswasserflora von Mitteleuropa 2: Bacillariophyceae 2/1–2/4. Gustav Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kützing, F. T., 1844. Die kieselschaligen Bacillarien oder Diatomeen. Fritsch, Nordhausen: 152 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Manca, M. & P. Comoli, 1995. Temporal variations of fossil Cladocera in the sediments of Lake Orta (N. Italy) over the last 400 years. J. Paleolimnol. 14: 113–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Marchetto, A. & R. Bettinetti, 1995. Reconstruction of the phosphorus history of two deep, subalpine Italian lakes from sedimentary diatoms, compared with longterm chemical measurements. Mem. Ist. ital. Idrobiol. 53: 27–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • McFarland, B. H. & B. H. Hill, 1997. Abnormal Fragilaria in streams impacted by mine drainage. Diatom Res. (in press).

  • Monti, R., 1930. La graduale estinzione della vita nel Lago d'Orta. Ist. Lomb. Sc. Lett. 58: 1–22.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mosello, R., C. Bonacina, A. Carollo, V. Libera & G. A. Tartari, 1986. Acidification due to in-lake ammonia oxidation: an attempt to quantify the proton production in a highly polluted subalpine Italian lake (Lake Orta). Mem. Ist. ital. Idrobiol. 44: 47–71.

    Google Scholar 

  • Peterson, H. G., F. P. Healey & R. Wagemann, 1984. Metal toxicity to algae: a highly pH dependent phenomenon. Can. J. Fish. aquat. Sci. 41: 974–979.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pizzolon, L., D. Ruggiu & G. Morabito, 1992. Primary production and phytoplankton communities in the acidified Lake Orta (N. Italy) after the removal of ammonia pollution. Mem. Ist. ital. Idrobiol. 51: 29–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rai, L. C., J. P. Gaur & H. D. Kumar, 1981. Phycology and heavy metal pollution. Biol. Rev. 56: 99–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rijstenbil, J. W., J. W. M. Derksen, L. J. A. Gerringa, T. C. W. Poortvliet, A. Sandee, M. van den Berg, J. van Drie & J. A. Wijnholds, 1994. Oxidative stress induced by copper: defense and damage in the marine planktonic diatom Ditylum brightwellii, grown in continuous cultures with high and low zinc levels. Mar. Biol. 119: 583–590.

    Google Scholar 

  • Round, F. E., 1990. The effect of liming on the benthic diatom populations in three upland Welsh lakes. Diatom Research 5: 129–140.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruggiu, D., 1989a. Applicazioni di alcune tendenze attuali negli studi sul fitoplancton mediante un'analisi delle Diatomee del Lago di Mergozzo. S.IT.E. Atti 7: 119–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruggiu, D., 1989b. An evaluation of phytoplankton communities of Lago Maggiore typifying the stages of its trophic evolution. Mem. Ist. ital. Idrobiol. 46: 89–102.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruggiu, D., A. Bachiorri, C. Bonacina, G. Bonomi, M. Manca, G. Marengo, P. Menozzi, G. Morabito, E. Moggian Barban, P. Panzani, V. Rossi & A. Tondina, 1992. Evoluzione recente delle comunità biologiche del Lago d'Orta. Documenta Ist. ital. Idrobiol. 38: 71–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ruttner, F., 1959. Einige Beobachtungen über das Phytoplankton norditalienischer Seen. Mem. Ist. ital. Idrobiol. 11: 73–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smol, J. P., 1981. Problems associated with the use of ‘species diversity’ in paleolimnological studies. Quat. Res. 15: 209–212.

    Google Scholar 

  • Steemann Nielsen, E. & S. Wium-Andersen, 1971. The influence of Cu on photosynthesis and growth in diatoms. Physiol. Plant. 24: 480–484.

    Google Scholar 

  • Takamura, N., F. Kasai & M. M. Watanabe, 1989. Effects of Cu, Cd and Zn on photosynthesis of freshwater benthic algae. J. appl. Phycol. 1: 39–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tondina, A., 1992. Studi sulla dinamica del fitoplancton del Lago d'Orta in relazione ad un intervento di liming su larga scala. Doctoral thesis, University of Parma: 185 pp.

  • Tonolli, L., 1961. La polluzione cuprica del Lago d'Orta. Comportamento di alcune popolazioni di Diatomee. Verh. int. Ver. Limnol. 14: 900–904.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tonolli, V. & R. A. Vollenweider, 1961. Le vicende del Lago d'Orta inquinato da scarichi cuproammoniacali. Atti Conv. Acque di Scarico Industriali, Milano, 4–7 Aprile 1960: 99–109.

  • van Dam, H. & A. Mertens, 1990. A comparison of recent epilithic diatom assemblages from the industrially acidified and copper polluted Lake Orta (northern Italy) with old literature data. Diatom Res. 5: 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vollenweider, R. A., 1963. Studi sulla situazione attuale del regime chimico e biologico del Lago d'Orta. Mem. Ist. ital. Idrobiol. 16: 21–125.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, J. R. & H. C. Duthie, 1993. Morphology and ultrastructure or teratological forms of the diatoms Stephanodiscus niagarae and S. parvus from Hamilton Harbour (Lake Ontario, Canada). Hydrobiologia 269/270: 57–66.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. C.N.R. Istituto Italiano di Idrobiologia, Largo Tonolli 50-52, 28922, Verbania Pallanza, Italy

    Delio Ruggiu & Pierisa Panzani

  2. Dip. di Botanica e Ecologia Vegetale, Università di Sassari, V. Muroni 25, 07100, Sassari, Italy

    Antonella Luglié

  3. Dép. Sci. Biologiques, Université de Montréal, C.P. 6128, Succ. Centre Ville, Montréal, Québec, Canada, H3C 3J7

    Antonella Cattaneo

Authors
  1. Delio Ruggiu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Antonella Luglié
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Antonella Cattaneo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Pierisa Panzani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ruggiu, D., Luglié, A., Cattaneo, A. et al. Paleoecological evidence for diatom response to metal pollution in Lake Orta (N. Italy). Journal of Paleolimnology 20, 333–345 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007929926526

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007929926526

Search

Navigation