Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The diatom flora of the Salton Sea, California

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We report on diatom species of the Salton Sea, a highly saline (43 g l−1) inland lake in California. We identified and photographed all diatom taxa encountered in the phytoplankton and benthos of the Salton Sea and its immediate tributaries. Ninety-four taxa were distinguished based on their morphological features using light- and electron microscopy. In the Salton Sea, there are four general categories of diatom assemblages related to their habitats: (1) A planktonic assemblage composed of Chaetoceros muelleri var. subsalsum, Cyclotella choctawhatcheeana, Cyclotella sp., Cylindrotheca closterium, Pleurosigma ambrosianum, Thalassionema sp.; (2) a benthic assemblage with diatoms that live on the bottom (e.g. genera Caloneis, Diploneis, Entomoneis, Gyrosigma, Plagiotropis, Pleurosigma, Surirella and Tryblionella), or in algal mats (Proschkinia bulnheimii, several species of Navicula and Seminavis gracilenta); (3) an epiphytic community attached to the macroscopic green algae which grow on the rocks and other hard surfaces near shore (e.g. Achnanthes brevipes, Licmophora ehrenbergii, Tabularia parva); and (4) a freshwater assemblage composed of species that get washed in by the rivers and other inflows discharging into the Sea (e.g. Achnanthidium minutissimum, Cocconeis pediculus, Cyclotella atomus, C. scaldensis, Nitzschia elegantula, T. weissflogii). The most striking feature of the phytoplankton is the abundance of species formerly known only from marine environments; this is not surprising given the high salinity and the peculiar history of the lake.

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

  • Bain, R. C., A. M. Coldwell, R. H. Clawson, H. L. Scotten & R. G. Wills, 1970. Salton Sea California: water quality and ecological management considerations. U.S. Dept. Interior, Federal Water Quality Administration, Pacific Southwest Region: 53 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Blinn, D. W., 1993. Diatom community structure along physicochemical gradients in saline lakes. Ecology 74: 1246-1263.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carpelan, L. H., 1961. Phytoplankton and plant productivity. In Walker, B. W. (ed.), The Ecology of the Salton Sea, California, in Relation to the Sportfishery. California Dept. Fish and Game, Fish Bull. 113: 33-42.

  • Carvalho, L. R., E. J. Cox, S. C. Fritz, S. Juggins, P. A. Sims, F. Gasse & R. W. Batterbee, 1995. Standardizing the taxonomy of saline lake Cyclotella spp. Diatom Res. 10: 229-240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, A. L., 1974. Critical point drying. In Hyat, A. M. (ed.), Principles and Techniques of Scanning Electron Microscopy 1'. Van-Nostrand-Reinhold, New York: 44-112.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cohen, M. J., J. I. Morrison & E. P. Glenn, 1999. Haven or hazard: The ecology and future of the Salton Sea. Pacific Institute for Studies in Development, Environment, and Security Report, February 1999: 64 pp.

  • Compère, P., 1990. Diatoms from hypersaline inland waters of Egypt. In Kociolek, J. P. (ed.), Proc. 11th Int. Diatom Symp., 12-17 August 1990, San Francisco. Calif. Acad. Sciences, San Francisco, California: 175-188.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cooper, S. R., 1995. An abundant small brackish water Cyclotella species in Chesapeake Bay, U.S.A. In Kociolek, J. P. & M. J. Sullivan (eds), A Century of Diatom Research in North America: A Tribute to the Distinguished Careers of Charles W. Reimer and Ruth Patrick Koeltz, Champaign: 127-134.

  • Czarnecki, D. B. & D. W. Blinn, 1978. Diatoms of the Colorado River in Grand Canyon National Park and vicinity. Bibl. Phycologica 38: 181 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Droop, S. J. M., 1996. The identity of Diploneis splendida (Bacillariophyta) and some related species. Phycologia 35: 404-420.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehrlich, A., 1978. The diatoms of the hyperhaline Solar Lake (NE Sinai). Israel J. Bot. 27: 1-13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ehrlich, A., 1995. Flora Palaestina. Atlas of the inland-water diatom flora of Israel. Geol. Surv. Israel, Israel Acad. Sci. Humanities: 166 pp. + 60 plates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fritz, S. C., B. F. Cumming, F. Gasse & K. R. Laird, 1999. Diatoms as indicators of hydrologic and climatic change in saline lakes. In Stroemer, E. F. & J. P. Smol (eds), The Diatoms. Applications for Environmental and Earth Sciences. Cambridge University Press, U.K.: 41-72.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gell, P. A. & F. Gasse, 1990. Relationships between salinity and diatom flora from some Australian saline lakes. In Kociolek, J. P. (ed.), Proc. 11th Int. Diatom Symp., 12-17 August 1990, San Francisco. Calif. Acad. Sciences, San Francisco, California: 631-647.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hasle, G. R. & E. E. Syvertsen, 1997. Chapter 2.Marine Diatoms. In Tomas, C. R. (ed.), Identifying Marine Phytoplankton. Academic Press, San Diego, California: 5-385.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hustedt, F., 1933. Die Kieselalgen Deutschlands, Österreichs und der Schweiz mit Berücksichtigung der übrigen Länder Europas sowie der angrenzenden Meeresgebiete, 2. Teil, Lief. 3. In Rabenhort, L. (ed.), Kryptogamen-Flora, Leipzig: 321-432.

    Google Scholar 

  • Idei, M. & H. Kobayasi, 1989. The fine structure of Diploneis finnica with special reference to the marginal openings. Diatom Res. 4: 25-37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Johansen, J. R. & S. R. Rushforth, 1985. A contribution to the taxonomy of Chaetoceros muelleri Lemmermann (Bacillariophyceae) and related taxa. Phycologia 24: 437-447.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaiser, J., 1999. Battle over a dying sea. Science, News Focus 284: 28-30.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lange, C. B. & E. E. Syvertsen, 1989. Cyclotella litoralis sp. nov. (Bacillariophyceae), and its relationships to C. striata and C. stylorum. Nova Hedw. 48: 341-356.

    Google Scholar 

  • Linsley, R. H. & L. H. Carpelan, 1961. Invertebrate fauna. In Walker, B. W. (ed.), The Ecology of the Salton Sea, California, in Relation to the Sportfishery. California Dept. Fish and Game, Fish Bull. 113: 43-47.

  • Mann, D. G., 1989. The diatom genus Sellaphora: separation from Navicula. British Phycol. J. 24: 1-20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Medlin, L. K. & F. E. Round, 1986. Taxonomic studies of marine Gomphonemoid diatoms. Diatom Res. 1: 205-225.

    Google Scholar 

  • Prasad, A. K. S. K., J. A. Nienow & R. J. Livingston, 1990. The genus Cyclotella (Bacillariophyta) in Choctawhatchee Bay, Florida, with special reference to C. striata and C. choctawhatcheeana sp. nov. Phycologia 29: 418-436.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reifel, K. M., M. P.McCoy, T. E. Rocke, M. A. Tiffany, S. H. Hurlbert & D. J. Faulkner, 2002. The possible importance of algal toxins in the Salton Sea, California. Hydrobiologia 473/Dev. Hydrobiol. 161: 275-293.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riedel, R., L. Caskey & B. A. Costa-Pierce, 2002. Fish biology and fisheries ecology of the Salton Sea. Hydrobiologia 473/Dev. Hydrobiol. 161: 231-246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Round, F. E. & L. Bukhtiyarova, 1996. Four new genera based on Achnanthes (Achnanthidium) together with a re-definition of Achnanthidium. Diatom Res. 11: 345-361.

    Google Scholar 

  • Round, F. E., R. M. Crawford & D. G. Mann, 1990. The Diatoms. Biology & Morphology of the genera. Cambridge University Press: 747 pp.

  • Schuette, G. & H. Schrader, 1982. Thalassiothrix pseudonitzschioides sp. nov.: a common pennate diatom from the Gulf of California. Bacillaria 5: 213-223.

    Google Scholar 

  • Setmire, J. G., R. A. Schroeder, J. N. Densmore, S. L. Goodbred, D. J. Audet & W. R. Radke, 1993. Detailed study of water quality, bottom sediment, and biota associated with irrigation drainage in the Salton Sea area, California, 1988-90. U.S. Geol. Survey Water Res. Invest. Report 93-4014: 102 pp.

  • Sims, P. A. (ed.), 1996. An Atlas of British Diatoms. Biopress Ltd., Bristol, U.K.: 601 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snoeijs, P. (ed.), 1993. Intercalibration and Distribution of Diatom Species in the Baltic Sea. Vol 1. Opulus Press, Länna, Sweden: 130 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snoeijs, P. & S. Vilbaste (eds), 1994. Intercalibration and Distribution of Diatom Species in the Baltic Sea. Vol 2. Opulus Press, Länna, Sweden: 125 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snoeijs, P. & M. Potapova (eds), 1995. Intercalibration and Distribution of Diatom Species in the Baltic Sea. Vol 3. Opulus Press, Länna, Sweden: 125 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snoeijs, P. & J. Kasperoviciene (eds), 1996. Intercalibration and Distribution of Diatom Species in the Baltic Sea. Vol 4. Opulus Press, Länna, Sweden, 125 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snoeijs, P. & N. Balashova (eds), 1998. Intercalibration and Distribution of Diatom Species in the Baltic Sea. Vol 5. Opulus Press, Länna, Sweden: 144 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sterrenburg, F. A. S., M. A. Tiffany & C. B. Lange, 2000. Studies on the genera Gyrosigma and Pleurosigma species from the Salton Sea California (U.S.A.). Proc. Acad. Nat. Sciences Philadelphia 105: 305-313.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiffany, M. A., 1999. Composition and dynamics of Salton Sea plankton. Abstract in: Science for the Salton Sea Ecosystem Management, University of California, Riverside, 5 January 1999, Riverside: 14-15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tiffany, M. A, S. B. Barlow, V. E. Matey & S. H. Hurlbert, 2001. Chattonella marina (Raphidophyceae), a potentially toxic alga in the Salton Sea, California. Hydrobiologia, 466/Dev. Hydrobiol. 162: 187-194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Utermöhl, H., 1958. Zur Vervollkommung der quantitativen Phytoplankton-Methodik. Mitt int. Verein theor. Angew. Limnol. 9: 1-38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker, B. W., 1961. The ecology of the Salton Sea, California, in relation to the sportfishery. California Dept. Fish and Game, Fish Bull. 113: 204 pp.

  • Watts, J M., B. K. Swan, M. A. Tiffany & S. H. Hurlbert, 2001. Thermal, mixing, and oxygen regimes of the Salton Sea, California, 1997-1999. Hydrobiologia, 466/Dev. Hydrobiol. 162: 159-176.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidad de Concepcion, Casilla 160-C, Concepcion, Chile

    Carina B. Lange

  2. Dept. of Biology and Center for Inland Waters, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182-4614, U.S.A.

    Mary Ann Tiffany

Authors
  1. Carina B. Lange
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mary Ann Tiffany
    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

Lange, C.B., Tiffany, M.A. The diatom flora of the Salton Sea, California. Hydrobiologia 473, 179–201 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016550205461

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1016550205461

Search

Navigation