Bacteria biofilm encourages algal immigration onto substrata in lotic systems

Abstract

I tested the effect of the density of attached bacteria on the amount of algal immigration in the early development of a periphyton community in an artificial stream by manipulating the density of the attached bacteria. Three densities were prepared by regulation of the incubation time. A suspension of algae was added to the stream, and the degree of algal attachment to substrata was compared among the treatments. Algal immigration was proportional to the density of attached bacteria on all substrata (glass, PVC, and slate), although density differed among substrata. Analysis of covariance (dependent variable, amount of attached algae; covariate, bacterial density) showed significant relationship between amounts of attached algae and bacterial densities, but did not show significant differences in the slopes and adjusted means among substrata. When acrylic beads were added with the suspension of attached algae, significant linear correlation was obtained between the amount of attached algae and the amount of acrylic beads on the substrata. Algal immigration was due to non-selective adsorption by attached bacterial biofilms on substrata, although the extent of bacterial colonization and biofilm formation may be affected by the substrata and other environmental factors (e.g., current conditions and water temperature).