Periphyton

Overview

Periphyton is a complex matrix of algae and heterotrophic microbes attached to submerged substrata in almost all aquatic ecosystems. It serves as an important food source for invertebrates and some fish, and it can be an important sorber of contaminants. Periphyton is also an important indicator of water quality; responses of this community to pollutants can be measured at a variety of times scales representing physiological to community-level changes.

Objectives

• Monitor temporal changes in periphyton biomass and photosynthesis in response to remedial actions
• Characterize stream conditions for periphyton growth
• Identify potential roles of periphyton in contaminant movement into stream food webs

Methodology

Three different types of periphyton analysis are conducted for this task: (1) monitoring of periphyton biomass (chlorophyll a) and productivity, (2) detailed lipid analyses, and (3) contaminant uptake.

Click the Image to see the Periphyton Process

Results

Periphyton testing results are available for:

• East Fork Poplar Creek

For more information regarding Periphyton Studies, please contact Marshall Adams.

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