SHES 3019 Applied PHYCOLOGY

Diversity and Distribution of Algae at Tasik Aman and Varsity Lake

Hamed Nasrollahi SEE080702

Objective
(1) To study the phytoplankton diversity in Tasik Aman and Tasik Varsiti. (2) To determine the relationship between water quality and phytoplankton diversity at both lakes.

1 Introduction 1.1 Water Quality

Microbial, chemical, physical and biological compositions are considered as a water quality. Water qualities are not always the same for all water bodies (types). Environmental water indicators for lakes water are chemical, physical, biological (Phytoplankton and algae) indicators.

Phytoplankton Derived from the Greek words phyto (=plant) and plankton (=made to wander /drift/float in the water) they are microscopic and inhabiting both salty and fresh water. They are considered as Agent for primary production & important microorganisms in aquatic food web. Mostly are single-celled plants. Algae Algae are categorized in division of Protista and a lower plant structure. Photosynthetic which do not have vessel but having chlorophyl a. they have a multicellular wall that surround the sporangia and gametangia. Trainor, 1978 defined algae as photosynthetic plant, with chlorophyll a, and no vessel and simple reproductive system.

Rhodophyta Rhodophyta have complex reproductive system; they can be divided into 4 groups which are Chlorophyta, Cyanophyta, Dinoflagellata and Bacillariophyta. The largest division is Green algae (Chlorophyta). Approximately 500 genera and 8000 species of this algae were recorded. Several classes of division Chlorophyta are including Cladopyceae, Ulvophyceae, Bryopsidiphyceae, Charophyceae. Prasinophyceae, Zygnematophyceae, Klebsormidiophyceae, and

Diatoms Diatoms are one of major groups of algae; there are more than 200 genera of living diatoms. They can be found in the oceans, freshwater, in soils and on damp surface Ex. Fragilaria (ribbons/filament), Meridion (fan), Tabellaria (zigzag), Asterionella (colonies)

Coccolitophore Coccolitophore distinguished by special calcium carbonate plates called coccoliths (important in microfossil). Exclusively are marine and are found in large numbers throughout the surface euphotic zone of the ocean Ex. Emiliania huxleyi (Abundance in water > CO2 concentration.)

Cholorophyta (Green algae)

Green algae are unicellular and colonial flagellates, most with 2 flagella per cell, as well as various colonial. They are coccoid & in filamentous forms. Thus sizes are simple unicellular up to

complex multi-cellular.
They have diverse habitat including warm pool/lakes, snowy surface, and tree bark. Main

habitat in aquatic (10% marine & 90% freshwater). Planktonic algae are phytoplankton, float freely on water surface. Benthic algae are mostly attached on substrates (e.g:rock surfaces, on plants, epifauna, on mud & sands). They possess organelles chlorophyll a, b, B-carotene and Xantophyll. Some are heterotrophic. Ex. Chlorella Dinoflagellate Large group of flagellate protists; about 1555 species of free-living marine dinoflagellates are currently described. Most are marine plankton, but they can also be found in freshwater habitat. Ex. Ceratium, & Peridinium Cyanobacteria Found in almost every terrestrial aquatic habitat; ocean, freshwater, soil Occuras planktonic cells or form phototrophic biofilms in boh freshwater and saltwater. Cyanobacteria is able to fix nitrogen. E.x Spirulina, Oscillatoria, Nostoc

Factors Affecting Biodiversity of Phytoplankton

Light Phytoplankton are limited to the uppermost layers of the water where light intensity is sufficient for photosynthesis to occur. For most phytoplankton, the photosynthetic rate varies with light intensity. Nutrient Major inorganic nutrients required by phytoplankton for growth and reproduction are Nitrogen (NO2, NO3, NH4) and Phosphate (PO4). As for diatoms and silicoflagellates, they require significant amount of silicate (SiO2) for growth. Temperature Temperature acts in relation with other factors in influencing the variation of photosynthetic production. The rate of photosynthesis increases with an increase in temperature, but diminishes sharply after a point is reached. Salinity Salinity is known to influence primary production. Dinoflagellates such as Ceratium, Peridinium and Prorocentrum reproduce actively at lower salinities. Zooplankton Grazing rate of zooplankton is one of the major factors influencing the size of the standing crop of phytoplankton. Inverse relationship: >zooplankton <phytoplankton or vice versa

1.2

Phytoplankton as Water Quality Indicator

Phytoplankton is one of the groups suggested for ecological status assessment of surface waters by the Water Framework Directive (2000). Phytoplankton is highly sensitive to environmental change; thus their total biomass and many phytoplankton species are used as an excellent indicator of water quality and lake conditions When there are high concentrations N & P in the water, some phytoplankton reproduce rapidly. This may causes Algal Bloom = high nutrient level (Eutrophication). This is an indication of poor water quality that could in turn affect other aquatic organisms

2 Methodology 2.1 Study area

2.1.1 Site 1 Tasik Aman

2.1.2 Study site 2 Tasik Varsiti (University Of Malaya Lake)

3 Materials and method

3.1 Field sampling at site 1 and site 2 3.1.1 Water Sampling 3.1.1.1 Material 500ml plastic bottles (Fig 3.1.1.1) Specimen bottles Planktonic net (Fig 3.1.1.2) YSI handheld multi parameter (Fig 3.1.1.3)

3.1.1.2 Method The plankton net was used to collect the water samples at three different sites of each
lake, by running the net through the surface water. Afterward physical parameters such as pH, temperature, DO, Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) at each site of the lake were recorded as the tip of the YSI handheld multi parameter is dipped into the

water and left for a while until the readings were stable. The water collected at the container at the end of the net was transferred into 500ml plastic bottles (3 bottles) and 5 specimen bottles and bottles were brought to the lab to be examined. 3.1.2 Water Chemical Analysis 3.1.2.1 Material DR/2400 spectrometer (Fig 3.1.2.1) NitraVer 5 Nitrate Reagent Powder Pillow PhosVer 3 Phosphate Powder Pillow Molybdate 3 Reagent Citric Acid Reagent Powder Pillow Acid Amino F Reagent Powder Pillow

3.1.2.2 Method Nitrate Filled two sample cells with 10ml of sample each one. One is added with NitraVer5 Nitrate Reagent Powder Pillow; and the other cell is prepared as blank. Shaken the cell vigorously

for one minute and left for 5 minutes (Observed if amber color develops), Wiped & placed the cells into spectrometer and record the reading. Phosphate Filled two sample cells with 10ml of sample each one. One is added with Phos Ver 3 Phosphate Powder Pillow; and the other is prepared as blank. Immediately caped and inverted to mix (left for 2 minutes), Wiped the sample cells before putting them into spectrometer and record the reading. Silica Filled two sample cells with 10ml of sample each one. Add 14 drops of Molybdate 3 Reagent to each and swirl to mix (4 minutes). Added Citric Acid Reagent Powder Pillow to each and swirl to mix for1 minute. One is added with Amino Acid F Reagent Powder Pillow; the other one is the blank (Observed if blue color develops). Wiped & put the cells into spectrometer and record the reading.

3.1.3 Phytoplankton identification and enumeration 3.1.3.1 Material Vacuum pump Filter paper Methanol Glass slides and Cover slips Pipettes or Dropper (Fig 3.1.3.1)

Sedimentation Chamber (Fig 3.1.3.2) Vaseline (Fig 3.1.3.3) Lugols iodine (Fig 3.1.3.4)
Compound microscope (Fig 3.1.3.5)

Inverted microscope (Fig 3.1.3.6) DR/2400 spectrometer

3.1.3.2 Method Chlorophyll a 500ml of the water sample was filtered using a vacuum pump. The residues which stick on the filter paper were soaked with 20ml methanol (in vial).The vial was kept in a dark place (5C) for 20 hours. Afterward 40ml of methanol was poured into the vial. The optical density of the sample was measured by using the spectrophotometer. The chlorophyll a content was then calculated using the following formula:

(mg/L)

Algae Quantitative Analysis (Cell Counting) The water sample was put in a container. Then 3 drops of iodine were inserted using a pipette into the vial. It was put aside for a while, and then the sedimentation chamber was prepared by covering it with a cover slip in between the upper part of the chamber and the base, which is the lower part. The cover slip was spread with petroleum oil (Vaseline) at its side to make sure that it sticks to the glass slide at the base, to avoid any leakage.

When the cover slip was dried and firmly attached in between the sedimentation chamber, 1m of the water sample was poured into the sedimentation chamber. Then 1 drop of iodine was inserted using a pipette, and then it was put aside for 40 minutes. After 40 minutes, the upper part of the sedimentation chamber was removed slowly, and the sample that is left in the base was observed under the inverted microscope.