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EFFECTS OF POLLUTANTS ON SUBMARINE PLANT SYNECOLOGY
Citation:
Dube, M. EFFECTS OF POLLUTANTS ON SUBMARINE PLANT SYNECOLOGY. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/3-77/020 (NTIS PB266675), 1977.
Description:
Synecology of marine plant communities has been studied in areas differing in water quality. Major sources of deterioration of water quality include the Nooksack River, an oil refinery and an alumina reduction plant. A method of analysis involving comparisons of standing crops of species within the communities, standing crop of groups of morphologically similar species, and standing crop of entire communities is described. Stable species of the community are distinguished as well as those which appear to be indicators of environmental change. The floaring bull kelp, Nereocystis leutkeana, is shown to have a depressing effect on standing crop and on the presence of other elements of the community. An increased respiration rate in kelps exposed to aluminum plant effluent was measured. Physical factors of the environment were measured. Poorer conditions for growth of algae in the environs of the aluminum company following its expansion are indicated by the accumulation of silt, the decrease in standing crop, and a loss of certain species.