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Aquatic biota of blackwater rivers and streams
Citation:
Flotemersch, J., K. Blocksom, K. Kubach, J. Lewandowski, AND M. Scott. Aquatic biota of blackwater rivers and streams. Southeastern Water Pollution Biologist Association, Folly Beach, SC, November 07 - 09, 2023.
Impact/Purpose:
The purpose of this presentation is to introduce the topic of unique biota in blackwater rivers and streams and their utility in condition assessment.
Description:
The water chemistry of blackwater rivers and streams under natural conditions can be very different from that regularly observed in non-blackwater systems. In the literature, they are generally described as being rather clear (low turbidity), but stained (i.e., tannic water), and water chemistry characterized by low pH/acidic, low dissolved oxygen, high dissolved organic carbon, low conductivity, and low nutrients. Under such conditions, it is reasonable to expect that the aquatic fauna existing in blackwaters may be unique as well. In this presentation, we will discuss the topic of unique aquatic biota in blackwater rivers and streams from the perspective of implications for condition assessment. Topics to be discussed include possible ecological mechanisms contributing to the observed fauna, examples of unique adaptations found in the literature, and finally, observations made in the Coastal Plains Ecoregions of United States.
