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The positive impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the transformation of education towards technology. The present study aims to describe the effect of a learning model using a digital technology, called blended learning, on the students' learning outcomes on invertebrate material in class X science at MAN 2 Tasikmalaya. The research used quasi experiment with Pre-test Post-test research design in both control and experimental classes. The experimental class came from class X IPA 1 and class X IPA 2 as the control class. Research on learning outcomes is only limited to looking at the cognitive aspects of students. The study used observation sheets, pre-test and post-test questions and student response questionnaires as research instruments. The research reveals that the employability of Blended learning model observed from the teacher's and students' activity in the control and experimental classes was 88.5%. Student learning outcomes in the experimental class increased higher than the control class with the experimental class N-gain value of 0.72 in the high category. While the N-gain value for the control class is 0.65 in the medium category. The average response questionnaire of students in the experimental class was 2.81, which belongs to medium category. Testing the hypothesis of the blended learning model with the T test gained 2,158 > 2,007. This shows that t count > t tables. It means H0 is rejected and H1 is accepted, so that there is a significant influence between the blended learning model on the students' learning outcomes on invertebrate material in class X IPA at MAN 2 Tasikmalaya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to elucidate the macroinvertebrate species richness in the oil palm landscape with different characteristics of riparian buffer at the Lalindu sub-watershed stream, Southeast Sulawesi. The study was done in September 2021. Macroinvertebrates' data were collected from three sampling sites at first stream order with 100 m long following the standard methods. Two stream sites in the oil palm landscape and one in the natural forest were selected for evaluation. The results showed that 628 individuals belonging to 19 families and nine orders of aquatic macroinvertebrates were examined during the study period. However, about 12 families of macroinvertebrates are found in the natural stream, and ten families are found in the oil palm stream with virtuous vegetation, but five species of macroinvertebrates are only in the stream with poor vegetation. The Simpson and Shannon index was lower in the oil palm than in the native forest. The Family Biotic Index (FBI) classified the very poor category in the oil palm streams and the good category in the native forest stream. The present study found a higher species richness of macroinvertebrates in the oil palm landscape with virtuous vegetation cover, indicating the importance of a riparian buffer that conserves the stream macroinvertebrate diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two exotic species of watercress (Nasturtium officinale and N. microphyllum) exist in Kentucky waterbodies. Watercress is the predominant herbaceous vegetation found in the Lee Branch stream on our Midway University Campus. Minimizing the streamside buffer in Summer 2021 allowed watercress to "explode" in coverage, typically choking out this waterbody. The dilemma is, to eradicate or to manage watercress. This study was conducted June 9-September 30, 2022. The = 1338 m stream reach was divided into 3 segments, with watercress beds randomly sampled in each segment. The objectives were to determine abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates and number of groups found therein, to compare benthic macroinvertebrate group richness in habitat type provided rarefaction curves permitted, to evaluate for an association between habitat type and benthic macroinvertebrate group pollution sensitivity, and to speculate on benthic macroinvertebrate group evenness in habitat type. For benthic macroinvertebrate sampling, watercress was manually pulled (roots, stems, leaves) from underlying substrate, placed in a 5-gallon bucket containing stream water, brought back to the lab where contents were sieved, specimens identified and preserved; living crayfish returned to sampling locations. In summer 2023, watercress was sampled to be exclusively N. officinale and assumed to be such retroactively for the 2022 study. A total of 10,808 benthic macroinvertebrates representing 81% of groups looked for inhabited watercress beds. There was no significant association between habitat type and benthic macroinvertebrate group pollution sensitivity. Benthic macroinvertebrate group richness was runs > pools > glides; no significant difference. Shannon evenness index for benthic macroinvertebrate group was glides > runs > pools; no significant difference. Combined results suggest watercress beds be managed (not eradicated) particularly in both pools and glides by manually thinning each to increase stream flow promoting for increase in or maintenance of richness and evenness within habitat type and in downstream habitat types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether host phenotypic alterations induced by parasites are reversible or not is a core issue to understand underlying mechanisms as well as the fitness costs of infection and recovery to the host. Clearing infection is an essential step to address this issue, which turns out to be challenging with endoparasites of large size relative to that of their host. Here, we took advantage of the lethality, contactless and versatility of high-energy laser beam to design such tool, using thorny-headed worms and their amphipod intermediate host as a model system. We show that laser-based de-parasitization can be achieved using blue laser targeting carotenoid pigments in Polymorphus minutus but not in the larger and less pigmented Pomphorhynchus tereticollis. Using DNA degradation to establish parasite death, we found that 80% P. minutus died from within-host laser exposure. Survival rate of infected gammarids to laser treatment was higher than uninfected ones. The failure to kill P. tereticollis was also observed with nanosecond-green laser, an alternative laser source targeting lipid. We discuss the possible causes of amphipod death following parasite treatment and highlight the perspectives that this technology offers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macroinvertebrates are critical members of aquatic communities and play an integral role in the food webs of these ecosystems, as well as being effective bioindicators of pollution and other environmental risks. Sections of Dalton State's College Creek have been repeatedly sampled by student groups for nearly 30 years. It was hypothesized that these disturbances may negatively affect the macroinvertebrate populations in these areas. We determined the impact of student disturbances by collecting samples of macroinvertebrates from multiple sites in the stream using a Surber sampler, and then counting and identifying the macroinvertebrates found. Monthly sampling was conducted from January through April of 2023. Sampling occurred in both a site frequently disturbed by student sampling as well as an undisturbed reference site further upstream. Water quality measurements were also taken from both sites on each sampling date. No statistical differences were found between the experimental and control sites for the macroinvertebrate community metrics. There were also no significant statistical differences in water quality except for conductivity, with it being significantly higher in the control site. The reason for this conductivity difference is currently unknown. With these results we can conclude that the repeated macroinvertebrate sampling by students has not had any significant effects on the macroinvertebrate community in College Creek. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water quality is impacted by a variety of anthropogenic actions, often resulting in alteration of pH, increases in dissolved salts and metals, and increased turbidity and sedimentation. Anthropogenic activities can also facilitate the introduction and spread of invasive exotic plants such as Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica), a very common riparian plant along many Appalachian streams. We sought to compare macroinvertebrate community composition between leaf packs of native and exotic riparian species. We created a control treatment from a mixture of native riparian tree species, primarily Acer saccharinum (silver maple), and an exotic species leaf pack treatment composed of R. japonica leaves. Six replicates of each leaf pack treatment were deployed for three weeks into a reference stream and an impaired stream in the Allegheny plateau. Macroinvertebrates were identified to order and differences in community compositions were analyzed. We found reduced stonefly abundance in the exotic leaf pack in the reference stream compared to the native leaf pack. Furthermore, overall macroinvertebrate abundance was severely reduced in the impaired stream compared to the reference stream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INVURTS is a pilot project of the Ecological Research as Education Network (EREN). We are currently engaged in the first, pilot year of data collection of what will be a multi-year project and are actively recruiting additional participants across the US. We are investigating the interactions of temporal variability of stream temperature and climatic (biome) and land-use effects on aquatic macroinvertebrate communities. To assess potential trends and interactions at this broad spatial scale, we plan to combine data from sites in the NEON network and sites at participating institutions to test three hypotheses: Hypothesis 1 (Intermediate Disturbance Hypothesis): More extreme (high or low) daily/seasonal/annual temperature variability may decrease biodiversity of stream macroinvertebrates due to species' limits; therefore, highest biodiversity is expected at sites with predictable intermediate levels of variability. Hypothesis 2 (Urban Stream Syndrome): Stream macroinvertebrate biodiversities in urban streams are more similar to each other across NEON Domains than to other sites within a NEON Domain, because as urban streams become more homogenized in their physico-chemical characteristics, including temperature regime, they become more similar in their community composition. Hypothesis 3 (Thermal Equilibrium Hypothesis): An optimum equilibrium between temperature & growth exists; therefore, populations of a species at suboptimal sites are expected to exhibit low population density and smaller individuals versus more optimal sites. To test these hypotheses, participants will collect year-round in situ temperature data in a wadeable stream, do habitat assessment surveys, and gather biological data (environmental DNA and/or macroinvertebrate specimen collection) for three seasons (spring, summer, and fall). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 93-mile-long Conasauga River has its headwaters in Georgia's Cohutta Wilderness, flows into Southeast Tennessee, and then bends south into Northwest Georgia. The biodiversity of the Conasauga is widely recognized with over 20 species of rare, threatened, and endangered fish and mussels inhabiting the river. While the upper reaches within the Chattahoochee and Cherokee National Forests are pristine, as the river flows through private lands it is affected by agriculture and development. Our research project assesses the benthic macroinvertebrate communities and water quality at seven sites in the northern portion of the Conasauga River, including sites within the National Forests and sites downstream. Our results will be compared with those from a survey of the same sites conducted in 1994 to determine if any significant changes have occurred over the nearly 30-year period. Habitat quality was assessed at each site and measurements included pH, dissolved oxygen, water temperature, turbidity, and conductivity. To assess the macroinvertebrate community, we used two different sampling methods. The semi-quantitative method involved disturbing the substrate of two 1 m² riffle areas immediately upstream of a kick net for 30 seconds. The qualitative method involved three people equipped with D-frame nets sampling as many different habitat types as were present within each site for fifteen minutes. Aquatic insects were identified to the family level. Benthic metrics calculated include taxa richness, Hilsenhoff biotic index, percent EPT, and percent contribution of the dominant taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Benthic macroinvertebrates are commonly sampled to assess water quality in streams using a variety of methods, targeting different stream habitats. This study sampled macroinvertebrates from 12 sites across the Lawson's Fork Creek watershed in South Carolina using sweep-net and kick-net sampling, which targeted submerged plant roots and rocky, turbulent riffles, respectively. Since these methods are commonly used by state agencies, the goal of the study was to determine which method was better at estimating overall stream biodiversity on its own, if at all. For each site, macroinvertebrates were collected using each method, identified to family, and assessed for various indices of biodiversity. Results were compared against each other as well as the entire sample site. Seven biodiversity indices were assessed: total taxa richness, EPT richness, Diptera richness, tolerant taxa richness, intolerant taxa richness, the Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index, and Hilsenhoffs Biotic Index. It was hypothesized that kick-net sampling positively impacted index values while sweep-net sampling negatively impacted them, and kick-net sampling would produce values closer to site total. Significant differences between sweep-net, kick-net, and site total values were found for all indices, but the directionality of the sampling methods' impacts, as well as which method produced results closer to site total, varied widely across them. Neither method can be said to better represent overall site biodiversity, though for some individual indices, such as intolerant taxa richness and Shannon-Wiener Index, kick-net or sweep-net method, respectively, provided a significantly closer value to site total. From these results, it was concluded that neither net-sampling method is more effective for broadly assessing a stream's biodiversity, and utilizing both of them is desirable when possible. However, if only a single index of biodiversity is being assessed, one method may be better than the other depending on the index. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban centers have become an important aspect of the United States, with most of the country's population living in or near them. One urban center that has seen population growth of over 50,000 in the past decade is Spartanburg, South Carolina. This increase in population has led to concerns over stream health in the area as urbanization has been shown to degrade streams by increased erosion, decreased water quality, and reduced biological diversity. Due to its location in the city of Spartanburg and potential impacts from urbanization, stream health metrics were investigated in Lawson's Fork Creek (LFC). Stream health was assessed at 12 sampling locations along LFC using benthic macroinvertebrate indices, physicochemical measurements, and an instream habitat assessment. Additionally, land use and impervious surface cover were used to measure urbanization. Negative correlations were found between EPTR (families Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera richness) and TTR (total taxa richness) with %urbanization while %forest cover exhibited a positive correlation with EPTR. EPTR was also positively correlated with pH and %sand while TTR was positively correlated with water temperature (°C) and pH. No correlations were found between benthic macroinvertebrate indices and imperious surface cover. Findings of this study demonstrate the sensitivity of stream health and benthic macroinvertebrate diversity to the continued growth and urbanization of Spartanburg, South Carolina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility of using invertebrate animals as bioindicators of soil conditions has been shown, because microarthropods react strongly to environmental changes. The isotopic composition of heavy metals and their anthropogenic origin are analyzed. It was established that the highest content of heavy metals is in the soil in roadside green zones and the lowest-at a distance from sources of pollution. The assessment of soil invertebrate species with the influence of various levels of soil pollution has completed. The change in the enzymatic and microbiological activity of the soil depending on the value of the coefficient of total accumulation of heavy metals is proved. It was established that the content of heavy metals shows a positive correlation, the impact of moving city vehicles, population density and increasing urbanization, the influence of industrial waste contribute to soil pollution. The toxicological state of soil horizons was investigated, the ecological and microbiological characteristics of the humus horizon in the areas of technogenic impact of pollutants were presented, and the change in the number of soil microorganisms as a result of toxic pollution of urban soils that are at different distances from pollution sources was estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the temporal changes to Great Lakes tributaries is essential to understand cumulative downstream impacts and to inform management decisions. Using a 20-year monitoring dataset of benthic macroinvertebrates in the Credit River watershed, Ontario, we examine how stream characteristics and water chemistry have impacted diversity in this Lake Ontario tributary. Using this classic biomonitoring group of taxa, we investigate patterns of long-term change to help inform cumulative downstream impacts. We implement a mixed-modelling approach to assess these patterns, as well as highlighting key differences among widely-used benthos sampling protocols in Ontario (CABIN and OBBN). We find decreases in Shannon diversity and sensitive taxa, with increases in tolerant taxa, despite no overall change in richness through time. Moreover, diversity changes are highly dependent upon both stream order and location of streams in the watershed. We find notable differences among sampling protocols used, urging caution in interpreting timeseries incorporating multiple sampling methods without statistical correction. Overall, our results demonstrate long-term decline in diversity in this watershed and highlight where management may be most effective upstream to mitigate downstream effects on the lake community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissolving minerals from sediment samples leaves behind many particules in addition to pollen and plant spores. These include the organic-walled remains of algae (including previously undocumented loricae of the chrysophyte Dinobryon divergens) and their consumers (micro-invertebrates such as rotifers and cladocerans, and a variety of protozoans) as well as chemically inert particles like fly ash and microscopic charcoal. These provide insights into natural and anthropogenic change in the North American Great Lakes basin since deglaciation and can be used to refine models upon which decisions will be made. It is particularly important to identify the fundamental shift in Earth systems that accompanied the Great Acceleration of in the mid-20th century that is being proposed to define the proposed Anthropocene epoch. These shifts are inherently related to local, regional and global stressors. In the Great Lakes basin one metric of note, the decline in elm pollen reflecting Dutch elm disease, will be a useful marker for the proposed boundary between the Holocene and Anthropocene epochs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mysis diluviana is a macroinvertebrate native to the Laurentian Great Lakes that provides a link between benthic and pelagic habitats due to its unique life history strategy. It is well understood that mysid populations exhibit a daily diel vertical migration; however, a proportion of the population has been observed foregoing this migration to remain on the bottom. Additionally, mysids have been observed suspended deep within the water column during the day at sites deeper than 100m. Our goal is to examine mysid populations in the Great Lakes using vertical net tows of varying depths to determine where in the water column mysids are residing. This is achieved using a comparison of long term monitoring zooplankton and mysid samples, as well as non-traditional whole water column zooplankton net tows and daytime mysid samples. By combining these sampling techniques we gain insight into whether mysids are exhibiting habitat partitioning between age classes at deep sites, both during the day at the bottom as well as during the night with some mysids migrating into the water column and some remaining on the bottom. If so, mysid biomass may be under represented and relationships between mysids and other organisms may be less clear than previously understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every living organism needs fresh and clean water to survive. Particularly benthic macroinvertebrates are critically affected by changes in water quality. The main purpose of this study is to assess the quality of Akagera river and wetland freshwater ecosystem using macroinvertebrates as bioindicators. The Akagera river is a transboundary ecosystem that flows into Lake Victoria. I assessed the distribution and abundance of aquatic macroinvertebrates in the rivers that enter Akagera and Akagera river itself that forms the upper Akagera river and wetland freshwater ecosystem in the eastern part of Rwanda. Data were collected within four main sites including two sites on Akanyaru and Nyabarongo rivers, and two sites on Akagera river and surrounding wetland for benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages and physico- chemical parameters including pH value, conductivity, temperature, and water speed. Riparian land use types were also recorded with focus on natural vegetation and agriculture. Collected macroinvertebrates were conserved in labelled containers with 96% ethanol solution and taken to the Zoological Collection laboratory at the University of Rwanda, and later identified to the family level using the identification keys. A total of 1920 specimens were collected, of which 1865 macroinvertebrates individuals were identified and grouped into 5 classes, 10 orders, and 21 families. The results revealed that Akagera river and the surrounding wetland are dominated by macroinvertebrates that are highly tolerant to water pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abundance of Arthropods was studied in an organic paddy field in Malang from March to May 2017. The objective of this study is to analyze the effect of refugia block on Arthropod abundance, diversity, and composition collected by water pan traps. The observations were made by using water pan traps set in the paddy field with refugia block and without refugia as the control. Arthropods were collected five times in 37, 48, 55, 81 and 91 days after planting (DAP). There were 267 individuals of Arthropod collected, consisted of 166 individuals in refugia block and 101 individuals in control. The samples showed that 26 Arthropod families found in refugia blocks and 20 Arthropod families found the grasses (control). The abundance, richness, and diversity of Arthropods were significantly higher in the paddy field with refugia block than those in control. Several predators belong to the family Coccinellidae, Oxyopidae, Libellulidae, Lycosidae, and Syrphidae were collected in a few samples. The abundance of Arthropod in a paddy field with refugia block increased from the 37 DAP and had peaked in 55 DAP, then decreased from 81 DAP to 91 DAP. The Arthropods was most abundant in 55 DAP may associate with the early generative phase of the rice plant in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil animals by their size are usually subdivided into 5 groups: nano-, micro-, meso-, macrofauna and megafauna. Mesofauna is the most numerous part of soil animals. The mesofauna is represented by mokritsa, enchytraeids, insects, centipedes, spiders, mollusks, etc. Soil animals occupy, basically, the upper horizons (up to 20-40 cm deep), in dry areas only certain species penetrate to a depth of several meters. Mesofauna, along with other soil organisms, can be used as a bioindicator. In addition to the high abundance, tangible biomass and widespread occurrence, the mesofauna is characterized by the ability to respond quickly to changes in the ecosystem, the availability of species identification and the possibility of using the quantitative characteristics associated with the availability of standard conventional isolation methods for comparison. In the Republic of Kazakhstan, mesofauna studies, until now, have been unsystematic, fragmentary. This was the reason for system-ecological research. When studying the mesofauna and enzymatic activity of soils, we established a high- zonal regularity in the formation of a complex of soil-inhabiting invertebrates expressed in increasing the number and group composition of the mesofauna when moving from grey earth to black earth. So, the dominant species on the black earth are ordinary Lumbricus earthworms, and Formicidae ants. The most numerous are larvae from the families Carabidae, Tenebrionidae. An insignificant number from the family of lamelliform Scarabaeidae and staphylinide Stapphylinidae. The same pattern is also evident in the enzymatic activity-the intravitase of 15.58 mg of glucose per gram in 4 hours, the dehydrogenase-0.396 mg of trifenilformazan per gram of soil in 24 hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study on benthic macroinvertebrate diversity was conducted at Air Terjun Asahan, Asahan, Melaka. Five stations were selected with distance intervals of approximately 500 metres. Three replicates of benthic macroinvertebrate and water samples were taken. Results classified Air Terjun Asahan in class II, which indicated good water quality based on WQI recommended by the Department of Environment. A total of 1 phylum, 2 classes, 6 order, 30 families, and 2183 individuals were successfully sampled and recorded. The analysis showed that the average value of Shannon Diversity Index, H' (2.19), Pielou Evenness Index, J' (0.30), and Margaleff Richness Index, DMG (3.77) described that Air Terjun Asahan was in moderate condition and the distribution of macroinvertebrates was uniform between stations. Correlation test showed that the WQI had a strong relationship with the diversity indices involved. BMWP, and FBI showed that Air Terjun Asahan was in good water quality. CCA test was conducted to show environmental factors towards benthic macroinvertebrate distribution. The presence of Leptophlebiidae, Baetidae, Heptageniidae and Chironomidae with high abundance of the families showed the potential as biological indicators of a clean ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antarctic marine organisms are characterised by a significant level of endemism. This is due to geological, climatological and oceanographic reasons, such as the break-up of Antarctida from Gondwana during the Cretaceous; the formation of a circumpolar current; the extremely low water temperatures (close to freezing); the short summer seasons. The South Shetland Islands (West Antarctic Peninsula) are one of 29 known biogeographic areas in the Southern Hemisphere (Griffiths et al. 2009). King George Island is the largest island from the South Shetlands and eight countries have their polar bases there. Marine bottom macroinvertebrates from the surrounding seawaters are very well studied (Siciński et al. 2011). Less research was carried out in the region of the nearby Livingston Island. There are located two polar bases: "St. Kliment Ohridski" (Bulgaria) and "Juan Carlos I" (Spain). We can assume that in the seawaters of the South Bay we can also expect a rich bottom macroinvertebrate fauna because of the similar conditions and the close distance between the two islands. The aim of this study is to present the first Bulgarian results on the taxonomic composition of marine macroinvertebrates from the South Bay, Livingston Island. The samples were collected during the XXVII Bulgarian Antarctic Expedition (2018-2019 austral summer). Various sites in four areas were sampled: the coastal zone in front of the Bulgarian Polar Base (Costa Bulgara); a small bay south of Cape Hesperides (Reservnoto port); Johnsons Dock Bay near the Spanish research station and Walker Bay near Hannah Point. Samples were collected mainly through bottom trawling at depths of 2 to 20 meters on different types of bottom substrates using Zodiac boats. A total of 11 macrozoobenthos samples were collected. Our preliminary results show that the main macrozoobenthic species are well known in the seawaters of the South Shetlands and usually they have a circumpolar distribution. At the site with soft muddy bottoms (Johnsons Dock Bay), the corrugated ribbon worm Parborlasia corrugatus (McIntosh, 1876) (order Heteronemertea, class Pilidiophora, phylum Nemertea) as well as ascidians (order Phlebobranchia, class Ascidiacea, phylum Chordata) had the highest biomass. The most abundant in the Johnsons Dock Bay were the Antarctic bivalve Aequiyoldia eightsii (Jay, 1839) (order Nuculanida, class Bivalvia, phylum Mollusca); the scale worm Barrukia cristata (Willey, 1902) and the catworm Aglaophamus trissophyllus (Grube, 1877) (both of order Phyllodocida, class Polychaeta, phyllum Annelida). The seroid isopod Spinoserolis beddardi (Calman, 1920) (order Isopoda, class Malacostraca, phyllum Arthropoda) dominated in the muddy / sandy bottom of Hannah Point. The habitats of the rocky bottom (Costa Bulgara) were inhabited mainly by crustaceans (order Aphipoda, class Malacostraca, phyllum Arthropoda) and gastropods (phylum Mollusca). In the tidal zone of this habitat (0-2m), the predominant species was the Antarctic limplet Nacella concinna (Strebel, 1908) (order Patellogastropoda, class Gastropoda, phylum Mollusca). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lakes are largely influenced by streams feeding into them. As integrators of the effects of landuse practices within their catchments, streams can help in the diagnosis of the environmental health of the landscapes that they drain, as changes in the landscape is reflected in the resident biota. Macroinvertebrates occupy important roles in aquatic ecosystems by acting as bioindicators of water quality. The catchment area of the Nzoia river which drains into Lake Victoria, Africa's largest lake, is experiencing deforestation and expansion of agricultural practices. This study contributes to the understanding of biological-physical interactions in river catchments by investigating water physico-chemistry and the functional structure of macroinvertebrates in twenty sites within forested and agricultural areas, from high to low elevations. Significant spatial variation was observed in total suspended solids, coarse particulate organic matter, temperature and conductivity across elevational gradients and landuse types. Higher shredder biomass and abundance occurred in forested streams in higher elevations than in low elevation agricultural streams. Landuse played a predominant role in structuring communities and should be a focus in conservation planning in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Detroit River is a Great Lakes Area of Concern (AOC) with beneficial use impairments to benthic assemblages along the U.S. locations and recently re-assessed unimpaired benthic communities in Canadian portions of the AOC. However, habitat assessments of wetlands have indicated possible stress at wetland locations receiving inflow from Turkey Creek and River Canard tributaries. The wetlands have been shown to range from moderately degraded to very degraded using a water quality index. This study examines benthic macroinvertebrate and bacteria assemblages at tributary wetlands for differences within the wetland bed and the tributary inlet. Climate change in the Great Lakes region is expected to continue impacting aquatic organisms. An understanding of tributary influence on community assemblages can assist in informing monitoring in these sensitive areas. Multivariate analysis indicated significant differences at Turkey Creek for both macroinvertebrate and bacteria communities such that macroinvertebrate communities arrange primarily by benthic habitat characteristics whereas bacteria communities are more directed by water quality parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every level of the food web interacts with microplastics, but freshwater benthic invertebrate species are particularly at risk due to high microplastic concentrations in sediments. Benthic invertebrates are ecologically important, serving as prey to many aquatic and terrestrial organisms. We sought to determine the effects of environmentally relevant concentrations of prevalent microplastics on the growth and survival of Planorbella pilsbryi, a common invertebrate species, as well as determine the resulting microplastic body burden of surviving individuals. The novel aspect of this research was the cultivation of biofilms exposed to known concentrations of microplastics in natural environments. We fed juvenile P. pilsbryi cultured microplastic-contaminated biofilms over the course of two 4-week trials. Endpoints of survival and growth were measured. We assessed the surviving individuals for microplastic body burden. Preliminary results indicate that survival and growth are not affected by microplastic concentration. However, microplastics are retained in the bodies of the juveniles, with a higher body burden at higher concentrations. The accumulation of plastics in their bodies is noteworthy, not only because it has the potential to affect key functions, such as reproduction, but also because this could result in the trophic transfer of microplastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nutrient pollution in Great Lakes streams negatively impacts biota, water quality, and aquatic industries such as tourism and water treatment. We examined long-term median concentrations of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) constituents, and relationships among land use and benthic macroinvertebrate diversity. Records between 2022-2021 for Michigan (USA) were retrieved from multiple agencies in the Water Quality Portal, synthesized, and partitioned by undeveloped, developed, and agricultural (>45% dominance), mixed (<45%), and percent of developed/agricultural land-cover (0-10%, 10-20%, 20-30%, 30-40%, >40%). Statewide, median concentrations of TN ranged between 0.53-1.44 mg/L, with no marked differences among land use, and TP ranged between 0.03-0.09 mg/L from developed/agricultural sites. The median concentrations of inorganic nitrogen and ammonia were two to ten times higher in developed/agricultural areas compared to undeveloped areas. Collector-gatherers were the dominant macroinvertebrates overall, but highly polluted sites had fewer collector-filterers and more predators. Identifying impaired streams could focus and improve management efforts and shed light on how macroinvertebrate composition and resilience play in nutrient cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Europe a common source of generated energy from renewable sources is energy produced in biogas plants (only in the Czech Republic there are 550 biogas plants). The most serious problem of this production is enormous amounts of the waste product, i.e. digestate. The most widely used disposal method for this waste product is its incorporation in the soil. In our research we tested the effect of separated phases of digestate (digestate liquor and digestate fibre). The tests were inspired by OECD 222 Standard, but the tests were performed under field conditions. The digestate fibre and digestate liquor were found to contain very low levels of hazardous elements, and for that reason the major limiting factors for earthworms are the pH value, temperature and moisture of the digestate liquor and digestate fibre. Next, the main limiting factor is a high pH value ranging from 6 to 8.5 in the first testing dose. In digestate liquor (and also in digestate fibre) there were also high concentrations of nitrogen which released into the air immediately after application. Based on the correlations, the strongest dependence demonstrated in case of digestate fibre and pH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasingly relevant issues of our time are high fluctuations in climate, which have adverse impacts on a water balance in landscape. Distribution of precipitation is shifted on the border of drought and a spate. These abnormalities are most evident on small streams where are a cause of fatal consequences for a lot of population and species of aquatic animal. The use of macroinvertebrates as a group of organisms for assess the effects of drought is particularly advantageous for the reason that these indication species are present in large quantities. Also, different regulation of water flows brings different spatial variability and the possibility of overcoming natural disasters. It is also important to take into account the possible overlap impact of anthropogenic factors above drought. At the evaluation the situation of the drought has been used three-year monitoring Trusovice stream. It was research on 13-km section of the stream, which different ground and anthropogenic pollution. The research was held during status of flooding and the drought. It pointed the different abilities and resilience of different kinds of macroinvertebrates, which are one of the cornerstones in the revival of flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nearly 15 years ago, we signaled for the first time the presence of a representative of the interstitial meiofauna, a Cnidaria of the genus Halammohydra (Hydrozoa-Coelenterata) in the Black Sea, in the Vama Veche mediolittoral sedimentary habitats. We specify that our subsequent studies realized over the entire Romanian littoral (in the shallow waters and deep zones) allowed us to signal these Cnidaria only in these habitats with coarse sediments located in the shore line in the southern extremity of the Romanian littoral. He purpose of our study was to evaluate the way in which the population of the cnidarian develops within the interstitial invertebrate community of the midiolittoral level at Vama Veche and evaluation of physic-chemical and biological conditions from sedimentary habitats. The mediolittoral meiofauna community in the interstitial space of the sediments includes, apart from typical representatives of this category (Cnidaria-Hydrozoa, Turbellaria, Nematoda, Polychaeta, Oligochaeta, Acarina, Ostracoda, Harpacticoida), also juvenile representatives of the macrofauna in the neighboring habitats (whose size is under 1 mm: Polychaeta, Oligochaeta, Amphipoda, Tanaidacea, Cumacea, Isopoda, Insecta). Even though the Cnidaria population does not have high values of the average density (according to abundance: 49 indv.m-2), by its position from the trophic point of view (exclusively predatory regime), it has however an important role in the fauna community of the psamic habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study on benthic macroinvertebrates diversity and water quality assessment was conducted at Sungai Congkak recreational area in Hulu Langat, Selangor. Sums of eight sampling stations were selected with a distance of 100-200 m interval between each station. Benthic macroinvertebrates was sampled using a Surber net, while water sampling and analysis were undertaken according to HACH standard methods. A total of 3754 individuals from 40 families of benthic macroinvertebrates were recorded at this river. Ecological indices namely Shannon diversity index (2.49), Pielou evenness index (0.77) and Margalef richness index (4.06) demonstrate that Sungai Congkak is at good condition and benthic macroinvertebrates has homogeneous distribution along the sampling sites. Elmidae, Hydrophilidae, Baetidae and Perlidae were most dominant families present in that area and adapted progressively with excellent water quality (>300 individuals). As regards to Malaysian's Water Quality Index (WQI), the study area at Sungai Congkak is classified in class I which has good water quality conditions. The Pearson correlation test indicates that ecological indices have strong correlation toward WQI at all sampling stations. As a conclusion, the benthic macroinvertebrates and WQI data demonstrated that Sungai Congkak is clean and suitable as recreational stream based on this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sungai Penchala is one of the main tributaries for Sungai Klang which flows through the urban area of Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur before merging with Sungai Klang in the Petaling Jaya district. As urban river, Sungai Penchala is polluted because of anthropogenic activities and this include direct garbage load, untreated drainage system from nearby residential area and also runoff from frequent heavy rain as the country located in tropical area. Currently, there are efforts from government and educational sectors to monitor and rehabilitate the river with vision to return it into its former natural function and not as a sink for urban population. Unlike pristine or recreational river, the water quality of urban river changes drastically over day even hours. Thus there is need for a procedure that can be used for water quality inspection in time of sampling but also provides reliable information that can resemble past event. Therefore, to do that the river monitoring was carried out by employing the traditional physical-chemical parameter by using Hydrolab Quanta® multi parameter reader. The benthic macroinvertebrate was collected using Surber's sampler and preserved in 95% ethanol for identification purposes. The data collected was analyzed for Water Quality Index (WQI) and Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP) to determine the river condition. The system used has its own strength and weakness but when employed together, it is expected to give better knowledge in evaluating river condition. Thus, increase the accuracy of evaluation process. In this study, the biological monitoring shows that changes in water quality influence the diversity of benthic macroinvertebrate. This study prove that biological monitoring by utilizing benthic macroinvertebrate can also be used in determining water quality of urban type river. It is also produced result that more readily interprets as it reveal past event disturbance which sometimes missed by physical-chemical parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the water quality of Eşen River, seven sampling points were selected and seven water quality determination methods were performed. Of the performed water quality methods, two were physicochemical and five were biological, based on benthic macroinvertebrates. SI, FBI, BMWP, ASPT, BBI biotic indices and EPT/Chironomus sp. ratios were the applied on Esen River. A total of 111 benthic macro invertebrate taxa consisting of 48 genera and 63 species, which belong to classes Turbellaria, Gastropoda, Bivalvia, Hirudinea, Crustacea and Insecta were identified and used. Of these, %86, 84 (96 taxa) belong to Insecta. It was determined that, Gammarus sp.,was dominant on upper zones while Chironomus sp. was dominant on lower zones of Esen River. No significant difference was evident between the biodiversity and physicochemical parameters. According to the obtained data, it was evident that there are no intensive pollution pressures on Eşen River. However, moderate pollution was found among sampling points of the lower river basin. Management strategies especially about the effect of fish farms on Esen River should be developed immediately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The active sludge is made of a synthetic gelatinous matrix in which there are included different colonies of bacteria (of different form and consistency), from din colloids, organic and inorganic substances, mass around which it is grouped and there are fed many protozoa and metazoan. The purpose of this study was to notice if after the process of dewatering and sanitation, there is biological activity in the samples of sludge; in this purpose it was made an experiment which to allow the developing of biological communities, the organisms, that manifest resistance at the applied procedures. The experiment included a number of 8 samples of active sludge in 2 replicates mounted in parallel (only 2 because there were aimed only qualitative aspects); within each replicate there was a control sample and 2 variants of sludge samples: the first was taken from the superficial layer by razing with a help of a spatula and the other was taken from the whole column of sludge; the sludge samples were introduced in the culture environment (glycerin and water in rapport 1:8). The sludge samples control were mounted in distillate water, thus the organisms that could have appeared through the exit from the resistance forms and than could develop to use only the food resources existent in the sample, following their evolution after 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days since the mounting of the experiment (the total number of samples with active sludge analyzed in the lab was 72). Most of the organisms of active sludge biocoenosis, within the process of biological purging of residual waters but also within self purging from an emissary, are the microorganisms, protozoa and metazoan species of the saprobes system, saprophytes. The active sludge is made of bacteria which morphological and functional are alike; morphologically they are represented by cocci, bacilli, spirilla. These bacteria take over the organic substratum from different compounds and brooked the carbon cathens. Most of the organic matter is consumed by the associations of microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) and to a lesser extent species of protozoa and metazoans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]