<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>This investigation focused on plankton inhabiting fishponds, which previously received mine waters from the lead-zinc mine ‘Matylda’, located in southern Poland (Upper Silesia). The purpose of the investigation was to study the effects of chronic and persistent contamination of fishpond bottom sediments with heavy metals originated from the lead and zinc mine. The phyto-and zooplankton in the four fishponds were dominated by diatoms, green algae and rotifers. Plankton composition of the reference non-contaminated pond was different, since Chrysophytes dominated, and Copepoda were the most numerous among zooplankton. In the contaminated fishponds, we observed teratological forms, both for phyto-and zooplankton species, but only as individuals. Our results showed that planktonic communities had adapted to chronic and persistent heavy metal contamination.</p>
</abstract>

This investigation focused on plankton inhabiting fishponds, which previously received mine waters from the lead-zinc mine ‘Matylda’, located in southern Poland (Upper Silesia). The purpose of the investigation was to study the effects of chronic and persistent contamination of fishpond bottom sediments with heavy metals originated from the lead and zinc mine. The phyto-and zooplankton in the four fishponds were dominated by diatoms, green algae and rotifers. Plankton composition of the reference non-contaminated pond was different, since Chrysophytes dominated, and Copepoda were the most numerous among zooplankton. In the contaminated fishponds, we observed teratological forms, both for phyto-and zooplankton species, but only as individuals. Our results showed that planktonic communities had adapted to chronic and persistent heavy metal contamination.

Phyto- and zooplankton in fishponds contaminated with heavy metal runoff from a lead-zinc mine

Department of Geology, Geophysics and Environmental Protection AGH

Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

This investigation focused on plankton inhabiting fishponds, which previously received mine waters from the lead-zinc mine ‘Matylda’, located in southern...

Phyto- and zooplankton in fishponds contaminated with heavy metal runoff from a lead-zinc mine

Published Online: Oct 25, 2011

Page range: 77 - 85

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s13545-011-0044-1

Keywords
aquatic ecosystems, heavy metals, industrial impact, lead, plankton, zinc

© 2011 Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdańsk, Poland

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Phyto- and zooplankton in fishponds contaminated with heavy metal runoff from a lead-zinc mine

Published Online: Oct 25, 2011

Page range: 77 - 85

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/s13545-011-0044-1

Keywordsaquatic ecosystems, heavy metals, industrial impact, lead, plankton, zinc

© 2011 Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, University of Gdańsk, Poland

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
aquatic ecosystems, heavy metals, industrial impact, lead, plankton, zinc