EPA-600/3-77-020
FEBRUARY 1977
Ecological Research Series
EFFECTS OF POLLUTANTS ON SUBMARINE
PLANT SYNECOLOGY
Environmental Research Laboratory
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882
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RESEARCH REPORTING SERIES
Research reports of the Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, have been grouped into five series. These five broad
categories were established to facilitate further development and application of
environmental technology. Elimination of traditional grouping was consciously
planned to foster technology transfer and a maximum interface in related fields.
The five series are:
1. Environmental Health Effects Research
2. Environmental Protection Technology
3. Ecological Research
4. Environmental Monitoring
5. Socioeconomic Environmental Studies
This report has been assigned to the ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH series. This series
describes research on the effects of pollution on humans, plant and animal
species, and materials. Problems are assessed for their long- and short-term
influences. Investigations include formation, transport, and pathway studies to
determine the fate of pollutants and their effects. This work provides the technical
basis for setting standards to minimize undesirable changes in living organisms
in the aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric environments.
This document is available to the public through the National Technical Informa-
tion Service, Springfield, Virginia 22161.
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EPA-600/3-77-020
February 1977
EFFECTS OF POLLUTANTS ON SUBMARINE PLANT SYNECOLOGY
by
Maurice A. Dube
Western Washington State College
Bellingham, Washington 98225
Grant No. 18050 DXI
Project Officer
Jan C. Prager
Environmental Research Laboratory
Narragansett, Rhode Island 02882
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
NARRAGANSETT, RIDDE ISLAND 02882
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DISCLAIMER
This report has been reviewed by the Environmental Research
Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and approved for
publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily
reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency,
nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute
endorsement or recommendation for use.
ii
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ABSTRACT
LSynecology 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 compari-
sons 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 floating bull kelp
Nereocystis leutkeana is shown to~haVe a depressing effect on
standing crop and on the presence of other elements of the commun-
ity. 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 envir-
ons 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.
This report was submitted in fulfillment of Grant Number 18050 DXI
by Western Washington State College, Bellingham, under the sponsor-
ship of the Environmental Protection Agency. Work was completed
as of August, 1970.
iii
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CONTENTS
Section Page
I Conclusions 1
II Recommendations 2
III Introduction 3
IV Materials and Methods 8
V Results 11
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FIGURES
No. Page
1 Map of southern end of the Strait of Georgia. 4
2 Shoreline of Strait of Georgia. 5
3 Average surface and bottom temperature at
Stations G, T, & W for summers 1968, 1969, and
1970. 12
4 Silt collected in 30" high, 3" diameter
vertically oriented tubes at stations I, G, C,
T, E, and W. Averaged for period 7-26-68 to
8-27-68. 13
5 Light integrated for periods of 1-2 weeks at the
-10 ft. depth at Stations W, C, and G relative
to recordings at Station T. (July 1969). 14
6 Growth on artificial substrates 7-26-68 to
10-5-68. 15
7 Growth of the blade of Laminaria sp. grown at
Stations W and C transplanted from Legoe Bay,
Lummi Island, July 13, 1968. 18
8 Distribution of Bull Kelp. A comparison of
the distribution of the bull kelp Nereocystis
leutkeana (level 4) from aerial photographs
made in late summers of 1968, 1969, and 1970.
Areas to the right of the dashed lines in maps
of 1968 and 1970 were not photographed. 19
9 Numbers of kelp per yard counted on the surface
in 10 foot wide strips at indicated locations
along the shoreline. 20
10 Biomass of plant communities by levels. Levels
1, 2, 3, and 4 are represented left to right by
the four bars for each station, year and depth.
The values are relative to the highest biomass
within that level at any station during :the
three years. 23
vi
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TABLES
No. Page
1 Analysis of Samples of Intalco Waste. 6
2 Respiration Rate of Laminaria jsaccharina
before and after addition of 1:50 dilution
of Intalco Aluminum Co. effluent. 17
3 Respiration Rate of Costaria costata before
and after addition of 1:50 dilution of
Intalco Aluminum Co. effluent. 17
4 Mean biomass of entire plant communities
(Grams/1-1/2 sq. meters). 21
5 Biomass (gm/1-1/2 sq. meter) total dry weight
(grams) of species collected within 6, 1/2
meter square quadrats at each station, year
and depth sampled. 25
6 Number of stations at which species of
inconsistent occurrence are present during
each year. 35
7 Numbers of animals collected with plant
samples at indicated stations, years and
depths. 36
vii
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SECTION I
CONCLUSIONS
1. Conditions favoring highest growth rates and standing crop oc-
cur at the northern end of the study area. These conditions in-
clude higher current velocities, greater mixing with offshore
water, lower silt content, higher transparency, and lower tempera-
ture. Differences in silt demonstrate the diffusion gradients from
the Nooksack River, shoreline erosion, and the effluent of the
aluminum plant.
2. Filamentous algae appear to be most tolerant of high silt condi-
tions.
3. Certain kelps respond with increased respiration rate when ex-
posed to the waste containing fluoride from the Intalco Aluminum
Plant. This appears to be a reaction similar to the toxic response
of seed plants to fluoride.
4. Distribution of the bull kelp Nerocystis leutkeana is variable
year to year. The presence of this kelp has considerable effect on
the composition of other elements of the community particularly the
smaller, filamentous species. The variation appears to be a natural
fluctuation.
5. The presence of the floating bull kelp Nereocystis leutkeana has
a depressing effect on the other members of the community.
6. There is value in classifying species of the community according
to four growth types as an approach to understanding interactions
within the community and the possible separate effects of environ-
mental stresses.
7. Certain members of the community such as Iridaea chordata are
stable and occur in every community at the -10' depth. Others do
not appear as consistently. One group of five plants including
Rhodomela laryx have shown a marked decrease since 1968. These
five species were found in 1968 in only the four stations most
close to industries. These species were not replaced by other
species at station T and E but they were replaced by other species
at state G.
8. Evidence seems to indicate poorer conditions for algal growth in
the environs of Intalco Aluminum plant. The apparent silting over
of the rock substrate at the -20 ft. depth at station C, the de-
crease in standing crop at station G, and the loss of more species
from southern stations than from station W suggest a deterioration
of quality in this area. This silt was derived from effluent waste,
the Nooksack River, and drainage from the shore.
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SECTION II
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. It is recommended that an analysis of this coastline be con-
ducted periodically. It is suggested that these studies be con-
ducted for two consecutive years after an interval of five years.
2. It is felt that in further studies of this type that an ade-
quate amount of information may be gained from obtaining: 1) the
total biomass within each of the four levels or growth types and
2) presence-absence records of all species within the community.
It does not seem necessary to obtain the biomass of each separate
species.
3. Further experiments into the response of algae to fluoride
are recommended.
4. It is recommended that in further studies the species Porphyra
sp-, Ptorochondria sp., Rhodomela laryx, Rhodomcnia palmata, and
Rhodomcnia pertusa be regarded as possible indicators of environ-
mental stress of the type found in the environs of the aluminum
plant.
5. It is recommended that to preserve the quality of marine plant
community along the Cherry Point shoreline, the dumping of indus-
trial wastes in this area in the amounts experienced in the fall
of 1968 not be permitted. A program to recycle wastes has been
begun by this aluminum plant.
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SECTION III
INTRODUCTION
The primary purpose of the study was to develop a method of examin-
ing quantitatively the structure of subtidal marine plant communi-
ties and to compare these plant communities and certain important
ecological factors within both the study area and locations less
affected by industrial waste. This comparison included plant com-
munity structure, and the productivity and physiology of certain
plant species. In so doing a quantitative record of the biological
condition of the area would "be provided that may be used in asses-
sing the effects of alteration of the environment after the estab-
lishment of additional industries.
The Shoreline under study is in an area in which industrial develop-
ments are taking place. The shoreline is approximately four miles
long from Point Whitehorn south along Georgia Strait. The inter-
tidal and subtidal substrate along this coast is composed principal-
ly of 6-12 in. boulders set in muddy sand. Underwater plant and
animal life is quite abundant. Commercial crabbing is carried on
along the southern, more sandy end. The northern end attracts many
sports and commercial salmon fishermen. Since few marine herbivorous
animals such as sea urchins and marine snails are present, the
algae attached to rocks form luxurient stands.
Present sources of deterioration of water quality along the shoreline
under study (Figures 1, 2) include the Mobil Oil Company refinery and
the Intalco Aluminum Company ore processing plant. The outfall of
the oil refinery consists of biologically treated wastes. The main
constituents of the waste of the aluminum company are carbon and tars
from anodes as well as soluble and insoluble fluorides, alumina and
sulfur. The wastes have increased from a level (Table 1) when one
pot line was in operation to a maximum with three lines beginning in
the fall of 1968. When three lines were in operation the effluent
consisted of 13 million gallons of water per day carrying 272-425
mg/1 solids and 118-143 mg/1 fluorine (as reported to the State De-
partment of Ecology by Intalco Aluminum Corporation). The solids
from the alumina reduction process contribute to the turbidity and
silt load of the water along Sandy Point-Point Whitehorn shoreline. The
nonindustrial sources of suspended solids include the Nooksack River,
the Frasier River, small streams and other drainages which gradually
erode the shoreline. In most inshore areas less than 20 feet deep,
silt materials are carried off exposing a stable cobble bottom.
A subtidal rather than an intertidal approach was used in this
study for a number of reasons: (1) The effects of pollution may
be masked by the effects of intertidal environmental stresses such
as freezing, drying, and heating. (2) Intertidal collecting is
complicated by the limitations of tide and wave action. (3) It is
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U.S. - Cur...';: an Harder
Point RoberUs
123 45 6
^>
Sucia Is.
ebb
ood
Intalco
pier
Mobile oil oier
Sandy
Point
Figure 1. Map of southern end of the Strait of Georgia
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Figure 2. Shoreline of Strait of Georgia,
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TABLE 1
ANALYSIS OF SAMPLES OF INTALCO WASTE*
Constituent
Calcium as Ca
Magnesium as Mg
Sodium as Na
-H-
Dates of Collection
9-21-66 11-14-66
(mg/1) (mg/1)
Potassium as K
Hydrogen as H
Aluminum as Aln
particulate
soluble
Chloride as Cl~
Fluoride as F~
Chloroform extractables
Ether extractables
SOLIDS AND RESIDUES—
Total Residue
Fixed Total Residue
Volatile Total Residue
Filtrable Residue
Fixed Filtrable Residue
Volatile Filtrable Residue
Non-Filtrable Residue
Fixed Non-Filtrable Residue
Volatile Non-Filtrable Residue
*Sylvester, Robert 0., Dale A. Carlson, Russell F. Christman, and
Roy T. Oglesby, A Study of Wastewater Disposal for the Intalco
Aluminum Corporation (University of Washington, College of
Engineering, Dept. of Civil Engineering) Dec. 1966.
14.5
11.1
26.0
2.0
0.76
18.2
7.7
2.5
132.6
12.4
16.0
361
177
184
236
106
130
125
71
54
16.0
5.0
22.0
2.3
0.60
7.2
0.56
0.5
107.0
6.6
10.8
356
268
88
193
141
52
163
127
36
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difficult at low tide to gain an accurate inventory of all of the
primary consumers. (4) It would also appear that since plants of
the intertidal have generally wider geographic range compared with
those of the subtidal, they would therefore appear to be less
sensitive to subtile differences in environmental factors. It ap-
peared that a study of the subtidal community would provide the
most appropriate bioassay of environmental quality.
In order to achieve this understanding of the response of the plant
community a quantitative approach was used. Like most studies of
underwater plant communities in various parts of the world, the
previous studies on the Pacific Coast have been only relatively
quantitative.
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SECTION IV
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Study Sites were selected by use of photos from aerial surveys and
from observations made by divers towed on a diving plane behind a
boat. Seven Stations (Figures 1, 2) or study sites were selected.
Stations were located in areas of most abundant algal growth.
Stations I, G, C, T, E, and W were spaced at intervals down current
on a flood tide from sources of industrial waste. Station I was
discontinued after 1968. In 1970 station S was added on Sucia
Island in an area having a substrate similar to the other sites.
Stations G, C, T, E, and W were sampled each year at the -10 ft.
depth (reference to mean low tide) as was station S in 1970.
Stations sampled at the -20 ft. depth each year include stations
W and T. The community at station C was sampled at the -20 ft.
depth only in 1968.
The underwater sites were marked with two 4 ft. long 5/8" steel
reinforcing rods driven into the substrate 100 ft. apart at the
-10 ft. depth. The site was relocated by means of a 100' long 1/2"
yellow plastic rope stretched between the rods. On returning to
the site the general location was established from the surface by
means of photographic records of shoreline features. Location by
this method was accurate usually to within 50 ft. of the center of
the rope. The divers entered the water slightly deeper than the
study site and swam on a compass heading toward shore until the
role was intercepted.
Water temperatures were read by a diver at the surface and bottom
using a mercury thermometer.
Silt collectors were fashioned from 30" sections of 3" I.D. plastic
pipe capped at the lower end. They were secured in an upright
position on the bottom attached to 1/2" steel reinforcing rods
driven into the bottom.
Light at stations was measured with light meters developed in this
study. Light energy received by a silicone photocell was recorded
by a Curtis 150 elapsed time meter. The plexiglass port through
which light was transmitted was brushed clean of silt by means of
magnets rotated by a clock motor within the enclosure.
Two inch square ceramic tiles attached to stainless bolt heads by
marine epoxy cement were mounted on stainless steel racks supported
6" above concrete building blocks. The building blocks were pre-
vented from rolling by means of a 1/2" steel reinforcing rod
wired on the bottom of the concrete block in a direction perpendicu-
lar to the long axis of the block. Ceramic tiles were removed
periodically for inspection.
8
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Animals associated with the algae except for the most motile forms
such as fish and some shrimp were drawn into the collecting bag
with the algae. These were preserved and later identified. The
animals counted arc tabulated in Table II.
Plants of Laminaria saccharina and Costaria costata collected
the aid of S.C.U.B.A. frpm the subtidal along the west side of
Sucia Island and at Legoe Bay, Lummi Island (Figure 1). Plants
awaiting analysis were stored in the dark in aerated 4°C sea water.
Readings of oxygen depletion were made with a Gilson Differential
Respirometer at 20, 30, and 40 minute time intervals. These time
periods permitted the depletion of approximately thirty microliters
of oxygen. The water bath temperature was either 8 or 10 degrees
centigrade, whichever most closely duplicated the ambient subtidal
sea water temperature at the time of the collection. After respir-
ation had been monitored for 60 to 90 minutes, the Intalco waste
was added to the sea water and tissue to make a 1:50 dilution.
The control vessels, selected at random, received distilled water
in place of the effluent. At the end of the experiment the discs
were removed, dried for forty-eight hours at 105 degrees centigrade,
cooled in a desicator and then weighed.
The growth of the kelp Laminaria saccharina was obtained by measur-
ing the displacement of a 3 mm hole punched in the blade 3.5 cm.
distally from a point where the blade was 1 cm wide, or 1.0 cm
from the 1 cm wide point in the case of some plants that were less
than 10 cm. wide. Plants were attached by rubber bands to a 4-1/2'
long, 1" diameter plastic pipe which was anchored on the bottom
using concrete blocks.
Aerial photographs of the beds of Nereocystis leutkeana were made
annually in September. At this time of the year, these plants
reach their greatest development. Photographs were made from an
altitude of 1,000 feet using 35 mm camera with a 50 mm lens. The
flight path approximated a line which bordered the seaward side
of the pictures. The photographs included enough of the shoreline
to permit assembly of a composite photo of the shoreline of the
entire study area. Maps were approximated from these composite
photos.
A measurement of the density of the kelp Nereocystis leutkeana at
locations along the study area was made while moving slowly through
the bed with a boat. A record was made of the members of individual
kelp floats occurring in intervals from the shore measured by a
rangefinder. The strips sampled were 10 ft. wide.
Plant communities were sampled by removing at each station all
plants within six square quadrats each half-meter on a side.
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Quadrats were located along a line which was an extension of the
marking line parallel to the shore. Six quadrats were positioned
along this line by dropping the metal quadrat marker at points
where at least 50 percent of the area of the quadrat was covered
by rock substrate. In 1969 and 1970 the lines were located so
sampling areas did not overlap those of the previous year.
Plants were scraped off the rocks within the 1/4 meter square
marker using a putty knife. The detached plants were collected
into a bag by means of a suction tube. The suction tube drew the
detached plants into a plastic screen bag. The suction tube was
a 3' long piece of 3-1/4" diameter plastic pipe. A water current
was impelled through the suction tube by means of a water stream
directed obliquely down the tube from a 1/4" nozzle. Water pres-
sure was supplied by a 50 ft. 3/4" garden hose from a centrifugal
pump on the surface. The pump was powered by a 1-1/2 h.p. four
cycle gasoline engine. In addition to concentrating the detached
plants the suction tube aided visibility by clearly silt disturbed
in the collecting operation.
Plants were kept cool during transport to the laboratory. They
were stored until sorting in aerated, 5° C seawater. Plants of
each quadrat were sorted to species, dried on aluminum foil, and
weighed. The weights were entered on computer data processing
cards.
Certain taxonomic generalizations were made because of the quantity
of material processed. When more than one species was known to be
present but they were not separated in processing, they were assigned
to the genus as sjpp., as in Ulva spp. The species designation spp.
was also used for Laminaria groenlandica and ~L_. saccharina which
are distinguished by the presence or absence of microscopic mucilage
ducts. When the species was not determined and it was not observed
if other species were present the designation sp. was used, for
example, Ceramium sp. Plants belonging to Botryoglossom and
Cryptopleura were assigned to Botryoglossom. Callophyllis flabel-
lulata and Callophyllis edentata were assigned to Callophyllis
flabellulata only during the 1968 study. The term species in this
report is therefore generally applied to the lowest taxonomic
hierarchy distinguished.
10
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SECTION VI
RESULTS
Average summer surface and bottom temperatures at three stations are
compared in Fig. 3. The generally elevated water temperature in
1969 compared with 1968 and 1970 may be explained by the restriction
of water movement by the floating kelp Nercocystis leutkeana. The
lowest average temperatures occurring at point Whitehorn (station W)
indicate mixing with offshore water in this area.
Current velocity, silt, and light are highly interrelated factors in
this environment. The amount of light reaching a plant depends upon
amount of silt transported in the water. The amount of silt is a
function of diffusion and mixing and therefore related to the velocity
of the water. Estimated surface current velocities along this shore
vary from up to 1.26 knots near station W (Schwartz, et. al. 1971) to
approximately half this velocity at station G. The movement of in-
shore water is parallel to the shore on both the flood and ebb tides.
The flood tide is in a northerly direction. Fig. 4 indicates the
amount of silt deposited in collectors at each station. The grey
silt collected by these tubes included black granular material pre-
sumed to be carbon particles resulting from decomposition of the
Intalco Aluminum Corporation annodes.
The decreased amounts of silt deposited in collectors toward the
north reflects the greater carrying capacity of this faster moving
water, the diffusion of aluminum plant wastes, and the diffusion of
wastes from the Nooksack River through Hales pass. These diffusion
quadients are also reflected in the relative light measured at
stations G, C, T, and W (Fig. 5), in which transparency of the water
is seen to increase in the direction of station W.
The numbers of each type of organism found on vertically and hori-
zontally oriented tiles October 5, 1968 after 71 days exposure are
presented in Figure 6.
Surfaces exposed at the southern end of the study were found to be
much more densely covered with barnacles while surfaces of sub-
strate exposed at the more northern stations, though bearing some
barnacles, were heavily covered with green algae. It is very
likely that the type of organisms established on a fresh substrate
is determined to a large extent by the order in which organisms
arrive on the substrate.
To provide meaningful information it would appear to be necessary
to place substrates out and observe them on a regular schedule (at
one month intervals, for example) throughout the year.
11
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17 -
Surface
Bottom
1968
1969
1970
Figure 3. Average surface and bottom temperature at Stations
G, T, & W for summers 1968, 1969, and 1970.
12
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Figure 4. Silt collected in 30" high, 3" diameter vertically oriented
tubes at stations I, G, C, T, E, and W. Averaged for
period 7-26-68 to 8-27-68.
13
-------
12O
oo
t-l
QJ
c
•o
o
CO
JJ
c
6CH
40-
2O-
Figure 5. Light integrated for periods of 1-2 weeks at the -10 ft.
depth at Stations W, C, and G relative to recordings at
Station T. (July 1969)
14
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V=vertical surface
U=upper surface
L=lower surface
Sta. W
Sta. E Sta. I
Sta. C
Sta. G
Figure 6. Growth on artificial substrates 7-26-68 to 10-5-68.
15
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The study of the effect of the effluent of the aluminum plant on
the rate of respiration in Laminaria saccharina (Table 2) and
Costaria costata (Table 3) constitutes part of a masters degree
thesis of a student working on the project. In these experiments
the effluent was diluted 1:50, a concentration estimated by
Sylvester (1966) to occur in the vicinity of the outfall of the
aluminum plant. The respiration rate in both species was found
during some seasons to increase and at other times to decrease
with the addition of the effluent. The change in respiration
rate was generally greater with Costaria costata than with Laminaria
saccharina. The greater response of tissue of Costaria costata
to Intalco effluent was observed in September, 1968, when a 155%
increase over the respiration rate of Costaria costata tissue in
sea water was recorded. Costaria costata is known to undergo
comparatively more physiological change seasonally. A difference
in response and sensitivity to some constituent of the effluent
such as fluoride would not, therefore, be unexpected. An experi-
ment in September, 1969, was run with Costaria costata designed to
replicate the experiments of September 1968, in which greatly in-
creased respiration rate was observed. In this experiment an in-
crease of only 13.6% in respiratory rate was obtained using efflu-
ent from the same sample used in the test of the previous year.
The lack of agreement in the response the two succeeding Septembers
may possibly result from changes in fluoride activity. It is now
known if the fluoride activity of the sample was higher in Septem-
ber 1968, since activity measurements were not being made at that
time.
An indication of growth in Laminaria sp. growing at stations C and
W was obtained in 1968 (Fig. 7). The rate of growth of plants trans-
planted from Sucia Island was 53.8% greater at Station W compared
with C. In a similar experiment in 1968 the growth of Laminaria
sp. at station T was found to be quite similar to growth at station
W.
The development of the floating kelp Nereocystis leutkeana was ob-
served to be more extensive during the summer of 1969 compared with
its stand the other two years of the study. The map, Figure 8,
based on aerial photographs shows these differences in distribution
but it is not effective in showing density of the kelp beds. Re-
sults of one method of recording density of kelps are shown in Figure
9. The failure of Nereocystis leutkeana to return to the same loca-
tions in the same abundance each year may be explained by the fact
that this species is obligated to regenerate from a spore generated
microscopic phase. It does not regenerate from the holdfast of the
plant of the previous year.
16
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TABLE 2
RESPIRATION RATE OF LAMINAR!A SACCIIARINA BEFORE AND AFTER ADDITION
OF 1:50 DILUTION OF INTALCO
Date of Experiment
No. of samples
Until Temperature (°C)
Mean ri'.sj) I. r.it i on
bei.ore treatment
(yL/100 mg/llr)
Standard deviation
Mean respiration
after treatment
(pL/100 mg/Hr)
Standard deviation
9-3-68
13
10
39.30
13.16
42.00
13.52
ALUMINUM CO.
12-20-68
12
8
24.80
6.78
20.26
7.34
EFFLUENT
3-12-69
13
8
58.28
10.44
61.08
10.82
5-17-69
7
10
104.2
21.40
123.08
16.98
TABLE 3
RESPIRATION RATE OF COSTARIA COSTATA BEFORE AND AFTER ADDITION OF
1:50 DILUTION OF INTALCO ALUMINUM CO. EFFLUENT
Date of Experiment 9-2-68 10-12-68 12-22-68 3-11-69 3-27-69
No. of samples 12 14 13 13 12
Bath temperature (°C) 10 10 888
Mean respiration
before treatment
(yL/100 mg/Hr) 64.38 79.22 28.3 87.5 87.8
Standard deviation 17.06 15.64 6.0 11.9 18.0
Mean respiration
after treatment 163.16 85.95 23.0 109.6 98.7
(VL/100 mg/Hr)
Standard deviation 36.14 16.8 6.9 12.4 18.4
17
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125-,
At Station C
Figure 7. Growth of the blade of Laminaria sp. grown at Stations W
and C transplanted from Legoe Bay, Lunmi Island, July 13,
1968.
18
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Figure 8. Distribution of Bull Kelp. A comparison of the distribution
of the bull kelp Nereocystis leutkeana (level 4) from aerial
photographs made in late summers of 1968, 1969, and 1970.
Areas south of the dashed lines in maps of 1968 and 1970 were
not photographed.
19
-------
en
(X
U-J
O
OH
0)
"i
30
20-
10-
3O-
20-
4O
3O
120
12O
4O SO
Yards from Shore
12O
Figure 9. Numbers of kelp per yard counted on the surface in 10 foot
vide strips at indicated locations along the shoreline.
20
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Plant Community Analysis
Plant communities at the 10' depth were sampled in 1968 on the fol-
lowing dates:
Station
Date of
Sampling
G
8-7-68
C
8-1-68
T
7-13-68
E W
8-2-68 8-9-68
Communities at the -20' depth were sampled at the following dates:
Station
W
Date of
sampling
8-23-68
8-21-68
8-22-68
These stations were sampled within a week of these dates during
the two succeeding summers. Station S was sampled once on 8-28-70.
Station C was sampled only in 1968 at the -20' depth. It was not
possible to find rocky substrate at this depth at this station in
subsequent years. The bottom appeared to have accumulated enough
silt to cover the boulders.
There is a clearly consistent pattern of decreased total biomass
(Table 4) of communities at all stations at the -10' depth. This
is shown in this report to result from the large kelp cover occur-
ring that year. The most significant decrease over the three years
is seen at station G. Comparisons of total biomass year to year
or station to station should be made cautiously because of vari-
ations in the area of rock substrate appearing within the same
quadrats.
TABLE 4
MEAN BIOMASS OF ENTIRE PLANT COMMUNITIES (GRAMS/1-1/2 SQ. METER)
Stations
G
C
T
E
W
T-deep
W-deep
C-deep
S
Depth (Ft
-10
-10
-10
-10
-10
-20
-20
-20.
-10
.) 1968
574.
433.
416.
779.
916.
68.
73.
118.
9340
3719
8385
7178
2987
9(38
0( til
I. 'J9
1969
294.
415 ,
212-
443.
196.
.; ^
,' .J ;
r^.
0132
4119
5275
8629
2562
6334
0323
1970
238
408
1041
698
1443
115
202
521
.7725
.6606
,3173
.6252
.9465
.3865
.8124
,3860
3-yr Avg.
369
419
556
642
852
89
155
118
521
.2399
.1481
.8944
.4020
.1671
.3079
.9503
.1399
.8860
21
-------
In this study plants are arranged according to four growth types
or levels. This is done with a viex^ at discovering possible rela-
tionships between elements of the plant community and possible ef-
fects of industrial effluent on distinct types of plants within the
community. Level one includes the uni- and pluriseriate filamentous
types; level twp, the foliose types which includes most other algae;
level three, the bottom kelps; and level four, the floating bull
kelp. This classification recognizes the relationship between
morphology of plants and environmental niches occupied by plants.
At one extreme Is the bull kelp (Level 4) with the floating portion
of its stipe periodically exposed to the atmosphere, its association
with other algae occurring only around its holdfast. At the other
extreme are the filamentous algae (Level 1) tufted between leafy,
more or less, upright algae (Level 2) and frequently covered by
blades of bottom kelps (Level 3). Species are listed by levels in
Table 5. In Figure 10, communities are compared according to the
biomass of their constituent levels.
One fairly consistent pattern is seen in the relative decrease in
abundance of filamentous, Level 1, algae from station C toward
station W (Figure 10). It would appear that algae of level 1 are
favored by conditions of higher silt found at C. This explanation
is supported by the fact that level 1 plants are also the ones
which dominate in the deeper, -20' depth community at station T
where current at the bottom is less than at the bottom at the -10'
depth and plants are therefore more heavily dusted with silt. It
may be the case that up to a point silt favors the filamentous
algae of the community indirectly by depressing the growth of bot-
tom kelps (Level 3) with which the filamentous algae, compete.
Kelps are usually layered with fine silt at these southern sta-
tions. Filamentous algae (Level 1) having more surface area, may be
more suited than the kelps to carry out the functions of photo-
synthesis and nutrient exchange under the silt conditions. This
theory of level 1 filamentous algae being more successful competi-
tors in a silty environment is not supported by the biomass values
for level 1 at station G in 1969 and 1970. This station is, however,
most directly exposed to the outfall of the aluminum plant. This
company produced its peak outfall in the fall of 1968, prior to the
measurements of low biomass in the summer of 1969. At this time
chemical or silting conditions may have been excessive for these
plants as well as the kelps. The source of the silt accumulated
at the -20' depth at station G was not determined. A small amount
was no doubt due to erosion in this area resulting from changing
the landscape of the bank in front of the aluminum plant site.
Beginning in the fall of 1968 the effluent of the aluminum plant
was increased with the addition of a third pot line.
The most important modification of the community over the three
years was the increase in abundance of bull kelp Nereocystis
22
-------
ICO T
1968 1969
97O
50 |
i
T
50 |
O
50
c O
>- 4.
O I
a. 4
i
,,,,
Jill,
h
m> i
I
Iff,
50
t
t-
i
O
Figure 10.
2O' Depth
i i
1968 I 1969 I 197O
I • _••! II
I I
ll III. Ill
I'
III
i i
I ll ll
H lllNlll
""••H!
In, ,'i-nHHW^pm, ,
TO' Depth
Biomass of plant communities by levels. Levels 1, 2, 3,
and 4 are represented left to right by the four bars for
each station, year, and depth. The values are relative to
the highest biomass within that level at any station during
the three years.
23
-------
^Ncc.-ma (Level 4) in 1969 (Figure 10). With this more developed
level 4 kelp canopy in 1969, there was a general decrease in abund-
ance of plants of the lower three levels of the communities at the
-10 depth. The depression was great enough to result in below
average biomass for entire communities including Nereocystis at all
stations at the -10' depth in the years 1968 and 1970. The plants
with the greatest percentage decrease were those of levels 1 and 2.
In 1970 when the kelp cover returned to a density similar to that
of 1968, there was an increase in abundance of levels 1, 2, and 3.
Evidence that the kelp cover was the cause of the modification in
abundance of levels 1, 2, and 3 lies in the fact that in the deeper
-20' community at station T, where kelps were absent all three years
the biomass in community levels 1, 2, and 3 remains quite constant
year to year (Figure 10). The cause of variations in kelp fre-
quency and distribution are not known. There is no evidence that
it was linked to industrial effects.
The following are among the conclusions that can be drawn from the
data of Table 5 regarding individual species at the -10' level.
Species present in at least 80% of the stations at this level
throughout the three years include:
Ptorpsiphonia dendroidea
Bterosiphonia gracilis
Almfoltea plicata
: ',< >_tr_T_og_l p s r,um ^p_.
ljs fnballulnta
Con.-; tan tinea simplex
Iridaea costata
Laurencia spectabilus
Odonthalia floccosa
Odonthalia xjashingtonensis
Ploccnmium p.orIFicum
?rionitis lyalTil
Laminaria sp.
These thirteen species would appear to be the stable elements of the
community and are therefore most resistant to naturally and indus-
trially imposed stresses that differ either in time or in location.
Species^listed in Table 6 are those which occur inconsistently at
the -10' level. They are absent during one or more years but
are otherwise present at more than one station in one year.
These species are possible indicators of types of environmental
change since they show significant change in frequency in time.
The largest number are found in Group I (Table 6). There are more
plant species which were present in 1968 and lost in succeeding
years (Group I) compared with species gained in other years
(Groups II, VI). It would appear that species of Group I may be
afiected by some environmental disturbance. It would appear that
such a disturbance is restricted to the more southern end of the
study area since the species lost x^ere from stations south of Sta-
cion W. Plants of Group I may have responded to the waste of the
aluminum plant which began to be discharged just prior to the be-
ginning of this study and reached a peak in the fall of 1968.
24
-------
TABLE 5
BIOMASS (gtn/1-1/2 sq. m.) TOTAL DRY WEIGHT (grams) OF
SPECIES COLLECTED WITHIN 6, 1/2 METER SQUARE QUADRATS
AT EACH STATION, YEAR AND DEPTH SAMPLED
Depth -10 feet
Species Year 1968
Station G C T
E
W
LEVEL I
Antithamnion sp. 0.0798
Ceramium sj>. 0.0487
Herposiphonia rigida 6.7357 12.1500
Platythamnion sp_.
Pleonosporium sp.
Polysiphonia sp. 1.1328
Pt_e_rp,chpnd_ri.a sj>_. 0.2285
Pterosiphonia dendroidea 3.1519 18.2539
Pterosiphonia gracilis 100.4081 126.4098
Spermothamnion sp. 0.2405 10.2260
Sphacillaria, sp.
Spongomorpha sp.
LEVEL II
Agardiella tejoejta
Ahnfel_tia plicata
Bossiella cgrymbifera.
Botrioglossum sp.
Calloohyllis edentata
Callophyllis
flabellulata
Corallina
15.2448
59.5004
35.8189
couverienss
Constantinea simplex 2.8642
Cystoseira geminata
Delesseria decipiens
Desmarestia intermedia
GiJae_a. californica 0.4850
Farlowia mollis
Gelidium sp.
Gigartina cristata
^o^tjiBA. exasperata 0.8539
Gracillariopsis
s joes ted tii
Grateloupia sp.
Gyranogongrus linearis
G_ymnooongrus platyphyllus
Iridaea cordata 51.01,.
Laurencia spectabilis 7.427/
iiLcxo_cI^dia coulteri
Monostroma f us cum
0.0592
54.8718
10.9854
4.2966
1400
3.3843
0.2635
0.3954
0.0061
8.2561
7.4513
2.3336
1.1869
29.9348
7.6541
0.7108
7.6818
0.0092
4.6328
0.0930
0.1139
13.6299 7.0244
92,9438 66.7188
0.5689 0.0002
2.4366 3.5915 0.8276
0.0713 0.3829
32.9105 131.4996 207.7530
5.5609
9.2126 4.8314
70.3916 91.2342 108.6226
0.0708
0.4826
0.7059
4.5536
0.0745
0.1302
0.2632
3.7685
9.3367
0.6531 0.2116
0.0358
40.7654 68.9063 56.2222
2.6854 11.4962 24.2837
1.0315 10.3659
25
-------
TABLE 5 (continued)
BIOMASS (gm/1-1/2 sq. m.) TOTAL DRY WEIGHT (grams) OF
SPECIES COLLECTED WITHIN 6, 1/2 METER SQUARE QUADRATS
AT EACH STATION, YEAR AND DEPTH SAMPLED
Depth
Species Year
Station
-10 feet
G
C
1968
T
E
W
LEVEL il (Continued)
Nienburgia borealis
Odonthalia floccosa
Odonthalia washington-
ensis
Opunticlla californica
Ploomnium pncificum
Polyncura latissiua
Porphyra sp.
Prionitis lyallii
Rhodoglossum affine
Rhodomela larix
Rliodoptilum p lump sum
Rhodomenia jpalmata
Rhodomenia pertusa
Sar^assum muticum
Ulva s_pp.
LEVEL III
Alaria marginata
Costaria costata
Fucus aardneri
Laninaria spp. 34.6864
Pterygophora californica
LEVEL IV
Nereocystis leutkeana
17.1986 12.8281
16.5958 2.1918
154.2101 182.2144
29.1345 13.8098
7.1945 0.4852
0.2536 0.0668
0.2218
49.4299 12.1179
21.8029 0.2983
0.6529
6.5689 90.5056
1.7588
2.7800
72.5964
96.7946
57.3259
5.6156
3.6843
39.8894
0.4371
0.1341
2.3124
0.0549
0.2871
100.1546
24.7079
0.6896
24.5236
0.6665
52.0793
55.2462
33.0351
0.1988 0.3213
85.4787 129.7329 129.5335
26
-------
TABLE 5 (continued)
BIOMASS (gm/1-1/2 sq. m.) TOTAL DRY WEIGHT (grams) OF
SPECIES COLLECTED WITHIN 6, 1/2 METER SQUARE QUADRATS
AT EACH STATION, YEAR AND DEPTH SAMPLED
Depth
Species Year
Station G
LEVEL I
Antithamnion sp.
Cor.'ir.iium sp. 0.0031
Ilcrposiphonia rigida
P laty thamtiion sp .
Plconosporiura sp.
Polvslphonia sp .
Ptcrochondria sp.
Pterosiphonia dcndroidea
Pterosiphonia gracilis 0.2357
Spermothanmion sp. 0.5756
Sphacillaria sp.
Spongomorpha sp.
LEVEL II
Ac;ardiella tenera
Ahnfeltia plicata 3.0080
Bossiella corymbifera
Botrioglossum sp. 4.0262
Callophyllis edentata 4.5158
Cailophyllis
flabellulata 0.5271
Corallina vancouver-
icnsis
Constantinea simplex
Cvstoseira geininata
Dalesseria decipiens
Desinarestia intermedia
Dilsea californica
Farlowia mollis
Gelidiuru sp.
Gigartina cristata
Gigartina exasperata
Gracillariopsis
s] ocstedtii
Gratelounia sp.
G^imogongrus linearis
Gyranogongrus platyphyllus
Iridaea cordata 4.3223
Liiurencia spectabilis 0.0295
Microcladia coulteri
Monostroma f us cum 1.8493
C
0.0023
0.9131
19.9624
6.3811
20.5699
0.1061
0.0358
3.1890
0.2177
1.2517
46.7558
6.3581
1.0202
2.0904
-10 Feet
1969
T
4.5939
0.3442
5.2083
30.0362
0.0350
4.6496
12.0271
9.5391
7.2156
0.6468
4.4595
0.0824
6.5003
4.5262
3.7642
E
1.3962
0.3764
6.9757
18.0765
0.3204
7.3844
0.9463
35.8890
2.1372
0.6683
99.2163
50.5326
15.9246
6.2089
W
0.0236
0.0358
0.3328
0.2009
16.5355
2.3586
0.0167
0.0816
10.9468
5.3668
2.7646
5.7657
27
-------
TABLE 5 (continued)
BIOMASS (gra/1-1/2 sq. m.) TOTAL DRY WEIGHT (grams) OF
SPECIES COLLECTED WITHIN 6, 1/2 METER SQUARE QUADRATS
AT EACH STATION, YEAR AND DEPTH SAMPLED
Depth
Species Year
Station
LEVEL II (Continued)
Nienburgia borealis
Octonthalia flbdcosa
Odonthalia washington-
ensis
Opuntiella californica
Plocamiurn pacificum
Polvneura latissiua
Pornhyra sp.
Prionitis lyallii
Rhodoglossum affine
-"\hodor.ieln larix
Rhodontilum plumosum
PJiodoniciiia palmata
Rhodomcnia pertusa
Sargassura muticum
Ulva spp.
G C
1.5834 37.7403
1.1056 0.9521
11.3556 135.9815
0.0887
0.4027
1.6857
12.2772
-10 feet
1969
T E
6.8989 48.1887
0.4708 12.7126
46.6525 21.7184
0.3407 0.1367
2.9049 20.7079
0.0928
W
2.0362
5.9624
2.4256
4.8316
0.0786
LEVEL III
Alaria margina_ta
Costaria costata
Fucus gardneri
Laminaria spp.
29.0697
232.1183
5.5442 1.5131
61.7530 35.2480
1.6659 32.9164
71.0385 0.2964
71.0123 26.4796 38.8747 114.2757
Pterygophora californica
LEVEL IV
Nereocystis leutkeana
565.9626 342.0518 20043.9978 460.1938 1D26L5508
28
-------
TABLE 5 (continued)
BIOMASS (gm/1-1/2 sq. m.) TOTAL DRY WEIGHT (grams) OF
SPECIES COLLECTED WITHIN 6, 1/2 METER SQUARE QUADRATS
AT EACH STATION, YEAR AND DEPTH SAMPLED
Depth
Species Year
Station
LEVEL 1
Aiitithamnion sp.
Cera'.'.rLuiu sn.
Hcrposiplionia rij^ida
Platythamnion sp.
Plconosporium sp.
Polysiphonia sp.
Pi'.rrorhomlr i a :;p.
PI c ros i phon i a dond ro i do.a
j'lvros i.phon i.a j^racilis
Spermothamnion sp.
SphaciHaria sjp.
S p o n ftomo r ph a s p .
LEVEL 11
Ai',ard i.ella tcnera
AhnFcltia plicata
Bossiella corymbifera
Botrioglossum sp.
_Callophyllis edentata
Callophvllis
f labellulata
Corallina vancouveri-
ensis
Cons tantinea simplex
Cystoseira geininata
Deiesseria decipiens
Desmarestia intermedia
Dilsea calif ornica
j^arlowia mo 11 is
Gelidium sp.
Gigartina crist^ta_
Giirartina exasperata
Gracillariopsis
sioestedtii
Grateloupia _s_p_.
Gvinno go n.q_rua X\n.earis
Iridaea qordata
I.aurencia sp^ectabilis.
Microcladla coulteri
Monostroma fuacum
0.
0.
0.
0.
2.
0.
8.
2.
2.
10.
0.
1.
IS
3.
4.
0.
0.
C
0450
1984
0832
0402
8922
5758
3492
1616
9234
4699
4625
1068
8420
9874
0722
4632
2.
2.
23.
0.
0.
3.
22.
4.
16.
0.
0.
6.
o (
3.
0.
C
6951
2908
4596
5370
4597
0475
3577
0785
1693
2369
0417
4969
1383
3145
0461
0
0
16
26
0
0
0
26
0
0
0
0
0
2
r--
14
7
0
-10
]
T
.3650
.0182
.0874
.2089
.0535
.3734
.0835
.3202
.4986
.0748
.8150
.1565
.3475
.2501
.1588
.3725
.8812
.6751
fee
.970
2.
0.
2.
25.
1.
5.
167.
0.
3.
0.
58.
0.
0.
36.
15.
0.
t
E
4582
0364
8295
1181
5999
0202
2632
7299
3393
2927
6708
5750
0989
9538
0724
4384
0.
0.
0.
0.
4.
0.
64.
0.
0.
54.
0.
0.
77.
17.
1.
W
1776
0326
1281
5661
5371
3319
5838
3557
4707
8173
2344
2202
5323
9460
8121
S
0.8107
0.7718
1.5135
0.3339
1.3760
15.5417
0.0442
0.1824
0.3127
6.9210
0.8922
10.4769
2.0250
29
-------
TABLE 5 (continued)
BIOMASS (gm/1-1/2 sq. m.) TOTAL DRY WEIGHT (grams) OF
SPECIES COLLECTED WITHIN 6, 1/2 METER SQUARE QUADRATS
AT EACH STATION, YEAR AND DEPTH SAMPLED
Depth
Species Year
Station
LEVEL II (Continued)
Nienburpia boreaiis
Odonthalia floccosa
Odonthalia washin^ton-
ensis
Opuntiella californica
Piocamium pacificum
Polyneura latissiua
Porr>hyra so.
Prionitis Ivallii
Rhodoglossum affine
Rhodomela larix
Rhodoptilum plumosum
Rhodomenia palmata
Rhodomenia pertusa
Sargassum muticum
Ulva spn.
12.
13.
88.
0.
0.
3.
G
9804
7874
0315
1531
6986
3025
C
19.8585
8.7421
210.5590
4.3675
1.1736
0.7106
-10 feet
1970
T E
37.
10.
0.
118.
1.
0.
4815
5273
8711
0663
7821
2204
95.
9.
74.
15.
24.
1.
0.
5840
9560
1905
1813
1879
8831
1940
W S
21.9709 38.920:
0.8137 7.776:
6.4527 13.140-
1.1836 0.477!
19.6519 0.073(
2.290*
1 ft RDQf
LEVEL III
Alaria marginata
Costaria costata
Fucus ^ardneri 2 2854
Laminaria .s^p. 81.1344 68.8803 775.7012 110.8430 118LA341 259^9897
Pterygophora californica 97.0230
LEVEL IV
Nereocystis leutkeana
30
-------
TABLE 5 (continued)
BIOMASS (gtn/1-1/2 sq. m.) TOTAL DRY WEIGHT (grams) OF
SPECIES COLLECTED WITHIN 6, 1/2 METER SQUARE QUADRATS
AT EACH STATION. YEAR AND DEPTH SAMPLED
Species
Dep th
Year
Station
1968
T
-20 feet
W
1969
W
2101
0220
6863
6292
0608
0.0946
17.3510
0.6565
1897
7437
LEVEL I
Antithamnion s_p_. 0.
CcrniniuTn sp. 0.
Herposiphonia rigida 1.
Platythamnion sp. 0.
P] . p-pno s p o r i urn sp_. 0.
Poiysiphonia s_n.
P_t e r o ch o n d r 1 . a_ sp .
Pterosiphonia dendroidea
Pterosiphonia gracilis
Spemiothamnion sp.
Sphacillaria sp.
Hppngomorpha sp.
LEVEL II
Aqardiella tenera
Ahnfcltia plicata 0.
Bossiella corymbif era
Botrioglossum sp. 0.
Callophyllis edentata
Call o-phyllis
f labellulata
Corallina vancouver-
jcnsis
Constantinea simplex
Cystoseira geminata
Doles seria dccipiens
Desinares.tia intermedia
Pi Is e a calif ornica
Farlowia raollis
Gelidium sp.
Gigartina cristata
Gigartina exasperata 3.1524
Gracillariopsis
s-joestedtii 5.8333
Grateloupia sp.
Gy:imop;onp;rus linearis
Gymnogongrus platyphyllus
Iridaea cordata 0.0944
Laurencia spectabilis 1.0007
Microcladia coulteri
Monostroma f us cum
1.4151 1.4401
0.1654
3.0408 2.0787
2.3477 10.6736
2.4548 0.6075
0.4379 0.0562 0.1274
0.1084
62.1426 34.4845
2.0230 0.9832
0.0013
0.0700 0.1457
0.2245 2.2492
5.5553 3.1423 6.7330
14.5878 0.0814
0.3585
0.4671 0.1318
3.5949
0.0192 0.2276
0.0531 0.1817
0.1978
3.7256
0.1152
2.9516
56.7785
0.1180
0.0253
0.5717
0.0513
0.0921
6.6418
0.4821
1.4913
0.5746
0.2737
6.6556
1.2118
4.3511
0.2518
4.5726
1.7724
1.4045
4.3148
9.6734
0.6373
16.8175
31
-------
TABLE 5 (continued)
BIOMASS (gm/1-1/2 sq. m.) TOTAL DRY WEIGHT (grams) OF
SPECIES COLLECTED WITHIN 6, 1/2 METER SQUARE QUADRATS
AT EACH STATION. YEAR AND DEPTH SAMPLED
Depth
Species Year
Station Q
LEVEL II (Continued)
l^icnburjyia boreal is
OcioiifjKi 1 1 i a rbirrosa 5. 2836
(Wont.lial La wash i n^ton-
.cmiTs ' 0.4923
Opuntiella californica
Plocamium pacificum 5.4556
Polyneura latissiua
Porphyra sp.
Prionitis lyallii
Rhodoglossum affine
Rhodomela larix
Rhodoptilum plumosum 0.0889
Rbodoinenia pertusa 29.7087
Rhodomenia palmata 8.3577
Sarsassum muticum
Ulva spp. 0.2607
LEVEL III
Alaria marginata
Costaria costata
Fucus gardneri
Laminaria spp. 18.8172
Pterygophora californica
LEVEL IV
Nereocystis leutkeana
-20 feet
1968
T W
0.0501 9.1062
0.0068 0.1479
0.3631 0.1528
1.7223 5.9866
0.6846 0.9091
5.4609
1.5717
0.0206
8.6046
1969
T W
0.3943 16.2541
15.0866
4.1635
0.3950 19.3724
2.9018
0.0658
161.2945
9.8232 25.0176
1.4866
32
-------
TABLE 5 (continued)
BIOMASS (gm/1-1/2 sq. m.x, TOTAL DRY WEIGHT (grams) OF
SPECIES COLLECTED WITHIN 6, 1/2 METER SQUARE QUADRATS
AT EACH STATION, YEAR AND DEPTH SAMPLED
Depth
LEVKL 1
An t i l h amn i o n sp.
Ccramium sp.
Kerposiphonia rigida
Platythamnion sp.
Pleonosporium sp.
Poly siphon! a sp.
Pterochondria sp.
Pterosiphonia dendroidea
P t e ros iphoni a gracilis
S p e rmo th amni on sp.
Sphacillaria sp.
Spongomorpha sp.
LEVEL II
A^ardiclla tenera
Aim I'o.lt'i :i
i 5 p .• ; : ; _.i oj__l a
V,ot r I o ft 1 o s s urn sp.
Callophyllis edentata
C^llophyllis
f label lulata_
Corallina vancouveri-
ensis
Constantinea simplex
Cystoseira geminata
Delesseria decipiens
Desmarestia intermedia
Dilsea californica
Farlowia mollis
Gelidium sp.
Gigartina cristata
Gigartina exasperata
.Gracillariopsis
s;joestedtii
Grateloupia sp.
Gyranogongrus linearis
Gymnogongrus platyphyllus
Iridaea cordata
Laurencia spectabilis
Microcladia coulter!
Monostroraa fuscum
-20 Ccct
l')70
W
2.2325
0.0504
0.1206
51.3831
0.5926
0.0604
2.5678
0.2686
10.9115
i.0028
;, +612
0.4762
0.1864
0.0047
0.8292
1.2981
0.2407
0.4372
28.1127
0.1137
1.9301
0.0195
0.8978
2.1320
41.9479
6.6492
25.2965
1.6038
1.7632
0.6389
0.0299
33
-------
TABLE 5 (continued)
BIOMASS (gm/1-1/2 sq. m.) TOTAL DRY WEIGHT (grams) OF
SPECIES COLLECTED WITHIN 6, 1/2 METER SQUARE QUADRATS
AT EACH STATION, YEAR AND DEPTH SAMPLED
Depth
Species Year
Station
LEVEL :_ (Contini:.-.:)
.iliur^ia oorealis
Udonth.-ilia floccosa
Odonthalia washin^ton-
ensis
Opuntiella cnlifornica
P .1 o cam t nm p a ci f i cum
Polyncura iatissiua
Porphvrn so.
Prionitis lyallii
Rhodoglossum affine
Rhodomela larix
Rhodoptilum plumosum
Rhodoaenia palmata
Rliodomenia pertusa
Sarpassum muticum
Ulva spp.
-20 feet
1970
T W
0.2886
0.1647 1.0787
0.2175 2.6745
11.1475
2.3050 22.2677
6.2691 9.9464
0.3012
0.2680
8.6438 4.1461
0.0330
LEVEL III
Alaria marginata
Costaria costata
Fucus gardneri
Larainaria spp.
Ptervgophora californica
LEVEL IV
Nereocystis leutkeana
27.4689
36.3600
34
-------
TABLE 6
NUMBER OF STATIONS AT WHICH SPECIES OF INCONSISTENT
OCCURRENCE ARE PRESENT DURING EACH YEAR
Species
Group I
Group II
Group III
Group IV
Group V
Group VI
1968
Porphyra sp.
Ptorochoiulrin «p .
Rhodorucln laryx
Rhodomenia palmata
Rhodomenia pertusa
Gratiloupia sp.
Corallina sp.
Antithamnion sp.
Cystoseira geminata^
Desmarestia intermedia
Gracilariopsis sjoestedtii
Pleonospprium sp.
Spermothamuior^ sp.
Ulva sp.
Ceramium sp.
Sargassum muticum
Polysiphonia sp.
Bossiella corymbifera
Agardiella tenera
2
2
4
2
3
0
0
2
1
1
4
1
5
4
1
0
3
2
0
1969
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
3
3
2
4
1970
0
0
0
0
1
2
2
1
2
4
2
1
Q
_>
3
0
0
1
1
4
35
-------
TABLE 7
NUMBERS OF ANIMALS COLLECTED WITH PLANT SAMPLES AT
INDICATED STATIONS, YEARS AND DEPTHS
c . Depth 10'
bpCC1CS Year 1968
Station G C T E W
Porifera
Onidaria
A^laophenia sp. 3
Anemone sp.
Epiactis prolifera 1
QbeJJla__SE_.
.Unidentified 2
Platyhelrainthes
Notoplana sp. 1 3
Rhvnchocoela
Unknown 1
Annelida
Armandia b re vis
Axiothella rubrocincta 2
Eudistylia polymorpha 1
Glycera sp. 1
lialosydna brevisetosa 26 4 47 18
Koploscoloplos sp. 2
Nereidae
Neries procera 17 9 59 25
Phyllodoce sp.
Pleisidice aspera
Polycheata 4
Sabellaria cenetariura
S_abellidae sp.
Seroula vermicularis
Snirorbis sp. 10 25
Tholcpus sp. 4
Mo 11 us ca
Acanthodoris brunnea 10 29
A err. e a r.iitra
Acme a sp. 2
Anicula araiculata
Arnphissa versicolor
1969
G C T E W
18 2 4 12
1
42 1
2 1
25 6 14 4
4
2 75 38 64 28
15 73 64 142 116
33
2 50 14 8
3
5 61
1 21
Anisodoris nobilis
-------
TABLE 7 (continued)
NUMBERS OF ANIMALS COLLECTED WITH PLANTS SAMPLES AT
INDICATED STATIONS, YEAR AND DEPTHS
Depth 10'
Species Year 1968
Station G C T E W
Moilusca (continued)
Basiliochiton flectens
Balcis colurabiana
Bictium so. 1
Clinocardium nuttallii 63 12 3
Crepidula sp.
Cryptochiton stelleri
Cryptomya californica
Cypraeolina pyriformis
Gastropods 2
liaminoea sp. 11
liermissenda crassicornis 1
Hiatella arctica 1 4
Ischnochiton mertensii 1
Lacuna variegata 31 39 92 30
Lvonsia californica
I la coma sp.
Margarites lirulatus 1 25 79 14
Melibe leonina
llitrella gausapata 9
Modiolus modiolus
1-Iopalia sp. 41
Mytilus edulis 25 6 10
Nassarius mendicus
Nudibranchs
Pecten hericius 1
Pendrochiton thamnoporous
Placiphorella velata
Pododesmus macros chisma 2 3
Protothaca staminea 3 3
Schizothaerus nuttallii 1
Searlesia dira
Sulcoretusa sp.
Tellina buttoni 3 1
Thais lamellosa
Tonicella lineata
Trichotropis cancellata
Tritonia sp.
Turbonilla aurantia
1969
G C T
2 7
5 12
3
8 5
2
8
45 361 243
1 97 101
2
3 47 26
4 1
1 2
4
26
1
2 11
14
E
2
4
2
75
149
39
3
5
4
3
3
3
2
W
2
12
4
128
75
1
19
3
2
6
2
Arthropoda
Amphipoda—Caprellidae
Amphipoda—Gammaridae
51 40
91 59
6 37 10 53 21
6 74 8 153 75
37
-------
TABLE 7 (continued) NUMBERS OF ANIMALS COLLECTED WITH PLANTS SAMPLES AT
INDICATED STATIONS, YEAR AND DEPTHS
Depth 10'
SpCC16S Year 1968 1969
Station GCTEW GCTEW
Arthropoda (continued)
jJalanus cariosus
"ialanus crena t us
J a 1 anus g 1 and a 1 a
Cancer magister
Cancer (megalops stage)
Cancer oregonensis
Cancer productus
Cancer sp.
Crangon alaskensis
Cuina.ce a sp.
Gnorircosphaerona oregonensis
Hemigrapsis oregonensis
Heptacarpus brevirostris
Kept a carpus stylus
Heptacarous sitchensis
Idothea aculeata
Idothea sp.
Idothea urotoma
J,(ipi)p|i.-inopeti.'; bcl lus
< ' i • • '.'i 'ii i :i •,• r:ii' W i ::
i '..".• < 1 1 ii.-. : . j i .
Petrolisthes eriomerus
Pinnotheridae (crab)
Pugettia gracilis
Telmessus cheiragonus
25 81
1
4 1
1
4
2
2
2 2
12 2
2 2
2
2
3 5
27 694
8
1
5
3
1
3 8
2
2 4
12 14
80
6 112
2
6
2 13
1
2
17
3 34
1
2 40
63 7
11
1
12
3
7 62
2
2
2 1
y <>
9
5 16
1 1
1
18
1
2
2
2
37
1
1
1
1
32
Ectoprocta
Bugula sp.
Crisia pugeti 6 15 10 46 12
Xembranipora membranacea 2 4124
Unknown sp.
Echinodermata
Evasterias troschelli 2
Eupentacta quinquesimita 51 5 15 20 15 149 30
Leptasterias hexactis 11 1 33
Qnhiuroaea 5 1 18 7 16 12
?arastichopus californicus 1 1347
Strongylocentrotus drobachiensis 1 7 16 8 22 3
Strongylocentrotus purpurata 1
Chordata
Ascidia paratropa 1 131
Boltenia villosa 1
Pholis laeta 211 1
Styela gibbsi 1
38
-------
TABLE 7 (continued) NUMBERS OF ANIMALS COLLECTED WITH PLANTS SAMPLES AT
INDICATED STATIONS, YEAR AND DEPTHS
Species
Depth
Year
Station
G
C
10'
1970
T E
W
S
Porifera
Cnidaria
Aglaophenia sp.
Anemone sp.
_E_. prolifera
Obelia sp.
Unidentified
Platyhelminthes
X'otoplana sp.
Rhynchocoela
Unknown
Annelida
A. brevis
_A_. rubrocincta
E. polymorpha
Glycera sp.
ji_. brevisetosa
Hoploscoloplos sp.
Xereidae
Xeries procera
Phvllodoce sp.
_P. aspera
Polycheata
_S_. cemetarium
Sabellidae sp.
_S. vermicularis
Spirorbis sp.
Thelepus sp.
Mollusca
A. brunnea
A. mitra
Acmea sp.
A. amiculata
_A. versicolor
A. nobilis
16
1
25
1
15
5
14
21
1
13
100
1
1
8
33
3
23
9
16
21
34
31
88
1
12
1
2
1
39
-------
TABLE 7 (continued)
NUMBERS OF ANIMALS COLLECTED WITH PLANTS SAMPLES AT
INDICATED STATIONS, YEAR AND DEPTHS
Species Depth
Year
Station G
Mollusca (continued)
B. flectens
3. Columbian a
Bittium sp.
C. nuttalli 24
Crepidula sp_.
C. stelleri
C. californica
C. pyriformis 4
Gastropods
Haminoea sp.
H. crassicornis
H. arctica 5
I. mertensii
L. variegata 545
L. californica
Macoma sp. 7
M. lirulatus 36
M. leonina
M. gausapata
M. modiolus
Mop alia sp.
j-i. cdulis 1
N. mendicus 1,116
Nudib r anchs
P. hericius
P. thaianoporous
P. velata
P. nacroshisma
_P_. starainea
S. nuttallii
S. dira
Sulcoretusa sp.
Tellina buttoni
T. laiaellosa
JT.. lineata
T. cancellata
Tritonia sp.
T. aurantia 3
Arthropoda
A. — Caprellidae 1
A. — Gammaridae 451
10'
1970
C T
2 2
9
33 9
17 26
14,192 3,530 4
1
23
266 230
8 24
1
1
3,382 770 1
2
2 12
1
27 29
11
28
199 48
E
4
1
48
1
6
,805
19
204
75
1
,035
3
2
9
14
493
W
1
1
1
5
2,120
7
167
56
2
11
248
I
2
1
16
460
S
7
13
2
38
16
582
18
103
1
1,430
4
6
1
1
9
8
4
189
40
-------
TABLE 7 (continued) NUMBERS OF ANIMALS COLLECTED WITH PLANTS SAMPLES AT
INDICATED STATIONS, YEAR AND DEPTHS
Species l)<-]iili 10'
Year .1970
___ Station _ G _ C _ T _ E _ W _ S
Arthropoda (continued)
I), c.'ir i onus
B. c_r
-------
TABLE 7 (continued)
NUMBERS OF ANIMALS COLLECTED WITH PLANTS SAMPLES AT
INDICATED STATIONS, YEAR AND DEPTHS
Species
Depth
Year
Station
1968
T
W
20'
1969
T W
1970
W
Porifera
Cnidaria
Aglaophenia sp.
Anemone sp.
E_. prolifera
Obelia sp.
Unidentified
Platyhelminthes
Notoplana sp.
Rhynchocoela
Unknown
110 18
3 16
1
Annelida
A. brevis
A. rubrocincta
E. polynorpha
Glycera sp.
— brevisetosa
Hoploscoloplos
Nereidae
N. orocera
Phyllodoce sp.
j?. assera
Polvcheata
_S_. ceraetariuin
Sabellidae sp.
J>_. vermicularis
Spirorbis sp.
Thelepus sp.
Mollusca
A. brunnea
A. mitra
Acmea sp.
A. aroiculata
A. versicolor
A. nobilis
13
22
35
7
1
2
1
11
38
28
39
7
1
1
1
1
1
42
-------
TABLE 7 (continued) NUMBERS OF ANIMALS COLLECTED WITH PLANTS SAMPLES AT
INDICATED STATIONS, YEAR AND DEPTHS
Depth
Species Year 1968
Station C T
Mollusca (continued)
B. flcctcns
B. columbiana
liittium sn.
C. nuttallii 43
Crcpiclula sp.
C. stcllcri
C. call fo mica
C. pyriformis
Gastropods
Haminoea sp. 4
II. crassicornis
lliatella arctica
I. ir.ertensii
L. varieo;ata 21
L. califomica
Xr.coraa sp.
M. lirulatus 5
M. leonina
M. gausapata
M. modiolus
Kopalia sp.
iL edulis
N. mp.ndicus 1
Nudibranchs 2
P. liericius
P. thamnoporous
P. velata
P. macros chisma
?. staminea
S. nuttallii
Searlesia dira
Sulcoretusa sp.
T. button! 2
T. lamellosa
T. lineata
T. cancellata
Tritonia sp.
T. aurantia
Arthropoda
A. — 'Caprellidae 1
A. — Gammaridae 8
20
1969
W T W T
1 21
4 11 2 122
1
1
3 1 2 16
2 47 35 198
1
66
3 3 7 23
213 3
10
1
1 3,425
1
1
11 2
11 32
8
3
1 1
1
13
9 18 2
281 66 64 73
1970
W
5
1
1
7
12
1
2
257
8
60
2
835
2
10
2
2
23
723
43
-------
TABLE 7 (continued)
NUMBERS OF ANIMALS COLLECTED WITH PLANTS SAMPLES AT
INDICATED STATIONS, YEAR AND DEPTHS
Depth
Species Year
St. -it I mi C
Arlhropod.-i (continued)
B. i-.-iri o:;ns
15. r rcn.il n:;
It. :•. ! .iiulu ! ;i
£.. (mcgalops stage)
C. oregonensis
C. productus 9
Cancer sp.
C. alaskensis 3
Cumacea sp. 1
G. oregonensis
H. oregonensis 1
H. brevirostris
K. stylus
H. sitchensis
I. aculeata 2
Idothea sp.
I. urotoma
L. bcllus
OreRonia gracilis 1
I'agurus sp. 6
P. danae
P. eriomerus
Pinnotheridae (crab)
P. gracilis 10
T. cheiragonus
Ectoprocta
Buffula sp.
C. pu^eti 1
M. memb ranacea
Unknown sp.
Echinodermata
E. troschelli
2. auinquesimita 17
L. hexactis
Ophiurodea 1
P. calif ornicus
S. drobachiensis 2
S. purpurata
Qiordata
A. paratropa 2
B. villosa
P_. laeta
S. gibbsi
1968
T W
8
17
2
6
2
9
9
3
4
1
20
1969
T W
5 11
I
2
1
16
33 9
1
8
2
6 19
1
5 37
4
96 3
101
4
2 9
3
1
1
1970
T W
4 10
33 481
6 17
1
8 30
5
2
1
5 8
9 14
44
-------
TECHNICAL REPORT DATA
(rleasc rratl Instructions on the reverse before completing)
t. lit ('OH l NO.
EPA-600/3-77-020
4.TITLE ANDSUUtlTLE
Effects of Pollutants on Submarine Plant Synecology
3. RECIPIENT'S ACCESSIOWNO.
5. REPORT DATE
February 1977 issuing date
6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION CODE
'. AUTHOR(S)
Maurice A. Dube
8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION REPORT NO
9. PERFORMING ORG '\NIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS
Western Washington State College
Bellingham, WA 98225
10. PROGRAM ELEMENT NO.
1BA022
11. CONTRACT/GRANT NO.
18050 DXI
1?. SPONSORING AGENCY NAME AND ADDRESS
13. TYPE OF REPORT AND PERIOD COVERED
Environmental Research Laboratory - Narr., RI
Office of Research and Development
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Narragansett. RI 02882
14. SPONSORING AGENCY CODE
EPA/600/05
15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
J6. ABSTRACT — '
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 floating 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.
This report was submitted in fulfillment of Grant Number 18050 DXI by
Western Washington State College, Bellingham, under the sponsorship of
the Environmental Protection Agency. Work was completed August, 1970.
7.
KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTORS
Ecology
Aquatic Plants
Biomass
Waste Effluents
Water Quality
b.lDENTIFIERS/OPEN ENDED TERMS
Synecology
c. COSATI 1-icld/Group
6F
H. IJISTMIHUTION STATEMENT
RELEASE UNLIMITED
19. SECURITY CLASS (This Report t
UNCLASSIFIED
21. NO. OF- PAGES
53
2O. SECURITY CLASS (Thispage)
UNCLASSIFIED
22. PRICE
EPA Form 2220-1 (9-73)
4USGPO: 1977-757-056/5565 Region 5-1 i
------- |