U.S. Geological Survey Toxic Substances Hydrology Program--Proceedings
of the Technical Meeting, Colorado Springs, Colorado, September 20-24, 1993,
Water-Resources Investigations Report 94-4015
 
Relations Among Algal Species and Chemical Gradients in Pinal
Creek, near Globe, Arizona
by
Patrice H. Spindler (Represents a portion of a thesis by P.H.S.
submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of a Master of Natural
Science in Botany, Arizona State University. Current address: Arizona Department
of Environmental Quality, Office of Water Quality, Biocriteria Program,
3033 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, Arizona 85012) and Milton R. Sommerfeld (Department
of Botany, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287)
Abstract
The relations among algal species and water chemistry in Pinal Creek,
near Globe, Arizona, were investigated. Periphyton, water, and sediment
samples were collected from seven sites during 1991-92. Fourteen species
of algae and 16 chemical properties were selected for correlation and cluster
analyses. Three major algal associations in Pinal Creek were identified
by cluster analysis: an acid- and metal-tolerant association at upstream
sites, an alkalophilous association at downstream sites, and an association
of ubiquitously distributed opportunistic species. Indicator species of
the acid- and metal-rich environment at upstream sites were Microspora
stagnorum, Surirella minuta and Ulothrix variabilis. The
exclusion of Nitzschia linearis and Vaucheria geminata from
upstream sites and their abundance at downstream sites suggest that these
species are acid and metal intolerant.
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