Benthic diatoms on fluvial tufas of the Mesa River, Iberian Range, Spain
Abstract: Background: The Mesa River (MR) in the Iberian Range (Spain) displays prominent, Pleistocene to present-day fluvial tufa deposits. Little of their associated microbiota has been studied to date despite the regional and historical relevance of these calcareous buildups. Goals: This paper is a preliminary exploration of the diatom (Bacillariophyta) genera associated with actively-growing tufa from 10 benthic environments along 24 km of the Mesa River. Methods: Brightfield microscopy, as well as consultation with specialists and specialized literature was used for taxonomic classification of diatoms. Results: We identified 25 diatom genera in three different types of sedimentary facies (porous and moss-algae rich, dense-laminated, and tufa-free gravel). Most diatoms were raphid pennate (class Bacillariophyceae), while a few were centric (class Coscinodiscophyceae) or araphid pennate (class Fragilariophyceae). They appeared as integral components of the tufa structure along with cyanobacteria and other algae and mosses. Conclusions: Together with previous studies on the hydrochemistry and sedimentology of the MR, our interpretations suggest that HCO3-, pCO2, Ca2+, and TDIC negatively affect diatom richness and that their abundance is positively related to the presence of mosses and algae.
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, División de Ciencias Biológicas y de la Salud
2016
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| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0188-88972016000200283 |
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