Butler University Botanical Studies

Volume 14 Article 10

A Study of the Winter Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae)Flora in Fall Creek, IndianaRobert G. Lipscomb

Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalcommons.butler.edu/botanicalThe Butler University Botanical Studies journal was published by the Botany Department of ButlerUniversity, Indianapolis, Indiana, from 1929 to 1964. The scientific journal featured original papersprimarily on plant ecology, taxonomy, and microbiology.

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Recommended CitationLipscomb, Robert G. (1964) "A Study of the Winter Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) Flora in Fall Creek, Indiana," Butler UniversityBotanical Studies: Vol. 14, Article 10.Available at: http://digitalcommons.butler.edu/botanical/vol14/iss1/10

Butler University Botanical Studies

(1929-1964)

Edited by

J. E. Potzger

The Butler University Botanical Studies journal was published by the Botany Department of Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana, from 1929 to 1964. The scientific journal featured original papers primarily on plant ecology, taxonomy, and microbiology. The papers contain valuable historical studies, especially floristic surveys that document Indiana’s vegetation in past decades. Authors were Butler faculty, current and former master’s degree students and undergraduates, and other Indiana botanists. The journal was started by Stanley Cain, noted conservation biologist, and edited through most of its years of production by Ray C. Friesner, Butler’s first botanist and founder of the department in 1919. The journal was distributed to learned societies and libraries through exchange. During the years of the journal’s publication, the Butler University Botany Department had an active program of research and student training. 201 bachelor’s degrees and 75 master’s degrees in Botany were conferred during this period. Thirty-five of these graduates went on to earn doctorates at other institutions. The Botany Department attracted many notable faculty members and students. Distinguished faculty, in addition to Cain and Friesner , included John E. Potzger, a forest ecologist and palynologist, Willard Nelson Clute, co-founder of the American Fern Society, Marion T. Hall, former director of the Morton Arboretum, C. Mervin Palmer, Rex Webster, and John Pelton. Some of the former undergraduate and master’s students who made active contributions to the fields of botany and ecology include Dwight. W. Billings, Fay Kenoyer Daily, William A. Daily, Rexford Daudenmire, Francis Hueber, Frank McCormick, Scott McCoy, Robert Petty, Potzger, Helene Starcs, and Theodore Sperry. Cain, Daubenmire, Potzger, and Billings served as Presidents of the Ecological Society of America. Requests for use of materials, especially figures and tables for use in ecology text books, from the Butler University Botanical Studies continue to be granted. For more information, visit www.butler.edu/herbarium.

-----. 1938. Chromosome stability in L,nnean species. Ann. Agric. Coil. of Sweden 5 :405-416.

Wayland, J. R. J954. Baum limestone member of the Paluxy formation, lower Cretaceous, southern Oklahoma. Amer. Assoc. Petroleum Geol. BlI!. 38: 2400-2406.

Wooten, H. E. and A. A. Lindsey. 1954. Juniper-pinyon east of the contInental divide, as analyzed by the line-strip method. Ecology 35 :473-489.

40

A STUDY OF THE WINTER DIATOMS

(BACILLARIOPHYCEAE) FLORA. IN

FALL CREEK, INDIANAl

ROBERT G. LIPSCOMB

Butler University,

bldianapolis, indian'?

ABSTRACT

Lipscomb, Robert G. (U.S. Geological Survey, c/o Ind. Institute of Technology, Fl. Wayne, indiana) A Study of the Winter Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) Flora in FalJ Creek, fndiana. Butler U. Bot. Studies 14(2) :41·52. Illus. 1964.-The diatom flora was studied at four stations on Fall Creek upstream from its confluence with White River at Tenth Street, Indianapolis, Indiana, over a three month period, De­cember through February 1961-2. The entire course of the Creek studied was classified (Table 2) as fairly dean water. PolJution was due largely to contamination by sani­tary wastes. The water had an average temperature of 2.5°C and an average of slightly alkaline reaction. The communities were composed of a few species well represented and many species sparsely represented.

Twenty-five species not previously reported from Marion County, twenty-two of which had not previously been reported from the State, were identified. Dialoma hiemale and Gomphorlema olivlUekm were markedly sensitive to pollution, whereas Meridiotl circ/Jlare displayed a significant resistance. The presence of Navicula grlUilis at all stations was not correlated with pollution. Although the study was conducted over a ShOLt period, the results tend generally to be in agreement with the findings of other workers.

Natural waters display a variety of environments. The seasonal and di­urnal variation in light and temperature, the change in chemical characteris­tics, and the fluctuation in velocity are limiting factors to which all life forms present must adapt.

1 Appreciation is expressed to Dr. Rex N. Webster for his supervision of this research and the suggestions, guidance, and assistance in preparation of the manu­script; to Dr. M. T. Hall for his critical reading of the manuscript; to Mr. Robert Black and Miss Mildred Campbell of the Department of BIology, Shortridge High School, for making available the Hodge Diatom Collection; and to my Wife, Jeanette Lips­comb, for typing the manuscupt and for her assistance and encouragement during its preparation.

2 Present address: U.S. Geological Survey, c/o ltld;f!fla [tlslilute 0/ Technology, Ft. IPaylle, lndi'l1Itt.

41

The resulting complex is normally in biological balance. The introduction, however, of industria! and sanitary wastes by continual and uncontrolled dumping into the aquatic environment tends to inhibit these important con· trois and pollution occurs.

To ascertain the conditions of a body of water or stream it is a common practice to make three determinations, namely a chemical analysis, a determi· nation of the biochemical oxygen demand (B.O.D., sometimes used singly as an indicator of pollution), and a count of the viable coliform bacteria. These tests, however, may not always present a true picture of the conditions or quality of the water because the analyses Can only be considered applicable at the time the water is tested and will not reflect the degree of balance between the biological components. Therefore, since all the organisms of a particular body of water express a tolerance to changes in environmental conditions, other groups may be also very helpful in the study of aquatic habitats.

Studies by Patrick (9) indicate that the Bacillariophyceae, or diatoms, are of particular value as possible indicators of industrial and sanitary wastes in the measure of stream conditions.

LOCATION AND PHYSIOGRAPHY

Fall Creek has its source in Madison County, Indiana. It flows southwest· wardly through the southeast corner of Hamilton County, then into Marion County where it empties into the White River at Indianapolis. FaJl Creek, as it runs through the City of Indianapolis, is polluted by both industrial and sanitary wastes. Flow is through Wisconsin glacial drift where bank physiography today is of medium relief at the uppermost limits. Although the stre-ttmbank becomes quite abrupt at some points in northeastern Indian­apolis, it again becomes less dissected as the stream approaches its confluence with the White River in northwest Indianapolis. Geist Reservoir, with a capacity of 6,900,000,000 gallons and a surface area of 1,800 acres, is 10' cated on Fall Creek at the junction of Hamilton, Marion and Hancock Counties and controls low flow into White River.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The method employed to collect the diatoms in this study was developed by Patrick and her co-workers (10). Although the ':Catherwood Diatome· ter" was not duplicated precisely it did serve as a guide to the construction of a similar device to be used in this study.

A piece of wood 2 x 4 x 30 inches was pointed at one end to form a bow. A 4 inch slit was cut with a saw at the opposite end, into which a stabilizer was fitted. The latter consisted of a small tin can flattened double.

42

d s CI

Vi'1 I

:;

III

0_

h'

d

r,

fI

onp; erla.

A slide container was made by removing the top and bottom from a small wooden slide box to which a narrow strip of wood was glued across each

slide track on one side to retain the slides against moving water. For added strength, the container was then wrapped well with electrician's tape and coated with paraffin. It was mounted by a bolt and nut 13 inches from the bow and designed to hold six slides in a vertical position, one in every other slot.

To protect the slides from the direct current and debris in the stream, a deflector was made from a NO.2 tin can by removing one end and the seam and spreading the sides to the width of the slide container. The curved deflector was mounted by screws 9 inches from the bow.

A common window lift was fastened on top just behind the slides for ease in handling and retrieving from the water.

Just forward from the deflector was placed an eye bolt to which One end of a six foot nylon line with swivel snap-hooks was attached and extended to an anchor. The anchor consisted of a cement-filled, one pound coffee can with extended eye bolt. If additional line or anchor were needed, it was a simple matter to snap them into place.

All surfaces were painted. Cracks were sealed with mastic cement and aluminum screws and bolts were used for greater protection against weather­ing (see PLATE 1)!West­

Four sites were selected for study along an approximate fifteen mile course ~rion eek, of Fall Creek beginning with its confluence with White River, just a few

;trial hundred feet upstream from Tenth Street in Indianapolis. In downstream order, they were:

Ugh 1. 79th Street, 100 feet below the bridge.

dlan­ 2. Woollens Garden, 600 feet below Highway 100. ~ence 3. Citizens Gas & Coke Utility, 1,000 feet below Northwestern Avenue.

'jth a 4. Marion County General Hospital, 400 feet above the mouth of the

is 10- Creek.

cock A diatometer was placed at each site in flowing water and allowed to remain for a period of seven days at four intervals through December, 1961, and January and Pebruary, 1962.

At the time of collection, the temperature of the water was taken adjacent to each diatometer and the container of slides was taken to the laboratory together with two water samples for standard B.O.D. determination, using the Winkler method (14).

At the laboratory, the material from two slides was scraped into a beaker, cleaned by use of the sulfuric-bichromate method described by Hohn (6) and strews were made for mounting in Hyrax. The remaining slides were

flamed over a bunsen burner and filed for a permanent record.

An average of ten are-as, each 32,400 square microns, from each slide,

bank

43

A r11: .'>',~.~. \ED !-"7~ '.<, / .' .. _~.;. Q

l ;£~..~ ._ .' "',:I?

B tC',4.. '- ~~ ."~" ~ .:-w:"~~~.

c

PLATE l. A. Top view. B. Bottom view. C. Top, bottom, and side views in detail. Numbered items are: 1. slide container. 2. deflector. 3. anchor. 4. anchor line. 5. li!.t. 6. stabi Iiler.

44

Wa!

and seg eou not gee theI

f 1 sea Bot gra do anc to ligl Nq

~

(1 an~

typI me:

He: tYB eoJ:

j the

ad an th

w

w

ot' u

1

or fo

(

Ie views in detail. chor line. ). lift.

was studied to establish the percent composition of all the forms. Patrick and Strawbridge (11) emphasized the importance of studying a similar segment of the diatom community. If communities are compared by always counting the same number of specimens in each community, the results may not be reliable because the number of species identified in this manner varies greatly, depending upon the degree of dominance of species. In this study, the segment was computed in terms of area selected at random.

l

The diatoms were examined, using a Spencer binocular research micro­scope fitted with a 2 mm. apochromatic oil immersion objective, N.A. 1.30. Both lOx and 15x compensating ocular lenses were used. A photomicro­graph was made of each diatom identified by using a Voightlander Avus double extension bellows camera fitted over a monocular body. The front and back lenses were removed from the camera and the bellows was extended to approximately 25 em. Kodak Tri-X Pan 2\1.\ x 3\1.\ film pack was used with light provided by a Bausch and Lomb research lamp fitted with a 3 inch No. 10 filter.

Species were determined with the aid of Boyer (2), (3), (4), Wolle (18), Van Heurck (17), Hustedt in Schmidt (12), Pascher (8), Hohn (6),

and Tiffany and Britton (15). In addition, comparisons were made with type specimens contained in The Hodge Diatom Collection of the Depart­ment of Biology, Shortridge High School, Indianapolis, Indiana. The Van Heurck slides of this collection, which would have provided most of the type specimens, were on loan at this time and were not available for comparison.

Prepared slides of the species reported in this study have been placed in the Botany Department Herbarium, Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana.

RESULTS

The winter distribution of diatoms in Fall Creek represented by those adhering to the slides of the diatometer consisted of members of one family and three genera of the Centrales and nine families and thirteen genera of the Pennales (Table 1).

A total of 39 identified species were identified. Twenty-five are species which have not previously been reported from the County, twenty. two of which have not previously been reported from the State, according to the file of the State Algal Flora being maintained by Mr. William A. Daily, Butler University. A photographic illustration of each is presented in PLATE 2.

Of all the forms appearing on the slides, four genera were represented at 15% or more in distribution. Either Diatoma hiemaJe (Lyngbye) Heidberg, or Nav;cult/ graciliJ Ehrenberg, represented the predominant species at the four sites; Dialoma hiemale at the 79th Street station and the Marion County

45

23

30

3938

29

28

20

6

36 37

54

12

26

33

17

10

46

General Has . . 1

Citizens Gas, station, thes phonema 01. co-dominant Garden stat

Diatoma hie: County Gen sira italica v

Ehrenberg, ~ 10% distri

1% distrib~

The maxI

PLATE 2. Fig. meneghiniana, MuellerI ,3 ~

hiemale var. I

Heidberg. F~

5palhulifera d pedi.ulu5 Ehcl lan.eolala (~

Grunow.1 FiS Fig. 16. Na~

pupula Kuet~

Navi.ula mull birapilellala r (Gregory) M Gomphonem phonema Ian Kuetzing. Fi berg) A. Ma~

Gomphonema Fig. 32. Cym Van Heurck.2

amphibia Gru 5ipala (Kuetz ovata Kuetzillj

* 10

1 Species nO 2 Species no 3 Not comp 4 Work do

graphs 1 and

23

22

8

9

30

General Hospital station, and Naviculd graeihs at the Woollens Garden and Citizens Gas & Coke Utility stations. With the exception of the 79th Street station, these two species were co-dominant. At the 79th Street station, Gom­phol1ema olivaeefJm (Lyngbye) Kuetzing replaced Navicula graeihs as the co-dominant, although it was still represented at 9%. At the Woollens Garden station, although listed as a co-dominant with Navieula gracilis, Dialoma hiemale was found to be represented at only 2%. At the Marion County General Hospital station, eye/olella meneghiniana Kuetzing, Melo­sira italiea VaL terlu;uima (Grunow) Mueller, and Synedra ulna.(Nitzsch) Ehrenberg, were represented in almost equal abundance, though less than 10% distribution. All other forms listed in TABLE 1 were found at only 1% distribution. '

The maximum average B.O.O. determination of 5.9 ppm at the Citizens

PLATE 2. Fig. 1. Slephanodi,rcu.r a.rtraea (Ehrenberg) Grunow.2 ,4 Fig. 2. Cyclotella merteghirtiana Kuetzing. Fig. 3. Melosira ilalica var. tenuissima (Grunow) Mueller I . 3 Fig. 4. Meridion circulare (Greville} C. A. Agardh. Fig. 5. Diatoma hietnale var. mesodon (Ehrenberg) Grunow.2 Fig. 6. Dialoma hiemale (Lyngbye) Heidberg. Fig. 7. Synedra ulna (Nitzsch) Ehrenberg. Fig. 8. Synedra ulna var. spathulifera Grunow. ',2 Fig. 9. Synedra rumpells Kuetzing. 2.3 Fig. 10. Coccone;,r pediculus Ehrenberg. Fig. 11. Cocconei.r placelliula Ehrenberg.1 Fig. 12. Achnanlhes lanceolata (Brebisson) Grunow.2 Fig. 13. Rhoicosphenia curvala (Kuetzing) Grunow l Fig. 14. Navicula gracilis Ehrenberg.2 Fig. 15. Navicula radiora Kuetzing.4

Fig. 16. Navicula hungarica var. capitata (Ehrenberg) Cleve.2 Fig. 17. Navicula pupula Kuetzing.2 Fig. 18. Navicula cortfervaua (Kuetzing) Grunow.2 Fig. 19. Natlicula mullca Kuetzing.2 Fig. 20. Navicula cl(spidata Kuetzjng. Fig. 21. Navicula bicapi/ellala Hustedt. 2.3 Fig. 22. Navicula anglica Ralfs.2 Fig. 23. Navicula oxigua (Gregory) Mueller. 2.3 Fig. 24 Gyrosigma kuetzingii (Grunow) Cleve.".2 Fig. 25 Gomphonema gracile Ehrenbe"g var. dicholoma (Kuetzing) Grunow.2 Fig. 26. Gom­phonema lanceolalum Ehrenberg.2 Fig. 27. Gomphonema olivaceum (Lyngbye) Kuetzjng. Fig. 28. Gomphonema constriclfUn var. capitalum form ""gidum (Ehren­berg) A. Mayer. Fig. 29. Gomphonema parvlJlutfl (Kuetzing) Grunow. Fig. 30. Gomphonema angusta/um (Kuetzing) Grunow.2 Fig. 31. Amphora ovalis Kuetzing. Fig. 32. Cymbelltl Pt'ostrata (Berkeley) Cleve.3 Fig. 33. Cymbe//a tumida (Brebisson) Van Heurck.2 Fig. 34. Nitzschia angustala (W. Smith) Grunow.2 Fig. 35. Nitzschia amphibia Grunow.2 Fig. 36. Ni/zschia h/lngarica Grunow.2 Fig. 37. NiJzschia di!­.ripata (KuetzlOg) Grunow.2 Fig. 38. Surirella angusta Kuetzing.2 Fig. 39. Surirella ova/a Kuetzing.

"---101'-. 1 Species not previously reported from the County. 2 Species not previously reported from the State. S Not compared with type slides. { Work done subsequent to the completion of this manuscript indicates that photo­

graphs 1 and 15 are not representative of the species indicated.

47

39

TABLE 1

Percent distribution of orders, families and genera of diatoms (BacilJuiophyceae) in FaJl Creek, Iodiana, collected through December, 1961, and

January and February, 1962.

Marion Guuns CoUDll'

79th Woo!!,""" GAO 8c Coke General SU~ Garden Urilill'

Centrales

Coscinodiscaceae Cydole//a Melosira Stepbaf10diJcus _. . . . . . .

1

1

1

Pennales

Diatomaceae Diatoma 60

Naviculaceae Navicula Gyrosigma .

9

Nitzschia£eae NilzJ(hia .

Gomphonemataceae Gompbof1ema 21

Fragilariaceae SYf1edra .

Meripionaceae Meridion .

Achnanthaceae Rhoicospbenia Couof1eiJ Achf1amhes

. . .

CymbeJlaceae Cymbella Amphora .

.

Surirellaceae Surire//a

2

84 1

~4

18

1~

2

Hoopittl

S 8 1

37

30 1

7

Gas & Coke Utility station and the minimum average of 3.7 ppm at the 79th Street station, were correlated with averaged pH values of 8.09 and 8.00 respectively. Average water temperatures varied only 0.5 °C; 2.7°C for the high and 2.2°C for the low. See TABLE 2 for total averages.

Based on the classification of stream conditions adapted from Suckling (13), TABLE 3, the results in TABLE 2 show that some degree of pollution

48

Marion

Very de

Clean wa~

Fairly del

Waters 01

Bad or ~

Patrid roundinl slides d r~prese~ smce ()(Al

it was used in

It wo1

luted sij . ~ IS not 01

but is a throug~

Creek. sufficie

7

TABLE 2

Aver.ages of four determinations made of water samples collected from Fall Creek during December, 1961, and January and February, 1962.

,ophyceae)

Water Tempuarure

Marioll StatiOQ B.O.D. pH (Centigrade)CoUlltY Gellenl Hoopital 79th Street ...................... 3.7 ppm 8.00 2.2

Woollens Garden ................. 4.6 ppm 8.06 2.~

Citizens Gas & Coke Utility ....... ~.9 ppm 8.09 2.~

8 Marion County General Hospital ..... 4.2 ppm 7.98 2.7 8 1

was present at all sites; the 79th Street station being the least affected while the greatest absorption of oxygen occurred at the Citizens Gas & Coke Utility station. 37

TABLE 3 30 1 Stream classification based on 02 absorption, after Suckling (13).

m at the 'f 8.09 and

2.7°C for

,.... Suckling pollution

Water not absorbl.nB more than:

Very clean waters 1.0 ppm in ~ days

Clean waters . 2.0 ppm in 5 days

Fairly clean waters . 3.0 ppm in ~ days

Waters of doubtful puri ty . ~.O ppm in ~ days

Bad or polluted water. . .. . . 10.0 ppm in ~ days

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Patrick, Hohn and Wallace (10) compared samples collected in the sur­rounding water at the time a diatometer slide was removed and found that slides exposed in this manner permitted the growth of diatoms which are representative of the species present in the stream. For this reason, and also since occasional or daily plankton net collections might actually miss a pulse, it was decided that the diatometer method of collecting samples would be used in this study.

It would be expected that the 79th Street station would be the least pol­luted since it lies in the outer edge of the City. The Woollens Garden station is not only nearer the City and in an area of considerable recent building, but is also downstream from a military reservation, Ft. Benjamin Harrison, through which flows affluent from a suburb of Indianapolis via Lawrence Creek. By the time flow reaches the Citizens Gas & Coke Utility station, sufficient pollutants have been added from numerous small inlets including

49

housing, small businesses and St. Vincent's Hospital, that the water is somewhat polluted. There are many rimes in the remainder of the Creek and, in part at least, are probably responsible for the slightly reduced ab­

sorbed oxygen at the Marion County General Hospital station. Fall Creek from 79th Street to White River, therefore, can be classified as one of not

better than fairly clean water. Suckling (13) states that trade wastes are often acid, while waters of

suspected sewage and sewage affluent contamination are generally neutral or fairly alkaline in reaction. Since the amount of industrial waste being

discharged is proportionately small as compared to sanitary wastes in Fall Creek, the slightly alkaline readings between 7.98 and 8.09 can probably be largely attributed to sanitary contamination.

It is not an easy matter to determine if pollution is the only factor in the environment affecting the structure of a diatom community. Natural pulses of species or associations of species rule invalid what might otherwise be a simple solution to the problem; that is, a designated reliable indicator which would be unaffected by changes in the environment that are not related to

polIution. The emphasis placed upon the problem currently by some workers, therefore, has not been in this direction, but rather in that of defining the limits in variation of natural populations and how they vary with kinds or amounts of pollution.

Patrick and Strawbridge (11) recently concluded that changes in the structure of the population, that is, number of species and percent of popu­lation composed of all dominant species and total growth, are more gener­ally reliable for indicating changes in the pollution load. The kinds of species must also be considered.

The community structure at each site as determined by this investigation was characterized by Patrick, et aI, in 1949. From the comprehensive biota study of the Conestoga Basin, it was concluded that polluted channels gen­erally would support a diatom Rora in which the community was composed of a few species with a large number of specimens, and with many species of only a few specimens. It would be expected, of course, that certain species would be substituted by others in different regions, but the general pattern would be the same.

The procedures employed on Fall Creek were not so detailed as were Patrick's, although the results from only a short study appear to be in gen­eral agreement with her findings.

The association of dominants at the 79th Street station appear to be simi­

lar in some respects to the Diatoma-Gomphonema community described by Blum (1) for unpolluted rimes in the Saline River, Michigan. He reported that Gomphollema olivaceum was a subordinate associate until late February at which time it replaced an abundant growth of Dialoma vulgare Bary.

50

It is not known ,if sud

the relationship of the that Diatoma hiemale interesting to note ano:

ol1vaceum and Diat("~ winter in polluted po

supported a reduced tion. It was also faun rimes above Saline Po where relatively high

the winter months. ~ gracilis at the W oolle olivaceum at the 79th'

Agardh at the Citizen factors related to poll

On the basis of th mer, fall, winter or sp occur in all waters, th waters than any othe and autumnal maxi~

Coffing (5) reported NitZJchia displayed. at about 3°C. In his that Diatoma vulgare fallen below 15°C.

Although maxima and Gomphonema ( is in agreement with exception of Navicul,

Insofar as the da' Creek between poilu the findings of war characteristic winter

conformed closely w

areas. It is significant to

circulafe was at the of the stations studi

warranted. With temperatU1

been the major signl

munity along the s

ospital, that the water is the remainder of the Creek "or the slightly reduced ab­

Hospital station. Fall Creek be classified as one of not

often acid, while waters of nation are generally neutral t of industrial waste being Ili to sanitary wastes in Fall 7.98 and 8.09 can probably

tion is the only factor in the community. Natural pulses what might otherwise be a ted reliable indicator which

ment that are not related to n currently by some workers, ther in that of defining the

how they vary with kinds or

lnc;luded that changes in the species and percent of popu­o~al growth, are more gener­

llution load. The kinds of

termined by this investigation rom the comprehensive biota

kJ that polluted channels gen­e community was composed

"nens, and with many species of course, that certain species

,.. ions, but the general pattern

ere not so detailed as were rt study appear to be in gen­

reet station appear to be simi­ema community described by

River, Michigan. He reported e associate until late February th of DiaJoma vulgare Bary.

It is not known if such a replacement occurred at the 79th Street station, but the relationship of the two species suggests that i might have. It is probable that Diatoma hiemale and Dialoma vulgare are similar ecologically. It is interesting to note another similarity reported by Blum (1). Gomphonema olivaeeum and DiaJoma vulgare in greatly reduced nwnbers were present in winter in poIluted portions of the Saline River. In Fall Creek, like areas supported a reduced Gomphonema olivaceum and Diatoma hiemale associa­tion. It was also found that although Diatoma vulgare was not dominant on riffles above Saline Pond, it was very abundant immediately below a tributary where relatively high concentrations of nitrate were maintained throughout the winter months. Such departures as those demonstrated by Navicula graeiJiJ at the Woollens Garden station, Diatoma hiemale and Gomphonema olivaeeum at the 79th Street station, and Meridion eireulare (Greville) C. A. Agardh at the Citizens Gas & Coke Utility station appear to be the result of factors related to pollution similar to that found by Blwn (1).

On the basis of their seasonal maximwn, algae may be grouped as sum­mer, fall, winter or spring forms, as shown by Transeau (16). Although they occur in all waters, the diatoms are probably more widely distributed in cold waters than any other group. Hupp (7) and Coffing (5) observed vernal and autumnal maxima in the White River Canal, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Coffing (5) reported an abundant winter minimwn in which 5ynedra and NitzJehia displayed a weak rise in January when the water temperature was at about 3°C. In his investigation on the Saline River, Blum (1) found that Dia/oma vulgare rose to dominance only after the water temperature had fallen below 15°C.

Although maxima were not considered, the presence of Diatoma, Navicula and Gomphonema (TABLE 1) at the water temperature shown in TABLE 2 is in agreement with the winter forms reported by Coffing (5) and, with the exception of Navicula, the winter forms by Blum (1).

Insofar as the data permits, there appears to be a relationship in Fall Creek between pollution and the diatoms that is generally in agreement with the findings of workers elsewhere. Populations were composed of the same characteristic winter forms reported by Coffing (5) a~d Blum (1) and conformed closely with the standard developed by Patrick (9) for polluted areas.

It is significant to note also, that the largest representation of Meridion ei,.eulal"e was at the Citizens Gas & Coke Utility station, the most polluted of the stations studied. Although a correlation is apparent, further study is warranted.

With temperatures constant and pH nearly so, pollution appeared to have been the major significant variable in causing variations of the diatom com­munity along the section of Fall Creek studied.

51

LITERATURE CITED

1. Blume, John 1. 1957. An ecological study of the algae of the Saline River. Michi. gan HydrobioJogia: Vol. 9, NO.4.

2. Boyer, Charles S. 1916. The Diatomaceae of Philadelphia and vicinity. 3. 1926. Synopsis of North American Diatomaceae. The Academy of

Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Vol. 78. 4. . 1927. Synopsis of North American Diatomaceae. The Academy of

Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. Vol. 79. 5. Coffing, Charlene. 1937. A quantitative study of the phytoplankton of the White

River Canal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Butler University Botanical Studies 4: 13-28. 6. Hohn, Mathew H. 1951. A study of the distribution of diatoms (BacilJarieae) in

Western New York State. Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station, Ithaca, New York.

7. Hupp, Eugene R. 1943. Plankton and its relationship to chemical factors and environment in White River Canal, Indianapolis, Indiana. Butler University Botanical Studies 6: 30-53.

8. Pascher, A. 1913. Die Susswasser-/lora. Heft 10. Bacillariales. 9. Patrick, Ruth. 1949. A proposed biological measure of stream conditions, based

on a survey of the Conestoga Basin, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Proceedings Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 101 :277·341.

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11. Patrick, Ruth and Dennis Strawbridge. 1963.. Methods of studying diatom populations. Water Pollution Control Federation Journal. Vol. 35, NO.2.

12. Schmidt, A. 1900. Atlas der Diatomaceenkinde. Leipzig. 13. Suckling, E. V. 1943. The Examination of Waters and Water Supplies, 5th Edi­

tion. The Blak.iston Book Co., Philadelphia. 14. Theroux, Frank R., Edward P. Eldridge and LeRoy W. Mallmann. 1943.

Analysis of Water and Sewage. McGraw·Hill Book Co., New York. 15. Tiffany, Lewis H., and Max E. Britton. 1952. The Algae of Ulinois. The Uni­

versity of Chicago Press. Chicago. 16. Transeau, E. N. 1916. The Periodicity of fresh water algae. American Journal of

Botany. 3:121-133. 17. Van Heurck, Henri. 1896. A Treatise on the Diatomaceae. Transl. by Wynn E.

Baxter. Wm. Wesley and Son Book Co., London. 18. Wolle, Francis. 1890. Diatomaceae of North America. Comenius Press. Bethle·

hem, Pennsylvania.

A SURVEY OF

BUll

Pelton, John P. (But! of Tecoma stans. Butler slanS (L.) Juss. ex H.B.K, tributed polymorphic com is commonly planted as all til re limits its poleward ' of ten limestone ou tcrops, excellent. In arid regions munities, while in humid sites since it behaves as il

nated by hummingbirds <

may favor cross-pollinat; Extra.floral calyx nectar! piercers. A low percenta, probably being contrihut wind-dispersed winged even after four years, and abundant in disturbed sil varies from evergreen b

abscission, but also by s~ leaved mesomorph. Stum occurs in heavily.used P

Teeoma slam (L.) noniaceae having a parts of the Western 11 summer of 1956 in the literature concern

T (leoma slam is coli

and pinnate foliage. Bailey (1930) rema: mated," and from T ten best southwestern the flowers yield honl diuretic, antisyphilit (Guerra 1946; Mar

52