Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Plankton communities of saline pools in a former coal mining region

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Biologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We examined the plankton communities of spoil heap saline pools in a former brown coal mining area in the Czech Republic now undergoing revitalization. Together with low concentrations of total phosphorus (0.01–0.1 mg L−1), we recorded extremely high values for salinity (up to 13,040 mg L−1), conductivity (3000–16,300 μS cm−1), alkalinity (8.5–15.8 mmol L−1), sulphates (up to 15,800 mg L−1), sodium (2900 mg L−1), magnesium (910 mg L−1) and calcium (250 mg L−1) that are typical for some waters in the area. To speed up the reclamation process and improve ecosystem functioning, the pools were grouped into three categories based on the conductivity and treated using cow dung, municipal wastewater treatment sludge and inorganic NPK (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium) fertilizer at doses recommended for carp ponds. All three fertilization approaches produced a positive impact on zooplankton density and biomass, with the greatest biomass increase recorded in pools treated with NPK and cow dung at sites with conductivity up to 5000 μS cm−1. Zooplankton diversity was strongly dependent on pool salinity, with the halophilous rotifer Hexarthra fennica strongly dominating (> 98% of total number) in high salinity pools. Several diatom and cyanobacterial halophilic species were also found in pools of higher salinity.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

The authors confirm that the data in this manuscript are summarised from raw datasets, copies of which are available upon reasonable request.

Code availability

Not applicable.

References

  • Adámek Z, Mrkvová M, Zukal J, Roche K, Mikl L, Šlapanský L, Janáč M, Jurajda P (2016) Environmental quality and natural food performance at feeding sites in a carp (Cyprinus carpio) pond. Aquacult Int 24:1591–1606

  • Anton-Pardo M, Armengol X (2012) Effects of salinity and water temporality on zooplankton community in coastal Mediterranean ponds. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 114:93–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2011.08.018

  • Badosa A, Frisch D, Arechederra A, Serrano AL, Green AJ (2010) Recovery of zooplankton diversity in a restored Mediterranean temporary marsh in Doñana National Park (SW Spain). Hydrobiologia 654:67–82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-010-0370-0

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bartoš E (1959) Vířníci - Rotatoria. Fauna ČSR 15 [rotifers - Rotifera. Fauna of Czechoslovakia 15]. Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, Praha (in Czech with German and Russian summary)

  • Basinska A, Kuczynska-Kippen N (2009) Differentiated macrophyte types as a habitat for rotifers in small mid-forest water bodies. Biologia 64:1100–1107. https://doi.org/10.2478/s11756-009-0178-4

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bielanska-Grajner I, Gladysz A (2010) Planktonic rotifers in mining lakes in the Silesian upland: relationship to environmental parameters. Limnologica 40:67–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.limno.2009.05.003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blinn DW, Bailey PC (2001) Land-use influence on stream water quality and diatom communities in Victoria. Australia: a response to secondary salinization Hydrobiologia 466:231–244. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1014541029984

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bonacina C (2001) Lake Orta: the undermining of an ecosystem. J Limnol 60:53–59

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brandl Z, Lavicka M (2002) Morphological differentiation of some populations of the genus Cyclops (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) from Bohemia (Czech Republic). Acta Soc Zool Bohem 66:161–168

    Google Scholar 

  • Coesel PFM, Meesters KJ (2007) Desmids of the lowlands: Mesotaeniaceae and Desmidaceae of the European lowlands. KNNV Publishing, Zeist

  • Declerck S, Vandekerkhove J, Johansson L, Muylaert KJM, Conde-Porcuna JM, Van der Gucht K, Perez-Martinez C, Lauridsen T, Schwenk KG, Zwart GW, Romens W, Lopez-Ramos J, Jeppesen E, Vyverman W, Brendonck L, De Meester L (2005) Multi–group biodiversity in shallow lakes along gradients of phosphorus and water plant cover. Ecology 86:1905–1915. https://doi.org/10.1890/04-0373

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deneke R (1996) Vergleichende Untersuchung des Zooplanktons in 20 extrem sauren Tagebaurestseen der Lausitz. DGL Tagungsbericht 1996, Band II, Schwedt/Oder, p 502

  • Deneke R (1999). Zooplankton in sauren Gewässern – Eine neue Sichtweise durch extrem saure Tagebauseen? DGL Tagungsbericht 1999, Band I, Rostock, pp 355–356

  • Doležalová J, Vojar J, Smolová D, Solský M, Kopecký O (2012) Technical reclamation and sponatenous succession produce different water habitats: a case study from Czech post-mining sites. Ecol Eng 43:5–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dulic Z, Markovic Z, Zivic M, Ciric M, Stankovic M, Subakov-Simic G, Zivic I (2014) The response of phytoplankton, zooplankton and macrozoobenthos communities to change in the water supply from surface to groundwater in aquaculture ponds. Ann Limnol - Int J Limnol 50:131–141. https://doi.org/10.1051/limn/2014005

  • Echaniz SA, Vignatti AM (2012) Zooplankton richness, abundance and biomass of two hypertrophic shallow lakes with different salinity in Central Argentina. Biota Neotrop 12:41–48. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1676-06032012000200005

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Echaniz SA, Cabrera GC, Rodríguez C, Vignatti AM (2013) Do temporary lakes vary from year to year? A comparison of limnological parameters and zooplankton from two consecutive annual cycles in an argentine temporary saline lake. Int J Aquat Sci 4:44–61

    Google Scholar 

  • Frey DG (1993a) The penetration of cladocerans into saline waters. Hydrobiologia 267:233–248. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00018805

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frisch D, Green AJ (2007) Copepods come in first rapid colonization of new temporary ponds. Fundam Appl Limnol 168:289–297. https://doi.org/10.1127/1863-9135/2007/0168-0289

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fritz S, Cumming B, Gasse F, Laird K (1999) Diatoms as indicators of hydrologic and climatic change in saline lakes. In: The diatoms: applications for the environmental and earth sciences. Cambridge University Press, pp 41–72

  • Frey DG (1993b) The penetration of cladocerans into saline waters. Hydrobiologia 267:233–248. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00018805

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Geller W, Friese K, Herzsprung P, Kringel R, Schimmele M, Schmultze M, Wendt-Potthoff K, Wölfl S (2000) Geogene Versauerung von Tagebaurestgewëssern. In: Gauderian R, Gunkel G (eds) Handbuch der Umweltveränderungen und Ökotoxikologie. Springer – Verlag

  • Green J (1993) Zooplankton associations in east African lakes spanning a wide salinity range. Hydrobiologia 267:249–256. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00018806

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Halabowski D, Bielańska-Grajner I, Lewin I (2019) Effect of underground salty mine water on the rotifer communities in the Bolina River (upper Silesia, southern Poland). Knowl Manag Aquat Ecosyst 420:31 https://doi.org/10.1051/kmae/2019023

  • Hartman P, Přikryl I, Štědroňský E (1998) Hydrobiologie [Hydrobiology]. Informatorium, Praha (in Czech)

  • Hart BT, Bailey P, Edwards R, Hortle K, James K, McMahon A, Meredith C, Swadling K (1991) A review of the salt sensitivity of the Australian freshwater biota. Hydrobiologia 210:105–144. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00014327

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Healy B (1997) Long-term changes in a brackish lagoon, Lady’s island Lake, south-East Ireland. Biol Envir Proc R Ir Acad 97B:33–51

  • Herzig A, Koste W (1989) The development of Hexarthra spp. in a shallow alkaline lake. In: Ricci C, Snell TW, king CE (eds) Rotifer symposium V. Developments in hydrobiology 52. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0465-1_15

  • Hezina T (2001) The effect of recultivation activities on the concentration of manganese and iron in the spoil heap waters and their biota in small waterbodies at the great Podkrušnohorská dump. Dissertation, University of South Bohemia (in Czech)

  • Hofmann G, Werum M, Lange-Bertalot H (2013) Diatomeen im Süßwasser - Benthos von Mitteleuropa. Bestimmungsflora Kieselalgen für die ökologische Praxis. Über 700 der häufigsten Arten und ihre Ökologie, Koeltz Scientific Books, Königstein

  • Komárek J, Anagnostidis K (1999) Cyanoprokaryota. 1. Teil: Chroococcales. In: Ettl H, Gerloff J, Heynig H, Mollenhauer D (eds) Süsswasserflora von Mitteleuropa. Band 19/1. G. Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart

  • Komárek J, Anagnostidis K (2005) Cyanoprokaryota. 2. Teil: Oscillatoriales. In: Ettl H, Gerloff J, Heynig H, Mollenhauer D (eds) Süsswasserflora von Mitteleuropa. Band 19/2, G. Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart

  • Komárek J, Marvan P (1992) Morphological differences in natural populations of the genus Botryococcus (Chlorophyceae). Arch Protistenkd 141:65–100

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kosík M, Čadková Z, Přikryl I, Seďa J, Pechar L, Pecharová E (2011) Initial succession of zooplankton and zoobenthos assemblages in newly formed quarry Lake Medard (Sokolov, Czech Republic). In: Rüde RT, Freund A, Wolkersdorfer C (eds) Mine water – managing the challenges. IMWA, pp 517–521

  • Krammer K, Lange-Bertalot H (1997a) Bacillariophyceae. 1. Teil: Naviculaceae. In: Ettl H, Gerloff J, Heynig H, Mollenhauer D (eds) Süsswasserflora von Mitteleuropa, Vol.2/1, G. Fisher Verlag, Stuttgart

  • Krammer K, Lange-Bertalot H (1997b) Bacillariophyceae: 2.: Teil Bacillariaceae, Epithemiaceae, Surirellaceae. In: Ettl H, Gerloff J, Heynig H, Mollenhauer D (eds) Süsswasserflora von Mitteleuropa, Vol.2/2., G. Fischer Verlag, Stuttgart

  • Kříbek B, Strnad M, Boháček Z, Sýkorová I, Čejka J, Sobalík Z (1998) Geochemistry of Miocene lacustrine sediments from the Sokolov Coal Basin (Czech Republic). Int J Coal Geol 37:207–233. https://doi.org/10.2478/amsc-2014-0077

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kuczyńska-Kippen N (2014) Environmental variables of small mid-field, water bodies and the presence of Rotifera groups of different ecological requirements. Pol J Environ Stud 23:373–378

    Google Scholar 

  • Leibold MA (1999) Biodiversity and nutrient enrichment in pond plankton communities. Evol Ecol Res 1:73–95

    Google Scholar 

  • Matěna J, Šímová I, Brom J, Novotná K (2016) Benthic communities in inland salinized waters with different salinities and nutrient concentrations and the ecology of Chironomus aprilinus (Diptera: Chironomidae) in the Czech Republic. Eur J Entomol 113:122–129. https://doi.org/10.14411/eje.2016.015

  • Ministry of the Environment CR (2003) Methodological guideline for the assesment of applications for the exemption from the provisions of § 39 par. 1 of Act 254/2001 Coll., on waters and on the amendment of certain acts (Water Act), as amended, for the use of harmful substances for fish feeding [§ 39 par. 7 let.b) of the Water Act] and surface water treatment in water bodies inetnded for fish farming [§ 39 par. 7 let a of the Water Act]. Journal of the Ministry of the Environment 13: 33–40. [In Czech]

  • Modenutti BE (1998) Planktonic rotifers of Samborombon River basin (Argentina). Hydrobiologia 387(388):259–265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Müller H (1961) Zur Limnologie der Restgewässer des Braunkohlenbergbaues. Verh Int Verein Limnol 14:850–854

    Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen DL, Smith D, Petrie R (2012) Resting egg banks can facilitate recovery of zooplankton communities after extended exposure to saline conditions. Freshw Biol 57:1306–1314. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2427.2012.02782.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nixdorf B, Wollmann K, Deneke R (1998a): Ecological potentials for planktonic development and food web interactions in extremely acidic mining lakes in Lusatia. In: Geller W, Klapper H, Solomons W (eds) acidic mining lakes. Acidic mine drainage, limnology and reclamation. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp 147-167

  • Nixdorf B, Mischke U, Liessman D (1998b) Chrysophytes and chlamydomonads: pioneer colonists in extremely acidic mining lakes (pH <3) in Lusatia (Germany). Hydrobiologia 369(370):315–327

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parsons TR, Maita Y, Lalli CM (1984) A manual of chemical and biological methods for seawater analysis. Pergamon Press

  • Paturej E, Gutkowska A (2015) The effect of salinity levels on the structure of zooplankton communities. Arch Biol Sci Belgrade 67:483–492. https://doi.org/10.2298/ABS140910012P

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pechar L, Bastl J, Edwards K, Hais M, Kučera Z, Kröpfelová L, Pokorný J, Radová J, Šulcová J (2003) Changes in agricultural discharge runoff during the last ten years after political and socioeconomical transformation in the Czech Republic - experience from fishpond water chemistry of the Třeboň basin. In: Vymazal J (ed) Wetlands: nutrients, metal and mass cycling. Backhuys Publishers, pp 317–320

  • Pejler B (1995) Relation to habitat in rotifers. In: Ejsmont-Karabin J, Pontin RM (eds) Rotifera VII. Developments in hydrobiology 109. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-1583-1_35

  • Přikryl I (1979) Stanovení biomasy zooplanktonu na základě délkohmotnostních vztahů [The estimation of zooplankton biomass based on length-weight relationships]. Bul VÚRH Vodňany 1:12–19 (in Czech)

  • Přikryl I (1999) Nová příležitost v krajině – výsypky hnědouhelných lomů [New chance in the landscape – the spoil heap of abandoned brown coal mines]. Ochrana přírody 54:190–192 (in Czech)

  • Pitter P (2009) Hydrochemie [Hydrochemistry]. VŠCHT, Praha (in Czech)

  • Radwan S, Paleolog A (1983) Notes on the rotifers of coal mine water in eastern Poland. Hydrobiologia 104:307–309. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00045982

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rukke NA (2002) Tolerance to low ambient calcium shows inter-population differences in Daphnia galeata. J Plankton Res 24:527–531. https://doi.org/10.1093/plankt/24.5.527

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Skácelová O, Marvan P (1991) A comparative study of the past and present diatom flora of south-Moravian saline habitats. Acta Mus Moraviae Sci Nat 76:133–143

    Google Scholar 

  • Skácelová O, Zapomělová E (2010) Remarks on the occurrence and ecology of several interesting cyanobacterial morphospecies found in south Moravian wetlands. Acta Musei Moraviae Sci Biol 95:201–221

    Google Scholar 

  • Sládeček V (1955) A note on the occurrence of Hexarthra fennica in Czechoslovakian oligohaline waters. Hydrobiologia 7:64–67. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF001897

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Šrámek-Hušek R (1953) Naši klanonožci [Our copepods]. ČSAV, Praha (in Czech)

  • Šrámek-Hušek R, Straškraba M, Brtek J (1962) Fauna ČSSR - Branchiopoda. ČSAV, Praha (in Czech)

  • Timms BV (1983) A study of benthic communities in some shallow saline lakes of western Victoria, Australia. Hydrobiologia 105:165–177. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00025186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ter Braak CJF, Šmilauer P (1998) CANOCO release 4. Reference manual and user’s guide to Canoco for windows: software for canonical community ordination. Microcomputer power, Ithaca, NY

  • Ter Braak CJF, Šmilauer P (2002) CANOCO reference manual and CanoDraw for windows User’s guide: Softwarer canonical community ordination, Ver. 4.5. Microcomputer power, Ithaca, NY

  • Toumi N, Ayadi H, Abid O, Carrias JF (2005) Zooplankton distribution in four ponds of different salinity: a seasonal study in the solar salterns of Sfax (Tunisia). Hydrobiologia 534:1–9. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-004-9356-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Viayeh RM, Špoljar M (2012) Structure of rotifer assemblages in shallow waterbodies of semi-arid Northwest Iran differing in salinity and vegetation cover. Hydrobiologia 686:73–89. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-011-0992-x

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wollman K (1996) Erste Ergebnisse zum Vorkommen von Corixiden in Tagebaurestseen der Lausnitz. In: DGL Tagungsbericht 1996, Schwedt/Oder, pp 528-532

  • Xylander W, Stephan R (1999) Habitätwahl und ökologische Ansprüche ausgewählter Libellenarten im Braunkohletagebaugebiet Berzdorf. Ber Naturforsch Gesell Oberlautsitz 7(8):95–100

    Google Scholar 

  • Zapomělová E, Řeháková K, Jezberová J, Komárková J (2010) Polyphasic characterization of eight planktonic Anabaena strains (cyanobacteria) with reference to the variability of 61 Anabaena populations observed in the field. Hydrobiologia 639:99–113. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-009-0028-y

Download references

Funding

This study was carried out at the Laboratory of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Agriculture University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice and supported by the projects NAZV QH82106 and MSM 122200003/1, BC CAS, IHB & SoWa (MEYS; projects LM2015075, EF16_013/0001782 – SoWa Ecosystems Research) and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic – project CENAKVA II (No. LO1205 under the NPU I program).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia, Studentská 13, 370 06, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

    Iva Šímová & Kateřina Wotavová

  2. Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Branišovská 1760, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

    Olga Lepšová-Skácelová

  3. Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Centre for Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrocenoses, University of South Bohemia, Zátiší 728/II, 389 25, Vodňany, Czech Republic

    Zdeněk Adámek

  4. Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Science, v.v.i., Institute of Hydrobiology, Na Sádkách 7, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

    Josef Matěna

  5. Biology Centre, Czech Academy of Science, v.v.i., SoWa, Research Infrastructure for Comprehensive Monitoring of Soil and Water, Na sádkách 7, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

    Josef Matěna

Authors
  1. Iva Šímová
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Olga Lepšová-Skácelová
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Kateřina Wotavová
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Zdeněk Adámek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Josef Matěna
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zdeněk Adámek.

Ethics declarations

Ethics approval

Not applicable.

Conflicts of interest/competing interests

The authors certify that they have no financial or non-financial interests whatsoever in the subject matter or materials in this manuscript.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Šímová, I., Lepšová-Skácelová, O., Wotavová, K. et al. Plankton communities of saline pools in a former coal mining region. Biologia 77, 1757–1768 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-021-00842-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11756-021-00842-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation