SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1979
STP35067S

Estimating Aufwuchs Biomass

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Estimates of Aufwuchs biomass derived from gravimetric, phytopigment, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) analyses are evaluated and compared with respect to each method's specificities and biases. Samples of Aufwuchs from glass slides in artificial streams treated with chlorine, copper, dichromate, sucrose, dextrose, phosphate, or nitrogen were used to compare these nontaxonomic methods as water quality assessment techniques. The correlations and limitations of the methods are discussed. ATP analysis compared very favorably with the other techniques and added another important dimension in water quality assessment. When corrected for extraction efficiency, ATP analyses provide a reliable estimate of Aufwuchs biomass. This estimate can be used in combination with other estimates of biomass to partition the community into autotrophic-heterotrophic components or viable organic carbon and non- viable organic carbon. Ratios of organic carbon estimates such as chlorophyll a organic carbon/-ash-free dry weight organic carbon (Trophic Index), chlorophyll a organic carbon/ATP organic carbon (Functional Trophic Index), and ATP organic carbon/- ash-free dry weight organic carbon (Viability Index) were used to further assess the impact of perturbations on the biomass of the Aufwuchs community.

Author Information

Clark, JR
Center for Environmental Studies and Department of Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.
Dickson, KL
Center for Environmental Studies and Department of Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.
Cairns, J
Center for Environmental Studies and Department of Biology, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.
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Details
Developed by Committee: D19
Pages: 116–141
DOI: 10.1520/STP35067S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-4756-0
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0512-6