LIMNOLOGICAL EFFECT 5 OF HEADWATER
FERTILIZATION ON THE WEST BRANCH
OF THE STURGEON RIVER, MECHQGAN

ThuisforfhubngmofM.S.
MICHIGAN STATE UNWERSITY
Peter James Colby
1957

“1.5.51.9?

LIBRARY

Michigan State
University

 

 

6M?

 

LIMNOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF HEADWATER FERTILIZATION
ON THE WEST BRANCH OF THE
; STURGEON RIVER. MICHIGAN

By

PETER JAMES COLBY

A THESIS

Submitted to The College of Agriculture of Michigan State
University of Agriculture and Applied Science
in partial fulfillment of the requirements .
for the degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE

Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

1957

V .
--n

F n

 

p~m

A BS TRAC T

During the summer of 1955 two applications of inorganic
commercial fertilizer were made to Hoffman Lake, the source of
the west branch of the Sturgeon River. Following fertilization there
was an increase in total and soluble phosphorus. ammonia nitrogen.
and possibly sulfates at Station I only.

Both in 1954 and 1955 there was an obvious increase in
aufwuchs flora at Station I following fertilization. Contrary to the
1954 results, in 1955 the 30-day collections showed a decrease in
flora at the downstream stations. This is not in agreement with the
reSults of the weekly collections where a statistically significant in—
crease was detected following fertilization. Such factors as limited
carrying capacity of the shingles. erosion, predation, et cetera, may
cause the shingles left in the stream for 30-day periods to lose
their efficiency in accumulation of aufwuchs flora.

There was approximately a 14 percent increase in the vol-
ume of bottom organisms from 1954 to 1955. The average wet
weight per square foot values show production to be low in the
west branch of the Sturgeon River as compared with other similar

str earns .

ii

There is evidence of longitudinal distribution of trout in the
west branch. Starting with brook trout at the headwaters there is
a gradual displacement by rainbow and brown trout downstream.
The brook trout growth in the west branch is poor, even when com-

pared to unproductive streams.

iii

(‘3

(I!

AC KNOWLE DGME NTS

The writer wishes to express his gratitude to: Dr. Robert
C. Ball. under whose direction this study was made, and Dr. Frank
F. Hooper, for their assistance and guidance; Mr. Nickolas Anton,
an associate throughout the major part of this investigation; Dr.
Gordon Guyer for his assistance with the identification of bottom
fauna; Dr. D. W. Hayne for assistance with the statistical prepara-
tion and analysis; Dr. E. W. Roelofs and Dr. G. W. Prescott for
their helpful criticisms; and Mr. Edward H. Bacon and Mr. Gerald
F. Meyers for assistance in the collections of field data.

This project was carried out under a graduate research fel-
lowship provided by the Agricultural Experiment Station of Michigan
State University. 9

The study is sponsored by the Department of Fisheries and

Wildlife and the Institute for Fisheries Research.

iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ...............................

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF STATIONS
AND STUDY AREA .............................

Application of Fertilizers ......................
Physicochemical .............................
Biological .................................
Aufwuchs ................................
Bottom fauna .............................
Fish samples .............................
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ......................
Phy sic oche mic al .............................
Phosphorus ..............................
Ammonia nitrogen .........................

Sulfates .................................

Hydrogen- ion concentration ...................

Conductivity ..............................

IO

10

10

11

ll

16

16

18

18

18

24

2.6

28

30

30

Page

 

Biological ................................. 39

Aufwuchs flora ............................ 39

Aufwuchs faunae .......................... 46

Bottom fauna . ............................ 53

Fish samples ............................. I 64

SUMMARY ................................... 73
LITERATURE CITED ........................... 76 i
APPENDIX .................................. 80 "" i

 

vi

 

TABLE

II.

III.

IV.

VI.

VII.

LIST OF TABLES

Discharge (volume of flow) Measurements
Taken from the West Branch of the Sturgeon

River on July 23, 1954, and August 27, 1955 . . . .

Parts per Million of Phosphorus in Water
Samples Taken from the West Branch of
the Sturgeon River during the Summer of

1955 ...............................

Parts per Million of Ammonia Nitrogen in
Water Samples Taken from the West Branch
of the Sturgeon River during the Summer

of 1955 .............................

Parts per Million of Sulfates in Water
Samples Taken from the West Branch of
the Sturgeon River during the Summer

of 1955 .............................

Parts per Million of Methyl Orange Alkalinity

in Water Samples Taken from the West
Branch of the Sturgeon River for the

Summer of l 955 .......................

The Hydrogen-Ion Concentration of Water
Samples Taken from the West Branch of
the Sturgeon River during the Summer of

1955 ...............................

Conductivity (in Mhos x 10-6 at 18°C) of
Water Samples Taken from the West
Branch of the Sturgeon River during the

Summer of l 955 .......................

vii

Page

23

2.5

27

29

31

32.

.;l

TABLE Page

VIII. Analysis of Variance of Changes in the
Density of Chlorophyll Extracted from
Aufwuchs Attached to the Bricks.
Excluding Stations I and A ................ 41

IX. Analysis of Variance of Changes in the
Density of Chlorophyll Extracted from 7
Aufwuchs Attached to the Shingles. .
Excluding Stations 1 and A ................ 41

 

 

X. Analysis of Variance of Changes in the
Density of Chlorophyll Extracted from
Aufwuchs Attached to the Shingles at .
StationIVA............: .............. 43 .._

XI. Analysis of Variance of Changes in the
Density of Chlorophyll Extracted from
Aufwuchs Attached to the Shingles at
Station A ............................. 43

XII. A Comparison of the Aufwuchs Fauna
(mean number per substrate) Taken from
the West Branch of the Sturgeon River

during the Summers of 1954 and 1955 ........ 52
XIII. Taxonomic Composition and Enumeration

of the Bottom Fauna Sampled from the

West Branch of the Sturgeon River ......... 54
XIV- Composition by Percent of the Number of

Bottom Fauna Sampled from the West
Branch of the Sturgeon River for the
Summer of 1955 ........................ 57

XV. Analysis of Variance of Numbers of
Bottom Fauna Samples from the West
Branch of the Sturgeon River for the
Summer of 1955 ......................... 61

viii

 

. .tl . I

TABLE

XVI.

XVII.

XVIII.

XIX.

XXI.

Page

Condensation of the Number and Volume

of Bottom Fauna Sampled from the West

Branch of the Sturgeon River for the

Summer of 1955 ........................ 63

Composition and Enumeration of Trout
Samples from the West Branch of the
Sturgeon River Using a Direct Current
Shocker .............................. 65

A Comparison of the Mean Length in

Inches of Trout Samples from the West

Branch of the Sturgeon River, July 6.

1954, and 1955 ......................... 66

Regression (covariance) Analysis of 1n
Length—1n Weight Relationship in Brook
Trout Taken from the West Branch of
the Sturgeon River, 1954 and 1955 . . . ......... 69

Regression (covariance) Analysis of 1n

Weight—1n Weight Relationship in Brown

Trout Taken from the West Branch of

the Sturgeon River, 1954 and 1955 ........... 70

Regression (covariance) Analysis of In

Weight—1n Weight Relationship in Rainbow

Trout Taken from the West Branch of

the Sturgeon River. 1954 and 1955 ........... 71

ix

 

 

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page

1. Average monthly water temperature
of the west branch of the Sturgeon
River and its tributaries for the v
summer of 1955 ..................... . . . . 5 i

 

2.. Comparison of the total phosphorus
content of water samples taken from
the west branch of the Sturgeon River 4 ~ -
during the summers of 1954 and 1955 ......... l9 '

3. Graphic representation of the hydrogen-
ion concentration, methyl orange alka-
linity. and conductivity of water samples
taken from the west branch of the
Sturgeon River during the summer of

1955 ................................. 33
4. The percentage composition of the

aufwuchs fauna .......................... 48
5- A comparison of the numerical abundance

of bottom fauna collected during the

summers of 1954 and 1955 ................. 59

 

 

.4

x p
cm

 

I“

ci

 

INTRODUC TION

Fishing continues to be a leading attraction in the state's
multimillion dollar tourist industry, and according to economists.
this industry will continue to grow (Michigan Department of Conser-
vation, 1955). Thus the maintenance and improvement of the exist-
ing fisheries becomes important. A means of improving the
available recreational fisheries would be the development of prac-
tical methods to increase the biological productivity of our less
productive lakes and streams.

This dissertation deals with the second-year phase of a four-
year project designed to test whether trout fishing can be improved
in an unproductive trout stream by the addition of nutrients, and
also to determine if it is economically feasible to use this method
as a management procedure. The second~year study consists of
evaluating the data collected during the summer of 1955 and making
comParisons where possible with the information obtained in 1954 by
Grzenda (1955). In conjunction with the stream studies. disserta-
tions by Alexander (1956) and Anton (1957) deal with the fertilization

0f Hoffman Lake.

Fertilization as a management procedure in streams and
larger lakes is still in the experimental phase. Hasler and Einsele
(1948) pointed out that detrimental effects of fertilization may out-
weigh biological gains; thus. they strongly emphasized that only ex-

perimental fertilization should be undertaken at this stage of our

__ ._-.—._4Aol

knowledge. They concluded that apart from increasing productivity.
addition of nutrients to a lake gives the limnologist an excellent
tool for studying lake metabolism experimentally. Almost all of
the fertilization projects to date have been limited to lentic environ—
ments such as farm ponds and small lakes. A recent review of the
literature on artificial fertilization of lakes and ponds is given by
Maciolek (1954).

The application of commercial inorganic fertilizer to Hoffman
Lake which feeds the west branch of the Sturgeon River is one of
the original attempts to enrich a lotic environment. One other at-
tempt has been recorded by Huntsman (1948) who added commercial
1“organic: fertilizer to a barren Nova Scotia stream and found an in-
crease in the quantity of fish. filamentous algae, and certain insect

larvae.

LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION OF STATIONS
AND STUDY AREA

The west branch of the Sturgeon River is located in Charle-
voix. Otsego. and Cheboygan counties in the northern Lower Penin—
sula of Michigan. It arises from Hoffman Lake (T.32N,R.4W sec.
26,27,34,and35) and flows in a northeasterly direction for approxi-
mately thirteen miles. joining the Sturgeon River at Wolverine. The
tributaries are Allen. Berry. and Fulmer creeks.

The west branch receives a large volume of ground-water
seepage and spring flow. as can be seen from the discharge meas-
urements (Table I). which probably accounts for the relatively stable
water temperature (Figure 1).

The watershed is located in the interlobate area of the Port
Huron Morainic System formed during the Mankato substage of
Pleistocene glaciation. Whiteside. Schneider. and Cook (1956) clas-
sify this area as that of Land Division N of the limy Podzol Region
Of Michigan. They characterize this division as a rolling to ex-
tremely rough land which occupies the morainic areas of the northern
part of the Lower Peninsula and the eastern part of the Upper Pen-
insu1a_ The parent materials from which the soils of this area were

3

 

 

II

TABLE I

DISCHARGE (VOLUME OF FLOW) MEASUREMENTS TAKEN
FROM THE WEST BRANCH OF THE STURGEON RIVER
ON JULY 2.3. 1954. AND AUGUST 27. 1955a

t

w v—f vv—v—f fififi v4 v—v v—v—V

Discharge (C FS)

 

 

Station as L {EL-
1954 1955 .
II 8.76 6.56
111 9.68 ---
IV 16.5 --- . ___
V 21.0 23.2
VI 29.6 ---
VII - 45.2 -..-
VIII --- 68.3
1 - -

 

al954 data courtesy of Arlington D. Ash. USGS. Lansing.
Michigan.

 

U1

Figure 1. Average monthly water temperature of the west branch
of the Sturgeon River and its tributaries for the summer
of 1955.

 

 

 

 

 

 

AOL "chansons-5H.

 

1
t
S
mum.
uuu i
JJA

__

._.. -

x.

__ IA
Alfixluut .
. /

k/k //
/ /.
_gq d a q — didq—d _ u—l’fin
munuumwmnmmmnmm9
1

Berry I
Creek

Creek

VII VIII Fulmer

II III IV V VI

A

Stations

formed range from sands to sandy loams. with loams and clay

loams in local areas. The original forest was chiefly hardwood with

 

the sugar maple (Acer sacchrum) the dominant tree. The value of
the land for farming is greatly reduced by the associated sandy
soils and unfavorable slopes.

Due to the high relief of the adjacent moraines the watershed
is rather restricted. Grzenda (1955) approximated the drainage area
of the watershed to be 14.0 square miles. The vegetation adjacent
to the stream is largely composed of stands of aspen (Populus sp.).

red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). black spruce (Picea mariana). and

 

tag alder (Alnus incana).

The following is a brief description of eight collections and
the one control station used to study the effects of dilution of the
added nutrients and their utilization at varying distances downstream
from the lake.

Station I: This station is located at the outlet of Hoffman
Lake. the source of the west branch of the Sturgeon River. The
outlet is narrow and only a small volume of water leaves the lake.
The bottom is composed of marl and the physicochemical and bio-
logical conditions are more typical of the lake than the remaining

downstream stations. The higher aquatic plants consist of

Potamogeton spp.. Typha latifolia. Scirpus sp.. Chara sp., and Sag-
E'Earia latifolia.

Station 11 is located approximately one mile downstream from
Hoffman Lake. There is greater discharge at this station due to
the addition of water of two large springs. one of which served as
the control station (Station A). The bottom is a combination of

shifting sand and silt.

Station 111 is. located approximately two miles from Hoffman

fivw—vv—v raw—f

 

Lake. The current is slow with the bottom consisting of silt due to
partial impoundment of the stream by a beaver dam. There is an
abundance of higher aquatic at this station. Nasturtium officinale.
Ranunculus longirostris.§Pa£§§_nium sp-. Potamoggtgn SPP-

Station IV is approximately four and one-half miles down-
stream. The stream here is moderately swift and the bottom is
composed mostly of shifting sand and stretches of gravel. This
section of the stream receives very little direct sunlight due to the
tree canopy.

gaffe}? V. VI. and VII are located downstream from the
source six and one-half. eight. and nine and one-half miles. re-
speCtiVely. The current is moderately swift at these stations. All
have the stream bottom covered with patches of sand and gravel.

There is a gradual widening of the river from source to confluence

 

 

 

with the Sturgeon River. The lower stations receive much more
direct sunlight than the upper ones.

Station VIII is approximately ten and one-half miles down-

 

stream. One of the large tributaries (Fulmer Creek) enters the

west branch here. The bottom is gravel and rubble.

 

 

No stations were established beyond this point because domes-
tic waste from streamside cabins might interfere with the interpre-

tation of re sults.

METHODS AND PROCEDURES

Application of Fertilizers

 

 

 

During the summer of 1955. two applications of inorganic j
commercial fertilizer (1242-12 N-PoK) were made to Hoffman Lake.
Nitrogen and phosphorus were in the form of ammonium sulfate and
phosphoric acid respectively. The fertilizer was applied from a '_ j ,-
motorboat along the southwestern perimeter of the lake. The lake
is unstratified and has complete circulation; therefore. the adding of
fertilizer on the windward side distributes the nutrients throughout
the lake. following which. if they remain in solution. they may be
discharged into the outlet on the eastern end of the lake. The re-
sult: possibly the enrichment of the west branch of the Sturgeon
River. thus providing the nutrients necessary for primary production
at the lower trophic levels. Six thousand pounds of fertilizer were
applied July 31 and 4,000 pounds additional on August 6. This was

twice the concentration of that added in the two 1954 applications.

Physic ochemic a1

 

Amfilyses of water were made from samples collected at each

station to ascertain se1ected physicochemical properties and to trace

IO

11

any movement of the nutrients downstream. Total and soluble
phosphorus determinations were by the molybdate method (Ellis.
Westfall. and Ellis. 1948). ammonia nitrogen by direct Nessleriza-
tion. and sulfate by the turbidimetric method (Standard Methods.
1955). The colorimetric determinations used in these procedures
were made with a Klett-Summerson photoelectric colorimeter. Al-
kalinity was determined by the methyl orange indicator method ac-.
cording to Standard Methods. pH was determined electrometrically
with a Beckman pH meter. and conductivity. with a conductivity
bridge manufactured by Industrial Instruments Company. Water and
air temperatures were taken directly with a pocket thermometer at
the time the samples were collected. The stream flow or discharge
in 1955 was determined by use of Embody's formula (Lagler. 1952).
Stream flow determinations in 1954 were provided through the cour-

tesy of A, D. Ash. U.S.G.S.. Lansing. Michigan

Biological

iufwuchs. In the literature there are several definitions of

 

"Periphyton" (the closest English equivalent to the German term
"aufwuchs"). Young (1945) found the periphyton complex to be com-
prised of organisms with a rather large taxonomic diversity. He

describes Periphyton as an "assemblage 0f organisms growing upon

 

M

 

12

the free surface of submerged objects in waters. and covering them
with a slimy coating." He excludes benthos from his definition.
The term ”aufwuchs" has a much broader connotation than periphy-
ton. "Aufwuchs comprises all attached organisms (except the
macrophytes). including such. forms as sponges and Bryozoa. which
are usually considered as benthos by American authors; also included
are the various forms living free within the mat of sessile forms"
(Ruttner. 1953). The assemblage of organisms that collected on the
measuring devices placed in the stream will be referred to in this
dissertation as aufwuchs following the definition of Ruttner.

Patrick (1949) found that the measure which uses largely the
organisms that are attached to the bottom or edges of the stream.
reflects the water conditions which have flowed by a given point for
a considerable time before sampling. whereas a chemical analysis
can only describe the condition of the water at the exact time it was
taken.

A modification of the Harvey (1934) method. rather than the
Count method. was used to measure quantitative changes in aufwuchs
producation. The lattermethod is time-consuming. very difficult, and
0f doubtful quantitative value.

Aufwuchs production was used as an index of productivity

mainly because the sterile characteristics of the stream limits the

l3

selection of other indices. The aufwuchs community was also used
because it is one of the most stable groups of organisms in the
lotic environment. Unlike stream plankton. its sessile character-
istics protect it from the flushing action of the stream in times of
high water.

Harvey (1934) found that a good correlation existed between
colorimetric determinations of pigment extracted with acetone and
the actual enumeration of comparable samples of plankton._ This

method was later used by Tucker (1949) as a means of estimating

the abundance of phytoplankton. Tucker concluded that in a single

sample the method is of little value because the standard error of

estimate is too large to obtain a reliable result. However. because

of its high correlation with actual counts when many samples are
considered, this method is of value as a means of estimating changes
in total abundance of phytoplankton. (From the standpoint of statis-
tical analysis it has not been perfected sufficiently to be used other

than as a general indicator (Tucker. 1949). even With the use Of a

PhOtOelectric colorimeter (Tucker. 1956)- Tucker (1949) 3180 found

that the highest correlation was among the green algae and diatoms.
Which comprise most of the aufwuchs flora in this study.

To collect aufwuchs and measure trends in its production.

five bricks and fifteen shingles were placed in the stream at each

l4

station for thirty-day periods before and after fertilization. At the
termination of the first thirty-day period (the day before the first
application of fertilizer) the bricks and shingles were removed and
new ones placed in the same spot and position. thus enabling the
samples to be compared statistically.

In addition to the bricks and shingles in the stream. ten
shingles were placed upstream from Station IV (Station IVA). The
purpose for this procedure was to detect weekly changes in aufwuchs
production.

The bricks were cinder building bricks 7.9 x 3.7 x 2.3
inches. and the shingles were cedar with 12.0 x 13.0 x 0.3 inch
dimensions.

The bricks were suspended in the water by means of a wire
fastened to a stable object. and the shingles were nailed to logs or
other suitable objects in the stream. Care was taken to place the
bricks and shingles so that organisms could become attached to all
sides. and deep enough that a drop in water level would not leave
them exposed to the air. When removed. the bricks were immedi-
ately Placed in a porcelain pan to avoid any loss of motile organ-
isms. The bricks were then Scrubbed with a nylon brush and
washed several times to remove all attached materials. The con-

tents of the pan were then poured into a quart glass jar bearing the

15

serial number of the brick. The shingles were placed directly into
a plastic bag and the attached materials were later removed in the
laboratory.

At the laboratory the invertebrate faunae were picked from
the samples and preserved in 10 percent formalin. The water was
removed by use of the Foerst plankton centrifuge. The outflow tube
of the centrifuge was placed in a quart jar to catch the outflowing
water. This was necessary because often the samples had to be
centrifuged more than once to clear the water of all suspended ma-
terial. The mixture of silt and plant material left in the revolving
bowl was placed in a bottle. and 95 percent alcohol was added to
extract the chlorophyll. The samples at this point contained a
supernatant liquid composed of alcohol and extracted chlorophyll.
and a residual layer of silt and plant material on the bottom. The
mixture was filtered. the filtrate brought to a constant volume. and
the density of the extracted pigment was measured colorimetrically
With a Klett-Summerson photoelectric colorimeter using a No. 66
(Nd) filter. This gave readings in Klett units which were converted
into Harvey units by a graph prepared as follows: One Harvey unit
equals 2.5 mg. potassium chromate and 430 mg. nickel sulfate dis-
solved in one liter of water (Harvey. 1934). The Harvey standards

Wer e Prepared by dissolving 2.5 grams of potassium chromate and

16

43 grams of nickel sulfate in one liter of water. This gave a
standard equal to 100 Harvey units. which was diluted to obtain de-

sired concentrations used in preparing the graph.

Bottom fauna. Bottom samples were collected from relatively

 

uniform riffle areas from June 24 to August 25, 1955, using a Surber
square-foot sampler. The sample spots were not randomized but
were selected by choosing three transects across the stream and
taking four samples at evenly spaced intervals along each transect.
thus representing a 12-square-foot sample of stream bottom per
week. The invertebrate faunae were picked while alive from the

debris and preserved in 10 percent formalin.

Fish samples. Fish samples consisted of brook trout (Sil-

 

Vilinus fontinaliS). brown trout (Salmo trutta). and rainbow trout

 

 

(Salmo gairdnerii). The samples were collected twice during the
Summer (July 6 and August 30) at stations 11. V. and VIII using a
2?-0-volt, direct—current shocker. Scale samples. measurements in
length to the nearest tenth of an inch, and weight in grams were
taken from all sizes and species of trout collected. to determine
the weight-length relationship and average length per year class.
The Scales were Cleaned and mounted on microscope slides using

gem"in”g‘lycerine media. A scale projector was used in determining

17

the average length of each year class. The length-weight relation-
ship was computed using the following formula (Rounsefell and

Everhart. 1953):

W = an
in which W = weight
L = length
c and n = constants

or expressed logarithmically.

logW=logc+nlogL

The values of the constants c and n may be determined by fitting a
straight line to the logarithms of L and W (Rounsefell and Everhart.
0p. cit.). Natural logarithms (in) were used to express the relation-

ship in this study.

RESULTS. AND DISCUSSION
Physicochemicgl

Phosphorus. Following fertilization there was an increase in
total and soluble phosphorus for both 1954 and 1955 (Fig. 2). No
significant difference in the concentration was detected at the down-
stream stations. Although an increase in total phosphorus was de-
tected in the control stream on August 3, it was not of a magnitude
as the samples measured at Station I (Table II). Total phosphorus
remained at a higher level than the prefertilization concentrations
after the second (1955) application. The same situation existed in
Hoffman Lake (Anton. 1957). Anton believed that phosphorus became
fixed in insoluble precipitates which remained in suspension due to
the turbulence of the water caused by wave action and underwater
currents. It appears that similar physical forces were responsible
for the same effect at Station I in that this station is located at the
outlet of Hoffman Lake.

Soluble phosphorus increased to 21 p.p.b. on August 3, but

rapidly returned to prefertilization concentrations (Table II). This

is not unusual for phosphorus may be lost to bottom deposits (Welch.

18

.A’li

 

19

Figure 2. Comparison of the total phosphorus content of water
samples taken from the west branch of the Sturgeon
River during the summers of 1954 and 1955.

20

STATION I

. .b.
38: ——--1954

1955

 

601’
50.1
40.

30..
20-1
10-4

 

 

 

20- STATION A
15 a

10‘
5-4 /

 

 

15
10

STATION 11

 

    

 

0
15 STATION IV
A
10 ..~ ‘ "\
I
5 » ‘v \- \
o .1 l J- l- a L n J A LLJ if; n :1” LA A A4; 1 l A . n l n . mg
4 I0 20 30 9- 19 29 6
July August Sept.

Dates of Fertilization: July 30 and August 9. 1954
July 31 and August 6. 1955

a
. I..M

iii-L:- - -‘

21

Figure 2 (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

22

STATION V

 

 

 

v—v— ‘P‘w-..~:rn —

 

 

 

15~i STATION VII
10-. ‘ .A‘ ref“. ’..--..

5. r V ‘4

01......- -- -,__ ,L- - - - - -- _. -..

l
15" STATION VIII
10- A A
5g ” \" ‘ J ‘ v - "'
Dirt—+10 20 0.1...L-4...s.-$-.I-i-.i--I., §.L._L.L.4219....L_LJ—-I—z
July August Sept.

Dates of Fertilization: July 30 and August 9. 1954

July 31 and August 6, 1955

r—-1

23

TABLE II

PARTS PER BILLION OF PHOSPHORUS IN WATER SAMPLES
TAKEN FROM THE WEST BRANCH OF THE STURGEON
RIVER DURING THE SUMNIER OF 1955a

 

" V 1w v—vfiv—v fl

 

 

Station
Date Item H s m - -c-

I A II III IV V VI VII VIII 1
July 7 Soluble 1 1 1 1 l l 1 1 l j
Total 6 3 4 4 4 4 3 6 6 ‘

1 l Soluble 2 tb 1 l 1 l l 1 1

Total 6 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

1 8 Soluble t t t t t t t t t

Total 7 6 6 8 8 7 5 8 7

2 8 Soluble 1 5 l l l 1 l l 1

Total 1 1 5 7 8 8 8 6 6 6

Aug. 3 Soluble 2 l 1 t t 3 2 t
Total 5 1 8 7 1 2 7 8 1 0 1 1 9
7 Soluble l 0 .. . . . . . .
Total 2 2 5 7 7 6 6 5 5 5
9 Soluble . . . . . . . . . . .

Total 2 4 5 6 5 5 5 6 5 5

1 l Soluble 3 0 t 1 1 2 t t 1

Total 3 3 5 7 8 7 8 7 6 6

1 3 Soluble 2 1 1 3 1 1 l t t

Total 3 0 4 7 8 7 7 7 8 8

1 7 Soluble 1 t l t 0 t 0 it t

Total 2 8 6 12 8 6 7 7 7 7

2 2 Soluble 2 2 z z 2 2 l 2 1

Total 2 6 8 8 9 9 8 9 7 7

7- 6 Soluble 1 1 1 1 l 1 l 1 1

Total 2 1 6 8 7 7 7 6 6 6

 

IE”Dates of fertilization: July 31 and August 6.

b1: =2 trace amounts below 1 p.p.b.

24

1952). taken up by plants (Ruttner. 1953), or precipitated out in
some chemical compound such as tricalcium phosphate (Neess. 1949).
It was discovered that radioactive phosphorus (P32) is taken up by
plants and zooplankton in a matter of minutes or hours. not days or
weeks (Coffin _e_t_a_l., 1949).

Moyle (1954) describes the phosphorus optimum for lake trout
(in Minnesota waters) to be 0.02 p.p.m. A comparison of his value
with those measured in the west branch indicates that the concentra—
tion of phosphorus in the stream is too low for a very successful is»
salmonoid environment.

At the time of fertilization it was estimated that less than
1 cu. ft./ sec. of water left Hoffman Lake at Station I as compared
to 6.6 cu. ft./sec. leaving Station 11. Since the greatest source of
waters at Station 11 are the springs and ground water seepage, it is
assumed that the phosphorus concentration was greatly reduced by

dilution.

Ammonia nitrogen. A temporary increase in ammonia nitro-

 

gen Was detected at Station I on August 3 (Table III). This may
have been the result of fertilization due to peak concentrations being
measured in Hoffman Lake on that date (Anton. 1957)- N0 quanti-

tative increase that could be attributed to fertilization occurred

TABLE III

PARTS PER MILLION OF AMMONIA NITROGEN IN WATER
SAMPLES TAKEN FROM THE WEST BRANCH OF THE
STURGEON RIVER DURING THE SUMMER OF 19553

 

 

 

Station
Date s .
I A II III IV V VI VII VIII
June 29 .04 .02 .02 .02 .00 .07 .ll .02 .04
July 7 .02 .02 .02 .02 .02 .02 .04 .02 .02
ll .04 .01 .01 .07 .04 .05 .15 .03 .04
18 .14 .06 .03 .07 .09 .08 .07 .06 .06
28 .07 .02 .03 .05 .05 .04 .04 .03 .03
A b
ugust 2 t t -t t t t t t t
3 28 t t t t t t t t
7 0 0 0 0 0 O 0 0 O
11 .10 .10 .15 .15 .10 .20 .20 .15 .20
17 .02 .02 .02 .03 .02 .02 . .02 .02 .03
22 .01 .01 .01 .01 .01 .01 .01 .01 .01
26 t t t t t t t t t

8‘Dates of fertilization: July 31 and August 6.

b
t = trace amounts.

26

downstream. Although increases in ammonia nitrogen were detected
downstream on August 11, a similar trend was observed in the
control stream. It is also conceivable that a concentration of .20
p.p.m. may occur naturally in the west branch. This reasoning is
based on the concentrations which approached .20 p.p.m. prior to
fertilization (Table III).

The rapid decrease of ammonia may have been the result of
oxidation of ammonia nitrogen into the nitrite and nitrate forms.
Barnes (1955) states there is strong evidence that ammonia is oxi-
dized to nitrite and subsequently to nitrate. He states further that
the nitrate form is largely taken up by the diatoms.

Ammonia salts in excess are reported as poisonous to fishes
if present with carbonates (Welch. 1952). Amounts exceeding 2.5
P-p-m. are generally detrimental or lethal, and quantities of more
than 1.0 p.p.m. usually indicate organic pollution (Ellis 3:31., 1948).

Table III shOws the values for ammonia nitrogen to be low. indicat-
ing little organic production in the west branch of the Sturgeon

River .

Sulfates. There were slight variations in the amount of sul-
fate Present at all stations. The highest concentration of 17 p.p.m.

was observed at Station I on August 3 and 9 (Table IV)- The

TABLE IV

PARTS PER MILLION OF SULFATES IN WATER SAMPLES
TAKEN FROM THE WEST BRANCH OF THE STURGEON

RIVER DURING THE SUMMER OF 1955a

27

 

 

 

Station
Date -
I A 11 HI IV V VI VII VIII.

June 20 14 l3 l3 13 12 11 ll 11
22 15 10 13 13 12 12 ll 10 10

27 13 10 12 ll 11 11 10 9 10

29 14 10 12 12 12 12 10 10 9

July 5 13 8 11 ll 9 9 8 8 9
ll 14 10 12 12 ll 11 10 10 10

18 14 10 11 l3 13 13 12 10 10

25 14 10 13 12 13 12 11 11 12
August 2 l3 9 12 11 ll 11 10 9 9
3 17 10 12 12 12 11 10 10 10

7 13 9 10 12 .13 11 12 ll 10

9 l7 9 13 12 12 11 10 11 11

ll 15 9 12 ll 11 10 11 10 ll

13 15 ll 12 12 12 12 11 9 10

17 14 10 12 12 13 11 9 9 9

22 16 9 12 13 12 12 11 11 ll

26 16 8 10 11 ll 11 10 9 9

 

a 0
Dates of fertilization:

July 31 and August 6.

I. “.1 I?
n‘

 

28

August 3 high may have been the result of fertilization in that a
concentration of 26 p.p.m. was present in Hoffman Lake on that
date (Anton, 1957). It is also quite conceivable that the quantity
(17 p.p.m.) could occur naturally in the stream.

Other than to follow the dispersal of fertilizer. sulfate de-
terminations provide an index to measure productivity. Studies in
Minnesota show a paucity of higher aquatic plants below 50 p.p.m.,
and the best growth Occurs where the sulfate-ion concentration ex-
ceeds 200 p.p.m. (Moyle, 1954). Comparing Moyle's values with
those in Table III affords further evidence that production is low

in the west branch of the Sturgeon River.

Alkalinity. There was no alkalinity as shown by phenolphtha-
lein. Therefore, the methyl orange alkalinity is representative of
the total alkalinity. Under such conditions the alkalinity is all bi-
carbonate (Theroux 3:31., 1943). Alkalinity in the west branch is
Probably present) as calcium and magnesium bicarbonate, making
the stream an efficient buffer system. Table V shows no change as
a result of fertilization. This provides further evidence that the
strearn is well buffered.

The lower bicarbonate values obtained at Station I are typical

0f Hoffman Lake rather than the downstream stations. This is true

TABLE V

PARTS PER MILLION OF METHYL ORANGE ALKALINITY IN
WATER SAMPLES TAKEN FROM THE WEST BRANCH OF

THE STURGEON RIVER FOR THE SUMNIER OF 1955a

 

 

 

 

Z9

 

 

 

 

_._ 4:.
Station
Date - 7-
I A II III IV V VI VII VIII
June 20 150 180 180 180 184 182 180 182
22 155 200 179 182 182 187 185 183 186
27 153 192 178 180 183 185 183 181 186
29 155 187 180 180 180 181 175 177 182
July 7 145 185 160 160 165 165 163 164 169
11 145 187 180 183 180 186 182 181 185
18 142 182 175 168 160 166 161 165 166
25 140 185 176 166 170 175 172 175 179
August 7 130 187 178 177 177 179 177 176 177
9 135 188 176 178 179 180 179 180 182
13 I 136 185 174 173 176 188 187 183 188
17 136 188 184 183 184 188 186 187 188
22 133 187 182 182 183 184 184 182 186
26 134 189 187 187 186 188 187 188 189
8‘Dates of fertilization: July 31 and August 6.

30

due to the stream receiving the major portion of its volume from

springs and ground water seepage which are rich in bicarbonates

(example. the control stream).

HydrcggI-ion concentratign. Variations in pH were small at
any one station (Table VI). Because bicarbonates (acting as buffers) ”m
react in such a way as to maintain equilibrium. it is conceivable
that the effects of fertilization would not be detected by the hydrogen- ?
ion concentration. It is the writer's opinion that this situation ex-
isted at Station I where values for pH show no significant change.
although the effects of fertilization are apparent.

It may be of interest to note that by applying the values ob-
tained for pH and bicarbonate alkalinity to a carbon dioxide, alkalinity-
PH conversion chart (Theroux 3:31., 1943) the quantity of free carbon

dioxide in the west branch is negligible.

Conductivity. The application of fertilizer had no effect on
this measurement. At first it may appear that the decrease in con-
ductivity was brought about by fertilization. but the control stream
also shows the trend (Fig. 3., Table VII). The variations in con-
centration of electrolytes may have been the result of dilution

caused by runoff from rainfall.

TABLE VI

31

THE HYDROGEN-ION CONCENTRATION OF WATER SAMPLES
TAKEN FROM THE WEST BRANCH OF THE STURGEON

RIVER DURING THE SUMMER OF 19553

 

 

 

aDates of fertilization:

July 31 and August 6.

:1
Station

Date s --

I A II III IV V VI VII VIII

June 21 8.5 .. 8.1 8.5 8.5 8.4 8.4 8.4 8.3

22 8.1 7.8 7.9 8.1 8.1 8.1 8.1 8.1 8.0

27 8.2 7.8 8.0 8.4 8.3 8.3 8.4 8.2 8.2

29 7.6 8.0 8.1 8.4 8.4 8.4 8.4 8.4 8.3

July 7 8.2 7.9 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.2 8.2 8.2 8.2

11 8.1 8.0 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.1 8.1 8.1 8.2

18 7.8 8.0 8.0 8.2 8.2 8.1 8.2 8.1 8.2

28 8.3 8.0 8.2 8.4 8.4 8.4 8.4 8.4 8.3

August 7 8.0 7.7 7.9 8.0 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.2 8.2

13 8.4 7.8 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.3

17 8.2 7.8 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.2 8.3 8.3 8.3

_
0 n

32

TABLE VII

CONDUCTIVITY (IN Nlhos x 10'6 AT 18°C) OF WATER SAMPLES
TAKEN FROM THE WEST BRANCH OF THE STURGEON RIVER
DURING THE SUMMER OF 19553

 

 

 

 

Station
Date L
I A II III IV V VI VII VIII
June 20 267 . . 306 306 306 257 306 306 306
22 265 316 303 302 305 312 306 303 300
27 237 316 271 273 284 279 268 269 275
29 246 325 271 276 276 309 272 266 309
July 5 272 328 275 271 288 263 279 295 298
11 266 331 276 314 303 319 309 314 319
18 249 292 275 313 303 311 303 298 305
25 250 334 319 313 308 325 313 292 325
August 7 241 281 309 309 309 299 289 285 289
9 247 319 271 303 283 314 314 314 319
11 214 325 308 325 267 284 289 309 278
13 242 331 319 295 305 316 309 309 314
17 248 337 315 325 276 325 299 315 319
22 248 328 325 319 307 325 319 319 315
26 245 326 319 309 314 325 316 313 311
W 1

8Dates of fertilization: July 31 and August 6.

33

Figure 3. Graphic representation of the hydrogen-ion concentration.

methyl orange alkalinity. and conductivity of water

samples taken from the west branch of the Sturgeon
River during the summer of 1955.

 

 

34

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MOO.
Alk' Cond.
pH Mhos
STATION I 280
#270
L260
i250
.240
* L230
7 5-4 \’I\ *X“\ 220
*\ f? +yx4 i'
13 4K3" 5210
I STATION A r340
8.5.. /\ P330
200'— ‘+ K - 320
* \
8.0" +\’f~-~" I >310
190‘ “’“14‘; \-,,'.—"'“‘ ~300
k\ A .. A A
7. i x i 4'\+ ’ngx-X X qu. XVI. L290
p 280
120‘ STATION II i330
51 N/‘P/V: - 320
-..- X , ,2»
8 1‘1)— ‘~C-\-x>-..—vi—~—? T’Tbk’ \j if" - 3oo
’(\ I ¥\
1(\ /X . 290
”‘x " . 280
"il
- J :3Jo J 1 J A4 14 A I l l l l a l I 1 1T 44 1 1 g 1 l l 1 A 3 270
10 20 30 9 19 29
0June July August

Dates of Fertilization: July 31 and August 6: 1955

'——--Conductivity (Mhos X 10'6 at 18°C)
" - —— Hydrogen- Ion Concentration (pH)
‘X‘-x-— Methyl Orange Alkalinity (p.p.m.)

35

Figure 3 (C ontinued)

NH]

  

STATION III I

36

Cond.
os

330
320

..310

I300
.290
£280

 

 

 

180h-

8.5-
170—?
8-01

 

-270

320

»310
+300
LZ90
i280
.270

 

160—4

260

 

 

1 STATION V

 

 

 

August

June
Dates of Fertilization: July 31 and August 6. 1955

\———Conductivity (Mhos X 10'6 at 18°C)
- ~ _—-Hydrogen-Ion Concentration (pH)
~)(~)(-— Methyl Orange Alkalinity (p.p-m.)

$330

'320

'310
#300

.290
L280
i270
.260
.250

 

I.

o 3.» L. 1‘1! '1
.
..

 

n.;‘r\-‘ o w: . u

37

 

Figure 3 (Continued)

38

 

 

 

 

 

 

M.O.
Alk.
pH Cond.
STATION VI Mhos
190 - .320
-310
180 — ~300

3.5 J —290

170 - ,’ A L280
Y ,,

8.0 1 \y”/’ \k* \*— ¥/k r270
160 —4 \/ 260
190 — STATION VII [320

' 310

1./ ”NV“
180 — +’/ 300
< ,1” -2 0

8.5 _ \ /}‘{t \l 9
170 -: 43’ 4r! ‘ ~V , e- - >280

8.0 v¥ 270
160 60

STATION VIII )330

 

x—N /
/— “2" P32 0

f H-

\

xm‘ _/ .310

fl 7‘\ if X\/ r300

”"‘ ---3\7'/" ~-_,— '“' L290
. .280
[IA IL. I L

[#LAAAJ n-llnlllb27o
10 20 30 9 19 29

June July August

 

Dates of Fertilization: July 31 and August 6, 1955

\— Conductivity (Mhos X 10‘6 at 18°C)
‘ ‘ - - Hydrogen-Ion Concentration (pH)
“X‘X— Methyl Orange Alkalinity (p.p.m.)

 

 

 

39

Biological

 

Aufwuchs flora. For both 1954 and 1955 an obvious increase

 

of aufwuchs flora was observed at Station I following fertilization;
also. a difference was noted in the type of flora accumulated on the

bricks and shingles. Strands of filamentous algae. mostly Spirogyra

 

and Anabaena. were found on the Shingles. while the bricks were

mainly encrusted with diatoms of the genera Navicula and Pinnularia.

 

W

Although there was a visible increase in quantity of aufwuchs on the
bricks and shingles at Station I after fertilization. no change of this
magnitude was Observed at the downstream stations.

The ”null hypothesis" that no change in quantity of aufwuchs
on bricks and shingles occurred, other than that attributed to sample
variation, was tested by analysis of variance. The values used in
this test were Obtained by subtracting the pigment density (in Harvey
units) of the flora from a certain brick or Shingle before fertiliza-
tion from the pigment density of the flora of a brick or shingle that
was Placed in the same location after fertilization. Therefore. the
resultant value is a difference from zero. being either positive or
negative, depending on an increase or decrease of pigment produc-
tion after fertilization. Due to the great variation in pigment pro-

duction between Station I and other downstream stations. Station I

40

was excluded and stations H through VIII were considered in the
analysis of variance.

The 1954 results showed that there was a Similar trend in
production on both the bricks and shingles after fertilization.
Therefore. Grzenda (1955) pooled his data. with the results of analy-
sis of variance showing a highly significant difference from zero at
the 99 percent level. The mean difference from zero at each sta-
tion was positive except for the bricks at Station VII. This indicated
an increase in chlorophyll production at all stations except for the
bricks at Station VII.

Contrary to the results of 1954, a difference was observed
between the mean differences from zero of the bricks and those of
the shingles. Therefore. they were treated separately. Analysis of
variance for the bricks showed no significant difference from zero.
at the 95 percent level. after fertilization. but a significant difference
at the 95 percent level between stations (Table VIII). The analysis
of variance test for the shingles (Table IX) showed a highly signifi-
cant difference from zero at the 99 percent level. The mean dif-
ference from zero forthe shingles was a negative value. indicating
a decrease in flora production as shown by the decrease in the ex-

tracted pigment density.

41

TABLE VIII

ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE OF CHANGES IN THE DENSITY OF
CHLOROPHYLL EXTRACTED FROM AUFWUCHS ATTACHED
TO THE BRICKS. EXCLUDING STATIONS I AND A

W I f

 

Source of Degorizees Sum of Mean "F"
Variance Freedom Squares Squares
Difference from zero . . . 1 19.5 19.5 3.30
Total .............. 31 241.3 7.78
Between stations ..... . 6 93.54 15.59 2.64*
Error ........... . . . 2.5 147.8 5.91

*Significant at the 95 percent level.

TABLE IX

ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE OF CHANGES IN THE DENSITY OF
CHLOROPHY LL EXTRACTED FROM AUFWUCHS ATTACHED
TO THE SHINGLES. EXCLUDING STATIONS I AND A

W

 

 

Source of Degees Sum of Mean 11F”
Variance Freedom Squares Squares
Difference from zero . . . 1 391.5 391.5 15.66“

Total . ............ . 85 2226.0
Between stations . . . . . . 6 276.4 46.1 1.84
Error . ...... . ....... 79 I 1949-6 24-99

**High.ly significant at the 99 percent level.

1:}. 1!

 

42

The results of the weekly collections were not in agreement
with the 30-day collections. The analysis of variance test showed
a highly significant difference at the 99 percent level between weeks
(Table X). The total of eight weeks were divided into four-week
periods. NO significant difference was found within each of these
two periods. The mean weekly values (Harvey units) were greater
during the second four—week period. indicating an increase in the
production of aufwuchs flora after fertilization. The statistical pro-
cedure for the weekly collection was not the same as the procedure
used for the 30-day collections in that the values were not ascer-
tained by subtracting the pigment density of a certain brick or
shingle placed in the same location the previous week. Therefore.
the resultant value was not a difference from zero.

The contradictory results regarding the shingles for the
weekly and 30-day collections raises the question expressed by
Newcombe (l949)(whi1e measuring productivity by the accumulation
of attachment materials on microscope slides) on how long slides
(bricks and shingles in this case) should be submerged to assure
most satisfactory results. Newcombe (1949) further adds that
"the time element depends a great deal on the purpose of the ex-
Periment and the season of the year." The time element may be

0f prime importance in that the shingles may have a limited

43

TABLE X

ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE OF CHANGES ,IN/THE DENSITY OF
CHLOROPHYLL EXTRACTED FROM AUFWUCHS ATTACHED
TO THE SHINGLES AT STATION IVA

W

Degrees

 

Source of Sum of Mean .. ..
Variance 0f Squares Squares F
Freedom
Total . ............ 76 617.02
Between weeks ....... 7 365.81 52.26 14.3611“!K
Before vs. after
fertilization . ...... 1 341.63 341.63 93.85“
Within ........... 6 24.18 4.03 1.11
Within .weeks ........ 69 251.21 3.64
===: fl La H fire—a

 

**Highly significant at the 99' percent level.

TABLE XI

ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE OF CHANGES IN THE DENSITY OF
CH LOROPHY LL EXTRACTED FROM AUFWUCHS ATTACHED
TO THE SHINGLES AT STATION A

 

 

=3“ L -
Source of Degrees Sum of Mean "F"
Variance Freedom Squares Squares

Total ............. 21 885.8 42.2

Between collectiOns . . . 1 72.7 72.7 2.1

Among pairs ........ 10 460.3 46.0 1.3

Error . ............ 10 352.8 35.3

 

44

accumulative capacity and this limit is reached within several days.
Beyond this point the shingles possibly lose their efficiency in the
accumulation of aufwuchs flora. either by one or a combination of
the following factors: the limited carrying capacity of the shingle;
loss of flora by erosion. such as molar action; or predation on the
flora by aquatic fauna. Studies of the relationship between the
aquatic fauna and the algal flora show that the larvae of tube
dwelling chironomids. Trichoptera and Ephemeroptera. are algal
feeders. and that their food consisted primarily of the filamentous
diatoms and Chlorophyceae (Brook. 1955). Brook also found that a
drastic reduction in the amount of algae can be correlated with the
increasing efforts of the browsing fauna.

The reason for these explanations is that after seven days
the shingles at Station IVA accumulated nearly the same quantity of
anWuchs flora as those shingles left in the stream for 30-day
intervals.

It is known that solar radiation and water temperature are
two imporant environmental factors in the production and growth of
aufwuchs flora. This was confirmed by Gumtow (1955), who found
that qualitatively the floral components of the flseriphyton (aufwuchs)

comp1ex remain constant but a quantitative difference was associated

with environmental changes such as high water temperatures. floods.

45

 

and high turbidity. In comparing the first four—week period (June
3-July 30) with the second (July 30-August 27), certain environmental
differences occurred. During the first four-week period there is a
larger quantity of radiant energy reaching the stream and the water

temperature is higher because the stream did not reach base level

. w”:

and its summer average minimum temperature until August. Other

environmental factors appeared to remain constant; there were no

signs of high turbidity or floods. Therefore. all other factors being

equal. there should be greater production and growth of aufwuchs ..__,
flora during the first four-week period as Shown by the 30-day col-

lections. or at least no significant change illustrated by "Station A."

located on the control stream (Table XI).

If the weekly collections show the true trend and there is an
increase in aufwuchs. then it is quite probable that the increase was
due to fertilization. If we eliminate light and temperature as possi-
ble causes for the increase during the second four-week period. the
remaining influence appears to be the addition of nutrients. Even
though phosphorus. nitrogen. and sulfates were not traced beyond
Station I. there is the possibility that they reached Station IV in con-
centrations that could not be detected using our chemical procedures.

An explanation for the difference in taxonomic composition

and results Obtained by analysis of variance between the bricks and

46

shingles is given by Ruttner (1953), who states. "The physical
characteristics of the substrate to which these organisms are, at-
tached are of the greatestsignificance in the formation of the
Aufwuchs." It might also be added that the filamentous algae

(characteristic of the shingles) would seem to be exposed more to

r—— 'I
i"

4

. ,r"

the forces of erosion than are the diatoms encrusted on the bricks.

Aufwuchs faunae. The aufwuchs fauna is comprised mostly

 

of Amphipoda (at Station I). two families of Ephemeroptera. Tri-
choptera. and Diptera. The families Hydropsychidae. Heptageniidae.
Baetidae. Tendipedidae. and Simuliidae were present at all stations
(see appendix).

Although the sampling stations were qualitatively similar in
taxonomic composition of the aufwuchs fauna. a quantitative differ-
ence was observed between stations. "Studies made on the insect
fauna of northern and southern Michigan trout streams since 1933
have shown that certain characteristics of bottoms. temperatures.
pH and other factors. determine the numbers and kinds of insects
present" (Morofsky. 1940). In that pH and temperature were rather
stable during the sampling period the difference in abundance of
fauna between stations appears to be the result of differences in

bottom composition and stream flow. Stations V. VI. and VIII were

 

47

quite similar in composition and abundance; this may be correlated
with the similar physical characteristics of the stream at these sta-
tions.

The second collection shows a noticeable increase in the per-
cent of Ephemeroptera at all stations except Station I. In contrast
to the Ephemeroptera. there was a decrease in the Dipterans at all ;.
stations during the second collection (Figure 4). An abundance of
amphipods at Station I and Brachycentridae at Station II was observed
during the second collection. e.-.”—

In 1954 over 95 percent of the aufwuchs fauna (consisted of
Hydropsychidae and Baetidae. The family Tendipedidae must be added
to include 95 percent of the fauna collected in 1955. A qualitative
comparison shows that thirteen families comprised the bulk of the
total collection in 1954 as compared to only seven families in 1955.

A comparison of the mean number per substrate for both
1954 and 1955 (Table XII) show great variation in the abundance of
organisms between stations and variation at the same stations be-
tween years. There was a greater number of organisms at Station
VII and VIII in 1954 than in 1955. There was also a greater abund-
ance of amphipods at Station I during 1955. The mean number per
substrate also shows a general trend in abundance downstream for

both years. The low quantity of organisms per substrate at Station

 

48

Figure 4 The percentage composition of the aufwuchs fauna.

 

 

 

_.-- Linen—p-

49

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

B First Collection
100? STATION A a Second Collection
V
. /
75 /
V
50 -
Fl? 1‘
25 1. /
/
M
0 —£I=P~ . r—a
T E D O
100L
75 -
STATION I STATION II
E
(D
50 -
g t ' tr-
0 f
0+ 1
25¢ g
0. a L
T E D O
100. J
4
75 ~
1
50 . STATION III STATION 1v ‘
25 .
01L
D O
1'
. A = Amphipoda T = Trichoptera
1 D = Diptera ~ 0 2 Others
{ E = Ephemercmtera I __

 

 

 

50

Figure 4 (Continued)

 

 

 

 

 

100)—
75f STATION v
501- 7"
25$
0*. Al _ Jig—fl
E T E D
0
U
S-t
Q)
n.
100T
75;
1" STATION VII
50 -
25F ’
o. [37;] 7 f
T E

51

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A '2 Amphipoda
D = Diptera

E = Ephemeroptera

 

E] First Collection

9 Second Collection

STATION VI

 

Us

 

T E

S TA TION

 

ca _

T = Trichoptera

O = Others

RD
E
1:“
D

0

e He...

0
1

W

 

 

 

52

TABLE XII

A COMPARISON OF THE AUFWUCHS FAUNA (MEAN NUMBER
PER SUBSTRATE) TAKEN FROM THE WEST BRANCH OF
THE STU'RGEON RIVER DURING THE SUMMERS OF

1954 AND 1955

 

m

 

 

First Collection Second Collection

 

 

fiw *— v.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Station Bricks Shingles Bricks Shingles T l
195 4 '19 55 T954 ' 1 9555 2159524 a v l 955 T9554 5 19555

I 23.0 21.8 55.0 14.4 3.7 97.6 57.2 9.5

A* . . 99.0 81.9 22.0 25.3

II 128.0 31.0 25.0 21.3 43.0 25.6 8.7 20.8

III 14.8 13.6 9.7 13.4 21.3 22.4 6.3 5.5

IV 10.2 22.4 13 .2 13.6 15.5 9.0 4.2 9.7

I V 26.2 68.0 12.8 13.1 19.0 12.8 2.5 14.9

VI 86.5 68.2 26.8 30.1 17.2 68.8 1.0 22.8

9 VII 238.7 99.8 15.8 18.9 24.3 53.2 60.2 47.5
) VIII 233.4 106.8 161.5 44.8 38.8 72.8 25.7 35.1

 

*No Control Station A in 1954.

 

53

III is associated with the large quantity of silt which deposited on
the bricks and shingles. Thus an explanation for the greater num-
ber per substrate at stations VI. VII. and VIII is that the bricks

and shingles at these stations were less subject to silt deposition.

Bottom fauna. The bottom organisms cover a large taxonomic _.. - n.

W.

 

range. but only a few families of Insecta are of a quantitative im-
portance (Table XIII). A qualitative comparison for 1954 and 1955
shows an increase in the taxonomic composition of the bottom fauna
in 1955. In 1954 Baetidae. Elmidae. Brachycentridae. Tendipedidae.
and the Oligochaetes made up 79 percent of all bottom organisms.
Oligochaetes by themselves made up 48 percent of the total number
(Grzenda. 1955). In 1955 the Oligochaetes comprised only 28 percent
of the total population. Ephemeridae. Baetidae. Brachycentridae.
Rhyacophilidae. Elmidae. Tendipedidae. and Oligochaetes made up
approximately 90 percent of the total number of organisms. The
main difference between the two years is the greater number of
Ephemeridae. Rhyacophilidae. and Brachycentridae in 1955.

The percent composition of the bottom fauna with regard to
orders for 1955 may be seen in Table XIV. A comparison of the
bottom fauna data with those obtained by Grzenda in 1954 shows a

decrease in the Oligochaetes and dipterans and a substantial increase

54

TABLE XIII

TAXONOMIC COMPOSITION AND ENUMERATION OF THE
BOTTOM FAUNA SAMPLED FROM THE WEST BRANCH
OF THE STURGEON RIVER

W A: J

Collection Date

Taxonomic

Groups June July August

24 1 8 13 20 27 12 19 25

f‘v

Diptera
Rhagionidae . . . .
Tendipedidae . . .
Simuliidae . . . . .
Empididae- . . . . .
Tipulidae ..... .
Tabanidae . . . . .
Heleidae ..... ‘ . _
Culicidae ...... .

N

1oor~fowo4>m
levees-Nomi»
ooo~woooo~1N
HQWOQD—tpw
OONHHOUIN
ov-toov-tho‘o
OHNt-‘OHrbe
{oHoi—I—afiwN

l
I
l
l
l

A1ooooooww

p—n
A
N
N
.A
yh
U.)
\0
N
H
U.)
H
N
p

Subtotals 12

 

Trichoptera
Rhyacophilidae
Brachycenttridae .
Hydropsychidae
Psycomyiidae . . .
Leptoceridae
MOlannidae

Limne philidae
Phryganiidae
Hydroptilidae . . .
Philoptamidae

UT
-l

17
162 121 12

.p.
00
U1

HQOU‘NOD—‘D—IWO‘
oooowsli—anxo
OOHWNONubppN
ooNNWOOH

OOOOOOOHHN

 

O‘I—I
(Booms-Howe“)

l
l
1

lomomoooo
{ O‘
CONNOOONO‘

l
l

124

H
H
O
0‘
\O
4
U1
\0
O
Ln
0
H
«I
N
N
C
CD

Subtotals 39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

55
TABLE XIII (Continued)
W T A m
Collection Date
Taxonomic m H
Groups June July Au gu st
24 l 8 13 20 27 12 19 25
Ephemeroptera
EphemEridae '. . . 7 7 57 18 28 32 37 28 26
Baetidae ..... . 80 69 27 33 20 19 19 6 6
Heptagem‘idae . . . 12 4 1 5 5 2 0 0 0
Subtotals . . . . 99 80 85 56 53 53 56 34 32
Plecoptera
Nemourfdae . . . . 0 0 0 l 0 0 I 2 1
Perlidae ..... . 0 l 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Pteronarcidae 5 0 0 6 3 2 2 2 9
Perlodidae . . . . . 2 0 1 1 l 0 2 2 4
Subtotals 7 l 1 8' 4 2 5 6 l4
Coleoptera
Elmidae . . . . . . 11 22 7 19 12 9 3 I 9
Dytiscidae . . . 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Subtotals 11 22 7 20 12 9 3 l 9
Odonata
Corduie'gasteridae 2 4 o 5 6 4 5 3 4
Gomphidae . . .. . 0 0 0 l 0 1 1 0 0
Subtotals . . . . 6 6 1 0 1 2 2 1 2

 

--.-'dm.

56

TABLE XIII (Continued)

W m a

Collection Date

 

v——v

 

 

 

 

Taxonomic '
Groups June July August

24 l 8 13 20 27 12 19 25
Oligochaeta . . . . 149 125 131 119 89 59 106 34 20
Amphipoda . . . . . 0 O 0 0 0 0 l 7 2
Gastropoda 0 l 0 1 2 0 l 0 l
Pelecypoda . . . . l 1 0 0 O 2 0 0 0
Hirudinae . . . . . 0 1 10 0 0 1 0 2 0
Totals . . . . . . . . 399 332 354 338 278 214 377 308 212

r—v —v

No./sq. ft. 33.3 27.7 29.5 28.2 23.2 17.8 31.2 26.3 17.7

 

 

11- 1 11!

__..__ ‘-'T 11

 

TABLE XIV

57

COMPOSITION BY PERCENT OF THE NUIVEBER OF BOTTOM

FAUNA SAMPLED FROM THE WEST BRANCH OF THE

STUCRGEON RIVER FOR THE SUMMER OF 1955

 

Taxonomic Group

 

 

Col—
\ee—
tion E$::- if; :22: 2:; Dip- Oligo- Oth-
Date tera tera tera tera tera cheata ers
11.11133.
24 24.8 27.6 1.8 2.8 3.5 37.3 2.3
July
1 24.1 20.8 0 3 6.6 6.6 37.7 3.9
8 24.0 21.2 0 3 2.0 12.4 37.0 3.1
13 16.6 26.3 2 4 5.9 11.5 35.2 2.1
2.0 19.1 32.4 1 4 4.3 7.6 32.0 3.2
27 24.8 23.4 0 9 4.2 14.5 27.6 4.7
August
12 14.9 45.6 1 3 0.9 6.4 28.1 2.7
19 11.0 67.5 1 9 0.3 3.9 11.0 4.3
25 15.1 58.5 6.6 4 2 1.9 9.4 4.2

 

_ .1. v.-.

 

 

58

in Trichoptera in 1955. The increase in Trichoptera is due mainly
to the greater abundance of Rhyacophilidae and Brachycentridae in
1955.

The mean number per square foot per collection date ape
proximates a bimodal curve for both the 1954 and 1955 collections
(Figure 5). Analysis of variance tests were used to see if these
differences were statistically significant. A preliminary examination
of the data showed a linear relationship between the mean and the ‘E
mean square for both 1954 and 1955. Because such a condition is L
contrary to the basic assumption behind an analysis of variance test
(Bartlett. 1947). a logarithmic transformation was used to overcome
this relationship. In 1954 analysis of variance showed a significant
difference among collections at the 5 percent level. The difference
appeared to be caused from the variation among the Oligochaetes
which comprised 48 percent of the total number of organisms
(Grzenda. 1955). Therefore. Grzenda performed another analysis of
variance test. omitting the Oligochaetes. the result showing no sta-
tistically significant difference among collections. In 1955 the analy-
sis of variance test. including. Oligochaetes (Table XV). also showed
no statistically significant difference among collections. Such phe-
nomenon is contrary to what one would expect from a bimodal

curve. It may be that the variability is so great within collections

 

‘ :‘Mh;mn

 

 

 

59

Figure 5.

A comparison of the numerical abundance of bottom fauna
collected during the summers of 1954 and 1955.

Mean Number per Square Foot

 

 

 

 

   
 

 

 

 

50_ 1954
40-
l
30'
l
20«
10-
O
50‘ 1955
404;
30~
20~ \‘ 4‘
V" \\\\ I, \
10— “xxx-1.x V
O “L 1_11 L J J \t"" 1 J
20 30 10 20 30 9 19 29 6 16
June July August September

Collection Date

Total

- - - OligOchaete
W— Organisms (excluding Oligochaetes)

 

60

6 ‘~- 9.. n-‘s I-lI-Hlu
-

V

,n

 

 

61

TABLE XV

ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE OF NUMBERS OF BOTTOM FAUNA
SAMPLES FROM THE WEST BRANCH OF THE STURGEON
RIVER FOR THE SUMMER OF 1955

 

 

Source of Variance of 311111121135 SETS-n s "F"
Freedom q q e .1 #5.
Total ..... . ........ 1 07 12 .5945 0. 1177
Among collections ..... 8 1.0037 0.1254 1.0717 ‘3 1
I: 1
Within collections ...... 99 11.5908 0.1177

 

W m

 

62

that an analysis of variance test will not detect variation among
collections.
A comparison of the mean number per square foot for the
two years, as shown by Figure 5, provides a graphic illustration
showing that in 1955 there was a decrease in the number of Oligo-
chaetes and an increase in the remaining organisms when the if “1
Oligochaetes are excluded. 5
Although the volume of bottom fauna for both years was so ‘
small that no detailed study was accomplished. the data do Show an tum.
increase (approximately 14 percent) in the volume of organisms in
1955. The total volume and mean volume per square foot of bottom
fauna taken at each collection in 1955 are shown in Table XVI.
Surber (1951). working on a trout stream that he considered
to be of "average richness." found that the average wet weights of
square foot samples collected during the months of June. July. and
August were 1.65. 1.18. and 1.96 respectively. Using a conversion
of one cubic centimeter equaling (one gram (Ball. 1948) comparable
values obtained from the west branch for June, July. and August
were 0.28, 0.22, and 0.28 in 1954 (Grzenda. 1955), and 0.33, 0.33,
and 0.41 in 1955, respectively. A comparison of these values with
those obtained by Surber shows production to be quite low in the

west branch of the Sturgeon River.

 

 

63

TABLE XVI

CONDENSATION OF THE NUNIBER AND VOLUNE OF BOTTOM
FAUNA SAMPLED FROM THE WEST BRANCH OF THE
STURGEON RIVER FOR THE SUMNER OF 1955

 

Total Total Number er Volume per
Collection Date Volume p Square Foot _
Number (c c ) Square Foot (C c )

 

June 24 ....... 399 4.0 33.3 .33
July 1 ........ 332 2.0 27.7 .17
July 8 ....... . 354 3.5 29.5 .29
July 13 ...... . 338 5.5 28.2 ' .44
July 20 . ...... 278 4.0 23.2 .33
July 27 ....... 214 5.5 17.8 .44

August 12 . . . . . 377 4.5 31.2 .36

 

. - u 1 .- mug—n...“
vow-'-

 

64

Fish samples. The results for both 1954 and 1955 (Table

 

XVII) show that there is a longitudinal distribution of trout in the
west branch of the Sturgeon River. Longitudinal succession. as de- ’
scribed by Odum (1953). is more pronounced in the first few miles

of stream; also the number of individuals decreases downstream but

 

the size of the fish increases so that the biomass density remains '- l “:1
about the same. In general. this situation was found to be true in
the west branch. At Station II. approximately one mile downstream. t

large numbers of small brook trout were sampled. The trout pop- ‘ ‘
ulation at this station was entirely brook trout. Samples at Station
V. approximately seven miles downstream. consisted of brooks. rain-

bows. and a few brown trout. Approximately eleven miles down-

 

stream from Hoffman Lake (Station VIII) the trout population was
mainly rainbows. browns (many legal-size). and a few brook trout.

A comparison of the mean length per year-class for 1954 and
1955 indicates great variability within the year classes (Table XVIII).
A trend can be seen towards a general increase in the mean length
per year-class for the brook trout. Other than this. the variability
is too great to draw any definite conclusions. Growth studies of
brook trout in the north branch of the Au Sable. the Pigeon River,
and Hunt Creek Show that by the middle of June the mean length

per Year-class I were 6.9. 5.7. and 5.1 inches. respectively. in each

 

1.4

.1.)

‘1.

..‘.1.....4
. k

' os

65

TABLE XVII

COMPOSITION AND ENUMERATION OF TROUT SAMPLES FROM
THE WEST BRANCH OF THE STURGEON RIVER USING
A DIRECT CURRENT SHOCKER

W F

 

 

 

No. Brook Trout Brown Trout Rainbow Trout
Station of re - - 1- 1. 111
Fish NO. Pct. NO. Pct. No. Pct.

 

Collected July 6. 1955

 

II 332 332 100.0
V 153 71 46.4 21 13.7 61 39.9

VIII 117 9 7.7 70 59.9 38 32.5

Collected August 30, 1955

 

II 303 303 100.0
V 225 93 41.3 11 4.9 ' 121 53.8

VIII 189 4 2.1 80 42.3 105 55.6

W
m

 

 

I.‘

TABLE XVIII

66

A COMPARISON OF THE NEAN LENGTH IN INCHES OF TROUT
SAMPLES FROM THE WEST BRANCH OF THE STURGEON

RIVER. JULY 6. 1954. AND 1955

—
+—

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1954 1955
H Stand- Stand- h
Length of Size Length of Size
Mean Mean
Year Class I
Brook 4.7 0.07 88 5.0 0.06 134
Brown 5.4 0.11 23 5.1 0.14 29
Rainbow 4.5 0.09 46 4.6 0.07 63
Year Class 11
Brook 6.5 0.15 48 7.6 0.20 19
Brown 8.4 0.51 7 8.2 0.24 11
Rainbow 7.2 0.16 30 6.4 0.08 9
Year Class III
Brook 9.3 0.27 9 10.4 1
Brown 10.4 0.26 9 11.4 0.27 12
Rainbow . 8.2 . 2
m LE:

 

 

 

 

 

A.. q. 1...}

.~

67

of these streams (Cooper. 1953). The mean lengths of brook trout of
Year-Class I collected from the west branch in 1954 and 1955 were
4.7 and 5.0 inches respectively. Considering the Pigeon River as
having average productivity and Hunt Creek to be very unproductive.
the data indicate even lower productivity in the west branch of the
Sturgeon River. The poor growth may be the result of the paucity
of bottom fauna. The significance of the relationship between trout
growth and the abundance of bottom fauna is also suggested by Allen
(1951). The slight increase in the mean length per year-class found
among the brook trout may be the result of the 14 percent increase
in the volume of bottom fauna previously mentioned in this disserta—
tion.

A regression analysis (covariance analysis) following Ostle
(1954) was used to test whether changes in the length-weight rela-
tionship (W = an) occurred from year to year. Comparisons based
on the length-weight relationship are complicated in that the rela-
tionship is based on two different kinds of measurement of growth:
First. the exponent n (the slope in the logarithmic form of W = an)
measures the proportional increase in weight with an increase in
length, and secondly. the position of the line measures the relative

weight at a given length.

 

 

.4111! I 111

68

Briefly. the test is a method for determining if a real differ-
ence. either in slope or in position (elevation or mean value). ex-
isted between the relationship for the two years (1954 and 1955) for
each species of trout. A regression analysis tests. first. whether the
two regression lines differ to a statistically important degree; second.
if they do. whether the difference is in the slopes of the regression
lines regardless of positions; and third. if there is no appreciable
difference in slope. whether the difference is in position. the answers
depending on the outcome of the "F" value.

The results of the regression analysis for the three species
of trout sampled in the west branch during the summers of 1954 and
1955 are shown in Tables XIX. XX. and XXI. Only among the rain-
bow trout was there a highly significant difference in the n value
(Table XXI). The difference in slope (n) of the regression lines for
both years can not be explained except the slope (11 value for 1955)
indicates that the older rainbows may be in better condition in 21955
(n = 3.21) than in 1954 (n = 2.90).

Surber (1951) found that rainbow trout eat quantities of fila-
mentous algae. which brook trout do not eat. and that rainbow trout
seem to have a greater preference for aquatic forms of food than
brook trout. Therefore. assuming there was an increase in

bottom fauna and aufwuchs production. it is reasonable to

n. I- ‘3'"

 

 

TABLE XIX

69

REGRESSION (COVARIANCE) ANALYSIS OF 1n LENGTH-1n WEIGHTa
RELATIONSHIP IN BROOK TROUT TAKEN FROM THE WEST
BRANCH OF THE STURGEON RIVER. 1954 AND 1955

W

 

Degrees
Source of Variation of gum Of SMean
Freedom quares quare
Total ................... 233 111.3863
Due to general regression ..... 1 105.1240 105.1240
Deviations from general
regression . . . . . ........... 232 6.2623 .0269
a. Can one regression line be used for all observations?
Gain from two separate
regressions over general -
regression . . .............. 2 .0424 .0212
Deviations from separate
regressions ............... 231 6.2199 .0269

(”F" = 1.2688; answer is yes.)

W

anlnl' : natural logarithm.

 

 

 

 

70

TABLE XX

REGRESSION (COVARIANCE) ANALYSIS OF 1n LENGTH—1n WEIGHTa
RELATIONSHIP IN BROWN TROUT TAKEN FROM THE WEST
BRANCH OF THE STURGEON RIVER. 1954 AND 1955

 

 

Degrees S f M
Source of Variation of sum 0 S ean
Freedom quares quare
Total ................... 96 109.1647
Due to general regression ..... 1 107.8941 107.8941
Deviation from general
regression . . . . . . . ......... 95 1.2706 .0120

a. Can one regression line be used for all observations?
Gain from two separate
regressions over general

regression . . . . . ........... 2 .0116 .0058

Deviations from separate
regressions ............... 93 1.2590 .0135

(”F" = 2.32758; answer is yes.)

 

 

 

1 ====r

anlnu = natural logarithm.

 

 

71

TABLE XXI

REGRESSION (COVARIANCE) ANALYSIS OF 1n LENGTH—1n WEIGHTa
RELATIONSHIP IN RAINBOW TROUT TAKEN FROM THE. WEST
BRANCH OF THE STURGEON RIVER. 1954 AND 1955

”—I
‘—

 

 

 

 

Degrees
Source of Variation of SSum 0f SMean
Freedom quares quare 1
L1 1

Total . . . . . . . ......... 98 51.2815 f
Due to general regression . . . . 1 50.4645 50.4645
Deviation from general
regression . . . . . . ......... 97 .8170 .0084

a. Can one regression line he used for all observations?

Gain from two separate
regressions over general

regression ............... 2 .1169 . 0584
Deviations from separate

regressions ......... . . . . . 96 .7001 .0072
(”F" = 8.1111*; answer is no.)

b. Can a common slope be used for the separate regression line?

Deviation about lines with
common slope but fitted through
mean of each set of data . . . . 97 .8170 .0084

Further gains from fitting
separate regressions . . _ ..... 1 .0827 .0827

Deviations about separate
regressions .............. 96 .7001 .0027

(”F" = 11.486015; answer is no.)

W W

anln“ = natural logarithm.

I"Significant at the 95 percent level.

_+___ —l

 

 

 

 

believe that the rainbows are most likely to benefit and would

be the first to show an improvement in condition.

72

 

 

SUMMARY

1. The west branch of the Sturgeon River is located in the
northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan. The watershed is in the
interlobate area of the Port Huron Morainic System, an area of ex-
tremely rough land unsuitable for farming due to the associated
sandy soils and unfavorable slopes.

2. The physicochemical and biological characteristics of the
stream indicate low productivity. The stream bottom is composed
of large stretches of unproductive sand.

3. During the summer of 1955. two applications of inorganic
commercial fertilizer were made to Hoffman Lake. the source of
the west branch of the Sturgeon River. Following fertilization there
was an increase in total and soluble phosphorus. ammonia nitrogen.
and possibly. sulfates at Station I only. The alkalinity determina-
tions indicate that the stream contains large quantities of calcium
and magnesium carbonates. thus making the west branch an efficient
buffer system. There were no changes in alkalinity. hydrogen-ion
concentration. and Conductivity at the stations which could be at-

tributed to fertilization.

.73

 

 

74

4. Both in 1954 and 1955 there was an Obvious increase in
aufwuchs flora at Station I following fertilization. Contrary to the
1954 results. in 1955 the thirty-day collections showed a decrease
in flora production at the downstream stations. This is not in
agreement with the results of the weekly collections where a sta-
tistically significant increase was detected following fertilization.
Such factors as limited carrying capacity of the shingles. erosion.
predation. et cetera. may cause the shingles left in the stream for
thirty-day periods to lose their efficiency in the accumulation of
aufwuchs flora. This is the first year that weekly collections were

obtained. From the results it is recommended that in future work

the necessity of taking weekly samples be given considerable thought.

5. A comparison of the mean number per substrate of the
aufwuchs fauna for both 1954 and 1955 show great variation in the
abundance of organisms at the collecting stations. The variation is
believed to be the result of difference in bottom type at the various
stations.

6. The bottom organisms cover a large taxonomic range but
only a few families are quantitatively important. There was approx-
imately a 14 percent increase in the volume of organisms from 1954

to 1955. The average wet weight per square foot values show

 

gLLn-u-v"

 

75

production to be low in the west branch of the Sturgeon River as
compared with other similar streams.

7. There is evidence of longitudinal distribution of trout in
the west branch. Starting with brook trout at the headwaters. there
is a gradual displacement by rainbow and brown trout downstream.
A comparison of brook trout growth in the west branch with those of f .1
other northern Michigan trout streams also indicates very low pro-
ductivity in the west branch of the Sturgeon River. Results of the
regression analysis for the species of trout show that only among
the rainbow trout was there a highly significant difference in slope
of the regression lines. indicating that the older rainbows may be in
better condition in 1955. The improvement in condition may be the

result of difference in food preference exhibited by the rainbows.

 

 

LITERATURE CITED

Alexander. Gaylord R.
l 956.

The fertilization of a marl lake.
Michigan State University.
Allen. K. Radway

1951.

Master's thesis .

The Horokiwi Stream- -A study of a trout population.

New Zealand Marine Dept.. Fish. Bull. No. 10:231 pp

American Public Health Association
1955.

Standard methods for the examination of water. sew-
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‘522 pp.

10th ed.. New York.
Anton. Nickolas
1957. Biological. chemical. physical changes resulting from
fertilization of a marl lake.
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Master's thesis. Michi-
Ball. Robert C.

1948. The relationship between available fish food. feeding
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Mich. State Coll.. Ag. Exp. Sta.. Tech. Bull. 206:59 pp.
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1955.

Chemical aspects of oceanography.
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The Royal Insti-
Bartlett. M. S.
1947.

The use of transformations.

 

Brook. A. J.

Biometrics, 3:39-52.
1955.

The aquatic fauna as an ecological factor in studies of
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Review Algolo-
gique. Tome 1. No. 3, pp. 141-145.

76

 

77

Coffin. C. C.. F. R. Hayes. L. H. Jodrey. and S. G. Whiteway
1949. Exchange of materials in a lake as studied by the ad-

dition of radioactive phosphorus. Can. Jour. Res.. D.
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Cooper. Edwin L.
1953. Periodicity of growth and change of condition of
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Ellis. M. M., B- A. Westfall. and M. D. Ellis f l
1948. Determination of water quality. US. Dept. Inter.. f '
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Grzenda. Alfred R.
1956. The biological response of a trout stream to headwater
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Gumtow. Ronald B.
1955. An investigation of the periphyton in a riffle of the
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Harvey. H. W.
1934. Measurement of phytoplankton population. Jour. Mar.
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Hasler. Arthur D., and Wilhelm G. Einsele
1948. Fertilization for increasing productivity of natural in-
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Huntsman. A. G.
1948. Fertility and fertilization of streams. Jour. Fish. Res.
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Lagler. Karl F.
1952. Freshwater fishery biology. Wm. C. Brown Co..

Dubuque. Iowa, 360 pp.

 

 

78

Maciolek. John A.
1954. Artificial fertilization of lakes and ponds-~A review of
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Michigan Department of Conservation
1955. Fish for more fishermen. Mich. Dept. Cons.. Lansing
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Moyle. John B.
1954. Some aspects of the chemistry of Minnesota surface
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Neess. John C.
1949. Development and status of pond fertilization in central
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Newcombe. Curtis L.
1950. A quantitative investigation of attachment materials in
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Odum. Eugene P.
1953. Fundamentals of ecology. W. B. Saunders Co.. Phila-
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Ostle. Bernard
1954. Statistics in research. Iowa State College Press. Ames.

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Patrick. Ruth
1949. A proposed biological measure of stream conditions
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Rousefell. George A.. and W. H. Everhart
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Ruttner. Franz
1953. Fundamentals of limnology. (Translated by D. G. Frey
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Surber. Eugene W.
1951. Bottom fauna and temperature conditions in relation to
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1949. Pigment extraction as a method of quantitative analysis

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1952. Limnolog. McGraw-Hill. New York. 538 pp.

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1945. A limnological investigation of the periphyton in Douglas
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APPENDIX

80

81

TAXONONIIC COMPOSITION AND ENUNIERATION OF AUFWUCHS
FAUNA SAMPLED FROM THE WEST BRANCH
OF THE STURGEON RIVER
(Station I)

W

First Collection Second Collection
Taxonomic Groups w +4 fi fi - 4—
Bricks Shingles Bricks Shingles

f —v v—v a

 

 

 

 

 

Diptera
Simuliidae ....... 0 0 0 2,
Tendipedidae ..... 1 1 5 2 1 4
Rhagionidae . ..... 0 0 0 l
Subtotals ...... T T5 "2— T7
Trichoptera
Brachycentridae . . 0 l O 0
Hydropsychidae . . . 15 117 l 51
Psychomyiidae . . . . 0 8 O 4
Subtotals ...... T5 T56- "I 55
Ephemeroptera
Baetidae . ....... 27 45 36 27
Heptageniidae ..... 0 2 3 4
Subtotals ...... E7 '47 3'9" 3'1“
Plecoptera
Perlidae ........ 0 0 0
Subtotals ...... 73' "(I "'5 FT
Coleoptera
Elmidae . . . ..... 2 __6_ 0 __2_
Subtotals ...... 7 6 "6 2
Odonata
Agrionidae . ...... 2 O O 0
Coenagrionidae . . . . 0 3 2 4
Gomphidae ....... 0 J1 J _‘l_
Subtotals ...... "'2‘ 3 2 5
Amphipoda ......... 1 9 4 444 32
Hirudinae . ........ 21 0 0 0
Gastropoda ....... . __Q_ __1_ ___(_)_ __(_)‘
Subtotals . . . . . . . . 40 5 444 32
Totals............ 37 202 488 143
Mean no./substrate . . 21 8 l4 4 97 6 93

 
 
 

‘- -....__._ ____.-—- -_ -_-____ -___. --

 

-__#,__.——.——

82

TAXONOMIC COMPOSITION AND ENUNIERATION OF AUFWUCHS
FAUNA SAMPLED FROM THE WEST BRANCH
OF THE STURGEON RIVER
(Station A)

m

First Collection Second Collection
Taxonomic Groups - - ~ - fi fl 4
Bricks Shingles Bricks

 

 

Shingles

 

 

Diptera
Simuliidae . ..... . 2 17 45 3 l 3
Tendipedidae . . . . . 3 4 68 5 3 O
Subtotals . ..... 2 5 l 52 1 "6 '33
Trichoptera .
Hydropsychidae 0 2 0 2
Rhyacophilidae 7 0 O 1
Psychomyiidae . . . . 0 O O 3
Subtotals ..... . 7 2 '7)- "6-
E phemeroptera
Baetidae ........ 3 8 6 97 80 Z 57
Heptageniidae ..... ' 0 0 O 1
Subtotals ‘ ...... 3 8 6 97 '8? 2 58
Plecoptera
Pteronarcidae 0 5 0 1
Perlodidae ..... . . 1 0 2 o
Perlidae ........ 0 0 0 4
Nemouridae ...... 0 4 O 1
Subtotals ...... 1 9 2 6
Amphipoda ......... 0 0 0 1
Totals . .......... . 297 1229 88 304

.__7

Mean no./substrate . . . 99.0 81.9 22.0 25.3

 

83

TAXONOMIC COMPOSITION AND ENUNIERATION OF AUFWUCHS
FAUNA SAMPLED FROM THE WEST BRANCH
OF THE STURGEON RIVER
(Station II)

W

First Collection Second Collection
Taxonomic Groups - fl - w 44
Bricks Shingles Bricks Shingles

 

 

vfi—‘

 

Diptera
Simuliidae . ...... 5 9 3 6 0
Tendipedidae ..... 15 1 5 4 3 61
Rhagionidae ...... 0 0 O 2
Empididae ....... 0 2 0 1
Heleidae . ....... 0 0 0 3
Subtotals ...... :75- T59 ”9' '5'?—
Trichoptera
Brachycentridae 4 2 9 1 9 8 8
Hydropsychidae . . . 8 7 4 l 2
Psychomyiidae . . . . O 1 3 7
Limne philidae . . . 0 5 0 0
Subtotals ...... T5 T2— 36 T7
E phemeroptera
E phemeridae ..... 0 7 0 0
Baetidae ........ 3 6 1 07 92 9 4
Heptageniidae ..... 0 1 0 0
Subtotals . ..... 36 TI? '92- 34
Plec optera
Perlidae ........ O 1 0 0
Perlodidae ....... O 0 1 0
Nemouridae ...... 0 2 0 1
Subtotals ...... "5' .5. "5 "1—
Hirudinae ......... l 0 0 0
Gastropoda ........ 0 0 0 l
Oligochaeta ........ 0 0 0 1
Totals ............ 124 319 128 271

Mean no./substrate . . . 31.0 21.3 25.6 20.8

 

84

TAXONOMIC COMPOSITION AND ENUMERATION OF AUFWUCHS
FAUNA SAMPLED FROM THE WEST BRANCH

OF THE STURGEON RIVER

(Station 111)

 

Taxonomic Groups

Fir st C ollection

 

'— —v—

Shingles

Second Collection.

 

fi fi

Shingles

 

 

 

Bricks Bricks
Diptera
Simuliidae . . . . . 4 0 14 o
Tendipedidae 4 93 1 1 14
Rhagionidae...... 0 3 o o
Empididae . ..... 0 1 0 0
Heleidae ........ _(_). i .2 .2
Subtotals ..... 8 9 9 2 5 1 4
Trichoptera
Brachycentridae . . . 0 0 0 1
Hydropsychidae 2 0 l 0 44 12
Rhyacophilidae . . . . 0 4 0 0
Limnephilidae _0_ _2_._ "0 _2_
Subtotals ..... 2 0 1 6 44 15
Ephemeroptera
Ephemeridae . . . . 0 3 0 o
Baetidae ....... 37 72 38 17
Heptageniidae . . . . _1. "2. i 11.
Subtotals ..... 3 8 7 7 43 4 8
Plecoptera
Perlodidae ...... _1_ __0 __ A
Subtotals ..... 1 0 0 0
Coleoptera
Elmidae ....... _1_ _4_ __(_J‘ _9_
Subtotals ..... 1 4 0 0
Amphipoda ........ 0 5 0 5
Totals ....... .. . . . 68 201 112 82
13.6 13.4 22.4 5 5

   

Mean no./ substrate . . .

85

TAXONONIIC COMPOSITION AND ENUMERATION OF AUFWUCHS
FAUNA SAMPLED FROM THE WEST BRANCH
OF THE STURGEON RIVER
(Station IV)

W

First Collection Second Collection
Taxonomic Groups 4 4

Bricks Shingles Bricks Shingles

 

 

v—v — ' ' '

 

Diptera
Simuliidae ....... 2 3 0 o
Tendipedidae ' ..... 4 74 1 23
Rhagionidae ...... 0 5 o 1
Subtotals ...... "6 82- —6 '23
Trichoptera
Brachycentridae 0 l 2 1
Hydropsychidae 5 0 2 0 2 49
Rhyacophilidae . . . 1 3 0 2.
Limnephilidae . . . . 0 0 0 1
Psychomyiidae . . . 0 l 1 0
Subtotals ...... 5T '25-. "5' 5'3
Ephemeroptera
Baetidae ........ 48 8 5 3 8 3 6
Heptageniidae ..... 0 1 l 2
Subtotals ...... 71:8 86- .3.9- 3.8
Plecoptera
Perlidae....'.... 0 2 0 o
Perlodidae ....... 0 0 0 1
Pteronarcidae . . . . __0_ 0 0 3
Subtotals ...... 0 7 .5 7
Coleoptera .
Elmidae ........ 7 3 0 1
Subtotals ...... ‘ —— .7 "(I "-1-
Megaloptera
Corydalidae ..... . 0 4 0 o
Subtotals ...... "6' "'4 "6' "'6'
Amphipoda ......... 0 1 0 0
Hirudinae ......... 0 0 0 1
Hydracarina . . . . . . . . 0 1 0 1
“TBtals ............ 1 12 2 04 F '7 45 126

 

Mean no./substrate . . . 22.4 13.6 , 9.0 9.7

86

TAXONOMIC COMPOSITION AND ENUMERATION OF AUFWUCHS
FAUNA SAMPLED FROM THE WEST BRANCH
OF THE STURGEON RIVER
(Station IVA)

W
Collection Date

 

Taxonomic Groups July August

 

 

VT '_v

11 16 22 3O 9 16 20 27

 

 

Diptera
Simuliidae . . . . . . 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Tendipedidae 4 17 2 0 14 6 l 9 0 15
Subtotals ..... 4 17 20 14 6 19 "6 TE
Trichoptera
Hydropsychidae 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
Rhyacophilidae . . . __0 0 0 3 0 1 0 0
Subtotals . . . . . 0 0 1 3 0 1 0 0
Ephemeroptera
Baetidae ....... 2 7 35 14 6 10 5 6
Heptageniidae 0 0 0 0 0 0 l 2
Subtotals ..... 2 7 3 5 14 6 10 6 8
Plecoptera ,
Perlidae ....... __1. __ __0 __(_1 __ 4 __1_
Subtotals . . . . . 1 0 0 4 1
Coleoptera
Elmidae ....... 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Subtotals . . . . . 0 0 0 1 0 O 0 l 0
Odonata
Agrionidae ...... _(_)_ _(_)_ __3_ __1_ __ _0 "0-
Subtotals ..... 0 0 0 3 1 0 0
Megaloptera
Corydalidae ..... __0 0 0 0 __1_ _0 __1_ _0
Subtotals . . . . . 0 0 0 0 l 0 1 0
Amphipoda ........ 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
Gastropoda ....... 2 0 0 l 0 0 0 0
Hydracarina ....... 0 l 0 0 0 0 0 0
Totals . .......... 8 26 58 36 14 31 8 25

Mean no./substrate .. 0.8 3.3 5.8 3.6 1.6 5.2 1.1 2.8

 

87

TAXONOMIC COMPOSITION AND ENUNIERATION OF AUFWUCHS
FAUNA SAMPLED FROM THE WEST BRANCH
OF THE STURGEON RIVER
(Station V)

W
First Collection Second Collection

Taxonomic Groups s w w w (44 fi ~-

' Bricks Shingles Bricks Shingles

___ fi—

 

 

 

 

Diptera
Simuliidae ....... 238 0 5 1
Tendipedidae ..... 0 22 1 44
Rhagionidae ...... 0 4 0 o
Empididae ‘ ....... 0 0 1 l
Tipulidae ........ 0 0 0 0
Subtotals ...... 2.3.8- 3:6 “7' 71-8
Trichoptera
Brachycentridae . . . 0 9 0 0
Hydropsychidae . . . 38 7 12 7
Rhyac ophilidae . . 0 8 0 14
Psychomyiidae . . . . 0 0 0 2
Limnephilidae . . . 0 0 0 l
Subtotals ...... 38 2.4. T5 2.4.
Ephemeroptera
Baetidae ........ 6 0 85 41 1 1 8
Heptageniidae ..... _1_ 7 1 l 7
Subtotals ...... 61 '92— :: T3?
Plecoptera
Perlidae ........ 0 0 0 1
Pteronarcidae . . . 3 0 0 0
Perlodidae ....... 0 0 1 0
Nemouridae ...... 0 0 0 1
Subtotals ...... _3 .0. _1- "2—
Amphipoda . . . . ' ..... 0 0 2 O
Hirudinae . ........ 0 2 0 0
Oligochaeta ........ 0 0 0 1
Totals . . .......... . 340 144 64 208
Mean no./substrate . . . 68.0 13.1 12.8 14.9

W

88

TAXONOMIC COMPOSITION AND ENUMERATION OF AUFWUCHS
FAUNA SAMPLED FROM THE WEST BRANCH
OF THE STURGEON RIVER
(Station VI)

 

 

First Collection Second Collection
Taxonomic Groups 4 L *

Bricks Shingles Bricks Shingles

 

 

fl

 

 

Diptera
Simuliidae ....... 67 1 8 94 0
Tendipedidae ..... 6 l 3 9 1 4
Rhagionidae ...... 1 3 0 2
Empididae ....... __(_1 1 0 0
Subtotals ...... 7 4 l 6 1 95 6
Trichoptera
Brachyc entridae . . . 13 1 6 3
Hydropsychidae . . . 1 13 1 1 51 3 0
Psychomyiidae . . .1 . 0 1 0 2
Le ptoceridae ..... 0 _0_ _0 3
Subtotals ...... 12 6 1 3 5 7 3 8
E phemeroptera
Baetidae ........ 139 228 189 285
He ptageniidae ..... 1 1 8 0 1 l
Subtotals ...... 140 246 1 89 296
Plecoptera
Pteronarcidae ..... 0 0 2 2
Perlodidae . ...... __(_)_ _(_1 __1_ __(_)_
Subtotals ...... 0 0 3 2
C oleoptera
Elmidae ........ __ __ __0 __0
Subtotals ...... 0 0
Totals ............ 3 41 42 l . 344 3 42
Mean no./substrate . . . 68.2 30.1 68.8 22.8

 

89

TAXONONIIC COMPOSITION AND ENUMERATION OF AUFWUCHS
FAUNA SAMPLED FROM THE WEST BRANCH
OF THE STURGEON RIVER
(Station VII)

 

___. W

First Collection Second Collection
Taxonomic Groups fi _4 L

Bricks Shingles Bricks Shingles

 

 

H7

 

Diptera
Simuliidae . ‘ ...... 355 19 144 101
Tendipedidae ..... 4 l l 0 6
Rhagionidae ...... 1 4 1 3
Empididae ....... 0 1 0 0
Subtotals . ..... 3'66 33 T45— III)—
Trichoptera
Brachycentridae 9 0 0 0
Hydropsychidae 49 1 3 3 1 49
Psychomyiidae . . 2 2 2 4
Subtotals ...... F0 T5 '33 5.3
E phemeroptera
‘ Baetidae ........ 77 1 6 l 85 5 3 1
He ptageniidae ..... 2 1 1 2 15
Subtotals ...... 79 T72- 87— 5.4.6-
Plecoptera
Perlidae ........ 0 0 0 1
Pteronarcidae . . 0 0 1 1
Subtotals ...... "0. '75 -1_ ”2'
Megaloptera
C orydalidae ...... 0 5 0 1
Subtotals . ..... *0- T "0- ”1—
Totals . . . . . . . . . . . . 499 227 266 712

W

Mean no./substrate . 99.8 18.9 53.2 47.5

 

90

TAXONONIIC COMPOSITION AND ENUMERATION OF AUFWUCHS

FAUNA SAMPLED FROM THE WEST BRANCH
OF THE STURGEON RIVER

 

Taxonomic Groups

(Station VIII)

First C ollection

 

v

E

 

Second Collection

 

v—

w.

 

 

 

Bricks Shingles Bricks Shingles
Diptera
Simuliidae ....... 462 2 62 3 04 8 0
Tendipidae ....... 7 2 1 2 if:
Subtotals ...... 469 2 83 3 06 9 6
Trichoptera
Brachycentridae . . . 1 0 4 2 7
Rhyacophilidae 0 0 1 8
Hydropsychidae 3 0 3 4 1 1 5 8
Le ptoc eridae ..... 0 0 0 1
Psychomyiidae "(l _(_)' "0 _2_
Subtotals ...... 40 3 8 1 4 7 6
Ephemeroptera
Baetidae ........ 2 4 2 05 43 2 83
He ptageniidae _1. 1 0 __0 0
Subtotals ...... 2 5 2 1 5 43 2 83
Plecoptera
Perlidae ........ 0 0 1 0
Pteronarcidae __0 _2_ _0 __0_
Subtotals ...... 0 2 1 o
Gastropoda ........ 0 0 0 1
Totals ............ 534 538 364 456
Mean no./substrate . . . 106.8 44.8 72.8 35.1

W

”
RT
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Ll
V"
T”
3"
R”

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I

III

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3 1293 03046 6019

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