1978/01/01 by Michael J. Winterbourn, Winterbourn, M. J., Annegret Stark +1
Environmental Science · #Freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and ecology #Fish Ecology and Management Studies #Soil and Water Nutrient Dynamics
paper · pdf · doi:10.26021/551
Measurements of physico-chemical parameters at five sites on the Kaiapoi River, Canterbury, New Zealand (43 0 23'5, l72 0 37'E) during December 1977 and January 1978 gave similar results to those reported for 1975 when a fellmongery-waste treatment plant was first operating satisfactorily.Sampling of benthos has shown a mar~ed increase in species diversity at all stations below the outfall.The benthic community below the fellmongery was dominated by Dumbricu1us variegatus (Oligochaeta), Paracal1iope f1uviatilis (Amphipoda) and Potamopyrgus antipodarum (Mollusca) whereas at the upstream control station two lumbriculid worms (L.variegatus .andStylodrilus heringianus) and the mayfly Deleatidium were most numerous.The "sensitive" r)ymphs of Deleatidium were also common below the discharge, but the tubificid worms, typically associated with polluted streams, were rare or absent.The fauna inhabiting the grass fringe along the river bar)ks was typical of that found in many other North Canterbury streams.The presence of several species of fish (including trout) is indicative of well oxygenated water and the growth of extensive macrophyte beds is probably enhanced by nutrients present in the effluent.These plants form a major habitat for the invertebrate fauna.