Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Book chapters
DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-25722-3_4
Title (Primary) The use of photosynthetic fluorescence parameters from autotrophic biofilms for monitoring the effect of chemicals in river ecosystems
Title (Secondary) Emerging and priority pollutants in rivers : bringing science into river management plans
Author Corcoll, N.; Ricart, M.; Franz, S.; Sans-Piché, F.; Schmitt-Jansen, M.; Guasch, H.
Publisher Guasch, H.; Ginebreda, A.; Geiszinger, A.
Source Titel Handbook of Environmental Chemistry Series
Year 2012
Department BIOTOX
Volume 19
Page From 85
Page To 115
Language englisch
Keywords Biofilms; Chl-a fluorescence parameters; Emerging substances; Priority substances; Rivers
UFZ inventory Magdeburg, Bibliothek, 00494380, 14-0799 MA
Abstract Photosynthetic processes play a key role in aquatic ecosystems. These processes are highly sensitive to the presence of toxicants, leading to an increase in their use as ecotoxicological endpoints. The use of chlorophyll-a fluorescence techniques to assess the impact of toxicants on the photosynthesis of the autotrophic component of fluvial biofilms has increased in the last decades. However, these photosynthetic endpoints are not currently used in water quality monitoring programs.

A review of the currently available literature—including studies dealing with toxicity assessment of both priority and emerging compounds—allowed the discussion of the pros and cons of their use as ecotoxicological endpoints in fluvial systems as well as their inclusion in regular monitoring programs.

Chlorophyll-a fluorescence measurements have the ability to detect effects of a large panel of chemical substances on the photosynthetic processes of fluvial biofilms, covering both functional and structural aspects of the biofilm community. Moreover, they might provide early warning signals of toxic effects.

Thus, the application of the chlorophyll-a fluorescence measurement is recommended as a complementary measurement of toxic stress in aquatic ecosystems. Their application is of special interest in the context of the Water Framework Directive (WFD, Directive 2000/60/EC), where the development of new structural and functional endpoints of the biological quality elements (e.g., biofilms) is required.

Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=12759
Corcoll, N., Ricart, M., Franz, S., Sans-Piché, F., Schmitt-Jansen, M., Guasch, H. (2012):
The use of photosynthetic fluorescence parameters from autotrophic biofilms for monitoring the effect of chemicals in river ecosystems
In: Guasch, H., Ginebreda, A., Geiszinger, A. (eds.)
Emerging and priority pollutants in rivers : bringing science into river management plans
Handbook of Environmental Chemistry Series 19
Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, p. 85 - 115 10.1007/978-3-642-25722-3_4