The first comprehensive monograph on periphyton, this book contains contributions by scientists fromaround the globe. Multi-disciplinary in nature, it covers both basic and applied aspects of periphyton,and is applicable worldwide in natural, extensive and intensive managed systems.Periphyton, as described in this book, refers to the entire complex of attached aquatic biota on submergedsubstrates, including associated non-attached organisms and detritus. Thus the periphyton communitycomprises bacteria, fungi, protozoa, algae, zooplankton and other invertebrates. Periphyton is importantfor various reasons: as a major contributor to carbon fixation and nutrient cycling in aquatic ecosystems;as an important source of food in aquatic systems; as an indicator of environmental change. It can alsobe managed to improve water quality in lakes and reservoirs; it can greatly increase aquaculture production;it can be used in waste water treatment.The book provides an international review of periphyton ecology, exploitation and management. Theecology part focuses on periphyton structure and function in natural systems. The exploitation part coversits nutritive qualities and utilization by organisms, particularly in aquaculture. The final part considersthe use of periphyton for increasing aquatic production and its effects on water quality and animal healthin culture systems. This book will help scientists and entrepreneurs further understand the ecology andproduction of aquatic systems and venture into new and promising areas.

Periphyton: Functions and Application in Environmental Remediation presents a systematic overview of a wide variety of periphyton functions and applications in environmental remediation, providing readers with an understanding of the biological/ecological features of periphyton, the methodology of their study, and their application in environmental conservation. With increases in environmental stress, anthropogenic impacts, and the global decline in biodiversity, there is a pressing need for methods to assess and improve environmental quality that are rapid, reliable, and cost-effective. Periphyton is an important component of benthic communities and plays a crucial role in the functioning of microbial food webs. Because of a number of advantages, such as a short lifecycle, relative immobility, more rapid responses to environmental stress and anthropogenic impact than any metazoa, ease of sampling, availability of taxonomic/molecular identification, and standardized methodologies for temporal/spatial comparisons, there has, in recent decades, been an increased interest in periphyton as a tool in biological conservation in aquatic ecosystems. Presents case studies that help readers implement similar ecological designs Focuses on the function of periphyton in remediating destructed ecosystems Provides readers with an understanding of periphyton in practice, especially the value of periphyton in enhancing environmental and ecosystem qualities Discusses the role of periphyton in purifying water and its effect on abiotic elements

Proceedings of the First International Workshop on Periphyton of Freshwater Ecosystems, held in Växjö, Sweden, 14-17 September, 1982

Laboratory and field studies were conducted to evaluate the importance of periphyton in western Lake Superior with special reference to the make-up and distribution of the periphyton growths and to the overall importance of productive capacity of this assemblage of organisms. The taxonomic portion of the investigation indicated that over 90% of the total number of organisms were diatoms and that the phyla to which these diatoms belonged were the Chrysophyta, the Chlorophyta, and the Cyanophyta. Predominant genera were Synedra, Achnanthes, Navicula, Cymbella, and Gomphonema. In many respects, the periphyton of Lake Superior was similar to that found in streams and there was evidence that the interrelated factors that affected periphyton growths were temperature, light intensity, depth of water, water movements, nutrient levels, and the type of substrate.