Original paper

The aquatic algae associated with mining areas in Peninsula Malaysia and Sarawak: their composition, diversity and distribution

Douglas, Gillian E.; John, David M.; Williamson, David B.; Reid, Geraldine

Nova Hedwigia Band 67 Heft 1-2 (1998), p. 189 - 211

30 references

published: Sep 28, 1998

DOI: 10.1127/nova.hedwigia/67/1998/189

BibTeX file

ArtNo. ESP050006701014, Price: 29.00 €

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Abstract

The composition, diversity and distribution of algae in Malaysian mining areas contaminated with potentially toxic trace heavy metals are described. One site in Peninsula Malaysia (Sungai Luit) is an operational alluvial gold mine, Penjom is a mining area undergoing redevelopment, and Mengapur is a mineral prospecting area. Four abandoned mining areas studied in Sarawak (Jugan, Lucky Hill, Bidi, Tai Ton) had been mined for gold, antimony and mercury. Algal samples were collected at 31 sites ranging from small drainage areas on a sulphide outcrop to streams, ponds and soil-free rock surfaces. The pH was measured at most sites and water analysed for trace heavy metals (principally copper, iron, arsenic). One hundred and forty-two algal species (75 genera) were recorded and 272 taxa if included are those grouped into size categories ("morphotypes") and doubtful species. Diatoms and chlorophytes were the two most diverse algal groups, with 70 and 57 species recorded respectively. High flushing rates, substrate instability, intermittent flow regime, and differences in pH and potentially toxic metals are thought to be implicated in low algal diversity. Diversity was highest in ponds whose pH was above 5.7 and where a wide range of microhabitats were present. The algal assemblage at a Jugan stream site was similar to an assemblage described from Europe and North America that is known to be indicative of acid mine drainage; several of these algae are new records for Malaysia. The widely distributed filamentous green alga Klebsormidium rivulare was the most characteristic alga of acid drainage areas on the sulphide-ore outcrop at Jugan. One new chlorophyte species is described, the desmid Closterium penjomium D. Williamson sp. nov.

Keywords

freshwater • algae • mining • Malaysia • Sarawak • heavy metals