Does Microbial and Faunal Pattern Correspond to Dynamics in Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry? Comparative Study of Two Isolated Groundwater Ecosystems in Münsterland, Germany
The objective of this study was to assess the temporal and spatial variability of aquatic invertebrates and microbial parameters (biomass and activity) with environmental data in springs, and to determine the impact of key parameters on the ecological situation of a groundwater system. Eight springs...
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MDPI AG
2023-05-01
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| Series: | Geosciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/13/5/140 |
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| author | Sura Abdulghani Alqaragholi Wael Kanoua Harald Strauss Patricia Göbel |
| author_facet | Sura Abdulghani Alqaragholi Wael Kanoua Harald Strauss Patricia Göbel |
| author_sort | Sura Abdulghani Alqaragholi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The objective of this study was to assess the temporal and spatial variability of aquatic invertebrates and microbial parameters (biomass and activity) with environmental data in springs, and to determine the impact of key parameters on the ecological situation of a groundwater system. Eight springs in the two study areas of Baumberge and Schöppinger Berg (W-NW of Münster, North Rhine Westphalia, Germany) were sampled at three sampling campaigns between 2018 and 2019. Physicochemical parameters of the spring samples and abundances of aquatic invertebrates were determined at each sampling event. Samples for hydro(geo)chemical and microbial analyses were collected during each sampling campaign in the springs. Spearman correlation and principal component analysis were used to identify the key parameters. The abundance of aquatic invertebrates and microbial activity were significantly positively correlated with groundwater table fluctuation. The abundance of stygobite individuals was significantly positively correlated with the Groundwater-Fauna-Index and phosphate in Baumberge, and negatively correlated with chloride in Schöppinger Berg. Most notably, the stable isotopes of water and microbial activity were significantly inversely correlated. The hydro(geo)chemical results showed no significant spatial differences in groundwater in both groundwater systems. Stable isotopes of water indicate a meteoric origin, with an effect of evaporation for two months, even though the downward percolation and groundwater recharge rates are high. The nitrate concentration was higher than 50 mg/L only in SB due to the agricultural activities. Nitrate input into groundwater comes from two sources in Baumberge, while it comes from one source in Schöppinger Berg. There was no evidence of denitrification in both areas. Secondary gypsum is assumed to be the source of sulfate in groundwater in Schöppinger Berg, but anaerobic oxidation of pyrite in the deeper part of the groundwater system as a source of sulfate cannot be excluded. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:41:23Z |
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| issn | 2076-3263 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T03:41:23Z |
| publishDate | 2023-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geosciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-3f1891395d324a92be5c2eb57a6ed3e42023-11-18T01:31:00ZengMDPI AGGeosciences2076-32632023-05-0113514010.3390/geosciences13050140Does Microbial and Faunal Pattern Correspond to Dynamics in Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry? Comparative Study of Two Isolated Groundwater Ecosystems in Münsterland, GermanySura Abdulghani Alqaragholi0Wael Kanoua1Harald Strauss2Patricia Göbel3Institute of Geology and Paleontology, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, GermanyDepartment of Petroleum Engineering, Chemical and Petroleum Engineering Faculty, AL Baath University, Homs, SyriaInstitute of Geology and Paleontology, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, GermanyInstitute of Geology and Paleontology, University of Münster, 48149 Münster, GermanyThe objective of this study was to assess the temporal and spatial variability of aquatic invertebrates and microbial parameters (biomass and activity) with environmental data in springs, and to determine the impact of key parameters on the ecological situation of a groundwater system. Eight springs in the two study areas of Baumberge and Schöppinger Berg (W-NW of Münster, North Rhine Westphalia, Germany) were sampled at three sampling campaigns between 2018 and 2019. Physicochemical parameters of the spring samples and abundances of aquatic invertebrates were determined at each sampling event. Samples for hydro(geo)chemical and microbial analyses were collected during each sampling campaign in the springs. Spearman correlation and principal component analysis were used to identify the key parameters. The abundance of aquatic invertebrates and microbial activity were significantly positively correlated with groundwater table fluctuation. The abundance of stygobite individuals was significantly positively correlated with the Groundwater-Fauna-Index and phosphate in Baumberge, and negatively correlated with chloride in Schöppinger Berg. Most notably, the stable isotopes of water and microbial activity were significantly inversely correlated. The hydro(geo)chemical results showed no significant spatial differences in groundwater in both groundwater systems. Stable isotopes of water indicate a meteoric origin, with an effect of evaporation for two months, even though the downward percolation and groundwater recharge rates are high. The nitrate concentration was higher than 50 mg/L only in SB due to the agricultural activities. Nitrate input into groundwater comes from two sources in Baumberge, while it comes from one source in Schöppinger Berg. There was no evidence of denitrification in both areas. Secondary gypsum is assumed to be the source of sulfate in groundwater in Schöppinger Berg, but anaerobic oxidation of pyrite in the deeper part of the groundwater system as a source of sulfate cannot be excluded.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/13/5/140aquatic invertebratesmicrobial analysishydro(geo)chemistrymultivariate analysisGermany |
| spellingShingle | Sura Abdulghani Alqaragholi Wael Kanoua Harald Strauss Patricia Göbel Does Microbial and Faunal Pattern Correspond to Dynamics in Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry? Comparative Study of Two Isolated Groundwater Ecosystems in Münsterland, Germany Geosciences aquatic invertebrates microbial analysis hydro(geo)chemistry multivariate analysis Germany |
| title | Does Microbial and Faunal Pattern Correspond to Dynamics in Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry? Comparative Study of Two Isolated Groundwater Ecosystems in Münsterland, Germany |
| title_full | Does Microbial and Faunal Pattern Correspond to Dynamics in Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry? Comparative Study of Two Isolated Groundwater Ecosystems in Münsterland, Germany |
| title_fullStr | Does Microbial and Faunal Pattern Correspond to Dynamics in Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry? Comparative Study of Two Isolated Groundwater Ecosystems in Münsterland, Germany |
| title_full_unstemmed | Does Microbial and Faunal Pattern Correspond to Dynamics in Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry? Comparative Study of Two Isolated Groundwater Ecosystems in Münsterland, Germany |
| title_short | Does Microbial and Faunal Pattern Correspond to Dynamics in Hydrogeology and Hydrochemistry? Comparative Study of Two Isolated Groundwater Ecosystems in Münsterland, Germany |
| title_sort | does microbial and faunal pattern correspond to dynamics in hydrogeology and hydrochemistry comparative study of two isolated groundwater ecosystems in munsterland germany |
| topic | aquatic invertebrates microbial analysis hydro(geo)chemistry multivariate analysis Germany |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3263/13/5/140 |
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