Sample Notes 



Coal Camp Road (9/30/03). This sample consisted of semi-consolidated olive-green 

 masses of what appeared to be filamentous algae. Upon closer inspection under the microscope, 

 these masses proved to be composed primarily of 



1. Melosira varians. This centric diatom forms long chains and indicates eutrophic 

 conditions, i.e., waters rich in inorganic nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus). 



2. Oscillatoria sp. This cyanobacterium (blue-green alga) grows in short filaments and 

 certain species may also indicate elevated nutrient concentrations. 



3. Vaucheria sp. This yellow-green alga forms felt-like mats in springs and spring brooks 

 and indicates steady flows of cool water. 



4. Mougeotia sp. This green alga forms un-branched filaments and also prefers cool water. 

 Besides Melosira varians, other diatoms were also very abundant in this sample. Diatoms 

 dominated the sample, overall. 



Elk Creek Road (8/13/03). This sample consisted of a large dark brown mass of very 

 fine filamentous algae, which proved to be Tribonema, a yellow-green alga. Tribonema grows in 

 long, un-branched filaments composed of cylindrical cells attached end-to-end. Tribonema 

 generally prefers cool waters. 



Near Mouth (7/10/03 and 8/1/03). Macroscopically, the sample collected here on July 

 10 appeared as a large gray-brown mass of filamentous algae. Microscopically, the mass proved 

 to be a senescent colony of Cladophora, a common green alga that often becomes a nuisance in 

 nutrient-rich lakes and streams of temperate regions around the world. The gray-brown color 

 indicates older filaments that have been colonized by epiphytic diatoms, in this case a species of 

 Diatoma (Diatoma tenuis). 



The sample collected here on the first of August also consisted of a large clump of old, 

 coarse, senescent filaments of Cladophora, also covered with epiphytic diatoms, but this time a 

 species of Cocconeis (Cocconeis pediculus). Cladophora is an attached alga with branched 

 filaments that may grow to several feet in length. Cladophora typically indicates elevated 

 concentrations of bio-available phosphorus. 



