Scientists discovered in the Volga alien plankton

Nizhny Novgorod scientists have discovered in the Volga river and its tributaries alien plankton. Experts have conducted numerous studies and found that a microorganism native to North America. It is well settled in Russia and is now actively propagated.

Under the microscope Nizhny Novgorod scientists rotifers - multicellular animal of river zooplankton. This particular species is native to North America, but was caught by the ecologists at one of the local rivers. Squatter, as scientists call animals immigrants, most likely, sailed to Russia on some kind of boat and feels like home.

Arrow Nizhny Novgorod - confluence of the Oka and the Volga - a popular place among fishermen. By studying its temperature and chemical composition of water, environmentalists take another sample. From plankton nets, reminiscent of a fishing tank, from the scientists will not be able to escape even the minor inhabitants of the river. A water sample of about 30 species. A large part of the zooplankton visible to the naked eye is impossible: the sizes of organisms - tenths of a millimeter. All of these organisms not only food for fish.

In river microcosm of every inhabitant of their duties. So, rotifers are responsible for the cleanliness of the water. To the emergence of the North American rotifer environmentalists are wary. Water, of course, she cleans no worse than local counterparts, but feels in Russian reservoirs a full-fledged mistress. As a result of the changes in the microcosm to macroproblems - remains an open question. Need data from many years of observations. But now Nizhny Novgorod scientists say the appearance of the invaders - the second biggest problem of the local rivers after contamination.

sections: Society