We previously reported that three Irkutsk State University scientists’ projects received support from the Russian Science Foundation (RSF) as part of the competition “Conducting fundamental scientific research and basic research by small separate research teams”. Among them is the project of Yana Ermolaeva, a junior researcher at ISU Research Institute of Biology and a master's degree student at the Faculty of Biology and Soil Studies: “Light as an Abiotic and Anthropogenic Factor and its Influence on Organisms in Small Water Bodies and Waterways”.
Light plays a major role in life of many organisms, including hydrobionts (aquatic organisms). Natural light levels change throughout the day and depend on various abiotic and biotic factors. Certain levels of natural illumination can act as signals for vertical and horizontal migrations of hydrobionts, and also influence their horizontal distribution within a water body.
The project aims at a comprehensive study of the light factor in small water bodies and water courses, including the study of the influence of both natural and artificial lighting on organisms. The project will determine the diurnal course of the light regime depending on abiotic and biotic factors in small water bodies and water courses and establish the trigger values of illumination levels that initiate vertical and horizontal migrations of planktonic and benthic organisms for the first time. Furthermore, numerous experiments using artificial light sources in field and laboratory conditions will, for the first time, specify the wavelengths and lighting conditions (warm or cold light with different intensities) that have the greatest and least impact on organisms inhabiting small water bodies. Comparative experiments will also be conducted for the first time to identify the impact of long-term light pollution on the behavior of the common Holarctic amphipod Gammarus lacustris.
Yana Ermolaeva, Junior Researcher at ISU Research Institute of Biology and project leader:
The appearance of a relatively new but rapidly growing anthropogenic factor, such as light pollution, can disrupt the usual diurnal course of the light regime, consequently negatively impacting organisms. From the literature data, we already know that light pollution can disrupt the biorhythms of organisms, food chains, the transfer and processing of substances within water bodies, and much more.
Dmitry Karnaukhov, Researcher at ISU Research Institute of Biology, group leader:
Small water bodies and water courses may be the least resistant to the negative effects of light pollution compared to larger water bodies. This lack of resistance is explained by the small size and shallow depth of these water bodies and water courses. Considering this, they are completely exposed to the influence of any factor (in this case, light) and, unlike large water bodies, which are only partially affected by this factor in certain areas due to their large surface, they are incapable of self-recovery.
