Diatoms’ Diversity in the Assessment of the Impact of Diamond and Oil and Gas Mining on Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central Yakut Plain (Eastern Siberia, Yakutia) Using Bioindication and Statistical Mapping Methods
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsReview to diversity-3092238-peer-review-v1
This paper is very well-organized and assesses the impact of diamond, oil, and gas production on aquatic ecosystems using algal bioindication and statistical mapping. The research significantly contributes to environmental science and ecology by offering new insights into industrial impacts on aquatic biodiversity. The study is meticulously conducted, employing various chemical analyses and bioindicator assessments, enhancing reproducibility. The use of JASP software for statistical analysis and Redundancy Discriminant Analysis (RDA) to elucidate species-environment relationships is noteworthy. The findings have practical implications, identifying key pollutants in diamond mining and oil production areas, which is valuable for environmental monitoring and management. The effectiveness of diatoms as bioindicators can inform future environmental policies.
However, focusing on a specific geographic region may limit the findings' generalizability. Comparative studies in different regions with similar industrial impacts would enhance applicability. The results section, though comprehensive, could be condensed to highlight key findings. Excessive details and multiple figures and tables might overwhelm the reader. Summarizing main points and moving detailed descriptions to supplementary materials would improve readability. The discussion section could benefit from acknowledging the study's limitations more explicitly. Addressing the short sampling period and regional focus would provide a more balanced perspective. Future research directions could be more specific, highlighting plans for long-term monitoring and broader geographical scope.
Overall, this paper significantly contributes to understanding the environmental impacts of industrial activities on aquatic ecosystems. The originality and thorough methodology, coupled with practical implications, are commendable. However, explicitly addressing limitations, condensing detailed results, and providing more specific future research directions would enhance the paper's clarity and impact. Therefore, it is recommended that some minor revisions and corrections be made before this paper is published in your journal.
Title
Suggested: "Impact of Diamond, Oil, and Gas Production on the Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central Yakut Plain (Eastern Siberia, Yakutia) Assessed Using Algal Bioindication and Statistical Mapping Methods."
Abstract
Please consider inserting the following sentence into the abstract to highlight the key findings: "The study identified key pollutants in the Central Yakut Plain and demonstrated the effectiveness of diatoms as bioindicators. Elevated chloride levels were found in diamond mining areas, and increased copper levels were noted in oil production regions."
Introduction
p.2, lines 52-56: Add examples of similar studies in other regions. For instance, "Previous studies in various regions have examined the impact of industrial activities on aquatic ecosystems, showing significant alterations in water quality and biodiversity." Clarify the specific research gap. For example, "Existing studies have primarily focused on terrestrial ecosystems, leaving a significant gap in understanding the impact on aquatic ecosystems. Studies on the effects of mining on water bodies are scarce and often lack comprehensive bioindication analysis."
Materials and Methods
p.4, lines 104-111 (2.2 Sampling): Revise as follows: "Sampling was conducted monthly from January to December 2022, at different times of the day (morning and afternoon) to capture diurnal variations. Sites were selected based on proximity to industrial activities and reference locations with minimal human impact. Samples were processed immediately upon collection by filtering and preserving in neutral formaldehyde (4%). Preservation was necessary to prevent biological degradation, ensuring the integrity of chemical and biological analyses."
p.5, lines 112-127 (2.3 Water Chemistry Analysis): Revise as follows: "Water samples were analyzed using an ICP-MS (Agilent 7900) for trace metal analysis, and a Shimadzu TOC-L analyzer for organic carbon measurement. Instruments were calibrated daily using standard solutions. Analytical methods were validated by analyzing standard reference materials and conducting duplicate analyses. Limitations include potential matrix effects, which were mitigated by using internal standards and matrix-matched calibration curves."
p.5, lines 128-133 (2.4 Diatom Analysis): Revise as follows: "Diatom samples were identified using the DiatomBase online database, and identification was cross-verified with relevant taxonomic literature (Lange-Bertalot, 1994; Krammer, 1997)."
p.6, lines 138-145 (2.5 Data Analysis): Revise as follows: "Statistical analyses were performed using the JASP software, applying network analysis to identify significant clusters of environmental and biological variables. The Bray-Curtis similarity index was used to assess community composition, and redundancy analysis (RDA) was conducted to explore species-environment relationships."
Results
p.6-10: Condense the text to focus on key findings. For example, summarize water chemistry results in a single paragraph and highlight the main differences between sites.
p.7-9: Reduce the number of figures and tables to the most essential. Combine related data into composite figures where possible.
p.10, lines 246-250: Move detailed descriptions of individual indices to supplementary materials. Focus on the overall patterns and significant findings in the main text.
Discussion
p.14, lines 357-363: Summarize key findings in a few sentences at the beginning of the discussion.
p.14, lines 364-368: Compare the results with previous studies and discuss the consistency or discrepancies. For example, "The elevated chloride levels are consistent with findings by Lange-Bertalot (1999), who reported similar impacts in mining regions."
p.14, lines 375-380: Discuss limitations such as the short sampling period and regional focus. For example, "This study's findings are limited by the short sampling period, which may not capture seasonal variations."
p.15, lines 415-419: Discuss practical applications of the findings. For example, "The use of diatoms as bioindicators can inform environmental monitoring and policy-making in regions affected by industrial activities."
p.15, lines 461-463: Provide specific future research directions. For example, "Future research should focus on long-term monitoring to capture temporal changes and expand the geographical scope to include comparative studies in different regions."
Conclusion
p.16, lines 483-486: Consider inserting the following into the conclusion: "Future studies should include long-term monitoring to capture seasonal and interannual variations, expand the geographical scope to different industrial regions, and investigate the combined effects of climate change and industrial activities on aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, further development of bioindicator systems tailored to specific pollutants and ecosystem types will enhance the precision and applicability of monitoring programs."
Author Response
Dear Editor,
Thank you and the Reviewer 1 for comments.
Please find the responses to each comment below.
With best regards,
Prof Sophia Barinova
Corresponding author
Title
Suggested: "Impact of Diamond, Oil, and Gas Production on the Aquatic Ecosystems of the Central Yakut Plain (Eastern Siberia, Yakutia) Assessed Using Algal Bioindication and Statistical Mapping Methods."
Response: Corrected as: «Diatoms diversity in assessment of the impact of diamond, oil and gas mining on aquatic ecosystems of the Central Yakut Plain (Eastern Siberia, Yakutia) using bioindication and statistical mapping methods»
Abstract
Please consider inserting the following sentence into the abstract to highlight the key findings: "The study identified key pollutants in the Central Yakut Plain and demonstrated the effectiveness of diatoms as bioindicators. Elevated chloride levels were found in diamond mining areas, and increased copper levels were noted in oil production regions."
Response: Text fragment added.
Introduction
p.2, lines 52-56: Add examples of similar studies in other regions. For instance, "Previous studies in various regions have examined the impact of industrial activities on aquatic ecosystems, showing significant alterations in water quality and biodiversity." Clarify the specific research gap. For example, "Existing studies have primarily focused on terrestrial ecosystems, leaving a significant gap in understanding the impact on aquatic ecosystems. Studies on the effects of mining on water bodies are scarce and often lack comprehensive bioindication analysis."
Response: The corresponding addition has been made.
Materials and Methods
p.4, lines 104-111 (2.2 Sampling): Revise as follows: "Sampling was conducted monthly from January to December 2022, at different times of the day (morning and afternoon) to capture diurnal variations. Sites were selected based on proximity to industrial activities and reference locations with minimal human impact. Samples were processed immediately upon collection by filtering and preserving in neutral formaldehyde (4%). Preservation was necessary to prevent biological degradation, ensuring the integrity of chemical and biological analyses."
Response: "Sampling was conducted monthly from January to December 2022, at different times of the day (morning and afternoon) to capture diurnal variations.» - It is impossible to supplement this text, because there were no monthly sample collections and no daily variations. The remaining proposed additions have been made.
p.5, lines 112-127 (2.3 Water Chemistry Analysis): Revise as follows: "Water samples were analyzed using an ICP-MS (Agilent 7900) for trace metal analysis, and a Shimadzu TOC-L analyzer for organic carbon measurement. Instruments were calibrated daily using standard solutions. Analytical methods were validated by analyzing standard reference materials and conducting duplicate analyses. Limitations include potential matrix effects, which were mitigated by using internal standards and matrix-matched calibration curves."
Response: The corresponding addition has been made.
p.5, lines 128-133 (2.4 Diatom Analysis): Revise as follows: "Diatom samples were identified using the DiatomBase online database, and identification was cross-verified with relevant taxonomic literature (Lange-Bertalot, 1994; Krammer, 1997)."
Response: This is wrong. We indicated the handbooks used to make taxonomic determinations, and only after that the species list was checked for compliance with modern names in the algaebase.org. As written in the text of the article.
p.6, lines 138-145 (2.5 Data Analysis): Revise as follows: "Statistical analyses were performed using the JASP software, applying network analysis to identify significant clusters of environmental and biological variables. The Bray-Curtis similarity index was used to assess community composition, and redundancy analysis (RDA) was conducted to explore species-environment relationships."
Response: Thank you for your offer. But we deliberately separated these two analyzes into different points to indicate which programs were used for each type of analysis. So, your text does not indicate either the programs or their source, so we believe that both of these sections should be left in their present form. Especially if the reader wants to carry out similar constructions, which we hope for.
Results
p.6-10: Condense the text to focus on key findings. For example, summarize water chemistry results in a single paragraph and highlight the main differences between sites.
Response: Regarding the chemical composition of water, it is already briefly stated in one paragraph. And the text is structured in such a way that the differences between the studied water bodies are highlighted. What is required of us in this case? Unclear
p.7-9: Reduce the number of figures and tables to the most essential. Combine related data into composite figures where possible.
Response: Only the main final results are presented for illustration purposes, while 6 data tables for analysis are included in the Appendixes. If we also remove the pictures from the text in the Appendices, then our reasoning and conclusions will be incomprehensible, and it will be difficult to always turn to the end of the article while reading the article. Therefore, we believe that in its present form it will be clearer for the reader to follow the authors’ conclusions.
p.10, lines 246-250: Move detailed descriptions of individual indices to supplementary materials. Focus on the overall patterns and significant findings in the main text.
Response: Dear Reviewer 1, if you mean captions for bioindication drawings, then we would be happy to remove the description of the accepted abbreviations. However, the requirements in journals of this type like Diversity force us to label each drawing so that it is read as a separate and understandable piece of text. Hence the decoding of the abbreviations of the indication groups, which we are forced to leave in its present form.
Discussion
p.14, lines 357-363: Summarize key findings in a few sentences at the beginning of the discussion.
Response: We don't think it's worth doing this. The main results of the main conclusions are presented in section 5. Conclusions
p.14, lines 364-368: Compare the results with previous studies and discuss the consistency or discrepancies. For example, "The elevated chloride levels are consistent with findings by Lange-Bertalot (1999), who reported similar impacts in mining regions."
Response: The corresponding addition has been made on the page 15
p.14, lines 375-380: Discuss limitations such as the short sampling period and regional focus. For example, "This study's findings are limited by the short sampling period, which may not capture seasonal variations."
Response: The corresponding addition has been made
p.15, lines 415-419: Discuss practical applications of the findings. For example, "The use of diatoms as bioindicators can inform environmental monitoring and policy-making in regions affected by industrial activities."
Response: The corresponding addition has been made
p.15, lines 461-463: Provide specific future research directions. For example, "Future research should focus on long-term monitoring to capture temporal changes and expand the geographical scope to include comparative studies in different regions."
Response: The corresponding addition has been made
Conclusion
p.16, lines 483-486: Consider inserting the following into the conclusion: "Future studies should include long-term monitoring to capture seasonal and interannual variations, expand the geographical scope to different industrial regions, and investigate the combined effects of climate change and industrial activities on aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, further development of bioindicator systems tailored to specific pollutants and ecosystem types will enhance the precision and applicability of monitoring programs."
Response: The corresponding addition has been made
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Dear Authors,
The manuscript “Diatoms diversity and bioindication of the impact of diamond, oil and gas production on water bodies of the Central Yakut Plain (Eastern Siberia, Yakutia)” is well written and within the journal's scope. Assessment of the impact of diamond, oil and gas production on the aquatic ecosystems in Eastern Siberia based on diatom communities, which are excellent bioindicators across the world, was the main aim of this study. I think the manuscript is clearly written, covers a very interesting topic, in particular since regular monitoring of water bodies is necessary, especially in regions like this where anthropogenic impact is direct. At the end, I have to write that I was enjoying reading this manuscript. Still, I have a few ambiguities and comments I wrote below:
- I'm interested in why you didn't calculate the diatom indices? In the introduction, you mention the Water Framework Directive, according to which diatom indices are mandatory parameters for assessing the class of ecological status of surface water bodies. In addition, it would be nice to see which diatom indices are most suitable for assessing the water quality when dealing with this type of pollution.
- Line 96: You wrote: „All of these water bodies have not been previously explored”. Do you mean the diatoms or in general biological diversity of these water bodies?
- Materials and methods: Why didn't you sample phytobenthos and not only plankton? In bioindication based on diatoms, benthic samples are taken. Besides, the stream has no real phytoplankton.
- Line 119: Please write comma after calcium and magnesium, and not full stop.
- 2.2 Sampling: Why did you collect only one sample per site (water body)?
- 2.4. Diatom Analysis: Why was only electron microscopy done? Why is it not light? It's faster, and if it's a good microscope, excellent micrographs of diatoms can be taken that are great for identification. Electron microscopy is usually used when there are problematic taxa for identification or taxonomically problematic taxa.
- Line 479: “studyng” instead of „stud-ying”
Sincerely,
The reviewer
Author Response
Dear Editor,
Thank you and the Reviewer 2 for comments.
Please find the responses to each comment below.
With best regards,
Prof Sophia Barinova
Corresponding author
Dear Authors,
The manuscript “Diatoms diversity and bioindication of the impact of diamond, oil and gas production on water bodies of the Central Yakut Plain (Eastern Siberia, Yakutia)” is well written and within the journal's scope. Assessment of the impact of diamond, oil and gas production on the aquatic ecosystems in Eastern Siberia based on diatom communities, which are excellent bioindicators across the world, was the main aim of this study. I think the manuscript is clearly written, covers a very interesting topic, in particular since regular monitoring of water bodies is necessary, especially in regions like this where anthropogenic impact is direct. At the end, I have to write that I was enjoying reading this manuscript. Still, I have a few ambiguities and comments I wrote below:
- I'm interested in why you didn't calculate the diatom indices? In the introduction, you mention the Water Framework Directive, according to which diatom indices are mandatory parameters for assessing the class of ecological status of surface water bodies. In addition, it would be nice to see which diatom indices are most suitable for assessing the water quality when dealing with this type of pollution.
Response: We have devoted all our efforts to the taxonomy and ecological properties of diatoms identified for the first time for this region, which is in line with the direction of the journal Diversity. TDI and similar indices were not calculated, since this is impossible with this material. To calculate TDI and others, it is necessary to know the abundance of each species in each sample. This was not our task. In addition, the list of species for which indicator values ​​and valence are known is very small and adapted to boreal conditions. Thus, in our list of species identified in conditions of toxic pollution and permafrost, it turned out to be possible to apply TDI on the basis of only 15% of the species, even if the occurrence of each of them was known. Our objectives did not include hydrobiological objectives also because this study was aimed at studying the diversity of diatoms, which were studied for the first time in the area and influenced by diamond, oil and gas mining. The question was to find indicator taxa that respond to these pollutants. And this goal was achieved with the help of indicator methods mentioned in the Framework Directive.
- Line 96: You wrote: „All of these water bodies have not been previously explored”. Do you mean the diatoms or in general biological diversity of these water bodies?
Response: The corresponding clarification has been made
- Materials and methods: Why didn't you sample phytobenthos and not only plankton? In bioindication based on diatoms, benthic samples are taken. Besides, the stream has no real phytoplankton.
Response: We used net sampling, since in small streams and puddles, due to the current, wind mixing and random mixing during sampling, periphytonic algae always end up in the net planktonic samples. This is confirmed by the predominance of benthic and planktonic-benthic species in the studied flora.
- Line 119: Please write comma after calcium and magnesium, and not full stop.
Response: Thank you, the error has been fixed
- 2.2 Sampling: Why did you collect only one sample per site (water body)?
Response: Most of the studied water bodies are quite inaccessible for researchers; logistics in the study area are quite complex, which makes it difficult to sample several times, especially in permafrost conditions. However, our preliminary research will hopefully serve as a basis for subsequent monitoring.
- 2.4. Diatom Analysis: Why was only electron microscopy done? Why is it not light? It's faster, and if it's a good microscope, excellent micrographs of diatoms can be taken that are great for identification. Electron microscopy is usually used when there are problematic taxa for identification or taxonomically problematic taxa.
Response: Of course, before the determination began, the samples were examined under a light microscope. However, identifying diatoms requires high resolution to see the corresponding structures, which can only be detected in SEM. Electron microscopy provides the most useful results for identifying diatoms, which is why we use it in all our studies.
- Line 479: “studyng” instead of „stud-ying”
Response: Thank you, the error has been fixed
