The relevance of diatoms for water quality assessment in South Africa: A position paper

• DOI: 10.4314/wsa.v31i1.5119
• Publication Date: 2011-11-30T09:59:09Z
• Authors: WR Harding; CGM Archibald; JC Taylor
• Keywords: Lake ecosystem; River ecosystem

Water quality assessment protocols based on the use of diatoms are now well developed and their value substantiated at an international level. The is not designed or intended to be a "rapid" technology. detailed level information generated from procedure outweighs perceived disadvantages additional time required for sample preparation analysis species method applicable across wide range aquatic ecosystem types, namely freshwater, brackish, estuarine, inclusive both lentic lotic environments, wetlands associated damp, marginal littoral zones. Details provided by diatom assemblages support palaeoecological investigations, historical reconstruction water determination prevailing conditions. Deliberate responses management strategies impacts arising variety anthropogenic activities can achieved via simple expedient retrieving living material introduced artificial substrates. Previous studies in South Africa elsewhere have shown that site-by-site basis provides fine diagnostic resolution causes underlying changes environmental condition. African Diatom Collection ("the Collection"), repository specimens records spans length breadth this country, contains as-yet unutilised wealth ecological taxonomic information. More importantly, data provide insight into conditions 40 50 years ago – many cases prior "development" our rivers, streams wetlands. real its existence underpins great potential renewed attention diatom-based approaches assessments. In addition, ready-made foundation which locally relevant tool may established augment current invertebrate indicators. It appropriate full assessments, contained Collection, utilised Africa. Key words: diatoms, quality, Cholnoky, Archibald, biotic indices SA Vol.31(1) 2005: 41-46