The application and testing of diatom-based indices in the Vaal and Wilge Rivers, South Africa

• DOI: 10.4314/wsa.v33i1.47871
• Publication Date: 2011-11-29T21:25:21Z
• Authors: JC Taylor; MS Janse van Vuuren; AJH Pieterse
• Keywords: Periphyton; Biotic index

Chemical monitoring of water resources is time-consuming and comparatively expensive may not always provide a composite reflection actual quality. Biotic indices using faunal elements, such as macroinvertebrates fish, are already in place South Africa part the National Biomonitoring Programme for Aquatic Ecosystems (NBPAE). As yet periphyton communities included this programme due to perceived difficulties application these methods. Diatom samples were collected from 10 sites Vaal Wilge Rivers period one year. cells enumerated diatom-based calculated OMNIDIA v.3. index scores correlated physical chemical quality variables over different time periods at concentrations. It was found that tested diatom general have best correlation with average data one-month period, starting six weeks prior biological sampling. The Biological Index showed strongest relationship quality, while Eutrophication Pollution dissolved inorganic phosphorus. Results analyses obtained comparable those several European studies. Hence, it concluded indices, if implemented Africa, will valuable addition Africa's suite tools