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Using diatom indices for water quality assessment in a subtropical river, China

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Abstract

Diatoms have been regularly used as bioindicators to assess water quality of surface waters. However, diatom-based indices developed for a specific geographic region may not be appropriate elsewhere. We sampled benthic diatom assemblages in the upper Han River, a subtropical river in China, to evaluate applicability of 14 diatom-based indices used worldwide for water quality assessment. A total of 194 taxa from 31 genera were identified in the dry season and 139 taxa from 23 genera in the wet season. During the dry season, significant relationships were found for all but one of the diatom-based indices (Index Diatom Artois–Picardie) with one or more physical and chemical variables including nutrients and ion concentrations in river waters. The Biological Diatom Index (IBD) and diatom-based eutrophication/pollution index (EPI-D) were strongly related to trophic status and ionic content, while Watanabe’s Index was related to organic pollution and conductivity. Yet, the diatom indices showed weak relationships with physical and chemical variables during the wet season. It suggests that diatom-based indices developed in Europe can be applied with confidence as bioindicators of water quality in subtropical rivers of China, at least during base-flow conditions.

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Acknowledgments

The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (no. 311300101), the QCAS Biotechnology Fund (GJHZ1243), and the National Key Technology R&D Program of China (2012BAC06B03). The lead author was also received postgraduate scholarship support from Griffith University.

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  1. Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430074, People’s Republic of China

    Xiang Tan & Quanfa Zhang

  2. Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Brisbane, QLD 4111, Australia

    Xiang Tan, Fran Sheldon & Stuart E. Bunn

  3. University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People’s Republic of China

    Xiang Tan

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  1. Xiang Tan
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  2. Fran Sheldon
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Correspondence to Quanfa Zhang.

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Tan, X., Sheldon, F., Bunn, S.E. et al. Using diatom indices for water quality assessment in a subtropical river, China. Environ Sci Pollut Res 20, 4164–4175 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-012-1343-9

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