Title: East Devon public water supply strategy : preliminary assessment of epilithic algae summer and autumn 1992 - lower River Axe and Bruckland Stream
Author: S. Rosser
Document Type: Monograph
Annotation: EA additional title info: environmental protection report
Abstract:
Diatoms are algae, microscopic unicellular plants, which range in size from approximately 5 microns to 500 microns and live wherever there is moisture. The diatom community composition depends mainly upon the chemical characteristics of the water and not on the size and physical features of the rivers. The diatoms show a wide range of sensitivity to pollution and respond rapidly to changes in water quality. These features make diatoms excellent indicators of water quality. Sampling techniques can lead to a wide variation in the diatom community observed. Therefore the adoption of a standard sampling method is required, in order to reduce any variation in the species observed; which would be due to variation in habitat, rather than water quality. Various water quality indices have been created that use diatoms. The Generic Diatom Index (GDI) Rumeau and Coste, 1988, has been used to monitor the rivers of the Artois-Picarde region of North East France. The basis of this index is the scoring of each diatom tax with a score of 1-20, with 1 being the most polluted and 20 the cleanest.
Publisher: National Rivers Authority
Publication Date: 1992
Publication Place: Exeter
Subject Keywords: Water supply; Algae; Rock; Water quality; Biological indicators
Geographic Keywords: EA South West; East Devon catchment
Taxonomic Keywords: Bacillariophyceae
Extent: n.p. [5]
Permalink: http://www.environmentdata.org/archive/ealit:2631
Total file downloads: 311
Download PDF Display PDF in separate tab
