Abstract
A survey was started in 1990 of the benthic macroinvertebrate community and water quality in some Estonian streams affected by organic pollution, especially the spreading of slurry on fields. The study was expanded during 1991–1998 to involve 47 sampling sites. Long-term dependence was tested using the SAS/GLM contrast statement. All biological indices used (BMWP-ASPT, number of ASPT scoring families (NASPT), Danish Fauna Index, Belgian Biotic Index, EPT-index) were significantly related to the degree of organic pollution. Compared with the reference sites, the test sites revealed significantly lower water quality: higher BOD7, total P and NH4; lower pH and all hydrobiological indices. Season and stream size at the sampling site (expressed in km from the stream source) had significant effects on both hydrochemical and hydrobiological variables. On the contrary, discharge and precipitation had no significant influence on the studied water quality indicators, with the exception of pH in a few cases. At the same time, all but three variables for the reference and the test sites were different at the beginning of the sampling period; this difference remained only for a few sensitive indices such as ASPT and Danish Fauna Index at the end of the period, indicating general improvement in the environment.
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Timm, H., Ivask, M. & Möls, T. Response of macroinvertebrates and water quality to long-term decrease in organic pollution in some Estonian streams during 1990–1998. Hydrobiologia 464, 153–164 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013999403209
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013999403209