Hydrobiologia

, Volume 269, Issue 1, pp 351–359 | Cite as

Perspectives for the use of diatom assemblages in the water management policy of Overijssel (The Netherlands)

  • J. H. ten Cate
  • R. Maasdam
  • R. M. M. Roijackers
Running water

Abstract

Diatoms have been sampled in several types of water bodies in the province of Overijssel for a period of five years. Samples from 333 sites were examined both in spring and autumn. Extensive analysis of physico-chemical variables was carried out.

Data were processed by multivariate analysis for detecting correlations between species and environmental factors. Both ordination and clustering techniques were used. Statistical tests were performed to evaluate environmental relationships.

The main factors in this study appear to be pH, nutrient pollution (saprobity and trophic degree) and alkalinity. Within the group of waters which is not influenced by extreme conditions of pH or pollution, there is a discrepancy between waters with low and high alkalinity.

The present study confirms that diatoms are useful indicators of pollution and pH, as well documented by several authors. Diatoms are also suitable as biological indicators for alkalinity at least on a regional scale. This offers possibilities for the use of diatoms in monitoring studies, especially in waters that are still under relatively low environmental stress. It also offers opportunities for setting ecological standards, based on the characteristics of non-polluted water bodies. This aspect will be of interest to the water management policy in the province of Overijssel.

Key words

diatoms typology water quality ecological standards 
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Copyright information

© Kluwer Academic Publishers 1993

Authors and Affiliations

  • J. H. ten Cate
    • 1
  • R. Maasdam
    • 2
  • R. M. M. Roijackers
    • 2
  1. 1.Department of Water ManagementProvince of OverijsselZwolleThe Netherlands
  2. 2.Department of Nature ConservationAgricultural UniversityWageningenThe Netherlands

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