Abstract
A total of six stations in the Han River system were selected for establishing polyurethane foam units (PFUs) to collect protozoans, including phytomastigophorans, zoomastigophorans, amoebas and ciliates, in July 1993. In the bioassessment of microbial communities using the PFUs, the number of species decreased as pollution intensity increased. The diversity index values calculated at the main stations generally agreed with the pollution status of the stations. Anyang-Chon (Chon means stream) showed the lowest diversity value (1.89), and all stations, except Masok and Anyang-Chon, showed diversity index values ranging from 3.15 to 3.93. The highest heterotrophic index (HI) value was detected in Anyang-Chon followed by Masok-Chon. The number of species at the main stations reached a maximum on day 11 of being exposed to PFUs. The results of eq, G and T90% all suggest that bioassessments using the PFU system were well matched with pollution status of the water. All microbial variables were significantly correlated with comprehensive chemical pollution indices, Pa and Pb , with correlation coefficients ranging from r =0.87 to r=0.96.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Cairns, J., Jr., 1979. A strategy for use of protozoans in the evaluation of hazardous substances. In A. James & L. Evison (eds), Biological Indicators of Water Quality: 61–67.
Cairns, J., Jr., 1991. Probable consequences of a cosmopolitan distribution. Speculations in Science and Technology 14: 41–50.
Cairns, J., Jr., 1992. Restoration of aquatic ecosystems. National Academy Press, Washington, D.C., 552 pp.
Cairns, J., Jr. & P. V. McCormick, 1993. Determinants of structure in aquatic non-pelagic protozoan communities. Chin. J. Oceanol. Limnol. 11: 215–228.
Cairns, J., Jr. & J. R. Pratt, 1986. Developing a sampling strategy. In Isom, B. G. (ed.), Rationale for Sampling and Interpretation of Ecological Data in the Assessment of Freshwater Ecosystems. Am. Soc. Testing Materials, Philadelphia: 168–186.
Cairns, J., Jr., G. R. Lanza & B. C. Parker, 1972. Pollution related to structural and functional changes in aquatic communities with emphasis on freshwater algae and protozoa. Proc. Acad. nat. Sci. Philad. 124: 79–127.
Cairns J., Jr., R. L. Kaesler, D. L. Kuhm, J. L. Plafkin & W. H. Yongue, 1976. The influence of natural perturbation upon protozoan communities inhabiting artificial substrates. Trans. am. microsc. Soc. 95: 645–653.
Environmental Office/ROK, 1986. Environmental conservation. Sam-sin Publishing Co., Seoul, 562 pp.
Environmental Office/ROK, 1991. Environmental conservation. Sam-sin Publishing Co., Seoul, 409pp.
Henebry, M. S. & J. Cairns Jr., 1980. Monitoring of stream pollution using protozoan communities on artificial substrates. Trans. am. microsc. Soc. 99: 151–160.
Kim, B. C., T. S. Ahn & K. S. Cho, 1988. A comparative study on the eutrophication of man-made reservoirs in the Han River system. Kor. J. Limnol. 21: 151–163 (in Korean).
Margalef, R., 1958. Information theory in ecology. Gen. Syst. 3: 36–71.
Metcalfe, J. L., 1989. Biological water quality assessment of running waters based on macroinvertebrate communities: history and present status in Europe. Envir. Pollut. 60: 101–139.
Oh, Y. K., J. W. Won, B. T. Rhim & K. C. Shin, 1983. Study on the water pollution of the Han River and other streams in Seoul area. Envir. Sci. (Abstract) 1: 200.
Shen, Y., 1983. An introduction to PFU method. Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium of the Protozoological Society of China (Abstract): 108–109.
Shen, Y., 1993. Evaluation of water pollution by using PFU method microbial communities in Hanjiang River, China. IDRC Report, Centre File: 91–0176–02.
Soh, C. T., Y. K. Ahn & H. S. Oh, 1979. Protozoan survey in Hangang River. Yonsei Rep. Trop. Med. 10: 1–15.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chung, PR., Cho, KS., Jung, Y. et al. Biological evaluation of running waters in Korea, with special reference to bioassessment using the PFU system. Hydrobiologia 390, 107–115 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003582423562
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003582423562