The Pampean Diatom Index (IDP) for assessment of rivers and streams in Argentina

GOMEZ, N.; LICURSI, M.

AQUATIC ECOLOGY

Kluwer

Lugar: Holanda; Año: 2001 vol. 35 p. 173 - 181

1386-2588

Abstract The rivers and streams of the Pampean plain are subjected to the impact of agriculture, cattle-raising and industrial activities. The largest urban center of Argentina is located here. The most important stresses on rivers and streams in the Pampean plain are organic enrichments (discharge of insufficiently treated sewage), nutrients, heavy metals, pathogenic agents, pesticides, herbicides and physical changes produced by dredging and canalisation. The epipelic community is suitable for biomonitoring purposes because it allows for comparing similar substrates along the rivers and streams. A total of 164 samples of epipelic diatoms were collected during 1995-1999 from Pampean rivers and streams. The analysis of these samples resulted in the development of a specific biotic index: the Pampean Diatom Index (IDP). The results were correlated with the main chemical water characteristics and with other biotic indices. This study suggests that the IDP is integrating organic pollution and eutrophication and can be applied for monitoring the biological quality of rivers and streams in the Pampean plain.