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Biological Assessment of Water Quality by Using Epilithic Diatoms in Major River Systems (Geum, Youngsan, Seomjin River), Korea  

Hwang, Soon-Jin (Department Environmental Science, Konkuk University)
Kim, Nan-Young (Department Environmental Science, Konkuk University)
Won, Doo Hee (Doohee Institute of Ecological Research (DIER), Korea Ecosystem Service (KES), Inc.)
An, Kwang Kuk (School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Chungnam National University)
Lee, Jae Kwan (National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER))
Kim, Chang Soo (National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER))
Publication Information
Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment / v.22, no.5, 2006 , pp. 784-795 More about this Journal
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to assess biological river water quality by using epilithic diatoms at 40 selected sites in Geum, Youngsan, and Seomjin River systems. The sampling and analyses were performed during three seasons including January, April and June in 2005. Various water quality parameters also were analyzed. We attempted to classify the water quality condition by epilithic diatom indices (DAIpo and TDI) with the results of corresponding analyses of various chemical water quality parameters. A five class system was delivered to describe the water quality condition ranged from "very good" to "very poor." We also proposed a way of classifying water quality condition by combining two diatom indices of DAIpo and TDI. Our results showed that biomass of epilithic diatoms varied not only seasonally but spatially; it was not likely that winter diatoms represent average water quality condition, due to high concentration of nutrients. Water quality status assessed by diatom indices was generally worse than that assessed by BOD, indicating that BOD standard likely underestimates the biological condition of the water body. Importantly, nutrient-based diatom index (TDI) generally overestimated organic matter-based index (DAIpo) at most study sites, indicating that diatoms in studied rivers were likely more affected by nutrients than organic matter. Thus, management strategy to improve river water quality in Korea is suggested to emphasize more on the nutrients than organic matters.
Keywords
Biological assessment; Epilithic diatoms; Indices; Korean rivers; Water quality;
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Times Cited By KSCI : 9  (Citation Analysis)
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