Diatoms indicate water quality
SLU in Uppsala now has an accredited laboratory capable of analysing diatoms from watercourses.
These analyses are a fairly quick and simple way of showing whether a river or a stream is eutrophied, acidified or contaminated with sewage or manure. Sampling is only required once a year, since the algal community is adapted to the water chemistry prevailing throughout the entire year.
"Diatoms depend on on water quality for their survival, they therefore react very quickly to any deterioration - often within just a day or two. Another advantage of diatoms is that they are omnipresent and easy to sample," says Maria Kahlert, who is in charge of the diatom project.
Published:
2011-07-06
Diatom Eunotia tetraodon Ehrenberg. Photo: Maria Kahlert