Abstract
Increasing anthropogenic influence on lotic environments as a result of civilisation has captured public interest because of the consequent problems associated with deterioration of water quality. Various biological monitoring methods that provide a direct measure of ecological integrity by using the response of biota to environmental changes have been developed to monitor the ecological status of lotic environments. Diatoms have been used extensively in this regard and this review attempts to summarise the basic concepts associated with biological monitoring using benthic diatoms. Where possible, examples from work carried out in Brazil are used.
Highlights
Lotic environments are fundamental components of regional and global biogeochemical cycles, acting as both transport pathways and sites of elemental transformations and storage and they act as sources of drinking water, fisheries resources, irrigation supplies, and waste removal systems
The purpose of this review is to summarise the basic concepts associated with biological monitoring using benthic diatoms
The first approach involves the assessment of physical and chemical variables of lotic systems in order to gain some insight into their water quality
Summary
Lotic environments are fundamental components of regional and global biogeochemical cycles, acting as both transport pathways and sites of elemental transformations and storage and they act as sources of drinking water, fisheries resources, irrigation supplies, and waste removal systems. They are characterised by interactions among physical, chemical and biological processes, which reach a higher degree of complexity downstream (Wehr and Descy, 1998). Examples from work carried out in Brazil are used
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