Applicability of diatom based indices for Water quality assessment in Iran ecosystems: case study Gorganrud subbasin (NE Iran)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Range and Watershed management, Faculty of Natural Resources, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran.

2 Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Science, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran.

3 cDepartment of watershed Management, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, Gorgan, Iran.

4 Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gonbad-Kavoos University, Gonbad-Kavoos, Iran

5 Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Basic Science, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran.

Abstract

Diatoms are one of the most important food resources in aquatic ecosystems extensively used in water quality assessments; however, use of diatom-based indices for water quality assessment is very scarce in Iran. In the present study applicability of diatom assemblage in monitoring ecological status in four tributaries of Gorganrud River, one of the main rivers in northeast Iran, evaluated. In this regard, water and diatom samples were collected monthly. In total 73 diatom taxa belong to the 30 genera identified. Achnanthidium minutissimum, A. gracillimum, Cymbella excisa, Diatoma moniliformis, Gomphonema olivaceum, Nitzschia dissipata and Rhoicosphenia abbreviata were the most dominant taxa in majority of the samples in all stations. The relationship between measured water quality indices (IRWQIsc and NSFWQI) and diatom index values (TDI and GDI) was assessed. Although results of the diatom indices and water quality indices were rather similar, however there were no significant correlations and relationships between indices. It seems further works are needed to clarify the usefulness of diatom indices in water quality assessments in Iran.

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Main Subjects

Environmental Resources Research

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 27 January 2026

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