Longitudinal variations of benthic diatoms and water quality along a large river (Adige River) in Northern Italy

Abstract

The application of the European Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC (WFD; EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 2000) recommends analyses o f periphyton o f water courses for the assessment of the ecological quality. Diatoms represent a frequently used and reliable group of bioindicators within benthic biota. The objective of this study was to analyse benthic diatom assemblages ofthe Adige River (Italy) and to test different diatom indication methods in relation to water quality changes along 400 km o f the river.