Izvorni znanstveni članak

https://doi.org/10.1515/botcro-2016-0008

Epilithic diatom assemblages and environmental quality of the Su Gologone karst spring (centraleastern Sardinia, Italy)

Giuseppina G. Lai ; Università degli Studi di Sassari, Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica (DADU), via Piandanna 4, I-07100 Sassari, Italy
Bachisio M. Padedda ; Università degli Studi di Sassari, Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica (DADU), via Piandanna 4, I-07100 Sassari, Italy
Carlos E. Wetzel ; Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Environmental Research and Innovation Department (ERIN), 41 rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg
Antonella Lugliè ; Università degli Studi di Sassari, Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica (DADU), via Piandanna 4, I-07100 Sassari, Italy
Nicola Sechi ; Università degli Studi di Sassari, Dipartimento di Architettura, Design e Urbanistica (DADU), via Piandanna 4, I-07100 Sassari, Italy
Luc Ector ; Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), Environmental Research and Innovation Department (ERIN), 41 rue du Brill, L-4422 Belvaux, Luxembourg

Sažetak

Karst springs are considered among the most vulnerable groundwater-dependent ecosystems. Despite their ecological value and importance as strategic water sources, Mediterranean karst springs are still poorly investigated. The aim of this study was to analyse the epilithic diatom assemblages and to test their usefulness as indicators of environmental quality on the Su Gologone spring (central-eastern Sardinia, Italy), a biotope of great natural value and a precious source of drinking water. A total of 89 diatom taxa were found with 25 new records for Sardinian running waters. Species richness, Shannon-Wiener and Pielou indices showed good biotic integrity. The dominant taxa were alkaliphilous, halophobous-oligohalobous exigent, xeno-oligosaprobic and characteristic of oligotrophic waters. The eutrophication/pollution index − diatom based (EPI-D) and the Navicula Nitzschia Surirella indices indicated respectively an excellent/good biological water quality and a low physical disturbance. However, the biological and chemical oxygen demand, and the microbiological variables (E. coli, fecal and total coliforms) revealed an organic contamination of the water, although moderate. The judgment provided by the EPI-D should be verified after updating of the index. In fact, 10 taxa found in this study are not currently considered by the EPI-D method.

Ključne riječi

Bacillariophyta; biological quality; diatom indices; groundwater-dependent ecosystems; karst springs; Mediterranean region; physical disturbance; Sardinia

Hrčak ID:

155486

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/155486

Datum izdavanja:

1.4.2016.

Posjeta: 1.734 *