Benthic diatom communities and its relationship to water quality of the Day - Nhue rivers

Abstract

Water and benthic diatom communities were collectedat 6 sampling stations in Nhue and Day rivers. A total of 183 diatom taxa belonging 7 famillies were found in Nhue - Day river system. These were mainly cosmopolitan taxa, with some tropical, subtropical and endemic taxa. Environmental variables and diatom  assemblage composition at all sites were significantly correlated. Water quality and diatom communities of Nhue and Day rivers were classified into 3 groups. The most abundant taxa at upstream of Day river were  Achnanthidium minutissimum, Cymbella affinis. Diatom communities at Mai Linh and Khe Tang were  characterized  by polluted taxa such as Cyclotella meneghiniana, Nitzschia palea, Gomphonema parvulum.