Benthic diatoms of Mekong River and its tributaries in northern and north-eastern Thailand and their application to water quality monitoring

• Main Authors: Suphan S., Peerapornpisal Y., Underwood G.J.C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?eid=2-s2.0-84857291269&partnerID=40&md5=6299c7ae5e67770f88eafbe84dc8e123; http://cmuir.cmu.ac.th/handle/6653943832/6840
• Institution: Chiang Mai University

Biomonitoring of benthic diatoms was performed to assess the water quality of Mekong River and its tributaries in northern and north-eastern Thailand. Fourteen sampling sites along the river and its tributaries were investigated. Two hundred and fifty-two species in 53 genera of diatoms were recorded. Each sampling site had distinct water chemistry and other physical variables. Cluster analysis identified 11 groups at 80% similarity. The relationship between diatom community composition and water quality variables was determined by statistical techniques. A number of diatom species were found to be useful as indicators of some physico-chemical properties of water. © 2012 by Maejo University, San Sai, Chiang Mai, 50290 Thailand.