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

Abstract

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.