Premium
Chironomids as Bioindicators in Acidified Streams: A Contribution to the Acidity Tolerance of Chironomid Species with a Classification in Sensitivity Classes
Author(s) -
Orendt Claus
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
international review of hydrobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.524
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1522-2632
pISSN - 1434-2944
DOI - 10.1002/iroh.199900038
Subject(s) - bioindicator , streams , chironomidae , water quality , environmental chemistry , indicator value , indicator species , ph indicator , range (aeronautics) , ecology , environmental science , chemistry , biology , larva , habitat , computer network , materials science , computer science , composite material
In 12 forest brooks differing in acidity (pH‐values from 2.79 to 6.89) chironomids were sampled to establish their acid‐tolerance based on their occurrence in a certain pH range. Some taxa were found only at pH values higher than pH 6.0, others not below pH 5.5. A relatively high number of species could tolerate periodical pH values below 4. Only a few species were limited to high pH. Using these results, 25 species were classified according to their acid‐sensitivity. The suitability of these species for the assessment of the acidity‐state of running waters was tested. The study demonstrates that chironomids are qualified bioindicators for assessment of the acidity‐state within technical water quality monitoring. It is recommended that the classified chironomid species be added to the list of macroinvertebrate acidity indicators.