Application of European diatom indices for paleolimnological reconstructions of Lake Tavatui (Middle Urals, Russia) ecosystem changes

Abstract

Diatom European indices are applied for assessment of water quality and eutrophication. The research is focused on application of diatom European indices for paleolimnological reconstructions of Lake Tavatui (Middle Urals, Russia) ecosystem changes. Among 23 calculated indices, only IBD, IPS, and IDG were compliant with the condition for the availability of ecological information for at least 60% of the assemblage species and the 60% abundance of these species for all samples of sediments core. There was no correlation between indices due to the different system of counting and pollution sensitivity of species in the same genera in the indices system. Only IPS have negative correlation with diatom inferred total phosphorus. The results based on IBD was not reliable due to its correlation with certain species and its substantial impact into index value. Inapplicability of IDG was due to the fact that this index is based on the ecology of genus which often contains species with different ecology.