The response of diatom community to small hydropower plant and fish farm

Abstract

Some of the direct and indirect environmental impacts are related to the construction of fish farms (FFs) and small hydropower plants (SHPs) around the world. Diatom communities are one of the best bioindicators of various pressures like eutrophication, chemical and organic pollution. The main objective of this study was to examine the influence of SHP and FF on diatom community and water quality of the Prištavica River in Serbia. A total of 184 epilithic diatom taxa from 55 genera were identified. Sites after the FF and SHP are distinguished by the same dominant species in each season. Compared to the other sites, species diversity in summer was lower at site after SHP. In terms of spatial dynamics, four groups of taxa are distinguished. Some centric taxa were associated with sites downstream the FF and SHP. Altered physical and chemical parameters were documented at sites downstream of constructions. Water quality of the Prištavica River ranged from high to bad depending on diatom index, season, and sampling site. A greater difference in diatom index values was found at sites upstream and downstream of the FF, than at sites upstream and downstream of the SHP.