Bioindication of aquatic habitats with diatom algae in the Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan

Diatom algae in the Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan, serve as highly effective bioindicators for water quality, thriving in low-saline, low-alkaline, and oxygen-rich environments with minimal organic pollution. This study identified 438 diatom taxa from 558 known species, revealing their strong preference for clear, fresh water and oligomesotrophic to meso-eutrophic conditions. By analyzing environmental parameters such as temperature, pH, salinity, and oxygen saturation, researchers assessed the trophic state of aquatic habitats and substrate preferences, finding that Pamir's diatom flora may represent a regional reference for similar high-mountain ecosystems. The study leveraged species autecology to evaluate water quality, offering insights into the ecological health of this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site.

SS, B., & T, N. (2018). Bioindication of aquatic habitats with diatom algae in the Pamir Mountains, Tajikistan. MOJ Ecology & Environmental Sciences, 3(3). https://doi.org/10.15406/mojes.2018.03.00075