Biological methods used to assess surface water quality

Abstract

In accordance with the guidelines of the Water Framework Directive 2000/60 (WFD), both ecological and chemical statuses determine the assessment of surface waters. The profile of ecological status is based on the analysis of various biological components, and physicochemical and hydromorphological indicators complement this assessment. The aim of this article is to present the biological methods used in the assessment of water status with a special focus on bioassay, as well as to provide a review of methods of monitoring water status. Biological test methods include both biomonitoring and bioanalytics. Water biomonitoring is used to assess and forecast the status of water. These studies aim to collect data on water pollution and forecast its impact. Biomonitoring uses organisms which are characterized by particular vulnerability to contaminants. Bioindicator organisms are algae, fungi, bacteria, larval invertebrates, cyanobacteria, macroinvertebrates, and fish. Bioanalytics is based on the receptors of contaminants that can be biologically active substances. In bioanalytics, biosensors such as viruses, bacteria, antibodies, enzymes, and biotests are used to assess degrees of pollution.

IoT based water reservoir monitoring system

“…Sridharan, S [4] analyzed the water parameters measurement technique using a sensor networking wirelessly. Natalia and Malgorzata [5] discussed the biological methods used to assess surface water quality. Seema Tiwari [6] analyzed the water quality parameters.…”

Development of procedure for assessing the degree of enviromental hazard from the sources of aquatic environment pollution

“…In particular, the approach with consideration of general chemical, toxicological and biological indicators of the water quality of rivers is proposed in [14], and that of lakes in [15]. The use and analysis of the data of observation of the state of species of bioindicators to determine the water quality in rivers was proposed in [16], and in paper [17], it was proposed to use them to determine the state of hydrosphere genotoxicity. The general shortcomings of these methods include the inability to establish the degree and sources of anthropogenic influence.…”

Deceptive ecological status of urban streams and rivers—evidence from diatom indices

“…Raising awareness of past and ongoing changes in ecosystems occurring as a result of human pressure has led to the development of legal standards and laws to stop the unlimited modification of the aquatic environment. As chemical and physical monitoring methods alone cannot include all the parameters significant for biota, a more effective approach is to use indicator organisms to comprehensively monitor the ecological status of surface waters (Kelly et al 2008, Szczerbi nska andGałczy nska 2015). Called biomonitoring, this approach has been adopted worldwide, and one of the groups of organisms used as a tool to assess water quality and ecological status are diatoms: unicellular algae characterized by a unique structure and chemical composition of the cell wall (Round et al 1990).…”