ECOLOGICAL STATUS ASSESSMENT USING DIATOM INDICES OF WATER ECOSYSTEMS IN GJIROKASTRA DISTRICT, ALBANIA

Diatoms are an important part of microscopic algae that populate considerable water spaces. They reflect very well the natural qualities, geology, climate and physico-chemical conditions. Analyzing of diatoms as important indicators of water quality had also the advantage to compare the chemical parameters with the biological ones. The aim of this study was to evaluate two water ecosystems in the south part of Albania, Viroi lake and Drino river, using chemical parameters and biomonitoring based on diatoms population. Obtained results indicated that two ecosystems were in mesotrophic status according to measured average values of total phosphorus concentration in water. Also, in these two water ecosystems 78 species of diatoms (Bacillariophyceae) were identified, from which 7 belong to the order Centric diatoms (Centrales), whereas the rest belongs to the order Penatte diatoms (Pennales). According to the saprobice classes, they vary from oligosaprob to beta-mesosaprob in these two investigated water ecosystems. These results showed a good relationship between water quality assessment using chemical parameters and diatoms indices. Thus, biomonitoring by using diatoms indices can be an effective and useful tool for the evaluation of the ecological status of water ecosystems.