Assessment of the Ecological Potential of the Soła River Cascade on the Basis of the Selected Biological Indicators

Abstract

The paper presents an assessment of the ecological potential of the Soła river based on benthic macroinvertebrates and diatomaceous phytobenthos according to the principles of the Water Framework Directive. The calculated values of Multimetric Diatom Index (IO) indicated class II of ecological potential, while the Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index (MMI_PL) − class III. The final classification of biological, physicochemical and hydromorfological elements showed that the examined section of the Soła river represents the moderate ecological potential (class III) which means a moderate disruption in the functioning of the water ecosystem as well as a violation of the hydrological regime and morphological conditions of the riverbed.

Keywords

• io
• water quality
• biological indicators
• ecological potential
• mmi_pl