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Diatoms as bioindicators for tracking freshwater salinization.
Severa, František ; Kopalová, Kateřina (advisor) ; Dobiáš, Jakub (referee)
The focus of this thesis is on the relationship of diatom (Bacilariophyta) communities to conductivity, and the utilization of this relationship for the monitoring of freshwater salinization. Salinization of freshwaters as a consequence of anthropogenic influences is emerging as a threat to many freshwater habitats due to increasing anthropogenic sources of salts (like use of de-icing salts on roads), wastewaters, and fertilizers. The problem is intensifying because salts are further concentrated through increased evaporation as a consequence to climatic changes. Salinization of ecosystems has a direct impact on the physiological processes of present organisms, and because the ability to adapt to this stress differs between organisms, results in the reorganization of communities. In this way, salinization can indirectly threaten ecosystem services that benefit mankind. Furthermore, salinization is a direct threat in terms of its influence on drinking water and crop irrigation. These forces also act on diatoms, which have long been used as bioindicators, and exhibit strong community links with conductivity. Like for other organisms, this tight relationship is caused by differences in adaptation mechanisms between species, which includes osmolytes, extracellular polymeric substances and adaptation of...
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