Advancing River Health Assessments: Integrating Microscopy and Molecular Techniques through Diatom Indices

• Published in: Water (Basel) Vol. 16; no. 6; p. 853
• Main Authors: Kim, Ha-Kyung, Cho, In-Hwan, Hwang, Eun-A, Han, Byung-Hun, Kim, Baik-Ho
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Aquatic ecosystems; Biodiversity; biodiversity conservation; Classification; diatom-based assessment; environmental DNA (eDNA); Health; Identification; Microscope and microscopy; Microscopy; Molecular biology; molecular techniques; Morphology; Plankton; Pollution; Quality standards; River ecology; river ecosystem health; Rivers; Taxonomy; Water quality; South Korea; China
• ISSN: 2073-4441; 2073-4441
• DOI: 10.3390/w16060853

This paper reviews the evolution and integration of diatom-based water quality assessments with environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques for advancing river ecosystem health evaluations. Traditional methods, relying on microscopy and diatom indices, have significantly contributed to our understanding of aquatic ecosystems but face challenges such as the need for taxonomic expertise and the labor-intensive nature of sample collection. Recent advancements in molecular biology, particularly eDNA analysis, offer opportunities to overcome these limitations, providing more accurate and comprehensive assessments. This study highlights the benefits of combining traditional microscopy with modern molecular techniques, enhancing the precision and efficiency of water quality evaluations. By addressing the challenges of standardizing methods and improving species identification through comprehensive reference libraries and advanced bioinformatics tools, this integrated approach aims to refine and advance the effectiveness of diatom-based strategies in monitoring and managing river health amidst environmental changes.