An application of different bioindicators for assessing water quality: a case study in the rivers Alfeios and Pineios (Peloponnisos, Greece)

A number of bioindicators and biotic indices and scores based on benthic macroinvertebrates, diatoms, fishes, aquatic and riparian vegetation in relation to physicochemical parameters have been applied in assessing the water quality of the rivers Alfeios and Pineios (Peloponnisos, Greece). According to the findings, the water quality in both rivers varied from very poor to very good. Among the bioindicators used, the benthic macroinvertebrates seem to be the most reliable. The BBI and IBE were the most applicable indexes while the applicability of the IBMWP and IASPT in the Greek region can be enforced with the inclusion of the Diptreran family Rhagionidae and the Coleopteran family Elminthidae. (C) 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.