Diatoms of Small Water Bodies as Bioindicators in the Assessment of Climatic and Anthropogenic Impacts on the Coast of Tiksi Bay, Russian Arctic

A total of 385 species of diatoms were identified in the phytoplankton of 14 small Arctic tundra water bodies in the vicinity of Tiksi Bay. We found that the species composition of phytoplankton in each lake is strictly individual. The ecological preferences of diatom species in the studied water bodies were determined for more than 90% of the list. Indicator characteristics show a certain response of the species composition of phytoplankton to changes in salinity and organic pollution. Several regularities were revealed in the spatial distribution of diatom communities in the study area in connection with the physicochemical parameters of their habitat, the height of the lake, its remoteness from the seacoast, and belonging to a specific watershed. Statistical mapping of the data on the diversity of communities and the chemical properties of water revealed a strong reaction of the communities of water bodies to point one-time anthropogenic pollution, and also made it possible to assume the influence of summer, northeast winds on the species composition as a climatic factor. The results of the study are important for developing the foundations for monitoring the non-impact (background), ecologically sensitive territory of the Arctic. They are highly relevant for assessing the consequences of local anthropogenic impacts and climate change in the future. Spatial ecological mapping in conjunction with bioindication can be used as a new method for identifying natural and non-natural stress factors.

Automated summary

A total of 385 species of diatoms were identified in the phytoplankton of 14 small Arctic tundra water bodies in the vicinity of Tiksi Bay, with each lake having a unique species composition. The ecological preferences of diatom species in the studied water bodies were determined for more than 90% of the list. Indicator characteristics showed a certain response of the species composition of phytoplankton to changes in salinity and organic pollution.