Primary study of the non-marine epilithic diatom communities of Malta and Gozo

Abstract

Non-marine epilithic diatom communities of two major Maltese islands, Malta & Gozo, were investigated for the first time. Fourty four samples were collected from eleven stations, which represented different springs and spring-fed streams distributed over the two islands. Extraction of diatoms and preparation of clean slides for microscipic investigation was carried out. A total number of 51 taxa belonging to 23 genera were identified. The most represented genera were Nitzschia, Amphora, Surirella, Luticola & Navicula. The most represented species were Gomphonema parvulum, Hanztschia amphysioxy, Nitzschia palea & Amphora ovalis. Most of the identified taxa show moderate to strong association with pollution, and show potential as indicators for forensic science and environmental assessment.