Field testing the AWIC index for detecting acidification in British streams

Ormerod, S. J.; Lewis, Bethan R.; Kowalik, Renata A.; Murphy, John F.; Davy-Bowker, John. 2006 Field testing the AWIC index for detecting acidification in British streams. Archiv fur Hydrobiologie, 166. 99-115. https://doi.org/10.1127/0003-9136/2006/0166-0099

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Abstract/Summary

Using data from 132 acid-sensitive streams in Wales and Scotland from two available data sets, we tested a recently proposed indicator system that uses aquatic invertebrates to detect acidification in British rivers, the Acid Water Indicator Community (AWIC). Although many sites held less than a quarter of AWIC scoring taxa, index values at sites in both data sets correlated significantly with acid-base variables including pH, calcium concentration, alkalinity and dissolved aluminium. Relationships with acid-base status during acid episodes were particularly strong in the more comprehensive test set. Strong correlations between the AWIC index and pH in a subset of sites from Scotland indicated potential for some extrapolation beyond the initial calibration regions of England and Wales. Despite considerable pH variability within AWIC classes, measured base-flow pH was within 0.5 pH units of values expected from invertebrates at over 55-70 % of test sites, and within 1 pH unit at 87-100 %. This compares favourably with direct pH measurement, where samples at fortnightly-monthly intervals are typically required to confidently estimate mean pH within 0.7-1.2 pH units. These data, drawn from a realistic application, illustrate the potential accuracy and integrating value of invertebrate bioassessment in acid-sensitive waters. Further developments should involve more specific identification and targeted calibration to i) improve discrimination between sensitive streams of contrasting acidity; ii) further improve the accuracy of pH determination based on invertebrates; iii) avoid the apparent over-estimation of pH in the lower AWIC classes; iv) clearly differentiate between acid-sensitive and acidified streams.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1127/0003-9136/2006/0166-0099
Programmes:	CEH Programmes pre-2009 publications > Water
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	_ River Ecology
ISSN:	0003-9136
Format Availability:	Electronic, Print
Additional Keywords:	ACIDITY, ACID EPISODES, BIOTIC INDICATORS, BIOASSESSMENT, MACROINVERTEBRATES
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Hydrology
Date made live:	04 Jul 2007 08:51 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/428

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