Water quality and occurrence of diatoms in Murat river (The part between Palu town and Gülüşkür bridge)

This thesis aims to investigate water quality and the diatoms occurring in Murat River (between Palu Town ang Gülüşkür Bridge) between March 2010-February 2011. For this purpose four stations were selected along the river. Water samples were taken for chemical and plankton analysis and sediments samples were collected for benthic diatoms. A total of 53 taxa and 57 taxa were determined in phytoplankton and epilithon respectively. Nitzchia, Navicula and Cymbella were represented with the highest number of species. In phytoplankton Aulacoseira distans, Cymbella affinis, Navicula lanceolata var. arenaria; in epilithon Cymbella affinis, Aulacoseira ambigua, Navicula lanceolata var. arenaria, Sellaphora bacillum were the most conspicous taxa with respect to frequency of occurrence and relative abundance. The results of chemical analysis yielded that Murat River generally has clean water properties according to the criteria of Turkish directive of Water Pollution and Control. However the concentration of total phosphorus and number of coliform bacteria takes notice the threat of eutrophication according to the criteria in the same directive.Anahtar Kelimeler: Water Quality, Pytoplankton, Epilithon, Diatom, Murat River, Elazığ.