Testing benthic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators for transitional waters quality assessment

A biomonitoring protocol based on macroinvertebrates was applied to the estuaries of the rivers Alfeios and Pineios (Greece) in order to meet with the framework set by the WFD for the protection of waters. Seven metrics based on taxa richness and diversity were integrated in the calculation of the environmental assessment. Its results were in agreement to those obtained by the physicochemical parameters. The protocol used was easy to handle and possibly applicable to different geographical areas. However its intercalibration with other proposed methodologies within the European member states is suggested.