The investigation of diatom species composition and database of diatom scanning electron microscope in the Pearl River of Guangdong province / 中国法医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective The investigation of diatom species composition and database of diatom scanning electron microscope in the Pearl River of Guangdong province. Methods Using the Lefort aqua regia digestion 19 different sampling sites (6 in the West River, 9 in the North River, and 4 in the East River) were sampled by us in June and September 2012.Water samples from each sampling site was digested and then observed by scanning electron microscopy. The diatom genera found in samples were recorded. Results 21 diatom genera, including Achnanthes, Cocconeis, Coscinodiscus, Cyclotella, Cymatopleura, Cymbella, Diatoma, Diploneis, Gomphonema, Gyrosigma, Hantzschia, Melosira, Navicula, Nitzschia, Pinnularia, Rhoicosphenia, Stauroneis, Stephanodisus, Surirella, Synedra, Tabellaria, were found in all the samples. Conclusion It is helpful to legal medical expert by using database of diatom scanning electron microscope in the Pearl River of Guangdong province. As hundreds of diatoms pictures were taken by SEM, it would be a valuable reference of diatoms identification for forensic experts as well as diagnosis of drowning place.