European Diatom Database-Italian Mountain Lake Dataset

The European Diatom Database (EDDI) is a web-based information system designed
to enhance the application of diatom analysis to problems of surface water
acidification, eutrophication and climate change.

Surface sediment samples and lakewater chemical data from thirty-one high
mountain lakes were used to derive a lakewater pH transfer function. The lakes
selected lie along a pH gradient on the southern side of the Central Alps in
South Tyrol, in the Ossola Valley, Italy and in Canton Ticino, Switzerland. The
lakes selected are small (up to 0.2 km2) clearwater lakes most of which are
located above the timberline. Samples were collected using gravity corers and
the surface (0-0.5cm) was used to prepare a diatom sample. A total of
approximately 600 diatom valves per sample was counted.