Determinación de la calidad del agua del río Warintz en el tramo Yawi – Warintza mediante el uso de macroinvertebrados como bioindicadores

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the water quality of the Warintz river in the section Yawi – Warintz through the index application Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP/Col) and the water quality index (WQI) proposed by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). First, n. 4 monitoring stations were selected and called Warintza Point 1 (PW-1), Warintza Point 2 (PW-2), Warintza Point 3 (PW-3) and Warintza Point 4 (PW-4) carried out monthly during December 2021, January and February 2022. There were analyzed 8 physicochemical parameters and 1 microbiological one; temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen were measured on site, instead the oxygen biochemical demand, total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, phosphates and faecal coliforms were analyzed in the laboratory according to the Standard Methods. D-net was used to collect the macroinvertebrates as the method required is qualitative (existence or no-existence). Macroinvertebrates samples collected in each monitoring station were brought to the laboratory for their taxonomic identification. The obtained results as per the WQI-NSF index in stations PW-1, PW-2, PW-3 and PW-4 reveal a MEDIUM water quality; whereas, the BMWP/Col index reveals, in the four stations, an ACCEPTABLE water quality, II class, slightly polluted water. A total of 10 orders belonging to 23 families were registered during the three monitoring campaigns. As a result of the canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), there are four groups in which interact certain physicochemical parameters with macroinvertebrate families. In conclusion, Warintz river water quality gets worse getting closer to the town center and during the rainy season, so that it is recommended to implement a management plan to preserve and recover the water source.