Estudio de la calidad del agua mediante la identificación de macroinvertebrados en un tramo de la microcuenca del Río Blanco en el ecosistema páramo ubicado en la parroquia el Sucre, cantón Patate, provincia de Tungurahua.

Abstract

The present research proposed: to study water quality by identifying mactoinverebrates in a section of the Rio Blanco microbasin in the Páramo Ecosystem located in the Sucre parish, Patate canton of Tungurahua province, using the Andean Biotic Index (ABI) and the biological monitoring working group (The biological monitoring working party - BMWP). Three sampling areas were identified, taking into account areas affected by anthropogenic activities, with the help of the "D net" hand network, macroinvertebrates were collected by performing three repetitions in each sampling area and physical-chemical parameters were also taken in situ. With the help of a stereoscope, macroinvertebrates were identified up to the family level. In total, 1692 individuals were registered distributed in 1 Phylum 2 Classes 6 Orders and 19 Families. The physical-chemical parameters indicate that water is suitable for human consumption. The ABI and BMWP quality indices indicate that sampling area 2 and 3 are in an acceptable range, this means that they are slightly polluted waters, this would be due to the existence of anthropogenic activities, such as agriculture and livestock in these two areas. , while area 1 is in a good range, this means that these waters have the required parameters suitable for human consumption.

Key words: MACROINVERTEBRATES, WATER QUALITY, ANDEAN BIOTIC INDEX.