Determinación de la calidad del agua del rio copueno en el tramo paccha - macas mediante macroinvertebrados como bioindicadores

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the water quality of Copueno river in Morona canton, Morona Santiago province, in the section Paccha-Macas, through the Water Quality Index (WQI-NSF) and Family Biotic Index (FBI). Three monitoring stations were set PC-1, PC-2 and PC-3, in May, June and July; samples were collected by applying the regulation INEN 2169 for the physicochemical and microbiological analysis; samples were analyzed in the laboratory; it was conducted the evaluation WQI-NSF; 605 macroinvertebrates individuals were collected in station PC-1 and PC-2, to be identified; the software IQAData was used to identify the water quality; and indexes WQI-NSF and FBI were compared. As a result, WQI-NSF has a value of 41 in station PC-1 and 36,66 in station PC-2, showing a bad water quality; in station PC-3 got a value of 52,03, which represents a regular water quality. The results were compared to the quality criteria of the Ministerial Agreement 097A chart 2, finding out that faecal coliforms criteria, TDS, and phosphate are out of the quality standards. With reference to the macroinvertebrates, which were classified into 11 ORDENES and 21 families, the water quality is considered regular, as the Copueno river entails an organic contamination. In conclusion, it is evident that macroinvertebrates are affected by the highly percentage of the river contamination, as per anthropogenic activities. Hence, individuals of the Dugesiidae family, seem tolerate the contamination and high temperatures, if compared to Leptophelibidae family, that inhabits in good quality waters, rich of oxygen. It is recommended to inform residents about how to use water for agriculture and ranching.