Evaluación de la calidad de agua de la microcuenca del Río Blanco de la Provincia de Chimborazo mediante macroinvertebrados acuáticos como bioindicadores

Abstract

The aim of this research work was to evaluate water quality of “Rio Blanco” by using aquatic macro invertebrates as bio-indicators, for which used the BMWP/Col index measuring physicochemical parameters and flow. In addition applied diversity indices such as: Shannon – Wiener and Jaccard, besides it determined five monitoring points on Rio Blanco with 5 monthly monitoring during the period June to October 2015. The physicochemical parameters were measured in the field using a Multi Parameter meter and a dissolved oxygen meter. On the other hand, the macroinvertebrate collection was performed with D-net. The data obtained were classified by point and month monitoring for each parameter with value tables, limits and guidelines according to each index applied thus obtaining some results: With the use of index BMWP/Col, noticed that in the first point monitoring exist an acceptable quality of water, in the second and fourth point of monitoring obtained water of dubious quality, in the third and fifth monitoring point present critical water quality, but with the use of Shannon index shows that the first monitoring point possess more diversity than the fifth point of monitoring. According to the both monitoring points Jaccard index shows that exist similarities between families of macroinvertebrates found. By an overall average, it determined that Rio Blanco contains water of dubious quality due to its water is moderately polluted, also macroinvertebrate families are influenced directly by temperature, flow and monitoring point. It recommends developing and socializing research on water quality in Ecuador through macroinvertebrate to reach a methodology proper for our country.