Dinamismo biológico de macroinvertebrados acuáticos del rio Gala del cantón Camilo Ponce Enríquez

Abstract

The aim of the research was based on the monitoring of Gala River basin to measure the water quality through physical-chemical and biological parameters and the use of bioindicators. 5 water samples were taken through a punctual sampling, the parameters analyzed are essential for the study area where the basin is located, in addition to the recommendations mentioned in the TULSMA legislation. The study determined a total of 3592 people from 52 families in groups of 14, where the five most representative taxa were: Baetidae 31.84%, Leptophlebiidae 12.52%, Hydropsychidae 12.30% (Trichoptera), Elmidae 10.91% (Coleoptera) and Leptohyphidae 9.35% (Ephemeroptera), being Ephemeroptera the most frequent percentage with 53.73% of people; Furthermore, the Baetidae family was the most representative with 1144 people. Within the physical-chemical parameters, total and dissolved solids, hardness, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), phosphorus, dissolved oxygen and turbidity in water were analyzed taking into account that the main purpose was the water quality. The Cluster and Cart statistical analyzes reflected differences and influences according to the biological and physical-chemical parameters between the areas which reflect mining processes and those which do not reflect, especially at point 1 of Gala River waters. According to the water quality indices (WQI) and Andean biological index (ABI), some particularities were found in the properties of water quality and according to the properties, points 5 and 4 are classified as acceptable and good (green) respectively, the other points revealed a very low water quality due to its color. The results reflect that WQI and ABI indices show similar results with regard to the water quality assessment.