WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF THE SHUSHIC RIVER USING BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATES
Geolind ÇOBAJ, Hajdar KIÇAJ, Bledar PEPA, Amra ALUSHAJ
Abstract
The study of river waters and water flows of their tributaries is very important and necessary for the protection, use and improvement of their condition. According to the Water Framework Directive (WFD, 2000) the use of benthic macroinvertebrates in river water quality monitoring is considered an efficient method.
This study was conducted during 2019 in the Shushicë river, where its purpose was to assess the quality of river waters using the biotic index ASPT (BMWP) and the biotic index - SWRC.
The sampling method used was based on the Kick net technique with a mesh size of 500 microns. From the sampling taken in four stations, 481 individuals belonging to two types (Arthropoda and Annelida), one class (Insecta) and one subclass (N/K Oligochaeta) were collected.
The unidentified species belong to 8 orders (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Diptera, Coleoptera, Haplotaxid, Odonata, Hoplonemertea) and 28 families.
Based on the results obtained from the calculation of the ASPT (BMWP) biotic index, station I and III result in a "Clean" bio classification, station II and IV result in a "Partially clean" bio-classification. From the SWRC Biotic index calculations, the first station and the fourth station result in a bio classification of "Good", the second station results in a bio classification of "Clean", and the third station results in a bio classification of "Excellent"
Based on the Biotic index ASPT (BMWP) and SWRC we can say that the Shushic river resultshas a good water quality, and partially with a slight organic pollution.
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