Abstract
Benthic macroinvertebrates are used as environmental bioindicators in the assessment of water quality in rivers and lakes, due to the sensitivity of some taxa to pollution. The objective of this research was to evaluate the consequences of industrial effluent discharge on the structure of the benthic community present in a river in the subtropical region of Brazil. The organisms were collected at three points of the Coutinho River, in 2013 (September and November) and 2014 (January and March). To characterize the community were calculated density, Shannon diversity index (H´), Pielou equitability (J), taxa richness, Biotic Indices (Biological Monitoring Working Party - BMWP, Average Score Per Taxon - BMWP-ASPT, Family Biotic Index – FBI) and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) between sampling points and biotic and abiotic variables. Fifteen taxa were identified and among the collected organisms, the family Chironomidae was the most representative, followed by Oligochaeta, Hirudinea, Bivalvia, Gastropoda. According to the results of the biological indices, point 1 indicated moderate pollution and the following points (2 and 3) showed severe pollution. These indices showed poor waters with a high degree of pollution. The results were efficient in detecting the environmental impacts suffered by the river and suggest the necessity of a continuous monitoring of the same.
Highlights
Industrial effluent discharge comprises one of the most significant pollution sources in fresh waters because the release of chemicals in rivers is often done without previous treatment (Rajaram & Das, 2008)
The application of habitat assessment protocols evidenced that the three Coutinho River reaches (P1 = 45 points; P2 = 50 points; P3 = 46 points) were altered by anthropogenic actions that led to habitat disruption along the river, such as deforestation by agricultural enterprises
The water quality results (Table 1) revealed that the dissolved oxygen, pH, and turbidity values were the lowest at the P2 reach, which is located near the effluent discharge site of the industrial area of Guarapuava
Summary
Industrial effluent discharge comprises one of the most significant pollution sources in fresh waters because the release of chemicals in rivers is often done without previous treatment (Rajaram & Das, 2008). In between the discharge and the deposition into river sediments, many compounds can bind with other particles and undergo chemical changes that may, in turn, enhance or decrease their toxicity. Benthic macroinvertebrates are organisms that offer useful information for water quality assessments, providing data on past and present environmental conditions (Pratt & Coler, 1976). This is possible because impacts can change invertebrate community structure and composition, and modify their vital functions. The evaluation of the environmental quality of an ecosystem requires information on abiotic and biotic attributes related to ecosystem functioning (Silva, Galvíncio, & Almeida, 2010)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
