Macro invertebrate benthos of Kalarood River as water quality index

Subject Areas : Water Pollution

M.  Shapoori ¹ (Dep. of Natural resources, Islamic Azad University, Savadkooh Branch)
A.  Vosooghi ² (Dep. of Natural resources, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch)
M.  Babazade ³ (Dep. of Natural resources, Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch)
S.  Vatandoost ⁴ (Dep. of Natural resources, Islamic Azad University, Babol Branch)

Received: 2013-06-30 Accepted : 2014-10-04 Published : 2014-02-20

Keywords: Quality, Mazandaran, Hilsenhoff index, Benthic community, Kalarood River,

Abstract :

In this research, water quality of Kalarood River of Babol was studied by identification of Macro invertebrate benthos. The result of this study was compared by ratio of EPT to Chironomidae and HFBI index. Six stations were selected and sampling was done seasonally for one year. Arthropoda and platy worm are the main branch of invertebrate benthos; in four class, eight order and eleven families. Maximum and minimum of diversity and density was observed in spring and summer in all stations, respectively. Also maximum and minimum of diversity was measured in station one and six, respectively. The relationship between physical and hydrological parameters were significant (p<0.05) in different season but it was not significant in different stations (p>0.05). HFBI index showed that minimum, maximum and average of this index was 3.99 in fall, 4.62 in spring and 4.33 respectively. The result of this study indicated that the water quality in the upstream was in normal range (good to medium condition) but in the other hand downstream and middle stream was in good condition.