Epilithic Diatoms as Bioindicators of Water Quality in the Jimbitono River, Morona Santiago

Abstract

Abstract The Jimbitono River water quality was evaluated using epilithic diatoms as bioindicators, extending the Water Quality Index and the Water Quality Trophic Index. Three monitoring stations were found along the Jimbitono River with only one record. Physicochemical parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrates, phosphates, fecal coliforms, temperature, turbidity, total dissolved solids were analyzed. With the Water Quality Index, regular results were obtained for the PJ-01 and PJ-02 stations and poor for the PJ-03 station, the latter being explained by human interventions that are generated upstream of said station. In the analysis of epilithic diatoms, 1800 diatom organisms corresponding to 56 species were found, of which the most representative were Craticula molestiformis with 122 organisms. In the results of the Trophic Index of Water Quality, an oligotrophic level of negligible contamination was acquired for station PJ-01, for PJ-02 a ß-mesotrophic level of moderate contamination, and for PJ-03 an α -mesotrophic level of strong pollution. Therefore, the hypothesis of disturbance in water quality due to anthropogenic activities is established.

Keywords

• diatomeas epilíticas, ica, itca, río jimbitono.