Evaluation of the Water Quality of the Ilke Stream According to Biotic Indices Based on Benthic Macroinvertebrates (West Anatolia, Turkey)

Benthic macroinvertebrates can provide an integrated picture of environmental changes. Health of freshwaters can be assessed based on measured changes in the ecological structure of benthic macroinvertebrates. During the study period, 33 taxa were determined in Ilke Stream. As a result of principle component analysis (PCA), mainly nine components (T degrees C, EC, TDS, BOD5, NH4-N, NO2-N, NO3-N, PO4-P and CI-) account for 92% of the total variance among the water quality parameters. As a result of the UPGMA analysis, the highest similarity value was observed between the 1th and 2nd sampling points. SI, BMWP, ASPT and BBI indices were more proper than FBI index to determine the water quality of Ilke Stream. The results indicate that these indices should be adapted based on the ecological, geomorphological and environmental features of the regions.

Automated summary

Benthic macroinvertebrates can provide an integrated picture of environmental changes and assess the health of freshwaters. In Ilke Stream, 33 taxa were identified. 92% of the total variance among water quality parameters is accounted for by nine main components.