Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 karmand
2 Professor of Watershed Management Science and Engineering, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University
3 Associate Professor, Department of Watershed Management, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University
4 Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, Mazandaran University, Babolsar, Iran.
Abstract
Rivers are the main arteries of watersheds that play an important role in providing water for agriculture, drinking and industry. On the other hand, the reduction of river water quality has been one of the biggest human concerns in the last century. In order to evaluate the quality of running water, biological indicators and the study of benthic invertebrates can be used. The aim of this study was to investigate the water quality of the main rivers of Babolrood watershed using the Hilsenhof Biological Index (HFBI). For this purpose, sampling of benthic invertebrates in 5 main river stations was performed using a net frame (sorber) with a cover area of 40 cm2 and transferred to the laboratory for identification. Then, using Pennak (1953) and Mellenby (1963) identification keys, the samples were identified by family and sex and counted and weighed. Also, at the same time as sampling of benthic organisms to study the physicochemical properties of water, samples were taken from river water. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationship between biological samples and physicochemical properties of water. The results showed that Babolk station with the lowest FBI and Babolrood-Babol station with the highest FBI were in the category of non-organic pollution and some organic pollution, respectively. The results of correlation of biological samples with physicochemical parameters in most cases were not significant at 95% confidence level. The highest correlation coefficient between Oligochaeta species was with Diversity biodiversity.
Keywords: Benthic invertebrates, water quality, HFBI, Babolrood watershed, Mazandaran province
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