Monitoring Water Quality Using Biotic Indices of Benthic Macroinvertebrates along Surfaces Water Ecosystems in Some Tourism Areas in East Java, Indonesia

Abstract

The research aimed to monitor surface water quality by using water quality index NSF-WQI and accurate biotic index of benthic macroinvertebrate. This study was conducted in September to November 2012 in some water tourism destinations in three regencies, i.e. Jember (three sites), Pasuruan (one site), and Malang (one site), East Java, Indonesia. Each site consisted of three stations (upstream, middlestream and downstream). Reference upstream and middlestream were located in the Meru Betiri National Park (MBNP) Jember. Water quality and benthic macroinvertebrates sampling were conducted in each site. While physical-chemical data consisted of TDS, DO, pH, NO 3-N, TP and temperature were analyzed to determine the NSF-WQI index. Macrozoobenthic data were analyzed to determine three diversity indices and 11 biotic indices. Results showed that based on parameter of DO, TP, NO 3-N, TDS and pH, water quality in downstreams were generally lower than upstreams. Upstream to middlestreams of two sites in Jember were good to excellent based on NSF-WQI water quality and biotic indices. Therefore, the water were qualified as drinking water resources and also served as safe recreational water. The accurate biotic indices to surface water quality in this study were % EPT, ASPT, HBI, FBI and % Gastropodes. Keywords: biotic indices, benthic macroinvertebrates, water quality index, water tourisms destination INTRODUCTION  Unpolluted surface water is important resources for drinking water, irrigation, industry, farming, recreation, and other usage. However, now days most of the rivers were severelly polluted due to anthropogenic activities [1] and pollution of surface water became crucial environment issue all over the world [2]. Low water quality caused by pollution decrease water availability for directly or indirectly use, including for irrigation [3] or recreational water [4]. Natural process such as decaying, erosion, and flooding as well as anthropogenic activities like urbanization , industry and agriculture are the factors that causing pollution on the surface water [5]. Monitoring activity of river water quality is important to control, manage, and preserve these important natural resources. Ecosystem health of fresh waters determined from its physical, chemical and biological characteristics [6]. Thus monitoring activity of water quality was commonly determined by its physical, chemical, biological qualities [7]. To simplify presentation of monitoring results of water quality, utilization