Use of aquatic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of water pollution in the Mata de Palma swamp (Colombia)

Abstract

Water quality was determined in the Mata de Palma Swamp, using aquatic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators and applying the BMWP/Col index, ecological indexes of Shannon, Simpson, Margalef and Pielou, with the objective of evaluating water quality and being able to implement actions of preservation, monitoring and management of the aquatic ecosystem. In total, 722 organisms associated with macrophytes were identified, 439 in the rainy season and 283 in the dry period, belonging to 2 phyla, 5 classes, 11 orders and 20 families; for organisms in sediments, 148 organisms were identified, 74 in the rainy season and 74 in the dry period, belonging to 3 phyla, 3 classes, 4 orders and 8 families. The average value of the BMWP/Col index for macroinvertebrates associated with macrophytes in the rainy season defines the water quality of all the stations as slightly polluted waters and for the dry period as highly polluted waters.