engleski

Macroinvertebrate community on the artificial substrate in the Sava River: long-term changes in the community structure and water quality

Macroinvertebrates on floating artificial substrates were studied in the Sava River during two investigation periods, having an interval of nine years. Each period was characterized by a different level of pollution. Also, in each investigation period macroinvertebrates were collected in two seasons with low water regimes (winter, summer), but under different temperature conditions. The community structure of the macroinvertebrate fauna was analyzed after six weeks of colonization in winter and five weeks in summer. Benthic macroinvertebrates colonized artificial substrate mainly by drift. Chironomidae and Oligochaeta were the dominant groups in both investigation periods, but marked differences were found considering the number of species, species diversity and trophic status. Chemical and bacteriological data of river water which characterized organic load were markedly higher in the first investigation period. A saprobic evaluation was made using the taxocenosis observed in both of investigation periods. Saprobic index values were lower in the more recent investigation period, but all saprobic values still correspond to quality class II. Chironomids showed a greater sensitivity to moderate organic load than oligochaetes.

macroinvertebrates; artificial substrate; river; water quality

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