COMPOSITION, DISTRIBUTION, AND ABUNDANCE OF MACROINVERTEBRATES

AS BASIS FOR WATER QUALITY CLASSIFICATION

OF THE CAGAYAN DE ORO RIVER

Louis Carlo V. Lim, Carlito R. Bahade Jr, Aren Uzziel S. Nisco Victor Luis V. Notario

Macroinvertebrates in the four stations of the Cagayan de Oro River were sampled during the rainy season, between May 2013 August 2013 utilizing the kick sampling technique and the procedures in the Multi-Habitat Freshwater Protocol Field Guide by Globe 2010. The physical parameters such as temperature, current, and depth were accounted for differences in the variation of t axonomic richness, species composition and total abundance of the four stations. All the stations were dominated mostly by Gerris remigis (37. 5%) followed by Elimia sp. (11.71%) and Diplacodes triviales under Odonata and Ochiterus (6.25%) under Hemiptera. Percentage abundance of Annelida is low (.75%) and they included Lumbricus terrestris. High human activities along Station 2 that released wastes towards the River account for the poor species richness. The Water Quality and Pollution Sensitivity of the four stations of the Cagayan de Oro River were determined using the Pollution Tolerant Index. Station 2 had the lowest water quality score of 19.2, indicating poor water quality. Station 1 and Station 4 both have scores at the range of 20 40, showing a Good water quality. The total average water quality score of the Cagayan de Oro River is 41.5 telling us that the rivers water quality is Good.

Keywords: Macroinver tebrates, Composition, Distr ibution, Abundance, Bioindicators, Water Quality, Pollution Sensitivity, and Caga-

yan de Oro River.

Macroinvertebrates are small animals without a backbone that can be

seen without a microscope. They live around living or dead vegetation, on

the surface or in the sediments of water bodies. They include many larvae of

insects such as mosquitoes, dragonflies and caddis flies that begin their lives

in the water before becoming land dwelling insects when they mature

(Globe, 2005). Freshwater macroinvertebrates are used as indicators in de-

termining the chemical and physical changes in rivers and streams (Horne,

J., and Goldman, 1994). Macroinvertebrates sensitivities to changes in water

quality vary. Some organisms dwell in various conditions and has the ability

to tolerate pollution. Some of them are intolerant or sensitive to severe natu-

ral events, habitat changes, and pollution while others can tolerate better

(Christidis, et. al., 1997). Tolerance/intolerance Measures compare the per-

centage of taxa that are considered tolerant to perturbation with the percent-

age of taxa that are intolerant. A high ratio of %tolerant/%intolerant indi-

cates a more stressed environment.

The purpose of this research is to assess the composition, distribution

and abundance of the macro invertebrates in the Cagayan de Oro River and

assess its water quality using the macroinvertebrates as bioindicators.

Pollution Tolerant

Somewhat Tolerant

Pollution Sensitive

Interpretation of Data

Sampling

Sampling Stations

Statistical and

Data Analysis

The number of pollution tolerant species such as water spider, adult

beetle, pouch snails, midges, and aquatic worms, to name few, makes up

the majority of the samples. Present in the sample is somewhat pollution

tolerant macroinvertebrates like damselfly, dragon fly, water penny, and

water scorpion although they make up a minority in the group. Pollution

sensitive macroinvertebrates like the mayfly, caddisfly, and water treader

are also identified.

Collage: Macroinvertebrates from the Cagayan de Oro River

The data for pollution sensitivity shows that the Station 3 has the highest water

quality score of 54.4 which is good while Station 2 has the lowest water quality score

of 19.2, indicating poor water quality. Station 1 and Station 4 both have scores within

the range of more than 40, showing water quality that is Good but almost on the

verge of having just fair water quality. The total average water quality score of the

Cagayan de Oro River is 41.35 and the total average water quality of the Cagayan de

Oro River is fair.

It is safe to assume that Station 2 of the Cagayan de Oro River is polluted based

on the results. The area covers potential pollution discharges coming from the up-

stream of Ugiaban, Dansolihon. It is also a populated area with pollution discharges

coming from the nearby barangays and households that dwell near the area.

Station 2 in Cabula, Lumbia has Poor Water Quality although other stations

like Station 1 in Ugiaban, Dansolihon and Station 4 in Puntod has Good water

quality, and Station 3 in Taguanao has an excellent water quality. Overall the

Cagayan Oro River has Good Water Quality when based on the total average wa-

ter quality score. The poor water quality in Station 2 can be attributed to the an-

thropogenic activities in the area.

Our deep gratitude to Dr. Lesley C. Lubos, Dr. Fe S. Tolibas, Mr. Jaime H. Orbe,

Mr. Christian D. Magdale, Ms. Maria Elena Reyes, Noedette O. Perpetua, Janice

Dragon, Mitch Almaquer, Engr. Arnie C. Petalcorin, Dr. Japos, Mr. and Mrs. Mo-

hagan, for their undying support and contributions to our thesis.

Christidis, F., Davis, J. 1997. Water Facts.Water and Rivers Commission.Date

http://seagrant.uaf.edu/marineed/curriculum/images/stories/ frmacroinverte

bra.pdf

Globe 2005, Freshwater Macroinvertebrates Protocol. Date retrieved: November

2012.

Horne, J., and Goldman, C. 1994. Limnology, Water Movement. United States of

America, Curator of the Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Department of

Entomol- ogy, Oregon State University.

Hornig, C. E. andPollard, J. E. . 2003. Environmental Monitoring and Support

Laboratory Las Vegas, Nevada.

http://seagrant.uaf.edu/marine-ed/curriculum/images/stories/grade6/

Sorting and Classification

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

MATERIALS AND METHODS

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

REFERENCES

RESULTS

CONCLUSIONS

1. Collect, Identify the macroinvertebrates found in the four sampling

stations;

2. Determine the species diversity of macroinvertebrates in terms of their

composition, distribution, and abundance.

3. Determine the water quality based on the presence of macroinvertebrates;

4. Determine the pollution sensitivity of the identified macroinvertebrates.

sample, and;

5. Measure physical parameters of the water body.

OBJECTIVES

Biodiversity Index

Pollution Tolerance Index (PTI)

Water Quality

Water Quality Score

Station 1 Station 2 Station 3 Station 4 Total Aver-

age

Water Quali-

ty Score: 51

Good

Water Quality

Score: 19.2

Poor

Water Quality

Score: 54.4

Good

Water Quality

Score: 41.4

Good

Water

Quality

Score: 41.5

Good