Utilization of Multiple Habitat Sampling Protocol for Macroinvertebrates as Indicators of Water

Quality in Stream Ecosystem in Lawis, Buruun, Iligan City

A Scientific Paper Presented to theDepartment of Biological Sciences

College of Science and Mathematics M S U – I I T

Presented by:Mary Glydel P. Florin

In Partial Fulfilment of the course Bio 107.2 General Ecology Laboratory

A.Y 2015-2016

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to express my profound gratitude to a number of people who cooperated in

performing the experiment. Aside from my effort as the researcher in completing this

paper, the accomplishment of this field sampling depended largely on the encouragement

and guidelines of many others. To my instructor, Prof. Karyl Fabricante-Dagoc, thank

you for your extended patience, and above all, to God be all the glory.

____________________________________________________________________

ABSTRACT

Due to increased human population, industrialization, use of fertilizers, and man-made activities, pollution is widespread and water is highly affected with different harmful contaminants. Since streams serve as major contributors to rivers and lakes, that benefits humans and animals as well, it has to be evaluated. This study is conducted to check the stream in Lawis, Brgy. Buruun, Iligan City, Philippines through collecting Macroinvertebrate species of Rhyacophilidae caddies fly larvae, Psychomyiidae caddies fly larvae, and Rhagovelia obesa from the stream ecosystem using dip net and kick net method under Multiple Habitat Sampling Protocol (MHSP). These species served as the indicator whether the water in the area is polluted or not by checking whether the species is a pollution-tolerant or not. If the species is not a pollution-tolerant, then it can be concluded that the habitat is not contaminated, together with the physicochemical parameters that affect the ecosystem._____________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION

A stream is an example of a freshwater aquatic ecosystem. This type of

ecosystem is a critical contributor on the character and quality of downstream waters like

rivers and lakes. The natural processes that occur in such headwater systems benefit

humans by mitigating flooding, maintaining water quality and quantity, recycling

nutrients, and providing habitat for plants and animals (Meyer, et al., 2007).

However, people nowadays are greatly threatened because of undesired changes

in the physicochemical characteristics. Physicochemical factors include air temperature,

salinity, relative humidity, water pH and other factors. Due to increased human

population, industrialization, use of fertilizers, and man-made activities, water is highly

polluted with different harmful contaminants (Patil, et al., 2012). Industrial development

results in the generation of industrial emission, and if untreated, results in water sediment

and soil pollution (Fakayode and Onianwa 2002).

This study aims to assess water quality of the stream, though conducting

physicochemical analysis of the area, and collecting macroinvertebrate taxa that might be

beneficial to other researchers, who would like to know the conditions of stream

ecosystems found in different places, and to give awareness to the readers about the

impacts of human disturbances to the inhabitants of such ecosystem.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A. Sampling Area

The sampling was done at Lawis Spring, Buruun, Iligan City, Philippines (fig. 1),

on April 2, 2016 starting at 5:00 am until 10:00 am. Its geographical coordinates are

8°10'58"North and   124°10'43"E . It is a known place for picnics and outings because of

its cold water, and also the reason why the sampling was done earlier so that the water is

not yet disturbed by people that will probably be swimming for that day. Residential

areas are located about more or less 600 meters away from the sampling area. The

temperature during the sampling is around 26℃.

Figure 1. Location of the sampling area.

B. Physico- chemical Parameter

In the preparation for the physico - chemical parameter, the air, and water

temperature was being measured using a thermometer, depth of water by a meter stick,

water pH by colorimetric test strips, salinity by refractometer, relative humidity by

psychrometer, and type of substrate, current velocity, volume of flow of water and total

suspended solids were also measured three times for each parameter.

The width of the stream was measured and the width was divided into 3 equal

segments to be used in measuring the current velocity. A floating paper boat was left to

travel in a 1m straight line along the current, and the time was recorded. The total flow

rate (m3/second) was determined by adding the flow of the segments. SEE APPENDIX.

On the other hand, the total suspended solids (TSS) was determined by a 1L

water sample from the stream using the gravitational filtration set-up which is the

Whatman filter paper that was put to oven at 100℃ for 24 hours. The water sample was

poured into the set-up and then the filter paper was removed to let it dry in the oven.

Sediment Analysis

Three replicates of 250 ml of soil samples on the sides and on the middle of the

stream halfway to the bottom were collected and placed on different labelled plastic bags.

A 250 mL of sediments was put in a bottle with water and the bottle was shook and let

the soil to settle.

Biological Sampling

Different species present from habitats of movable rocks, gravel and cobble

riffles, bedrock, soft sediments, sand silt, and mud, root banks, leaf packs, woody debris,

sticks, snags, and logs, and vegetation growing below the water surface were collected

using dip net and kick net collection methods. These two methods were originally

assigned to different habitat but it was used during the study as two the same methods,

thus the samples were obtained either from the two.

Preservation

After the sampling, the samples were placed into the sampling jars and decanted

with fresh 80% of isopropyl alcohol until ¾ full to preserve it.

Labelling and Data Collection:

The samples were observed under a dissecting microscope for clearer

identification.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A. Multiple Habitat Sampling Protocol

Multiple Habitat Sampling Protocol is a timed, qualitative sampling procedure

employing macroinvertebrates to assess stream water quality.

B. Macroinvertebrates

Using the dip net and Kick net collection methods, the researchers were able to

collect three taxa of macroinvertebrates from the stream. After checking it under a

dissecting microscope and searching the species name through its characteristics, these

were identified as Rhyacophilidae caddies fly larvae, Psychomyiidae caddies fly larvae,

and Rhagovelia obesa.

Table1. Species collected from the stream ecosystem.Species Number of sample collected

Rhyacophilidae caddies fly larvae 3

Psychomyiidae caddies fly larvae 3

Rhagovelia obesa 4

Macroinvertebrates are organisms without backbones, which are visible to the eye

without the aid of a microscope.  Aquatic macroinvertebrates live on, under, and around

rocks and sediment on the bottoms of lakes, rivers, and streams. As a result of their

habitat choice, macroinvertebrates are often regarded as “benthos” which refers

collectively to organisms which live on, in or near the bottom.    Examples of freshwater

benthic macroinvertebrates include the immature and adult stages of many different types

of invertebrates (Kenney et al., 2009).

The two methods used in obtaining the samples were dip net and kick net

methods. Dip net method is most useful in sampling root banks, which are usually present

in all aquatic vegetation, while Kick net method is used to sample riffles and leaf packs

and snags and exposed bedrock.

The species Rhyacophilidae caddies fly larvae, Psychomyiidae caddies fly larvae,

and Rhagovelia obesa were biological indicators of stream water quality, thus through

these organisms, it can be concluded that the water in the sampling area is not

contaminated. It is because, these macroinvertebrates can be utilized to identify impaired

waters, determine aquatic life stressors, set pollutant load reductions, indicate

improvement and even used to indicate the relative success of stream restoration

(Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2009).

To support that, the following are some characteristics of each

macroinvertebrates:

Fig 2. Rhyacophilidae caddies fly larvae

Rhyacophilidae caddies fly larvae are free-living caddisfly larvae in the order

Trichoptera, family Rhyacophilidae. Most species of free-living caddisflies are very

sensitive to pollution and level of dissolved oxygen. Accordingly, larvae live in the

fastest sections of clean rivers and streams. Caddisflies undergo complete

metamorphosis. Their life cycle includes four stages – egg, larva, pupa and adult. Most

species produce one generation per year.

Figure 3. Psychomyiidae caddies fly larvae

The Trichoptera (caddisflies) belong to the infraclass Neoptera, division

Endopterygota; their wings develop internally instead of externally in wingpads. They are

closely related to the Lepidoptera (butteflies and moths), an insect order with very few

aquatic species. The larvae of all the species of Trichoptera are aquatic, except for a few

cases.

Like mayflies and stoneflies, caddisflies probably evolved in cold, fast-flowing

streams, since families with more primitive characteristics (e.g., Rhyacophilidae) are

restricted to those habitats. It has been hypothesised that the use of silk for case

construction enabled the Trichoptera to become more diverse ecologically, providing a

respiratory mechanism whereby habitats with higher temperatures and lower dissolved

oxygen levels could be exploited. t present, caddisflies inhabit a wide range of habitats

from the ancestral cool streams to warm streams, permanent lakes and marshes, and

permanent and temporary ponds. One species has been found in tide pools off the coast of

New Zealand; the females oviposit through the papillar pores of starfishes. Caddisflies

have been generally classified as clingers, sprawlers, or climbers, although a few are

burrower

Although caddisfly larvae are found in a wide range of aquatic habitats, the

greatest diversity occurs in cool running waters. Furthermore, in families represented in

both lotic and lentic habitats, the genera exhibiting more ancestral characters tend to be

found in cool streams whereas those showing more derived characters tend to occur in

warm, lentic waters. These two findings point to cool, running waters as the most likely

primordial caddisfly habitat, the one in which the ancestors of the Trichoptera first

became aquatic and the one in which differentiation into the basic groups (superfamilies)

took place (Williams & Feltmate, 1994).

Figure 4. Rhagovelia obesa

Rhagovelia obesa is from the order Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers,

Aphids and Allies). A common feature of the order Hemiptera is the elongated beak

(modified mouthparts) that projects from the head. When not feeding, it is mostly

composed under the head. They occur in a variety of wetlands, ponds and by the edges of

slow flowing waters.

They are also organisms that can survive in poor water quality. They often have

adaptations that allow them to survive in water with low dissolved oxygen, turbid waters

or nutrient-enriched waters.

There are no “bad” macroinvertebrates. If monitors find only pollution-tolerant

macroinvertebrates, it’s an indicator that only these organisms can survive in the stream.

If the stream was restored, we would hope to see more pollution-sensitive and tolerant

macroinvertebrates living there.

Chemical water tests are limited because they only tell us what’s in the water at

the specific moment the sample is collected. They don’t give an indication of what was in

the water an hour ago, yesterday or last week. Every day, macroinvertebrates are

surrounded by water and any pollutants that may be in the water. If pollutants were in the

water last week or yesterday, the quantity and diversity of macroinvertebrates present

would reflect this in the water quality.

C. Physico-chemical Parameters

Physicochemical analysis involves the measurement of various physical

properties of systems, most often phase transition temperatures and other thermal

properties (thermal conductivity, heat capacity, thermal expansion), electrical properties

(conductivity, dielectric permittivity), and optical properties (refractive index, rotation of

the plane of polarization of light).

Multiple Habitat Sampling Protocol (MHSP) includes Physicochemical

parameters, thus it also affect the ecosystem.

Temperature. In an established system the water temperature controls the rate of

all chemical reactions, and affects the macroinvertebrates in the area, reproduction and

immunity.

pH is most important in determining the corrosive nature of water. Lower the pH

value higher is the corrosive nature of water. As it can be seen, the Ph level of Lawis

stream is 7 which positively indicates correlation with electrical conductance and total

alkalinity (Guptaa 2009). The reduced rate of photosynthetic activity the assimilation of

carbon dioxide and bicarbonates which are ultimately responsible for increase in pH, the

low oxygen values coincided with high temperature during the summer month. Various

factors bring about changes the pH of water. The higher pH values observed suggests that

carbon dioxide, carbonate-bicarbonate equilibrium is affected more due to change in

physicochemical condition (Karanth 1987).

The water depth is influential to the water temperature since the water which is

not very deep tends to heat up and cool down more rapidly. It affects the penetration of

light and thus very influential to the depth at which aquatic vegetation has enough energy

for photosynthesis. Depth has an impact on the distribution of benthic invertebrates, most

of which prefer relatively shallow depths (Gordon, 2004).

Current is another most important characteristic of running water. Stream

animals differ from the constantly flowing water with those of their still-water relatives.

Other species have a natural demand for high water velocities, relying on them to supply

a continual source of oxygen and nutrients, to carry away waste products, and to assist in

the distribution of the species. On average, water velocity tends to increase in the

downstream direction. Velocity patterns shift as flow levels increase, forcing organisms

to find protection in calmer waters behind rocks or snags, within vegetation stands or

under the streambed. Current affects the distribution of sediments on the stream beds

through its influence on lift and drag forces. Morphological adaptations have been

associated to organisms that have been subjected to strong currents.

Total suspended solids (TSS) is the dry-weight of particles trapped by a filter. It

is a water quality parameter used for example to assess the quality of wastewater after

treatment in a wastewater treatment plant. Low values of suspended solids indicates the

increase of primary productivity of systems and reproduction of macroinvertebrates.

(Susan Berg,2009).

Dissolved Oxygen. DO is one of the most important parameter. Its correlation

with water body gives direct and indirect information e.g. bacterial activity,

photosynthesis, availability of nutrients, stratification etc. (Premlata Vikal, 2009). In the

progress of summer, dissolved oxygen decreased due to increase in temperature and also

due to increased microbial activity (Moss 1972, Morrissette 1978, Sangu 1987, Kataria,

1996). The high DO in summer is due to increase in temperature and duration of bright

sunlight has influence on the % of soluble gases (O² & CO²). During summer the long

days and intense sunlight seem to accelerate photosynthesis by phytoplankton, utilizing

CO2 and giving off oxygen. This possibly accounts for the greater qualities of O2

recorded during summer (Krishnamurthy R, 1990).

Dissolved oxygen is important component in the cycling of organic matter within

a stream as well as for respiration in aquatic animals. As water temperature increases, the

gas solubility generally lowers and thus, leads to lower dissolved oxygen (DO) level

during the summer. Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations are usually near saturation

levels in turbulent, well-mixed waters of upland streams. Oxygen is supplied

continuously to stream organisms by the current and so, fast moving invertebrates rely on

current flow. Low-oxygen conditions can result from both natural and artificial causes.

When organic matter such as sewage undergoes aerobic decomposition by bacteria,

oxygen is removed from the water. Oxygen insufficiency can be found in stagnant waters

at the edges of streams or when the stream is totally covered by mats of water weeds

(Gordon, 2004).

As stated earlier, Rhyacophilidae caddies fly larvae, Psychomyiidae caddies fly

larvae, and Rhagovelia obesa were organisms are of species of free-living are very

sensitive to pollution and level of dissolved oxygen. It is another way to prove the water

is unpolluted.

CONCLUSION

Macroinvertebrates in this study served as biological indicators of stream water

quality that can be utilized to identify impaired waters, determine aquatic life stressors,

set pollutant load reductions, and indicate improvement. Different types of

macroinvertebrates have different requirements to survive. Some require cooler

temperatures, relatively high dissolved oxygen levels or certain habitats. Other

macroinvertebrates may be able to survive in less-than-ideal conditions — where there

are low dissolved oxygen levels or more sediment — or where the water temperature is

warmer.

Neutral water pH was found in Lawis spring which indicates that is a clean

aquatic ecosystem. In terms of water current, it tends to increase in the downstream

direction. Fast current velocity in unpolluted stream tends to be more diverse since faster

current would bring more nutrients and dissolved gases. High amount of dissolved

oxygen in the stream enabled many different species of macroinvertebrates to inhabit the

area. Low values of suspended solids indicates the increase of primary productivity of

systems and reproduction of macroinvertebrates.

Therefore, it can be said that the Multiple Habitat Sampling Protocol (MHSP) was

successfully utilized to get the physicochemical parameters for macroinvertebrates in

Lawis Spring, that served as indicators to the water quality of the area.

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APPENDIX

To get the volume of water flow:

FORMULA: R=WDAV

WHERE:

W= width

A= bottom factor constant (0.8 for rocks, coarse gravel; 0.9 for mud sand and bedrock)

V= current velocity