Evaluation of the water quality of the Actopan river in Jareros, Veracruz using macroinvertebrates and diatoms as bioindicators

Abstract

The research was carried out in the Actopan river, in Jareros, Veracruz, using physical and chemical analyses, as well as bioindicators such as macroinvertebrates and diatoms to evaluate contamination in this water body. The BMWP and EPT were applied for macroinvertebrates and the IDP was applied for diatoms. Shannon index was applied for diversity and evenness was applied. The physical and chemical parameters were maintained within the permissible values of NOM-001-SEMARNAT-2021. Twelve families of macroinvertebrates were collected in the area, with the Sphaenidae family being the most abundant with 23 organisms; for diatoms, 12 genera were identified, the most abundant being the diatom Fragilaria with 178. Both the BMWP index (80) and the EPT (42.59%) for macroinvertebrates evaluated the water quality as acceptable. The IDP index (2.0467) also evaluated it as acceptable. The rainy season made it possible to obtain acceptable water quality values, avoiding the accumulation of pollutants in the river.