QUALITY OF WATER BY PHYSICOCHEMICAL FACTORS AND MACROINVERTEBRATES IN THE AGUAPEY STREAM (PARAGUAY)

This research presents the results of the water quality study of the Aguapey stream (Paraguay) by means of physicochemical parameters and the diversity of aquatic macroinvertebrates. Samples were performed between the season of September 2016 and July 2017, in four locations alongside the water course, three were performed in the main channel and one in the urban tributary of the Cai Puente stream. Simplified Index Water Quality (ISQA) was used. Biodiversity founded on communities was considered through the Dominance, Simpson, Berger-Parker and Shannon-Wiener indexes. It was found that the waters of the Aguapey stream felt into the turbid category (moderately polluted with organic matter), being stations one and two most affected due to agricultural activities, remarkably improving downstream. Conversely, the Cai Puente stream was the most affected (polluted) due to sewages from domestic service and industrial activities, with very excessive levels of total phosphorus and fecal coliforms. Results show that the wealth and species variety were influenced by organic pollution. Diversity of macroinvertebrates could represent adequate assessment instruments for the routine monitoring of the ecological status of the basins and streams of the region.