Diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates and water quality of Karasu Stream (Black Sea)

Abstract

The study was conducted in Karasu Stream (Sinop Province, Black Sea Region of Turkey). The purpose of this study is, to determine the benthic macroinvertebrate composition of the stream, together with some of its environmental characteristics (water temperature, pH and dissolved oxygen) to evaluate the trophic level of the stream. Samplings of benthic macroinvertebrates and environmental variables were performed monthly at ten stations between February 2013 and January 2014. As a result, 18260 specimens were investigated and 175 taxa were determined. Chironomidae and Oligochaeta were the higher groups in terms of species richness with 48 and 38 taxa, respectively. The BMWP and ASPT indices indicate that all the stations belong to “slightly polluted (Class II)” or “unpolluted (Class I)” water quality levels.