Biological Evaluation of the Water Quality in the Zit-emba Reservoir using Freshwater Macroinvertebrates
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Date
2025
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of Sciences
Abstract
This study provides an ecological assessment of the Zit-emba reservoir in northeastern Algeria by employing freshwater macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of water quality. In light of increasing anthropogenic pressures on aquatic systems, the research adopts an integrative approach combining biological and physicochemical analyses. Four stations were selected based on accessibility and ecological heterogeneity. Over six seasonal sampling campaigns, 796 individuals belonging to seven taxonomic families were collected. Concurrently, key physicochemical parameters such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, and turbidity were measured to support environmental correlation. The application of the Hilsenhoff Biotic Index facilitated the assessment of organic pollution levels, revealing spatial variations in ecological status, with some stations exhibiting signs of moderate to high degradation linked to human influence. The composition and structure of macroinvertebrate communities reflected distinct environmental gradients. These findings underscore the efficacy of macroinvertebrates as sensitive tools for biomonitoring and reinforce the role of biological approaches in aquatic ecosystem evaluation. The study advocates for the integration of such bioassessment methods into sustainable water resource management, particularly in regions with limited access to advanced laboratory infrastructure