Quality of the aquatic environment and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates of high Andean wetlands of the Junín region, Peru

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the quality of the aquatic environment and diversity of benthic macroinvertebrates of high Andean wetlands in the Junín region, Peru, between March and December 2017. Samples of water and benthic macroinvertebrates were collected from 22 sampling sites during the rainy season and low water. The physical-chemical indicators of water quality determined in situ were: DO, DTS, EC, temperature and pH. The results obtained reveal that the physical-chemical and bacteriological indicators are within the environmental quality standards for water, except COD and BOD₅. Regarding the benthic macroinvertebrates, four phyla were identified, the most representative being the phylum Arthropoda in abundance and taxa richness. Therefore, according to the sampling period, highly significant differences were detected (p < 0.01) for conductivity, COD, temperature, nitrates and thermotolerant coliforms, and significant differences (p < 0.05) for DTS. According to the wetland, 100% of the indicators showed high significant differences. In addition, 70% of the indicators presented interaction according to sampling season and wetland. The greatest abundance and dominance were recorded in the Tragadero wetland and the greater richness, diversity and equitability of taxa in the Pomacocha wetland.