THE ASSESSMENT OF WATER QUAlLITY IN THE UPPER PART OF THE CHI BASIN USING PHYSICOCHEMICAL VARIABLES AND BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATES
Keywords:
Chi basin, benthic macroinvertebrates, physicochemical variablesAbstract
The purpose of this research was to assess water quality using physicochemicalmeasurements and benthic macroinvertebrates in the upper part of the Chi basin. Tensampling sites were established along the river course. Physicochemical and biologicalproperties were measured bimonthly. Twelve physicochemical variables of water qualitywere examined and analyzed. The benthic macroinvertebrates were collected byrectangular dip net kicking samples from February to December 2004. BMWPThai score,ASPT, and HBI index were used to assess water quality. Relationships between samplingsites and between seasons were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA). Using of waterquality standard of Thailand, the results showed that the water quality of the upper partof the Chi basin was in class 2-class 3 of the water quality standard which the conditionand beneficial usage of water quality was very clean freshwater resources - medium cleanfreshwater resources. However, according to statistical analysis, these physicochemicalvariables were not significantly different. Benthic macroinvertebrates of 8 orders and 25families were found. The most abundant order was Odonata and the most abundantfamily was Gomphidae. The water quality assessed by ASPT index agreed with the waterquality assessed by physicochemical variables. Whereas, the HBI index was not related tophysicochemical variables in most sites.
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