Evaluation of the water quaity of Kura-Aras river basins, transboundary rivers of Türkiye, according to some biotic indices

Abstract

In this study aimed in the Kura-Aras river basin, which is the transbourdary system of Türkiye, to determine water quality by using some physicochemical parameters and macroinvertebrates. In the spring and autumn periods, benthic macroinvertebrates were collected by standard D-Frame Net and Ekman grab from stations. A total of 30 stations were selected along the basin. In this study, following Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP), Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT), Simpson Diversity Index, Shannon-Weaver Diversity Index, Margalef Diversity Index. It was determined that the most dominant group was Insecta and the rarest group was Oligochaeta in the Kura- Aras River basin. As a result of the evaluation of the selected stations in the basin in terms of physicochemical parameters, it was determined that they showed 2nd and 3rd class water characteristics in terms of PO4-P and NH4–N. According to BMWP and ASPT biotic indexes, it has been determined that it has 3rd and 4th class quality properties.