COMPOSITION, DISTRIBUTION, AND ABUNDANCE OF MACROINVERTEBRATES

AS BASIS FOR WATER QUALITY CLASSIFICATION

OF THE CAGAYAN DE ORO RIVER

Louis Carlo V. Lim, Carlito R. Bahade Jr, Aren Uzziel S. Nisco Victor Luis V. Notario
ABSTRACT
Macroinvertebrates in the four stations of the Cagayan de Oro River were sampled during the rainy season, between May 2013 August
2013 utilizing the kick sampling technique and the procedures in the Multi-Habitat Freshwater Protocol Field Guide by Globe 2010. The
physical parameters such as temperature, current, and depth were accounted for differences in the variation of t axonomic richness, species
composition and total abundance of the four stations. All the stations were dominated mostly by Gerris remigis (37. 5%) followed by Elimia sp.
(11.71%) and Diplacodes triviales under Odonata and Ochiterus (6.25%) under Hemiptera. Percentage abundance of Annelida is low (.75%) and
they included Lumbricus terrestris. High human activities along Station 2 that released wastes towards the River account for the poor species
richness. The Water Quality and Pollution Sensitivity of the four stations of the Cagayan de Oro River were determined using the Pollution
Tolerant Index. Station 2 had the lowest water quality score of 19.2, indicating poor water quality. Station 1 and Station 4 both have scores at the
range of 20 40, showing a Good water quality. The total average water quality score of the Cagayan de Oro River is 41.5 telling us that the
rivers water quality is Good.
Keywords: Macroinver tebr ates, Composition, Distr ibution, Abundance, Bioindicator s, Water Quality, Pollution Sensitivity, and Cagayan de Oro River.

INTRODUCTION

RESULTS

Macroinvertebrates are small animals without a backbone that can be

seen without a microscope. They live around living or dead vegetation, on
the surface or in the sediments of water bodies. They include many larvae of
insects such as mosquitoes, dragonflies and caddis flies that begin their lives
in the water before becoming land dwelling insects when they mature
(Globe, 2005). Freshwater macroinvertebrates are used as indicators in determining the chemical and physical changes in rivers and streams (Horne,
J., and Goldman, 1994). Macroinvertebrates sensitivities to changes in water
quality vary. Some organisms dwell in various conditions and has the ability
to tolerate pollution. Some of them are intolerant or sensitive to severe natural events, habitat changes, and pollution while others can tolerate better
(Christidis, et. al., 1997). Tolerance/intolerance Measures compare the percentage of taxa that are considered tolerant to perturbation with the percentage of taxa that are intolerant. A high ratio of %tolerant/%intolerant indicates a more stressed environment.
The purpose of this research is to assess the composition, distribution
and abundance of the macro invertebrates in the Cagayan de Oro River and
assess its water quality using the macroinvertebrates as bioindicators.

The number of pollution tolerant species such as water spider, adult

beetle, pouch snails, midges, and aquatic worms, to name few, makes up
the majority of the samples. Present in the sample is somewhat pollution
tolerant macroinvertebrates like damselfly, dragon fly, water penny, and
water scorpion although they make up a minority in the group. Pollution
sensitive macroinvertebrates like the mayfly, caddisfly, and water treader
are also identified.

OBJECTIVES
1. Collect, Identify the macroinvertebrates found in the four sampling
stations;
2. Determine the species diversity of macroinvertebrates in terms of their
composition, distribution, and abundance.
3. Determine the water quality based on the presence of macroinvertebrates;
4. Determine the pollution sensitivity of the identified macroinvertebrates.
sample, and;
5. Measure physical parameters of the water body.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Collage: Macroinvertebrates from the Cagayan de Oro River

Sampling Stations

Sampling

Sorting and Classification

Statistical and
Data Analysis

Interpretation of Data

Pollution Tolerant
Somewhat Tolerant
Pollution Sensitive

Biodiversity Index
Pollution Tolerance Index
(PTI)

Water Quality

Station 1

Station 2

Water Quality Score

Station 3
Station 4

Total Average

Water Quali- Water Quality Water Quality Water Quality Water

ty Score: 51 Score: 19.2
Score: 54.4
Score: 41.4
Quality
Score: 41.5
Good
Poor
Good
Good
Good

REFERENCES
Christidis, F., Davis, J. 1997. Water Facts.Water and Rivers Commission.Date
http://seagrant.uaf.edu/marineed/curriculum/images/stories/ frmacroinverte
bra.pdf
Globe 2005, Freshwater Macroinvertebrates Protocol. Date retrieved: November
2012.
Horne, J., and Goldman, C. 1994. Limnology, Water Movement. United States of
America, Curator of the Systematic Entomology Laboratory, Department of
Entomol- ogy, Oregon State University.
Hornig, C. E. andPollard, J. E. . 2003. Environmental Monitoring and Support

The data for pollution sensitivity shows that the Station 3 has the highest water
quality score of 54.4 which is good while Station 2 has the lowest water quality score
of 19.2, indicating poor water quality. Station 1 and Station 4 both have scores within
the range of more than 40, showing water quality that is Good but almost on the
verge of having just fair water quality. The total average water quality score of the
Cagayan de Oro River is 41.35 and the total average water quality of the Cagayan de
Oro River is fair.
It is safe to assume that Station 2 of the Cagayan de Oro River is polluted based
on the results. The area covers potential pollution discharges coming from the upstream of Ugiaban, Dansolihon. It is also a populated area with pollution discharges
coming from the nearby barangays and households that dwell near the area.

Laboratory Las Vegas, Nevada.

http://seagrant.uaf.edu/marine-ed/curriculum/images/stories/grade6/

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Our deep gratitude to Dr. Lesley C. Lubos, Dr. Fe S. Tolibas, Mr. Jaime H. Orbe,
Mr. Christian D. Magdale, Ms. Maria Elena Reyes, Noedette O. Perpetua, Janice
Dragon, Mitch Almaquer, Engr. Arnie C. Petalcorin, Dr. Japos, Mr. and Mrs. Mohagan, for their undying support and contributions to our thesis.

CONCLUSIONS
Station 2 in Cabula, Lumbia has Poor Water Quality although other stations
like Station 1 in Ugiaban, Dansolihon and Station 4 in Puntod has Good water
quality, and Station 3 in Taguanao has an excellent water quality. Overall the
Cagayan Oro River has Good Water Quality when based on the total average water quality score. The poor water quality in Station 2 can be attributed to the anthropogenic activities in the area.