Evaluation of aquatic ecosystem health via benthic macroinvertebrates and physicochemical parameters in the northern Sahara, Algeria

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This study aims to assess the ecological integrity of water habitats in the northern Sahara of Algeria, utilizing a multiparametric approach focused on the ecology of benthic macroinvertebrates. To monitor the water quality, benthic macroinvertebrates and physicochemical parameters were analyzed monthly from August 2015 to November 2017 throughout five aquatic ecosystems: Z’mor w adi, Ithel w adi, Djedi w adi, Ayata l ake, and Megarine l ake. The physicochemical analysis results indicate that the pH values at the research sites ranged from mildly alkaline to alkaline. Turbidity and suspended solids were markedly increased in Djedi w adi and Z’mor w adi. The mean BOD 5 values across all examined aquatic systems demonstrated moderate organic pollution levels, with the highest amounts recorded in Djedi w adi, Ithel w adi, and Megarine l ake. In terms of salinity, Djedi w adi exhibited slightly brackish conditions, whereas the remaining sites ranged from brackish to highly brackish. The recorded fauna included 995 individuals, representing 55 genera/taxa across 8 orders and 29 families. The most diverse taxa were Coleoptera (24 taxa), Diptera (14 taxa), and Hemiptera (10 taxa), with Diptera and Coleoptera being the most dominant. Z'mor and Ithel wadi s had the highest biodiversity, with a total richness of 35 taxa and a Shannon score over 2.50. PCA-Biblot and cluster analysis identified three groups, indicating the significance of site typology and environmental factors for the distribution of benthic macroinvertebrate communities. The IBGN evaluation classified the hydrobiological quality of water as poor (IBGN score of 5) in Djedi w adi, Ithel w adi, Megarine l ake, and Ayata l ake, but Z’mor w adi demo n strated moderate water quality with an IBGN score of 9.

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