ASSESSMENT OF
MACROINVERTEBRATES AS
BIOINDICATORS OF WATER
QUALITY IN THE LITTORAL ZONE
OF LAKE
ABSTRACT
The presence of over 100 freshwater lakes in the Philippines, with a focus on Lake Mainit as a
unique biodiversity area facing threats from anthropogenic activities. Commercial fisheries rely on
the lake for livelihood, but issues such as mining, unsustainable fishing, agrochemical use, and
human settlements pose significant challenges. Sections of the lake exceed safe limits for lead
and total mercury in sediments. Despite efforts by agencies for lake management and
conservation, practical actions are deemed insufficient, particularly in addressing pollution
sources. The use of aquatic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators for monitoring freshwater quality
and ecosystem health, citing their sensitivity to environmental changes. This study introduces the
first comprehensive assessment of macroinvertebrates in Lake Mainit, aiming to provide baseline
data for future monitoring and mitigation measures.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study was conducted in selected ten littoral
zones of Lake Mainit, in the provinces of Agusan
del Norte and Surigao del Norte, specifically in
areas of Asinda, Mansayao, Alipao,
Tabuyawan, Bunga, Dinarawan, Kitcharao, San
Roque and Jabonga,These sampling areas were
selected randomly regardless of the terrestrial
habitat. Triplicate 100 m belt transects were
established in the ten sampling stations. Each
transect utilized 5 x 10 m. Sampling was done in
September to October 2017 and February 2018.
Figure 1. Map of Lake Mainit, Philippines showing the ten sampling stations in
the provinces of Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Norte, Philippines.
Figure 2. Physicochemical properties of water (M±SEM) in selected sampling
stations in Lake Mainit, Philippines.
RELATED LITERATURE
Paylangco JCC, Gamalinda EF,Seronay RA, Jumawan
JC. Assessment of Macroin-vertebrates as
Bioindicatorsof Water Quality in the Littoral Zone of
Lake Mainit, Caraga Region,
Philippines. Asian J Biol Life Sci. 2020;9(3):371-8, 378
Asian Journal of Biological and Life Sciences, Vol 9,
Issue 3, Sep-Dec, 2020
UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY OF SOUTHERN
PHILIPPINES
AUTHORS
ABENOSA, CHRISLY
MAINIT, PHILIPPINES
PILAPIL, FRANCIS REY
YBANEZ, GIA LORRAINE
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE MAJOR IN NATURAL RESOURCE MANANGMENT
INTRODUCTION
The presence of over 100 freshwater lakes in the Philippines, with a focus on Lake Mainit as a
unique biodiversity area facing threats from anthropogenic activities. Commercial fisheries rely on
the lake for livelihood, but issues such as mining, unsustainable fishing, agrochemical use, and
human settlements pose significant challenges. Sections of the lake exceed safe limits for lead
and total mercury in sediments. Despite efforts by agencies for lake management and
conservation, practical actions are deemed insufficient, particularly in addressing pollution
sources. The use of aquatic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators for monitoring freshwater quality
and ecosystem health, citing their sensitivity to environmental changes. This study introduces the
first comprehensive assessment of macroinvertebrates in Lake Mainit, aiming to provide baseline
data for future monitoring and mitigation measures.
RESULTS
IDENTIFIED BASED ON TAXA GROUPINGS
WATER PHYSICOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT MACROINVERTEBRATES ASSESSMENT
Taxa 1 (pollution sensitive)
The study revealed that all water physical and A total of 20,924 macroinvertebrate
Taxa 2 (wide range tolerant)
chemical test parameters passed the DAO series individuals,benging to 16 species and 13
Taxa 3 (pollution tolerant).
of 2016-08 water quality standards,[19] except for
Roxas, families were collected. Areas of Asinda,
the temperature and pH readings of Mansayao
WATER QUALITY INDEX SCORING Mansayao, Alipao and Jabonga have the
and pH readings of Tagbuyawan (Figure 2).
highest number of taxa collected
7.7-10 (Very clean water )
TAXA GROUPINGS AND WATER QUALITY
5.1-7.5 ( Rather clean to clean water ) WATER PHYSICOCHEMICAL ASSESSMENT
INDEX (WQI)
.6-5.0 ( Rather dirty to average dirty water ) Variation of temperature and pH readings in
Seven gastropods and one annelid species were
1.0-2.5 dirty water the area of Mansayao and pH readings for
grouped under Taxa 3. Two bivalves (A. woodiana
0 - Very dirty water(no life at all) Tagbuyawan was due to a time constraint. The
and C. fluminea and six arthropod species were
identified under Taxa 2 (Table 3). No EPT or said stations were sampled around 10:00 am
pollution sensitive species. Based on the to 3:00 pm where the temperature was notably
macroinvertebrates collected, average WQI score high. Time and landscape variation could be
from the ten littoral zones (3.6) indicates a “rather factors why the two sampling stations’ pH
dirty - average dirty” water condition. levels were higher compared to standards
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN TAXA GROUPINGS AND WATER QUALITY
MACROINVERTEBRATE ABUNDANCE AND INDEX
THE PHYSICOCHEMICAL
The current study shows certain The equal occurrence of both Taxa 3 and
macroinvertebrates taxa are associated with Taxa 2 representatives may indicate that
some water physicochemicalconditions. Mollusks declining water quality. In contrast, Taxa 2
such as P. maculata, T. scabra, T. granifera, M. has 50% of a total species collected and
tuberculata, R. rubiginosa and Corbicula sp. may suggest that the water quality is still in
be affected when the pH and DO and even depth
moderate condition.
were beyond its tolerance level. Some Taxa 2
species, such as S. philippina, L. naiyanetri and A.
remiges, may be affected by the changes in
water temperature, pH and DO. Moreover,
sewage waste has been reported to decrease
the level of DO and affecting the growth, survival
Figure 3: Macroinvertebrates species composition and abundance in selected sampling stations in Lake Mainit, Philippines.
and density of some bivalve species.[33]
ANALYSIS CONCLUSION
Physicochemical Parameters: All physicochemical suggesting a presence that indicates moderate to poor This study is the first to report a comprehensive
parameters in the ten sampling stations met the water water quality. assessment of aquatic macroinvertebrates and water
qualityy standard set by DAO 2016, except for pH and Water Quality Index (WQI): WQIs ranged from 3.1 to 3.7, physicochemical analysis in the ten littoral zones of
temperature readings at Mansayao and Tagbuyawan. categorizing the stations as having "rather dirty to Lake Mainit. Water physicochemical parameters are
Macroinvertebrate Diversity: A total of 20,924 average" and "dirty water," with San Roque station within the acceptable range. The occurrence of Taxa
macroinvertebrates were collected, representing 16 (WQI=2.5) showing a polluted water quality. 2 and Taxa 3 macroinvertebrates relative to their
species from 13 families. Mansayao exhibited higher Species Associations: Ten out of the 16 collected density and distribution pattern were affected by the
species diversity (H’=1.98). macroinvertebrate species showed moderate positive
type of water quality, serious ecological problems,
EPT Species Absence: No EPT (Ephemeroptera, anthropogenic disturbance and the influx of non-point
associations with pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature,
Plecoptera, Trichoptera) species were observed
source pollution. The use of macroinvertebrates as an
and Total Dissolved Solids.
indirect method for water quality monitoring suggests
across the stations, indicating a specific composition Pollution-Tolerant Species: The abundance of pollution-
declining and poor water quality in Lake Mainit.
in the macroinvertebrate community. tolerant species indicates a potential decline in water
Constant monitoring should be implemented to help
Taxa Distribution: Most collected macroinvertebrates quality due to anthropogenic activities surrounding Lake
alleviate and mitigate the current issue of water
belonged to Taxa 2 (50%) and Taxa 3 (50%) Mainit.
quality status