Investigation of benthic macroinvertable fauna and some environmental variables in Sızır Waterfall (Gemerek-Sivas)

OpenAlex · English

In this study, the benthic macroinvertebrate fauna of Sızır Waterfall, which is located in Sivas Province (Türkiye) and has an important place in recreational activities, and some environmental variables (velocity speed, water temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, total hardness of water, Ca, Mg, Cl, salinity, total amount of dissolved matter, PO4, SO4, NO2-N, NO3-N contents) that may be effective in their distribution were investigated. Also, some elements (Li, B, Na, Al, K, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Cd, Sb, Ba, Tl, Pb) and a total of 181 types of pesticides were investigated in the studied area. During the wet and dry seasons of 2022, samplings were made from a total of 3 stations: at the beginning of the waterfall (upstream), inside the waterfall (waterfall) and at the exit of the waterfall (downstream). While individuals belonging to Oligochaeta (Potamothrix sp.), Gastropoda (Physa sp.), Amphipoda (Gammarus pseudosyriacus), Ephemeroptera (Baetis sp.), Plecoptera, Trichoptera, Coleoptera, Diptera and Odonata were determined. Also the physicochemical analysis results were evaluated in terms of water quality. The physicochemical and biological data of the sampling stations were examined statistically, and based on the similarity obtained, the effects of environmental variables on the distribution of macroinvertebrates were evaluated. The relationship between physicochemical data was analyzed using Pearson Correlation Analysis.