Perifiton diversity as an indicator of water quality in Caño Barandas, El Diamante de las Aguas Natural Reserve, Guaviare, Colombia

Abstract

Introduction. The periphyton is understood as a complex community of microorganisms among which are mainly photosynthetic organisms and zooplankton adhered to substrates, its study allows to know the functioning of aquatic ecosystems, as well as the state and ecology of the communities present. Objetive. To evaluate the water quality from the diversity of periphyton of Caño Barandas in the El Diamante de Las Aguas, Natural Reserve in the department of Guaviare. Methodology. The physicochemical variables pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature were measured in 5 stations along 200 meters in the water-body, followed by samples of the periphyton superimposed on rock surfaces, trunk and litter, by means of a scraping inside a 2x2 cm frame, with 3 repetitions, subsequently, for the identification of the organisms, 25 aliquots were observed for 5 minutes per aliquot. to evaluate the water quality. Shannon-Wiener, Simpson, Menhinick diversity indices, canonical correspondence analysis and the biological contamination index, Results. A total of 465 records were obtained, distributed in 82 genera, the most representative were Campylodiscus (5.81%), Tribonema (8.60%), Ophyoctium (10.75%) and Microspora (11.40%). The latter gave 11.7 as a result, which indicates that it is a clean water area. Conclusion. The evaluated variables presented a direct relationship with the periphyton communities found in the stations. The diversity indices showed that in this area there is a high diversity in the periphyton communities, which indicates a good water quality.