Ecological indicators for qualitative assessment of Ojarud River: A case study.

Today, the application of ecological indicators based on organisms has replaced traditional saprobic approaches for assessment of the quality of rivers impaired due to organic pollution and some other environmental disturbances. This study aimed to weigh the quality of the Ojarud River in Ardabil, Iran, applying biological and physiological indices of macro-invertebrates. A total of 12,524 samplings were fulfilled at four stations (S1, S2, S3, S4) from the headstream to downstream by a Surber sampler (30 × 30 cm) from June/2020 to April/2021.

Physicochemical and biological status of Aghlagan river, Iran: effects of seasonal changes and point source pollution.

Although the macroinvertebrates have been widely used as bio-indicator for river water quality assessment in developed countries, its application is new in Iran and data on the health status of the most ecologically important rivers in Iran is scarce. The present study aimed at monitoring and assessing the ecological quality of Aghlagan river, northwest of Iran, using integrated physicochemical-biological approaches. A total of 14,423 samplings were carried out from the headwater to downstream sites at four stations (S1, 2, 3, 4) by a Surber sampler (30 cm × 30 cm) from June 2018 to April 2019.