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A multimetric index based on benthic macroinvertebrates for evaluation of Atlantic Forest streams at Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil

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Abstract

This study describes the application of a protocol for biological assessment of water quality at first to third order streams at Serra dos Órgãos, an area covered by Atlantic Forest in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Major impacts in the region are domestic effluents and deforestation. Our main objective is to establish biocriteria for the establishment of the Serra dos Órgãos Multimetric Index (SOMI) based on benthic macroinvertebrates. We used data from previous studies, sampled by experienced biologists, from 1999 through 2002. The benthic macroinvertebrate community was sampled in 12 reference sites and seven impaired sites in three river basins: Guapimirim, Macaé and Grande, all from the same bioregion. From the 22 tested metrics, 6 were included in the SOMI (% Diptera, % Coleoptera, Family Taxa, EPT Taxa, BMWP-CETEC and % Shredders). Scores (5, 3 or 1) were developed for these metrics to allow for aggregation into the index. Seven intermediately impaired sites were used for evaluating the applicability of the multimetric index. We concluded that the SOMI is a robust easy-to-apply tool for biomonitoring programs in the Serra dos Órgãos region, south-east Brazil.

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Acknowledgements

This research was partially funded by Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, PDTSP-Águas. We are thankful to Valdinei Valin from LAPSA/IOC and to Dr. Rodolfo Paranhos from the Laboratório de Hidrobiologia/UFRJ for the water chemical analyses.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental – FIOCRUZ/IOC, Av. Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil

    Darcilio F. Baptista, Daniel F. Buss, Mariana Egler & Alexandre Giovanelli

  2. EMBRAPA Ambiental, Rodovia SP 340, Km 12,5, Tanquinho Velho, Jaguariúna, SP, Brasil

    Mariana P. Silveira

  3. Laboratório de Entomologia, Departamento de Zoologia, CCS, Universidade do Brasil (UFRJ), Ilha do Fundão, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil

    Jorge L. Nessimian

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  1. Darcilio F. Baptista
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  2. Daniel F. Buss
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  3. Mariana Egler
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  4. Alexandre Giovanelli
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  5. Mariana P. Silveira
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  6. Jorge L. Nessimian
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Correspondence to Darcilio F. Baptista.

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Baptista, D.F., Buss, D.F., Egler, M. et al. A multimetric index based on benthic macroinvertebrates for evaluation of Atlantic Forest streams at Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Hydrobiologia 575, 83–94 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-006-0286-x

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