Indicative status assessment of the Danube River (Iron Gate sector 849 - 1,077 rkm) based on the aquatic macroinvertebrates

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present the results of the ecological status assessment of the Danube River in the Iron Gate Region (rkm 849 to 1077), based on the analysis of the macrozoobenthos community. The investigation was performed in September 2011. The following metrics were used: Saprobic Index (Zelinka & Marvan), BMWP (Biological Monitoring Working Party) and ASPT (Average Score Per Taxon) indices, participation of Tubificidae (% Tubificidae), total number of taxa, number of gastropods and bivalves taxa and Shannon’s Diversity Index. Based on the value of the selected metrics, the status of the Danube in the Iron Gate stretch was assessed as moderate (class III). A total of 61 macroinvertebrate taxa were recorded. With regard to the taxa richness, the dominant components of the community were found to be Insecta, Oligochaeta and Mollusca. With respect to the percentage participation/relative abundance, Molusca and Crustacea were found to be the principal components.