Comparing the Health of Two Rivers

As macro-invertebrates do not move much, they make excellent indicators for pollution effects in
rivers. Both the number of species and the actual types of species can be used to indicate how
polluted an area is. We will use two different measures of diversity to compare our sampling areas.

TASK: We will collect data on the invertebrates from the river at Ha

Binh (Vietnamese name Sng Bi). We will then use two different
measures to assess the health of this river (attached) to decide if this river
is in a near natural state, damaged by human activity, highly polluted etc.
You will need to compare and evaluate the result from each measure of
river health and use these to come up with your own (scientific) opinion
on the state of this river
Sampling areas:
Ideal sites have a flow of 0.3 0.7 m/s (try dropping a stick in & timing). The surface is slow
moving and slightly broken. The bottom is fairly stable, ideally cobbles or small rocks. The depths
are 10-30cm (at times of low flow).

Methods of sampling:
All methods of sampling involve moving the substrate (what is on the bottom of the river) and
catching the dislodged invertebrates with a net placed on the downstream side of the sampling area.

Whether you use your feet, hands or the net itself (for plant material) is unimportant, as long as you
are consistent between your sites (as you are comparing them).
You should get as many macro-invertebrates as you can. This might come out of a 50cm x50cm
area, or you might need to go bigger (consistency between sites).
You should ALWAYS start on the downstream edge of your site and slowly move upstream to the
end of your sampling site.

What data do you need to record?

Read the following information on the two indices of diversity that you will use. You need to collect
suitable and relevant data to be able to calculate both. You can do all of this with one set of raw
data, if you do it correctly, although each diversity index will need its own calculations.

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Our two sampling Indices:

(1)

Simpsons Diversity Index

Yep, our old friend again!

(2)

N ( N 1)
n(n 1)

N = Total Number of organisms

n = Number of individuals of each species

Pollution Tolerance Index (or PTI)

In this system, each macro-invertebrate is given a points value. The higher the points the better
the water must be for the organism to live there.
The number of types of organisms found for each organism group (can be genus or family just
use the table and diagrams below) is multiplied by their points value. The sum of these numbers
is the PTI value for the area sampled.
Table Two: Points value for using the PTI macro-invertebrate index

Group I

Group II

Group III

(4 points each
species)
Intolerant of
Pollution

(3 points each
species)
Moderately Tolerant of
Pollution

(2 points each
species)
Fairly Tolerant of
Pollution

Mayfly
Stonefly
Gill snail
Caddisfly
Riffle beetle
Dobsonfly
Water
penny

Alderfly
Amphipod
Damselfly
Dragonfly
Sowbug
Scud
Cranefly
Clam/mussel

Group IV
(1 point each species)

Crayfish /
lobster
Leeches
Midge
Flatworms

Black fly
larvae
Water mite

Bold indicates the organisms used for the EPT index as well

Table Three: PTI scores

PTI score
Water quality
>23
Excellent
17-22
Good
11-16
Fair
<10
poor

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Tolerant of Pollution

Bristle worms
Roundworms
Maggot
Tuberfex
Pouch Snails
Bloodworm

Table Four: Some common benthic macro-invertebrates found in river

Alderfly larvae

Amphipod (or scud)

Blackfly Larva
Bristleworm

Caddisfly Larva
May be brown, green or have sand, sticks, stones
cemented to itself

Clams and Mussels

Cranefly Larva

Damselfly Nymph

Diving Beetle

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Dobson fly larvae

Dragonfly Nymph

Flatworm

Leech

Mayfly Nymph

Midge Larva

Riffle beetle larvae

Roundworm

Snail

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Sowbug

Stonefly Nymph

Water penny

Modified from http://www.riverwatch.ab.ca/how_to_monitor/invert_identifying-ident.cfm#mayfly

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