Evaluación de la calidad del agua a lo largo de una cuenca heterogénea (Río Grande, Jujuy, Argentina)

The aim of this work is to evaluate the ecological quality waters along an environmentally heterogeneous basin, using macroinvertebrate biotic indices (BI). Twelve sampling sites were selected in Río Grande following altitudinal gradient across Puna, Monte and Yungas ecoregions. Sampling was conducted dry rainy seasons, during three consecutive years (2012 2014). At each site, physico-chemical parameters measured benthic macroinvertebrates collected. Principal component analysis (PCA) applied explore environmental variability terms parameters. water basin assessed by means different indices. Correlation analyses performed between physicochemical Altitude, NaCl, total dissolved solids (TDS) electrical conductivity higher at Puna sites, while river discharge, width depth sites. Biotic suggested good quality. BMWP (Biomonitoring Working Party) family richness most suitable simultaneously compare rivers change composition assemblages observed altitude 1500 m a. s. l., separating arid humid zones coinciding with inflection points conductivity, NaCl TDS.