Preliminary data on water quality using benthic macroinvertebrates as quality indicators: a case study in the Drin River Basin, Albania

Abstract Compliance with the Water Framework Directive has not yet been met by Albania, and further efforts are needed to achieve this goal, including implementation of an extensive programme monitoring surface groundwater bodies. Benthic macroinvertebrates integrated element whose results being used assess achievement objectives. This study carried out strictly following protocols methodologies Directive. The biological assessment took place in 2017 at 11 stations along Drin River Albania. Sampled specimens have water quality Basin through a set indices’ calculations per each group indicators. A total 41 benthic invertebrate taxa were calculate biotic indices, finding only 3 good status assessed our study; 8 is classified as moderate or poor status. Statistical analysis identify trend invertebrates from one sampling point another factors influencing similarity between families.