WATER QUALITY EVALUATION OF CRI UL ALB AND CRI UL NEGRU RIVERS CATCHMENTS, FROM CODRU-MOMA MOUNTAINS (WEST OF ROMANIA), USING BENTHIC INVERTEBRATES COMMUNITIES

Water quality evaluation of the two watersheds involved the collection of thirteen samples from the tributaries of Cri ul Alb and Cri ul Negru rivers. The samples were collected in june 2010 with a benthic net, which had the mesh size of 250 μm, by disturbing the substrate, being thus qualitative samples. To get an overview, a series of physical-chemical parameters (water temperature, pH, oxygen, conductivity, cyanide, nitrates, nitrites, phosphates) was studied in parallel with the study of benthic community. In most of the sampling points the major group of benthic macroinvertebrates were found and in some EPT group (Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Trichoptera) prevailed even, which is known as a clean freshwater group, sensitive to pollution and human impact.