Research: Monitoring
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Research
Bio-indicators
Bio-indicators are organisms that tell us something about the quality of an ecosystem. Organisms will only dwell
in places where the environment offers the quality they need to survive. Species sensitive for certain pollutants
for that reason won't be found or will be found in lesser densities in places rich in these pollutants. This
knowledge is used by LAMPI to monitor the quality of the Pilcomayo ecosystem.
One of the bio-indicators we use is the composition of the macro-fauna (small aquatic animals). Every few
months during the year we make an inventory of the species of macro-fauna present and calculate the densities
of the different species in this composition. Other bio-indicators used are certain species of fish and plants.
Bio-indicators are organisms that tell us something about the quality of an ecosystem. Organisms will only dwell
in places where the environment offers the quality they need to survive. Species sensitive for certain pollutants
for that reason won't be found or will be found in lesser densities in places rich in these pollutants. This
knowledge is used by LAMPI to monitor the quality of the Pilcomayo ecosystem.
One of the bio-indicators we use is the composition of the macro-fauna (small aquatic animals). Every few
months during the year we make an inventory of the species of macro-fauna present and calculate the densities
of the different species in this composition. Other bio-indicators used are certain species of fish and plants.
Continuous measurement of water quality
Taking just one water sample and analysing it for its content gives you information just about the water quality at that specific
moment in time. Especially for the Pilcomayo, because of its highly dynamic character, it would not be possible to say anything
really useful about the quality of its water just by analysing one water sample. It is for this reason that since 2005 LAMPI at least
once a week has taken filtered and unfiltered water samples and analysed for their content of heavy metals and other chemical
compounds. Other parameters measured are temperature, pH, alkalinity and sediment load. Besides water samples, samples
of the suspended matter in the water are taken as well.
Taking just one water sample and analysing it for its content gives you information just about the water quality at that specific
moment in time. Especially for the Pilcomayo, because of its highly dynamic character, it would not be possible to say anything
really useful about the quality of its water just by analysing one water sample. It is for this reason that since 2005 LAMPI at least
once a week has taken filtered and unfiltered water samples and analysed for their content of heavy metals and other chemical
compounds. Other parameters measured are temperature, pH, alkalinity and sediment load. Besides water samples, samples
of the suspended matter in the water are taken as well.
In co-operation with the department of Aquatic Ecology & Environmental Biology and the department of Environmental studies,
the environmental department of COMIBOL and the Proyecto Pilcomayo.
the environmental department of COMIBOL and the Proyecto Pilcomayo.
| Cd concentration muscle tissue fish species Pilcomayo, 2006 |
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