WATER QUALITY INFLUENCE ON MACROINVERTEBRATE COMMUNITY IN A TROPICAL ESTUARY (BUENAVENTURA BAY).

The anthropogenic discharges of inorganic nutrients impact water quality affecting the macroinvertebrate assemblage and food safety. The main objective was to examine the seawater quality and macroinvertebrate dynamics in muddy habitats of Buenaventura Bay, Colombian Pacific. Macroinvertebrates were captured using artisanal trawl nets during different seasons and along four sampling sites. Multivariate analyses (CCA and GAM) were used to assess the effects of variation in nitrite, nitrates, phosphates concentrations and physicochemical variables (salinity, pH, DO, temperature and TDS) of water on the macroinvertebrate assemblage. Richness was highest at sites with high salinity and temperature and low concentrations of nitrites and TDS. The densities of the commercial shrimp species Xiphopenaeus riveti and Rimapenaeus byrdi were highest at sites with higher DO, alkalinity and lower nitrate concentration. The swimming crab Callinectes arcuatus was dominant at sites with low water quality. In summary, on transitional season at inner sites of Buenaventura Bay was observed the lowest water quality due to nitrates levels. High nitrate concentration was highlighted as the main anthropic factor that could decrease the capture of target macroinvertebrate species for food and livelihoods of artisanal fishermen and their families. Thus, macroinvertebrate communities may be vulnerable to increased inorganic nutrient inputs which could affect estuarine water quality and ecosystems services. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.