The Influence of Anthropogenic Activities on Macro-Invertearates Assemblage and Water Quality in the Crocodile River (East) Mpumalanga, South Africa

Abstract

Biological indicators such as macro-invertebrates and water quality parameters can give an overall overview of what is happening in a river catchment. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of anthropogenic activities on macro-invertebrates assemblage and water quality using multivariate analysis and to determine the present ecological state of the river using the Macro-Invertebrates Response Assessment index. The South African Scoring System Version 5 (SASS 5)
was used to collect macro invertebrates. Water quality samples were collected using a polyethylene bottle and analysed by Mpumamanzi Laboratory in Nelspruit and Water lab in Pretoria. From the results obtained it was evident that anthropogenic activities along the Crocodile River play a role in water quality deterioration and the subsequent distribution of macro-invertebrates during high and low flow conditions. The main anthropogenic activities contribute to the influence of macro-invertebrates community and water quality are agricultural activities in the upper reaches and a combination of industrial, domestic, mining and agricultural activities in the middle and lower reaches of the Crocodile River.