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Blue-green and diatom algae are dominant in Aghstev river. The findings of researchers of the Center of Zoology and Hydroecology of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

The researchers of the Zoology and Hydroecology Center of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia investigated the main components of the biocenoses of the Aghstev River and its Getik and Haghartsin tributaries. As a result, new species of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera and Diptera were discovered for the Aghstev River and Getik and Haghartsin tributaries. The representatives of the discovered macrophytes and zooplankton community belonged to the species characteristic of β-α-mesosaprobe-polysaprobe waters.

Blue-green and diatom algae were dominant in the Aghstev river during the investigated period. After Ijevan, a rare species of dinophytic algae Dynobryon cylindricum was encountered, which is characteristic of polluted waters rich in bacterial flora and can cause "blooms". After the cities of Dilijan and Ijevan, species belonging to the genera Oscillatoria and Anabaena became widespread as a result of the influence of running water.

"The water quality of the studied rivers was evaluated according to the IBE biotic index and V. Romanenko's eco-sanitary classification of surface waters. The Aghstev river was polluted by communal-household water after settlements, which is evidenced by the high values ​​of the coli index (12000-80000 GAM/l). After Ijevan, these values ​​decreased somewhat (16,000-24,000 GAM/l). Pollution increased especially after Dilijan. The Getik and Haghartsin tributaries were relatively clean," said Dr. Bardukh Gabrielyan, Scientific Director of the Zoology and Hydroecology Center of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia.

The research was carried out within the framework of the project "Study of biodiversity of fauna and hydrobionts of the specially protected areas of the northern regions of Armenia and the Sevan Lake basin".

The practical result of the project is to promote the construction of a sewage treatment plant in order to improve the ecological condition of the Aghstev River.

As a result of the study, the article "Characteristics of macrophyte coexistence of the Aghstev river basin" was published in the biological journal of Armenia, authors: Yepremyan H.V., Kobelyan H.H., Mkrtchyan Zh.H., Melkonyan H.F., Ghukasyan E.Kh., Hakobyan S.H.

Articles are being prepared that will summarize the data obtained on the studied coexistences of the Aghstev River.

Department of Science Publicization and Public Relations of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia

source: https://www.ecolur.org/hy/news/water/14832/