The Assessment of Water Quality in Choghakhor Wetland Using BMWP and ASPT Indices

To investigate water qualityin the Choghakhor wetland using BMWP and ASPT methods, ten stations were selected. Samples were collected every 45 days from April 2010 to March 2011 with 3 replicates at each station. The BMWP and ASPT were calculated after identification and counting benthic specimens using the BMWP and ASPT score system. The average BMWP measured in various sites and sampling times indicate that the water qulity of the Choghakhor wetland is classified as bad condition. However the eighth site and the first stage of sampling were found to be in the moderate quality class. Analysis of variance indicated a significant difference between all stations and stages (P < 0.05). The ASPT index takes the water quality of wetland in two pollution categories: moderate and severe. The ASPT index for different stations and stages agrees with the BMWP index as they have a positive correlation at the confidence level of 0.01