Seasonal dynamics of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages and water quality in Lake Sapanca (Türkiye): A multimetric assessment

Serap Koşal Şahin; Menekşe Taş Divrik

doi:10.26881/oahs-2026.1.25

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Seasonal dynamics of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages and water quality in Lake Sapanca (Türkiye): A multimetric assessment

Oceanological and Hydrobiological Studies

Volume 55 (2026): Issue 3 (September 2026)

By: Serap Koşal Şahin and Menekşe Taş Divrik

Open Access

|Sep 2026

Abstract

This study examined spatial and seasonal variation of benthic macroinvertebrate assemblages in Lake Sapanca, based on samples from five stations during spring, summer, and autumn 2020, and winter 2021. Physicochemical parameters, including pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved oxygen (DO), depth, NO₂-N, NO₃-N, PO₄-P, and total phosphorus, were measured to assess their influence on community structure. In total, 31 taxa from Ephemeroptera, Coleoptera, Isopoda, Gastropoda, Oligochaeta, and Chironomidae were identified, with an average density of 1422 individuals · m⁻². The Nitrate Pollution Index indicated no nitrate-related pollution across stations or seasons. Bray-Curtis analysis showed the highest similarity (96.80%) between summer and autumn, reflecting stable communities during these periods. Spearman correlation revealed a positive relationship between temperature and EC, while NO₃-N was negatively correlated with temperature and PO₄-P. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that macroinvertebrate distribution was influenced by temperature and nutrient gradients. Biological indices, including Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP; Spainsh version), Margalef diversity index, and ecological quality ratio (EQR), revealed spatial differences among stations. Station 1 had the highest ecological quality; Stations 3 and 4 were classified as “good,” and the remaining stations as “moderate.” Overall, Lake Sapanca shows conditions ranging from moderate to good, providing a baseline for long-term monitoring and sustainable management.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26881/oahs-2026.1.25 | Journal eISSN: 1897-3191 | Journal ISSN: 1730-413X

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Language: English

Page range: 344 - 360

Submitted on: Jul 5, 2026

Accepted on: Aug 10, 2026

Published on: Sep 7, 2026

Published by: University of Gdańsk

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Publication frequency: 4 issues per year

Keywords:

Sapanca,

BMWP,

Benthic macroinvertebrate,

Related subjects:

© 2026 Serap Koşal Şahin, Menekşe Taş Divrik, published by University of Gdańsk
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Volume 55 (2026): Issue 3 (September 2026)