Water quality assessment of a neotropical pampean lowland stream using a phytoplankton functional trait approach

The aim of this study was to test whether the water quality phytoplankton assemblage index adapted for rivers (Qr index) is useful to characterize the water quality of a neotropical stream. We were interested also in inferring the main pollutants through a phytoplankton functional trait characterization and assessing the phytoplankton groups which may influence the Qr index final estimations. Monthly sampling of environmental variables and phytoplankton were done in three sites (S1, S2, and S3). Phytoplankton was classified according to Reynolds Functional Groups (RFG) and water quality estimation was performed using the Qr index. Principal coordinates (PCO) and PERMANOVA were applied to identify the main pollutants through the RFG. RFG linkage to Qr values was assessed by general linear models (GLM). "Moderate" water quality was found in S1 the whole year, in all sampling stations during the winter, and in summer-autumn in S2. "Regular" water quality was found in S3 during the summer-autumn, and S2-S3 during the spring. S1 and S2 showed eutrophic, standing, or mix waters whereas S3 had high organic matter content and eutrophic conditions. Despite some RFG (X₁ and MP) being linked to high Qr values and some other (M, S1 and Z) to low, their dominance did not influence water quality estimation performed by the Qr. We conclude that the Qr index was useful for assessing the water quality. Though RFG were valuable for inferring eutrophication, organic pollution, and mixing, but their dominance does not necessarily have a direct effect on the final Qr estimation.