author(s)
Dawn Rosarie M Fajardo, Romell A Seronay, Joycelyn C Jumawan

abstract
Macroinvertebrates have been utilized to monitor water bodies to evaluate water quality and complement water quality surveys. The physico-chemical features of four freshwater bodies near nickel mining activity was assessed using selected physico-chemical parameters in combination with macroinvertebrate composition scoring and diversity indices. Results showed that a total of 20 species from 13 families of aquatic macroinvertebrate were collected. Tagmamarkay stream had higher species richness and abundance with 16 species but with notable Taxa 3. In Bugnam creek and upstream stations, macroinvertebrates, particularly Taxa 2 and Taxa 1 species make up majority of the organisms. Physico-chemical parameters studied in all four stations are within acceptable limits. Results of this study would serve as baseline data for water quality of these water bodies near mining activity. Long term monitoring and improvement of riparian vegetation nearest these water bodies are recommended to improve macroinvertebrate population and quality of water.