**2.2 Sampling and analysis procedure**

From each site, ten water and macroinvertebrates samples were collected. Physical parameters of the area was also recorded. pH, conductivity, total suspended solids (T.D.S), and the water temperature were measured in the field using a portable instrument (HANNA HI 9811-5), and dissolved oxygen (DO) was calculated by using DO-510. The other parameters recorded in **Table 2** were determined in the laboratory using a flame (air-acetylene) atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Hitachi, Model Z-5000) and tritremetric methods following standard procedure [27–31].

*Evaluation of Water Quality Using Physicochemical Parameters and Aquatic Insects Diversity DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108423*

### **Figure 3.** *Site B.*

### **2.3 Sampling of aquatic insects**

Macroinvertebrates were collected by D-net of 30 cm × 30 cm × 60 cm with 0.5 mm mesh. The net was held vertically right angle to the current. The collection was done by shaking the net at a depth of the river for 1 minute. The collection was done in the morning for 1 week. The collection was done from upstream (A) to downstream (D). For maximizing the complete assemblage of samples, ten replicates from each site were selected every day according to the geographic conditions of the surrounding, i.e., anthropogenic interference and natural causes. After the collecting of water and macroinvertebrates, samples were carried out into 500 ml plastic bottles with enough water, so that samples were not damaged during transportation.

In the laboratory, macroinvertebrates were preserved within a few hours of collection in 90% alcohol. The collection was sorted within a month by RIVPACS (River

**Figure 4.** *Site C.*

**Figure 5.** *Site D.*

*Evaluation of Water Quality Using Physicochemical Parameters and Aquatic Insects Diversity DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.108423*


### **Table 1.**

*The geographical position of sampling sites at Soan River.*


*A: Simly Dam; B: Aari Syedan; C: Hummak; D: Soan Adae: WHO: World Health Organization; S.E in brackets. Bold indicates that the values didn't follow the WHO Standards.*

### **Table 2.**

*Physio-chemical analysis of water samples collected from Soan River.*

Invertebrate Prediction and Classification System) standard procedure (Environment Agency, 1997) using taxonomic keys [32]. Small aquatic insects were sorted under a dissecting microscope, whereas large insects were sorted with naked eyes. All samples were then kept in properly labeled vials containing 90% alcohol.

Biotic Index, Biological Monitoring Working Party-Average Score Per Taxon (BMWP-ASPT), The HBI (Hilsenhoff Biotic Index) or Family Biotic Index (FBI), Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) Index and Water Quality Index were assessed using the data gathered. Small description for each of the indexes are also given as follows.
