Spatial and seasonal variations of organic and inorganic pollution parameters and relationship between Malacostraca fauna in the Eastern Black Sea rivers Short Title: The relationship of some Malacostracans with pollutants

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study is to reveal the relationship between Malacostraca species distributed in the eastern Black Sea basin streams and some organic and inorganic pollution parameters. For this purpose, water samples and Malacostraca samples were taken seasonally from 9 stations selected from the basin between 2019–2020. A hand net (D-frame net) was used for biological samples. For the determination temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH parameters were seasonally measured in the field. Measurements for Nitrate, Ammonia, Phosphate were made with spectrophotometer. Metal analyzes in water were performed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry. 4 species of Malacostraca have been identified. Environmental parameters and species were evaluated together and it was determined that Asellus aquaticus species was distributed in both clean and partially polluted stations. It has been observed that Potamon ibericum species is sensitive to pollution and prefers clean waters.Gammarus komareki and Gammarus pulex pulex species have been found to tolerate light contamination. In this study, different parameters were examined in the rivers of the eastern Black Sea basin and it was observed that the pollution was low and there were seasonal differences.