Evaluación de la calidad del agua del río Las Monjas e identificación de los principales puntos de contaminación.

This study evaluates the water quality of the Monjas River, located in Quito, Ecuador, using aquatic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators and physicochemical parameter analyses. Six sampling points were strategically selected to represent diverse environmental conditions. The analyzed variables included temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, phosphates, fecal coliforms, and turbidity, measured with a multiparameter device and standard laboratory methods. The design was descriptive and analytical, applying the Andean Biotic Index (ABI) to determine water quality. The results showed that all sampling points had 'poor' quality, with a dominance of pollution-tolerant macroinvertebrates such as Chironomidae and Oligochaeta. This reflects the impact of untreated wastewater discharges, unplanned urbanization, and riverbank erosion. It is concluded that implementing comprehensive environmental management strategies, including river habitat restoration and mitigation of pollution sources, is urgent. This study highlights the effectiveness of bioindicators as cost efficient and reliable tools for environmental assessment in urban systems, providing a scientific basis for conservation policies and sustainability efforts.

El presente estudio evalúa la calidad del agua del río Monjas, ubicado en Quito, Ecuador, utilizando macroinvertebrados acuáticos como bioindicadores y análisis de parámetros fisicoquímicos. Se emplearon seis puntos de muestreo, seleccionados estratégicamente para representar diversas condiciones ambientales. Las variables analizadas incluyeron temperatura, pH, oxígeno disuelto, nitratos, fosfatos, coliformes fecales y turbidez, medidas con un multiparámetro in situ y métodos estándar de laboratorio. El diseño fue descriptivo y analítico, aplicando el Índice Biológico Andino (ABI) para determinar la calidad del agua. Los resultados mostraron que todos los puntos de muestreo presentaron una calidad 'pésima,' con una dominancia de macroinvertebrados tolerantes a la contaminación, como Chironomidae y Oligochaeta. Esto evidencia el impacto de descargas de aguas residuales, urbanización no planificada y erosión en las riberas. Se concluye que es urgente implementar estrategias integrales de manejo ambiental que incluyan restauración de hábitats fluviales y mitigación de fuentes de contaminación. Este estudio resalta la efectividad de los bioindicadores como herramientas económicas y confiables para la evaluación ambiental en sistemas urbanos, ofreciendo una base científica para políticas de conservación y sostenibilidad.

This study evaluates the water quality of the Monjas River, located in Quito, Ecuador, using aquatic macroinvertebrates as bioindicators and physicochemical parameter analyses. Six sampling points were strategically selected to represent diverse environmental conditions. The analyzed variables included temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, phosphates, fecal coliforms, and turbidity, measured with a multiparameter device and standard laboratory methods. The design was descriptive and analytical, applying the Andean Biotic Index (ABI) to determine water quality. The results showed that all sampling points had poor quality, with a dominance of pollution-tolerant macroinvertebrates such as Chironomidae and Oligochaeta. This reflects the impact of untreated wastewater discharges, unplanned urbanization, and riverbank erosion. It is concluded that implementing comprehensive environmental management strategies, including river habitat restoration and mitigation of pollution sources, is urgent. This study highlights the effectiveness of bioindicators as cost efficient and reliable tools for environmental assessment in urban systems, providing a scientific basis for conservation policies and sustainability efforts.