Evaluación de la calidad del agua de la Laguna de Cuicocha mediante el uso de la herramienta

The Cuicocha lagoon is a lake system of volcanic origin that currently presents risk areas that contaminate the place, so its water quality was evaluated through physical, chemical and biological analyzes to establish its current state, for this it was necessary a sampling plan in the points of greatest contamination, determined through a thematic mapping, compare the results of the characterization of the water with the current regulations, determine the Water Quality Index to verify the degree of affectation, and make a proposal to reduce the environmental impacts that are generated in this place. 3 monitoring was carried out (period between February and April 2021), in which in-situ and ex-situ parameters were analyzed in the soil and water chemistry laboratory of the PUCE-SI. The average results of the analyzed parameters were: sulfates 9.85 mg. L-1 , light penetration 7.23 m, pH 6.67, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) 92.28%, Nitrates 1.66 mg.L- 1 , Phosphates 0.35 mg.L-1 , Fecal coliforms 5.12 NMP / 100 ml, Temperature 17.04 ° C, Turbidity 0.64 NTU, BOD5 8.55 mg.L-1 . For the comparison of the regulations with the results, reference was made to that of Ecuador, Peru and Chile, the parameters that met were: pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, phosphates, fecal coliforms and temperature and those that did not meet total dissolved solids and turbidity. After completing this research, it was determined that the water quality index (ICA) of the Cuicocha Lagoon is 72.50, therefore, it is within the range of 'good' quality according to the scale proposed by Brown, is why it is considered suitable for the preservation of the flora and fauna of the Cotacachi Cayapas National Park.

La laguna de Cuicocha es un sistema lacustre de origen volcánico que en la actualidad presenta zonas de riesgo que contaminan el lugar, es así que se evaluó su calidad del agua mediante análisis físicos, químicos y biológicos para establecer su estado actual, para ello fue necesario: un plan de muestreo en los puntos de mayor contaminación mediante una cartografía temática, comparar los resultados de la caracterización del agua con la normativa vigente, determinar el Índice de Calidad del Agua para comprobar el grado de afectación, y plantear una propuesta para reducir los impactos ambientales que se generan en este lugar. Se realizaron 3 monitoreos (período entre febrero y abril 2021), en los que se analizaron parámetros in-situ y ex situ en laboratorio de Química suelos y aguas de la PUCE-SI. Los resultados promedios de los parámetros analizados fueron: sulfatos 9,85 mg. L-1 , penetración de luz 7,23 m, pH 6,67, oxígeno disuelto (OD) 92,28%, nitratos 1,66 mg.L-1 , fosfatos 0,35 mg.L-1 , coliformes fecales 5,12 NMP/100 ml, temperatura 17,04 °C, turbidez 0,64 NTU, DBO5 8,55 mg.L-1 . Para comparar los resultados con la normativa, se hizo referencia a la de Ecuador, Perú y Chile, los parámetros que cumplieron fueron: pH, oxígeno disuelto, nitratos, fosfatos, coliformes fecales y temperatura y los que no cumplieron sólidos disueltos totales y turbidez. Luego de finalizar esta investigación se pudo determinar que el índice de calidad de agua (ICA) de la Laguna de Cuicocha es de 72,50, por lo tanto, se encuentra dentro del rango de calidad “buena” según la escala propuesta por Brown, lo que se considera apta para la preservación de la flora y la fauna del Parque Nacional Cotacachi Cayapas.

The Cuicocha lagoon is a lake system of volcanic origin that currently presents risk areas that contaminate the place, so its water quality was evaluated through physical, chemical and biological analyzes to establish its current state, for this it was necessary a sampling plan in the points of greatest contamination, determined through a thematic mapping, compare the results of the characterization of the water with the current regulations, determine the Water Quality Index to verify the degree of affectation, and make a proposal to reduce the environmental impacts that are generated in this place. 3 monitoring was carried out (period between February and April 2021), in which in-situ and ex-situ parameters were analyzed in the soil and water chemistry laboratory of the PUCE-SI. The average results of the analyzed parameters were: sulfates 9.85 mg. L-1 , light penetration 7.23 m, pH 6.67, Dissolved Oxygen (DO) 92.28%, Nitrates 1.66 mg.L- 1 , Phosphates 0.35 mg.L-1 , Fecal coliforms 5.12 NMP / 100 ml, Temperature 17.04 ° C, Turbidity 0.64 NTU, BOD5 8.55 mg.L-1 . For the comparison of the regulations with the results, reference was made to that of Ecuador, Peru and Chile, the parameters that met were: pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, phosphates, fecal coliforms and temperature and those that did not meet total dissolved solids and turbidity. After completing this research, it was determined that the water quality index (ICA) of the Cuicocha Lagoon is 72.50, therefore, it is within the range of good quality according to the scale proposed by Brown, is why it is considered suitable for the preservation of the flora and fauna of the Cotacachi Cayapas National Park.