Water quality in the tropical Andes hotspot: The Yacuambi river (southeastern Ecuador)

Yacuambi river waters (southeast Ecuador, Amazonian region) were assessed to evaluate the potential risk to populations, who use it for drinking and irrigation, and ecosystems, which are part of Tropical Andes hotspot and considered some of the most biodiverse in the world. The water quality index w...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Science of the total environment 2018-08, Vol.633, p.50-58
Main Authors: Villa-Achupallas, Mercedes, Rosado, Daniel, Aguilar, Silvio, Galindo-Riaño, María Dolores
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Environmental protection
Metals
Pesticides
Pollution
Trace elements
Zamora-Chinchipe
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Summary:Yacuambi river waters (southeast Ecuador, Amazonian region) were assessed to evaluate the potential risk to populations, who use it for drinking and irrigation, and ecosystems, which are part of Tropical Andes hotspot and considered some of the most biodiverse in the world. The water quality index was calculated and some quality parameters were checked to comply with Ecuadorian and North American standards for human consumption, preservation of aquatic life and irrigation. Four samplings were carried out in six stations covering the entire length of the Yacuambi river. Several parameters were analyzed: pH, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, temperature, color, phosphates, nitrite, nitrate, biochemical oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total solids, turbidity, metals (Ba, Cd, Cr, Pb, As and Hg), pesticides and fecal coliforms. The water quality in the Yacuambi river was good and medium according to the classification of the Water Quality Index. However, it was unsuitable for human consumption, preservation of aquatic life and irrigation according to Ecuadorian and North American standards. Arsenic, color and fecal coliforms exceeded the limits for human consumption in all samples tested. Thresholds of preservation of aquatic life were exceeded in all samples in the case of Pb and in some samples for As, pH, nitrite and nitrate. Arsenic and fecal coliforms made Yacuambi river waters unsuitable for irrigation. [Display omitted] •Yacuambi river waters were good and medium according to Water Quality Index.•Water is inadequate for drinking, preservation of aquatic life and irrigation.•Color, As and fecal coliforms exceeded human consumption limits in all samples.•All samples exceeded the threshold of preservation for aquatic life for Pb.•Yacuambi river waters are unsuitable for irrigation due to As and fecal coliforms.
ISSN:0048-9697
1879-1026
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.165