We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Changes in Surface Water Quality of the El Salvador River in La Joya de los Sachas, Ecuadorian Amazon Region.
- Authors
Vargas-Tierras, Tannia; Jiménez-Gutiérrez, Mirian; Pastrano, Sandra; Chávez, Gino; Morales-León, Vanessa; Morales-León, María; Paredes, Fernando; Vásquez-Castillo, Wilson
- Abstract
Water effluent pollution in the Ecuadorian Amazon occurs mainly due to the lack of sewage infrastructure, wastewater treatment plants in urban and rural areas, and agricultural and livestock activities. Consequently, understanding water quality is crucial because of its dynamic nature, influenced by various activities along its course. We evaluated and compared the water quality status of the El Salvador River with the current standards of the Ministry of the Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition in Ecuador and with Decree No. 115/2003 on water quality and water pollution management. The water quality index was determined through random sampling at seven locations along the river. The results show good water quality, with contamination indices ranging from 84 to 87. When comparing the results with the standards, all water quality parameters met the standards for recreational purposes. However, considering the river's uses for agricultural activities, we compared the water with additional standards from legislation outlined by the Environment Ministry and found that the nitrate content exceeded permissible limits due to runoff from the surrounding crops, causing a potential risk to human health. Therefore, incorporating helophyte plants is a promising option that would promote the health of this aquatic ecosystem and others.
- Subjects
EL Salvador; ECUADOR; WATER quality; WATER quality management; SEWAGE disposal plants; WATER pollution
- Publication
Water (20734441), 2024, Vol 16, Issue 9, p1259
- ISSN
2073-4441
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.3390/w16091259