Estudio integral de la calidad del agua del río Burgay y evaluación del riesgo toxicológico por la probable presencia de plaguicidas

Abstract

Water quality of the Burgay river basin in the Province of Cañar - Ecuador was studied by using two water quality indices: ICA of the Mexican Institute of Water Technology, for the physical- chemical and bacteriological quality; and BMWP (Biological Monitoring Working Party) for the biological quality based on aquatic macro-invertebrates. Crop and livestock activity is predominant in the basin, therefore diffuse pollution was also assessed by the presence of pesticides and associated toxicological risk; some monitoring stations exceeded concentrations permitted by the Ecuadorian Legislation called “Tulas” to sources intended for human supply and just require disinfection: 10 ppb for organ chlorinated pesticides (OC), and 100 ppb for organ pesticides phosphorus (OF). This comprehensive study identifies the uses to which the water resource can be used: public water supply, recreation, fishing and aquatic, agricultural and industrial life. The evaluation was performed by systematic monitoring for a period of ten months, from February to November 2013. There is a need to intercept domestic wastewater of the largest populations in the basin, which is currently discharged directly to the river; and implementing a monitoring system for pesticides in drinking water of communities that use the resource, without pre-treatment.