Influencia de la estructura térmica en los parámetros fisicoquímicos y químicos de la laguna Magdalena-Atillo del Parque Nacional Sangay

Abstract

The current research determined the influence of the thermal structure on the physicochemical parameters as well as the trophic status of Magdalena-Atillo lagoon located in Guamote county, Chimborazo province. Eight points were established (four in Magdalena lagoon, two in Atillo lagoon, one in Negra lagoon and one in the Kuyuk lagoon) for their respective sampling from November 2020 to January 2021. The temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and electrical conductivity were obtained by direct reading with a portable digital multiparameter, and for measuring the transparency of the water column, it was necessary to use a Secchi disc. Nitrates, total phosphorus, turbidity, color, alkalinity, organic matter, and chlorophyll-a were analyzed in the water quality laboratory belonging to the Faculty of Sciences from Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, this analysis was based on the Standard Methods. The results of the temperature gradient in the water column at M-P1 and M-P2 points revealed the presence of a stable thermocline in the samplings corresponding to november and december. With the use of SPSS Statistics Program (considering a significance of 0.05), it was possible to determine that Magdalena lagoon reflects high correlations between thermal structure and pH, dissolved oxygen, conductivity, color, turbidity, nitrates, total phosphorus and alkalinity. In addition, the thermal structure of Atillo Lagoon had a correlation with pH, color and turbidity. With the application of the Trophic State Index Modified by Toledo (1985), it was determined that the lagoons studied were in an oligotrophic state. Thus, it is recommended to expand the study of the parameters on site with the use of remote sensors (multiparameters) to measure the nutrients at different depths in the lagoons.