Evaluación de la calidad de agua del río Jimbitono de la comunidad Jimbitono, provincia de Morona Santiago

Abstract

The main objective of the current study was to evaluate the water quality of Jimbitono River located in the Jimbitono community through the application applying the ICA and BMWP/Col indices; as well as using canonical correspondence analysis. The study section covered 3 km where three study stations identified as Jimbitono River Point (P1RJ, P2RJ, P3RJ) that were located during the months of May, June and July taking into consideration the upper, middle and lower zones of the river being analyzed during the rainy and dry seasons. On the other hand, it collected water samples in accordance with INEN 2169 and INEN 2176 standards taking 3 samples per station. Macroinvertebrate monitoring was carried out using Surber nets and the sampling technique whose samples were preserved in 70% alcohol. The ICA and BMWP/Col indices gave regular and good values for the micro-watershed. The physicochemical parameters with the highest concentration that mainly modified water quality were nitrates [4.8 ppm], phosphates [2.31 ppm] and fecal coliforms [>1000 UFC] at points P2RJ and P3RJ during the months June and July exceeding the values in the Chart 6 of Ministerial Agreement 097. The most abundant macroinvertebrate families were Leptophlebiidae (11.49%), Hydropsychidae (10.59%), Naucoridae (6.98%) and Corydalidae (4.50%) that are indicative of slightly polluted waters. At the end of the study, it was determined that the agricultural, livestock and tourism activities carried out on the banks of the Jimbitono River are directly involved in the alteration of water quality. Finally, it recommended the implementation of a management plan for the micro-watershed to prevent the progressive contamination of the river; as well as the recovery of the riverbank flora and the delimitation of the territory occupied for agricultural and livestock activities.