Análisis integral de la calidad de agua del río Ambato, mediante la utilización de indicadores biológicos, complementadas con variables físico-químicas, para la generación de propuestas de gestión

Abstract

In this study, the quality of water of Ambato River was analyzed, using biological and physic-chemical indicators at nine monitoring sites, defined by the Municipality of Ambato along the basin of this river, from October 2015 to April 2016, including drought and rainy seasons. For biotic analysis 10,389 macroinvertebrate were collected and abiotic analysis 15 water-quality parameters were analyzed, To these data were applied quality indices, indicating that the lowest contamination is in the high micro-basin, presenting a medium-low diversity, BMWP/Col values from 43 to 111 and Horton’s index values from 63.3 to 93.8. The highest contamination was found at the lower basin, showing a low diversity BMWP/Col values from 3 to 9 and Horton’s index from 26.7 to 32.7. Correlation among biotic and abiotic factors, indicate that concentration of certain physic-chemical parameters, are negatively affecting macroinvertebrate communities in upper and lower basins, during both periods. As result, four management proposals were established, for its implementation by the Municipality of Ambato, in order to diminish contamination levels and recover the quality of water of Ambato River.