Caracterización del río "La Cantera " mediante el uso de indicadores físico-químicos y microbiológicos para determinar su factibilidad.

Abstract

The present work consists of a planning to determine the feasibility of use of La Cantera river located in the urban-rural neighborhood of San Fernando, belonging to the Metropolitan District of Quito. For this purpose, a preliminary reconnaissance of the area was carried out, as weel as to determine external and internal factors that could interfere with the quality of the river, and to determine key sampling points. Consequently, in situ parameters were analyzed, as well as physical, chemical and biological parameters, and the results were compared with the current TUSLMA regulations, and the water quality index was calculated. The results obtained show that the water body is between poor and medium quality, therefore, it is not suitable for human consumption, but meets the standards for agricultural use. The results obtained in the calculation of the AQI for each point are as follows: At point 1, which is the one located before the water fall, the lowest AQI result of all 5 points was obtained, which is 46,38. This shows that the water is of poor quality and contaminated. The average of the following 3 points is 55.73, which represents a slight increase in the quality of the river, due to the oxygenation provided by the water fall at point 2, and at point 5, which is the most important, since it is the water reservoir, a result of 57.31 was obtained, which is the highest AQI of all the points, but even so it is not suitable for human consumption without prior treatment.