Evaluation of water quality in the Chillán River (Central Chile) using physicochemical parameters and a modified water quality index.
Environ Monit Assess
; 110(1-3): 301-22, 2005 Nov.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-16308794
The Chillán River in Central Chile plays a fundamental role in local society, as a source of irrigation and drinking water, and as a sink for urban wastewater. In order to characterize the spatial and temporal variability of surface water quality in the watershed, a Water Quality Index (WQI) was calculated from nine physicochemical parameters, periodically measured at 18 sampling sites (January-November 2000). The results indicated a good water quality in the upper and middle parts of the watershed. Downstream of the City of Chillán, water quality conditions were critical during the dry season, mainly due to the effects of the urban wastewater discharge. On the basis of the results from a Principal Component Analysis (PCA), modifications were introduced into the original WQI to reduce the costs associated with its implementation. WQIDIR2 and WQIDIR, which are both based on a laboratory analysis (Chemical Oxygen Demand) and three (pH, temperature and conductivity), respectively, four field measurements (pH, temperature, conductivity and Dissolved Oxygen), adequately reproduce the most important spatial and temporal variations observed with the original index. They are proposed as useful tools for monitoring global water quality trends in this and other, similar agricultural watersheds in the Chilean Central Valley. Possibilities and limitations for the application of the used methodology to watersheds in other parts of the world are discussed.
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Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Contaminantes Químicos del Agua
/
Ríos
País/Región como asunto:
America do sul
/
Chile
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Environ Monit Assess
Asunto de la revista:
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
Año:
2005
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Chile
Pais de publicación:
Países Bajos