Regresar

Dynamics of Nitrates and Phosphates in Chone Multipurpose Dam, Ecuador

Abstract:

Eutrophication is a phenomenon caused by excess nutrients in a body of water, which results in accelerated growth of aquatic plants and a decrease in aerobic processes. The reservoir of the chone multipurpose dam (CMD) is undergoing eutrophication processes, which is contaminating the water and restricting its use for domestic consumption and agricultural irrigation. The objectives of this article were to determine the growth history of phosphate (PO43−) and nitrate (NO3−) nutrients in the years from 2014 to 2020 to determine the acceleration of the eutrophication of the reservoir and the characterization of the quality of water for human consumption and agricultural irrigation. The study showed a growth of nutrients since 2014, with growths of more than 41% in (NO3−) and (PO43−) this allowed to conclude the presence of accelerated eutrophication in the water due to phosphates exceeding 0.1 mg/L every year. Also, in the year 2020 water samples were not suitable for human consumption because the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) exceeded the maximum permissible limits of current Ecuador regulations, but the water is acceptable for agricultural irrigation.