Abstract

ESCOBAR ARRIETA, Sandra; ALBUJA, Ana  and  ANDUEZA LEAL, Félix Daniel. Calidad fisicoquímica del agua de la laguna Colta. Chimborazo. Ecuador. Figempa [online]. 2021, vol.11, n.1, pp.76-81. ISSN 2602-8484.  https://doi.org/10.29166/revfig.v11i1.3135.

High mountain lagoons are very fragile ecosystems subject to variations in the physicochemical characteristics that influence their biological and ecological conditions. In Ecuador there is a great diversity of high mountain lagoons that have been investigated in recent years. In this sense, the present work was carried out to know the seasonal dynamics of the physicochemical factors in the Colta lagoon, located in the province of Chimborazo, Ecuador at an altitude of 3312 meters above sea level. Measurements of the physicochemical parameters, electrical conductivity, pH, total dissolved solids, temperature and transparency were carried out in different parts of lagoon for a period of two years using a multiparameter equipment and the Seecchi disk. The results obtained indicate an alkaline pH with values ​​between 8.36 and 9.20 and an average value of 8.87, a temperate temperature between 16.4 and 18.9 °C with an average value of 17.91 °​​C, Elevated electrical conductivity with a range of values ​​throughout the lagoon from 903 to 1253 µs/cm and an average value of 1085 µs/cm, high amount of total dissolved solids that varied between 537 to 832 mg/L and an average value of 680 mg/L and a Seecchi transparency index indicative of a eutrophic lake with values ​​between 0.76 and 3.5 meters, with an average value of 1.54 meters. The results obtained indicate a eutrophic lake ecosystem with stable physicochemical parameters throughout the lagoon over time.

Keywords : Colta lagoon; High mountain lagoons; Physicochemical quality.

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