Impacto del uso recreacional en la calidad del agua del balneario “Piscinas Naturales” que pertenecen a la Microcuenca Papalango del cantón Pindal, provincia de Loja

Abstract

This study aims to determine the impact of recreational use on water quality of the bathing site "Piscinas Naturales" located in the city of Pindal, Loja province. We conducted eight samplings campaigns in four natural pools with different intensity of recreational use during the high and low seasons, distributed along the dry and rainy season. We determined in situ and at the laboratory, several physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters (water quality). The spatial and temporal variation of these parameters were analyzed through a mixed linear model performed in R environment. The results of the water analysis were compared with the Ecuadorian Standard. We determined that parameters pH, concentrations of total coliforms, fecal and E. coli exceed the permissible limit established in the water quality criteria for recreational use. Also, the analyses showed an increasing in the concentration of E. coli with the increasing in the number of bathers.